Happy (Almost) Fall!
A message from WPF President, Cecelia Anderson
It feels like just last night I was pulling the pool bag out of the closet and replacing it with book bags we weren’t going to need for months. We felt like we had all the time in the world. Three(ish) months of fun summer camps for the kids and a break from the 35-minute carpool lines for the adults. Yet, here we are, in the blink of an eye, with the start of another school year, another season, upon us. Time certainly doesn’t want to slow down, no matter how much I wish it would.
As we prepare for a new season and the change that inevitably comes with it, I always try to make time to reflect on the prior one. What were the best moments? What filled my bucket vs. drained it? What do I wish I had made more time for or given more of my attention to? Most importantly, how engaged was I in these moments?
Engagement means different things to each of us and I think it changes based on your life stage. As a working mom with school-aged kids, ensuring I’m engaged with my family, as well as my clients and co-workers, is a huge priority. It’s also a huge balancing act. You can’t just show up. You have to be engaged and engagement takes effort.
Engagement has been a hot topic within WPF in recent years. With an organization as large as ours, simply showing up for the monthly lunch meetings probably isn’t going to allow you to get the most out of our group. There are so many ways to get involved within WPF, from SIG outings (there seems to be at least one a week- we are busy ladies!) to joining a committee or serving on one of our boards. We also launched a new Facebook page- Notables- for members to share information about community and professional events they’re interested in.
To our new membership class, I encourage you to take advantage of WPF’s wonderful connections and friendships. And to our existing members, I encourage you to reach out to one of our new members- invite them to attend a SIG with you or to sit with you at lunch. A little bit of effort on the engagement front can go a long way to building lifelong connections and friendships.
SEPTEMBER MEETING …September 13, 12:30-1:30, Starmount Forest Country Club
A Panel Discussion with Three Women Business Owners
On paper, things have never looked better for women entrepreneurs. As of 2017, more than 11 million U.S. businesses were owned by women, employing nearly 9 million people and generating $1.7 trillion in sales, according to the National Association of Women Business Owners.
But these numbers only tell part of the story. Women-owned businesses are still in the minority, and the hurdles faced by women who have embraced entrepreneurship are vast and often very different from those experienced by their male counterparts. September’s program will shed light on some of these disparities and how we can lift up women business owners.
Fall Small Group Dinner Announcement
Summer is coming to an end and that means the Fall Small Group Dinners are right around the corner! This fall’s dinners will be scheduled between October 1 and October 30. (We’re skipping Halloween so that everyone can trick or treat!)
So that we have enough spots for every WPF sister that would like to attend a dinner, we need hostesses. To sign up, please complete this Google Form (https://forms.gle/YGD2XFU5v8g36i3R8) by September 15, and we will use the information to create a Sign Up Genius.. Thank you for your hospitality. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Mencarini and Nicole Hayes.
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MEMBERSHIP NEWS
From Meryl Mullane, WPF Membership Committee Chair
~If you could be the best in the world at something, what would it be?
~Do you have a secret talent? Can you do it right now?
~If you could be any kind of animal, which would you be?
What would you answer? We got some funny, sweet, and surprising answers at the August meeting, as each new WPF member fielded a question and shared a glimpse of who she is. We introduced 11 members of the Class of ’23 and will be introducing the other four new members at the September meeting. Let’s help our fascinating fifteen new members feel welcome.
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WPF FOUNDATION NEWS
WPF FOUNDATION NEWSA Message from Kim Eder, WPF Foundation President
Wow! Welcome to September! As we are rounding the corner into the 4th quarter, we have some exciting updates to our grant cycle: We will be opening the grant application cycle on October 1st! We will close it as we have in the past on January 31, 2024. We are also searching for an online/cloud-based system that we can manage our applications as well as the entire grant process. Our goal is to offer applicants a lot more time to apply, we are going to give them a more automated system to apply under. We look forward to getting all of this in place and the advantages it will bring not only to our applicants, but the Foundation as well.
We are also discussing nominees for our Foundation Board of Directors for 2024. If you are interested in serving on the Foundation Board, and did not put it on your preference sheet, please reach out to me directly and I will put you on the consideration list. We look forward to welcoming more of the great talent in WPF onto the board in 2024.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
You may have heard that our administrator, Pat Arnett, is retiring in 2024. Given the high bar, we are beginning the search now. We are seeking someone with excellent interpersonal and technology skills. They should be comfortable being independent as this is a contract position that requires approx. 40 hours per month. While HubSpot is not required, some database experience is necessary. The work is heavier during the week of our regular meeting and the following week when the board meets. Other than those meetings, the time is flexible.
We would like to start someone in the near future, allowing Pat to train them and make sure our HubSpot database is up to date with all of our current information. This will ease the transition. Our search committee is: Ronnie Grabon, Kris Landrum, Amy Baradell, Leigh Ann Klee and Kim Eder. Our current President, Cecelia Anderson and our President-elect, Erica Parker, will make the final decision.
