Take care of YOU!
A message from WPF President, Cecelia Anderson
Happy 2023! While I am excited about the new year and all its possibilities, I’m having a difficult time figuring out what happened to 2022. Each year seems to pass faster than the last. A few years ago, shortly after joining WPF, I was asked to serve on the WPF Board as secretary. I figured it was a great way to get my feet wet and get more involved with the group. I never in a million years thought accepting that first board position would put me in the role of president five years later, yet here we are. I am honored to serve as your president, and I know it will be a great year.
At our December meeting, we took time to talk with our tablemates about what brings us joy. While the responses ranged in variety — reading a good book, traveling, making time to exercise or meditate, keeping up with traditions such as getting together with a group of friends on a set date and time for the past 25+ years — they did have something in common: all these things that bring us joy are things that we do to take care of ourselves.
As women, we are caretakers by nature. Whether it’s taking care of children or other family members or friends, we are always working hard to make sure that others’ needs are met. I also see it in the workplace —it’s usually my female coworkers who are making sure everything is just right for that big meeting or holiday luncheon. Often, we wouldn’t have it any other way — we enjoy taking care of people. We like lending a hand or being that shoulder to lean on. However, if you’re too busy caring for others, when will you have time to care for yourself?
The notion of “self-care” is not something we talk about often but it is so important. Self-care is the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress. Well, as a working mom (especially during the month of December!) I am here to tell you that these so-called “periods of stress” are basically just my everyday life. Life is stressful for everyone. If we don’t take steps to take care of ourselves, we won’t be able to take care of others.
As we look to the new year and make our new year’s resolutions, I hope one of your goals will be to take time for yourself and practice a little self-care. Take that vacation (and turn on your out-of-office notice!), schedule that spa day, sign up for that yoga retreat, or make your daily walk or run like any other appointment on your calendar. We shared that these are the things that bring us joy and each and every one of us deserves to treat ourselves to a little self-care every once in a while. I honestly believe I’ll be a better person, and caretaker, for it.
If you’re up for sharing, I’d love to hear some of your favorite self-care activities. I may borrow one or two and add them to my list!
I look forward to seeing you in 2023!
January Meeting – Wednesday, JANUARY 25, 2023
Becoming a Lazy Genius in 2023 with Kendra Adachi
Join us as we welcome Kendra Adachi, a two-time New York Times bestselling author of The Lazy Genius Way and The Lazy Genius Kitchen. Her podcast, The Lazy Genius Podcast, has over 18 million downloads and covers everything from cooking chicken to making friends. As a systems expert and professional permission-giver, Kendra helps others stop doing it all for the sake of doing what matters. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three kids.
A NOTE FROM YOUR FOUNDATION
A NOTE FROM YOUR FOUNDATIONFrom Kim Eder, WPF Foundation President
Hello and Happy New Year from the WPF Foundation.
I am excited to be leading the Foundation Board this year along with a great group of officers and Directors. We are about to kick off our grant application cycle and we are so excited to continue our long history of grant making in Guilford County. Please spread the word about our grants to the organizations you think may qualify and encourage them to apply. Information on our cycles and process is available at https://wpforum.org/foundation/grants/ .
WPF MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
From Meryl Mullane, Membership Committee Chair
2023 WPF membership renewal notices will be sent out mid-January and all membership fees are due by March 1st. At the time this newsletter was being compiled, the Board of Directors were reviewing the membership fee structure for 2023. Watch your inbox for an email notice.
If you are considering changing your membership status or have questions about membership, please contact Meryl Mullane at merylmullane@gmail.com.
Special Interest Group Upcoming Events
LADIES OF LEISURE
Wednesday, January 18
12:30 PM
Undercurrent Restaurant
327 Battleground Ave
We will gather for a planning meeting to lay out the LOL 2023 calendar of events, so please be thinking about your ideas for next year. RSVP at retired@wpforum.org.
FINANCIAL DIVAS
Wednesday, January 18 @ 9am
Weaver Park Center – 324 West Wendover Avenue
Where would you rate your financial super powers on a scale from 1 (inconsistent and out-of-shape) to 10 (“Swiss army knife” savvy)? Would you like to raise that personal rating in 2023? If you want to better achieve/maintain financial independence, feel more empowered and gain greater peace of mind, join us for the 2023 Financial Divas kick off meeting! We’ll gather at the Weaver Park Center building at 324 West Wendover Avenue (two blocks west of North Elm and at the corner of Wendover and Cridland) from 9am to 10am on Wednesday, January 18th. RSVP to Paula McMillan by text at 336-337-9507 or email at pmcmillan@stearnsfinancial.com by end of day Monday, January 16th. (If unable to make it, but interested, please text that as well so I can “keep you in the loop”). Coffee and bagels will be served.
