BPW Connection 

June 2024

In this issue: 

President's Message  -- Events -- Opportunities --Member News




 President's Message

Got any goals for this summer, {Contact_First_Name}?

One of mine is to get better at identifying the different kinds of fish on our local coral reefs.

The Volunteer Fish Survey Project is run by my work organization Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF). The mission is to encourage regular people to identify the fish they see while scuba diving or snorkeling and share that information with researchers. The ‘citizen science’ data helps track diversity of fish on the reef, potentially identifying endangered fish populations and invasive species (boo lionfish!).

To be honest, I’ve always thought I’d be great at it. After all I’m a diver with hundreds of dives here in the Keys and in Asia. I’ve seen LOTS of fish and can definitely tell the difference between them.

But the first time I descended with one of REEF’s waterproof checklist of the most common species in our area I was overwhelmed. There are actually so many fish!

I’m studying “Fish ID” cards to tell similar species apart by a subtle stripe or dot. I’m realizing how juvenile fish look different than adults of the same species. I’m also learning to look even more closely at what the fish are doing on the reef, another important clue to identifying species.

Here’s what this has to do with BPW: With over 100 members in our local organization, we’re a lot of fish! I remember that when I was new to the community, I was overwhelmed at all the names and faces. But with every event I met a few more people.

Whether you’re new to BPW or not, why not make it a goal to learn some names this summer?

You could start with our new BPW Board of Directors. Check out the handy “Board ID Card” below to learn our faces, names and roles. Have fun spotting us at BPW events and ‘in the wild’!

Ready for more? Here’s another “ID Card” – the Spring 2024 BPW Women’s Scholarship Awardees. Think of them like fish who are transforming into a totally new and spectacular new stage of life on the reef with support from all of us in BPW.

At the Board installation last month, past presidents Ilja Chapman and Suzi Youngberg talked about the coral reef as a theme for our work together, emphasizing how all the parts of that very special environment need to be here, working together, to be healthy and balanced and safe.

I welcome all the fish in the sea to our BPW community. I can’t wait to learn your name and watch what you’ll do next!

Warm regards, 

Jill

Jill Kuehnert

Upper Keys BPW President

‪(305) 767-3928‬


PS Click here to learn more about REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project!

Upcoming Events

June 19 - Networking Night

6-8 pm -- Crooked Palm Cabana, MM90, Tavernier

Come "meet, mix and mingle" with BPW members and guests at this brand-new Upper Keys venue!   

Registration includes your first drink (Crooked Palm craft beer, seltzer or craft drink) along with a selection of tasty appetizers.
Advance online registration:
  • $26 per person / BPW members
  • $32 per person / non-members
Walk-up (space available): $30 members / $35 non-members

Thank you to our event sponsor: Poster Guard / ComplyRight!

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July 3 - Virtual Coffee Chat

8 am -- via Zoom 

Start your day by sharing something good with fellow BPW members and others in our community!

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Save the Date: July 17 - BPW Luncheon

11:30 am-1 pm - Location to come

"Estate Planning Essentials for Women"
presented by Stephanie Russo, Russo Law & Mediation

With a pay gap, higher caregiver expectations and responsibilities, and longer life expectancy, women have unique concerns when it comes to estate planning. Save the date for this enlightening presentation by experienced estate and elder law attorney (and BPW member) Stephanie Russo.

Watch your email for an invitation and registration details coming soon.

~~~~~~~

In case you missed it...

Our May Annual Meeting was amazing! Thanks to everyone who joined us, and especially our new members, new Board of Directors, Scholarship Awardees and event sponsor, Key Largo Dental Associates!

Luncheon room

Click here to see more pictures from the event!

Opportunities!

Help rebuild the Domestic Abuse Shelter

In 2007, the DAS emergency shelter serving the Middle and Upper Keys was destroyed by Hurricane Irma, leaving just one small shelter in the Lower Keys to serve all of Monroe County. Since then, DAS has been on a mission to rebuild... and they need the help of our entire community to make it happen!

That's why Upper Keys BPW recently launched "Give Hope a Home," a campaign to raise $10,000 to sponsor the Business Center at the new shelter. The Business Center will provide workspace, computers, internet access and essential supplies to help domestic abuse survivors from our community find jobs, housing and more.

Amount raised to date: $6,910

Amount needed to reach goal: $3,090

Click here to donate

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Get involved and give back:
Join a BPW Committee

If you would like to get more involved with Upper Keys BPW, consider joining or chairing a committee!

It's a wonderful way to meet other members, contribute to the community and make the most of your membership. 

Click here to learn more about BPW committees, including responsibilities and time commitments. 

And if you would like to learn more about what we do and how we do it before jumping in, consider attending an upcoming Board meeting. For a board meeting schedule, send us an email at bpwupperkeys@gmail.com.

~~~~~~~~~

Send an email blast to 400+ local residents

Got a business or product to promote? An event you want to get the word out about? Reach our active mailing list of over 400 BPW members and supporters in the Upper Keys. 

E-blast prices are as follows:

$20 - Members

$35 - Non-Members

Purchase your ad in our online store to get the process started. 

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To learn more about any of these opportunities, send an email to BPWUpperKeys@gmail.com or contact one of our Board Members directly.

Member News 

Renewing Members

Glad you're still with us!

    • Jennifer Cappadona, member since 2015
    • Leann Crockett, member since 2023
    • Monica Hane, member since 2021
    • Lee Ann Holroyd, member since 2013
    • Nada Khalaf-Jones, member since 2023
    • Christine Lauterborn, member since 2016
    • Holly Merrill Raschein, member since 2004
    • Christina Teasley, member since 2021
    • Mary Woods, member since 2022
    • Tina Wyatt, member since 2017

      New Members in April 2024

      Welcome, we can't wait to get to know you!

      • Margaret Edwards, Retired

      • Jacqueline Rodriguez-Ingersoll, Owner, Greenscape Landscape Maintenance Corp

      • Carolyn Wightman, Owner, Barefoot Possibilities Marketing Group

      ~~~~~~~~


      Newsletter Archive

      Access past issues in our Upper Keys BPW Newsletter Archive.


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