We need your help! If you know of someone who might be interested, please let Ronnie Grabon know at either 336.706.1621 or rsgrabon@gmail.com and she will get you the full job description.
Special Interest Group Upcoming Events
BOOKS & ARTS
NC Folks Festival – September 8-10
Downtown Greensboro
We hope you’ll volunteer at the Folk Festival and attend the weekend activities! Performances start at 6 pm on Friday and ending at 6 pm on Sunday. It takes a lot for the city to put on this event and they need volunteers to help. If you have not signed up yet to volunteer, go to ncfolkfestival.com and sign up! Reach out to a WPF friend and coordinate times so you can enjoy the experience together while providing a needed service to the city. Volunteering can be for as little as a couple hours and options range from selling beer and wine to helping with the craft area to carrying a bucket around to collect contributions, plus lots of other options. Generally, you can hear performances while you’re working so it is a great way to help and enjoy the festival. When you sign up (you will, won’t you?!), put WPF as the group so that our efforts as a group are recognized.
WhINE DIVAS
Tuesday, September 12 @ 6:30 pm
We’re doing the Douro!
Home of Christie Soper
Whine Divas will be sipping and sharing Portuguese wines from the ancient Douro Valley area. Hostesses Anne Smith and Christie Soper will introduce us to light and summery whites, rich and robust reds, and perhaps a pinch of port at Christie’s house. Cost is $30 per person. Please RSVP to christiesoper@gmail.com and make payment via Venmo at ChristieSoper_purple or by check at the Sept 13th meeting.
BOOKS & ARTS
Wednesday, September 13 @ 6:30 pm
Travel Planning Session
Home of Kris Landrum
Recently Books & Arts sponsored a travel survey to determine members’ interests and preferences for future group travel. At our travel planning session, Christie Soper will share the results of the travel survey, gather elaboration with a deeper dive discussion among attendees, and initiate planning for Portugal, which was the #1 request, potentially in 2024 and other priorities beyond. If you’re interested in learning more and providing input, please RSVP to Kris at klandrum@tuggleduggins.com. There will be appetizers and a light dinner to enjoy while dreaming and planning for future travel.
SERVICE TO OTHERS
Thursday, Sept. 14
8:30am – 1pm
Mustard Seed Market
238 South English Street
Year-round, Mustard Seed’s Health Outreach Team supports 25-35 families in reaching their health goals. Many adults in these families are working to manage chronic illnesses (like hypertension and diabetes) through medication, regular exercise, and improved nutrition. Children in these families are learning to eat and cook healthy meals.
We will be assisting with setting up the market (putting up tents, putting out chairs and tables), registering shoppers and assisting with their market activities, then helping to break down after the market is complete.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing for light to moderate activity. Coffee, donuts, and water will be provided. Please RSVP to Amy Baradell at amyb@windowworksstudio.com if you would like to help with this project.
WORKING MOMS
Tuesday, September 19 from 4-5pm
Village Tavern
1903 Westridge Road
Join us for Happy Hour at the Village Tavern. Moms of all ages welcome.
RSVP to Marlee Foster at marlee.foster@conehealth.com.
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WOMEN OF WALL STREET
Thursday, September 21 @ 6pm
Lucky 32
1421 Westover Terrace
Join us for our Dinner Meeting at Lucky 32 restaurant. Please respond to Katrina Solomon at katrinak.solomon@gmail.com by Monday, September 18 if you wish to attend. Also, please mark your calendar for Thursday, October 19, for our final Topic Meeting of the year.
LADIES OF LEISURE
Friday, September 22 from 8:30am to 3pm
Seagrove Pottery Tour
Please send your RSVP via email to retired@wpforum.org. It’s safe to assume you’re confirmed unless you hear otherwise. And remember, all WPF members are welcome!
We will meet at Friendly Center, in the lot between PF Chang’s and Fleming’s Steakhouse, at 8:30 AM and leave no later than 8:45. We’ll carpool to the North Carolina Pottery Center, which opens at 10 AM (note: $2.50 entry fee). From there, we can divide by car to visit a few of the area’s many potteries – Ben Owen III, Jugtown, Westmoore, etc. We will return north for lunch at The Table at 1-1:30 PM in Asheboro. Please reach out to Dawn Kane at daka1@att.net with questions.
DINING OUT
Wednesday, Sept. 27 @ 6:30 pm
Print Works Bistro
702 Green Valley Road
Join host Laura Burton this month.