WOMEN OF WALL STREET
Thursday, January 19 @ 6PM
Holiday Party at the home of Cathy Nosek
Please bring your favorite beverage. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and lots of fun will be provided! Contact Katrina Solomon at katrinak.solomon@gmail.com by January 12 if you wish to attend.
OPEN TO NEW MEMBERS… CONTACT PEGGY WARD BY JANUARY 31
Once a year, WOW opens for new members. The portfolio will be priced on December 31, 2022, and the value per share will be established. Please contact Peggy Ward at peggy.ward8@icloud.com if you would like to join by January 31, 2023. Existing members can add to their holdings not to exceed 1 share. Please contact Pat Price at patprice4639@gmail.com if you want to add to your holding by January 31, 2023.
The first Business Meeting of the year will Thursday, February 16, at 6:00 p.m. at Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church when we will elect officers, welcome new members, and review the portfolio. Please mark your calendars now. Looking forward to a terrific 2023!
BOOKS & ARTS
Monday, January 23 @ 6:30 PM
Kris Landrum’s house
It’s hard to believe but another year has flown by, and it’s time to make plans for Books and Arts activities for the 2023 year. Our tradition is to gather at the home of Kris Landrum (704 Plummer Drive) for a light dinner and a brainstorming session to explore ideas for activities of our group. We invite you to join this planning session and be part of the action!
Come with suggestions for activities and a willingness to organize an event. We’re looking not just for ideas but for involvement of participants in helping to facilitate events. Gathering time is 6:30 pm.
If you’d like to come, email Kris Landrum (klandrum@tuggleduggins.com) or Michele Smith (msmith@hillevans.com). It’s a fun evening and great way to meet some of your WPF sisters.
WhINE DIVAS
Tuesday, January 24 @ 6-7:30 PM
WineStyles
Friendly Center
Please join us at WineStyles at Friendly where we will sample 4 different wines that pair well with hearty winter dishes. Cost is $25 per person.
RSVP to Lorri at Lorriyaskiewicz@gmail.com. Hope to see you there!
SERVICE TO OTHERS
Tuesday, January 24 @ 6 PM
The Family Room
204-C, S Westgate Drive
The mission of this nonprofit is to love, encourage and support families who foster and the children in their care. They provide resources include clothing, toys, beds, diapers, wipes, and formula. The goal is to never have a family have to say no to a placement because they don’t have what the kids need. Our time will be spent sorting and organizing some of these resources. Their website is https://familyroomtriad.com/ if you would like more information. Please RSVP to Jody Susong (jsusong@triad.rr.com) or Amy Baradell (amyb@windowworksstudio.com) If you want to join us. For those who would like, we will head out for dessert afterwards.
DINING OUT
Wednesday, January 25th @ 6:30 PM
St. Jacques @ The Burke Manor – 303 Burke St., Gibsonville, NC 27249
Join us for a singular Dining Out at St. Jacques @ The Burke Manor. This restaurant serves French cuisine and will have a special, limited menu for our group. The location is 30 minutes from Downtown Greensboro, so we will be arranging carpools for those interested. Please RSVP to Amy Meinecke at https://airtable.com/shrL9bv1AqeRMeQ9s
LADIES OF LEISURE
February 23 and/or 24, 2023
The Ladies of Leisure SIG will be volunteering as competitive events judges for the annual NC DECA State Career Development Conference at the Koury Convention Center. What a fantastic way to share our professional expertise and wisdom with inspiring students!
250 business professionals from around the Guilford County area are needed to serve as judges on Thursday, February 23 and/or Friday, February 24 for a half day.
Volunteers will judge and evaluate North Carolina high school marketing/business students on their professionalism, presentation skills, business plans, etc. 3500 students will vie for a spot to compete at the International Career Development conference in Orlando, FL!
RSVP to retired@wpforum.org or contact christiesoper@gmail.com with questions or more information on her personal story about this organization’s impact on her life.