***Please use this link to register for this month’s Dining Out: https://forms.gle/MLUbY8sQVtkvnRbEA
There will be a new link each month*** Questions? Contact Amy Meinecke at 336-848-3198 or diningout@wpforum.org
FINANCIAL DIVAS
Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 9-10am
Weaver Park Center
324 W Wendover Ave, St 140
Financial Divas will gather and discuss “Risk and Insurance Planning – Risks That Could Throw Us Off Track and How to Mitigate Them”. High level best practices and tips regarding around healthcare, property and liability, death/disability, long-term care and more.
Join us in the “O” to share and learn. Questions? Contact Paula McMillan at pmcmillan@stearnsfinancial.com or 336.337.9507.
UPCOMING BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, October 3
Tuesday, December 5
BOOKS & ARTS THIS OCTOBER!
• October 6-8 … National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN
Beverley Gass is still taking reservations for anyone interested in attending. This is a wonderful event! The storytellers are incredible and the weekend is always great fun! We’ll be staying in a hotel within easy driving distance of Jonesborough. The festival venue has large tents and chairs, so weather is not a big issue, though it is, of course, nicer when it’s not raining! For more information or to join the group, contact Beverley Gass at beverleygass@gmail.com.
• October 7 … Guilford Green Foundation Benefit, National Coming Out Day
Join us in support of National Coming Out Day sponsored by the Guilford Green Foundation. Enjoy vendors, food trucks, and a live performance by the band, Taboo Sue, featuring fellow WPF members Frenesa Hall and Christina Rama. Jeanie Duncan and Christie Soper are hosting, so contact them with questions. Please RSVP to christiesoper@gmail.com.
• October 15 … Brunch & Tour of Homes in Salisbury
Join us for brunch and a tour of homes sponsored by the Historic Salisbury Foundation. The eight homes on tour this year were all built in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s. They are primarily located in the Salisbury Historic District and are an easy walk – no hills. In addition, there will be tours of several historic business buildings, a church and two apartments. There will be trollies available to take us to those facilities. We will leave Greensboro at 10:00, have brunch at Sweet Meadow at 11:00 and enjoy our tour of these amazing homes from 12 o’clock to 4 o’clock, returning to Greensboro by 5 o’clock. Tickets are $30 and the lunch cost is separate. If you want to participate, or have questions contact Darlene at darleneballgso@gmail.com or 336-430-6838.
• July 18 – 21, 2024 … Blowing Rock Summer Trip
We’re taking reservations for next year’s Blowing Rock summer trip (not to be confused with Wild Women in the mountains in March, which you don’t want to miss!) Sixteen of us enjoyed this summer’s trip, with activities including tubing, biking, shopping, spa visits, an outdoor concert, and the Blowing Rock home tour. Next summer our dates are July 18th to 21st to coincide with the Chetola Symphony by the Lake. Unfortunately, we’ll miss the home tour, but the symphony and the home tour are now on different weekends so we’re alternating years. On the positive side, this leaves more time for more shopping, spa visits, tubing, biking, etc., in addition to enjoying the concert. The housing cost usually runs between $200 and $250 per person and other expenses (other than spa treatments and any dining out) probably come in at under $100. Because Blowing Rock is so popular during the summer, we need to reserve accommodations ahead of time. If you’d like to be part of the ’24 trip, email Kris Landrum at klandrum@tuggleduggins.com. Cost to reserve your space is $100, since we have to pay a deposit of half the housing cost when we make reservations. At this point, we already have 13 women signed up for the event. Don’t miss out!
LADIES OF LEISURE … October – November – December
Please send your RSVP via email to retired@wpforum.org for any of the following. It’s safe to assume you’re confirmed unless you hear otherwise. And remember, all WPF members are welcome!
• October 26, 10:45am … Wine Tasting & Lunch at JOLO Winery, Pilot Mountain
• October 26, 10:45am … Wine Tasting & Lunch at JOLO Winery, Pilot MountainJOLO Winery is located in Pilot Mountain, about an hour from Greensboro. We will meet in the Whole Foods parking lot at Friendly Center to carpool at 10:30 AM and depart by 10:45 AM. The cost for wine tasting is $20 for 7 pours – 1 sparkling, 1 white, 1 rose, 3 reds and a dessert wine choice, or a 7-pour tasting of reserve reds is available for $40. If you decide to do both, we will drive you home afterward. Lunch menu options are about $20, so the cost will be in the $50-$75 range with tax & tip. Please contact Jane Hewitt at jhewitt51@gmail.com with questions.
• November 3, 10:15 am … Revolution Mill Tour & Lunch
Nick Piornack, Revolution Mill General Manager, is delighted to provide a tour for us. Please arrive by 10:15, as the tour starts at 10:30 AM. We should finish around 11:30 and can dine onsite. Restaurant operating days/hours might shift; therefore, we will finalize a reservation in October. Parking is TBA. Please contact Beverly Williams at beverlywilliams1971@gmail.com with questions.
• December … Tea at the O. Henry Hotel
Stay tuned! We’re working on a date and time to enjoy afternoon tea together!