Join the Upper Keys BPW at our monthly meetings, the 3rd Wednesday of every month. 

BPW Connection | July 2019

The July meeting is a Luncheon again.


Our speaker this month is Leah Stockton from the United Way, who will be speaking with us about the Alice Report and the importance of Stuff the Bus. We'll be collecting monetary donations for Stuff the Bus.


We'll also be introducing our new "Piggies" and asking you to help fill the piggy bank for the BPW Educational Foundation. (Keep reading for more about that!)


Ilja Chapman, President

Dear BPW Florida Members:

Yes! I keep reminding you that your Upper Keys BPW membership reaches all the way to the Florida Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. In total, this organization has close to 400 members of which we have 82! 

It is time to GROW! Advocacy for women is one of our main missions and with our collective voice, we can make an impact. When our organization is bigger, we can have an even greater impact. 

This year, BPW Florida is celebrating 100 years and our club is celebrating, too. Some UKBPW members joined me this year at the BPW Florida Conference to kick start the 100 years celebration. This organization has achieved A LOT in 100 years and we are still relevant. 

I dare you! Help us spread the word about Upper Keys BPW, bring a friend to our monthly meetings and ask if they want to join as a member. Our goal is 100 members by October. Together we can make a difference.

Have you seen the Women World Cup Soccer Game finals last week? 

Have you been following what the US team is advocating for? 

Equal Pay!

This time your (Dutch) president’s picture is showing her supporting the Dutch Women Soccer team to highlight the importance of women in professional sports. In the Netherlands, soccer is a male-dominated game which is not the case in the United States. The American team deserved to win, but I want to point out that the Dutch team has an amazing impact on women soccer back home. Both teams are an example for the world.

CLICK TO READ HOW A SOCCER SPONSOR IS ENCOURAGING OTHERS TO BE "ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY."

Let’s support the women soccer players, no matter what team you root for, and be an advocate for women in general!

Ilja Chapman

UKBPW President 2018-19

Tel: 305-998-8348



Thanks to everyone who attended the BPW/FL State Conference last month!

We ended up with five Board Members and two Committee Chairs attending the BPW/FL State Conference in June. 

It was nice to have the Upper Keys so well represented.  We learned a lot, met women from other LO's in the state, and got great ideas for ways to better serve our membership. 

Did you know that the Upper Keys are the largest LO (Local Organization) in the state?  It's true!  We are currently at 82 active members, and plan to grow that to 100 by October! 100 members for BPW's 100th Anniversary! It's time for an Upper Keys BPW Membership Drive!   


bpw|CALENDAR

July 17: Luncheon. 11:00 A-1:00 P. Holiday Inn-African Queen Room. Speaker Leah Stockton, United Way. Charity: Stuff the Bus.

August 21: Evening Networking Event. Sponsorship Opportunities Available. (Special Offer! Five at $100 each!)

September 18: Luncheon. 11:00A-1:00 P. Holiday Inn-African Queen Room, Key Largo. This is a special "Speed Networking" luncheon, part of our Mentor/Mentee Program. Please be punctual. We will start eating at 11:30, and start the program promptly at 11:45. 

October 16: Evening Event. Stay tuned for more info on this grand Gala event we are planning for the Woman & Business of the Year Awards, adding a new surprise element! Sponsorship Opportunities Available.

The Upper Keys BPW meets once a month, on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. We alternate between luncheons and evening networking events, and would love for you to join us! Click the button to see our full event schedule and register for an upcoming event. 



If you are interested in sponsoring one or more Upper Keys BPW events in the next fiscal year, we would love to have your support!  We offer amenities for your sponsorship that help promote your business to our membership and the local community.  Ask about the advantages of committing to sponsor multiple events and the increased amenities you'll receive!

SPONSOR AN UPPER KEYS BPW EVENT!

The cost to sponsor an event is $250.

With the sponsorship you receive the following benefits and opportunities:

  • Logo/branding:
    • Event E-vite emailed three times to a database of 500 people
    • Monthly BPW member Newsletter emailed a few days prior to event
    • Mention at Upper Keys BPW social media
  • One Free dedicated business E-Blast to our membership with a message your business likes to share
  • Display table and/or hand outs to all attendees
  • Banner display at the luncheon
  • Two FREE entrees to the luncheon
  • 5 minute speaking time at the luncheon directed to all attendees



 

   bpw|member SPOTLIGHT


Meet Charlotte & Wilbur

The newest additions to Upper Keys BPW are these 2 adorable piggies!

In late June, some of the board and a couple of committee chairs, attended the BPW/FL State Conference.   One of the days featured the BPW/FL Education Foundation, which provides housing opportunities for female college students at state college and university campuses across the State of Florida.  Most of the BPW LO's across the state help support the Education Foundation by collecting change in a piggy bank throughout the year, and donating what they raise at the State Conference.  

CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BPW/FL EDUCATION FOUNDATION.

Our Upper Keys chapter hasn't participated, and we decided to change that.  Since we didn't have money to submit at the Hawg Callin' (which is done auction style and lots of fun,) we decided we would purchase one of the piggy banks up for auction.  We pooled our funds, and thanks to a couple of very generous members (Theresa Sutter and Gina Boilini,) we settled on a top bid of $250.  We carefully inspected the piggies and picked the one we wanted to bid on - the sweet little rosy cheeked one with the orange ribbon.

When she came up on the auction block, we were ready!  We took the bid from $20 to $250 with much laughter and merriment, and were fairly entertaining to everyone in the room. Proudly, we accepted our piggy...and quickly realized we had made a mistake. We had bid $250 on a piggy bank that was not a bank!  No opening to be found. You can imagine the hysterical laughter when we realized our mistake. It turns out, our piggy was part of a pair, and her mate was the bank. The auctioneer graciously traded with us, and we were happy with the other sweet piggy bank with the red ribbon.  However, when the auctioneer asked the room if anyone wanted to offer a bid on our discarded piggy, the amazing Theresa Sutter piped up and announced that we absolutely could NOT split up the pair, and she offered $200 more for them both!  Needless to say, the Education Foundation was very happy with our contribution, and we are now the proud owners of a matching pair of piggies!  Someone said the boy looked like Wilbur from Charlotte's Web, so they were named Charlotte and Wilbur.

Also in attendance at the conference were some young ladies who currently live in one of the Education Foundation funded houses while they are in college.  Since the money our piggies raise is directly assisting them, they were very thankful for our contribution and posed for a picture with them. 

Starting with this week's luncheon, Charlotte & Wilbur will be at every meeting, inviting you to empty your change purse and help fill Wilbur up.  We hope to have a big donation to turn in at the Hawg Callin' next year!



Atta Girl to BPW Member Jill Kuehnert

Congratulations to Jill on getting her PADI Dive Master certification! Jill and her husband Glenn own Lucky Fish Scuba Charter.

Way to go Jill!



Atta Girl to BPW Member Sue Woltanski

Sue recently took her family to Africa for family vacation! Her pictures are worthy of National Geographic. We applaud Sue for exposing her children to so many different cultures and for sharing her amazing journey with us!





Atta Girl to BPW Member Miriam Lazcos


Miriam is welcoming her first granddaughter to the world!  She has several grandsons, and is very excited about a new baby girl! Go Team Pink!

Congratulations Miriam!




IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW DESERVES AN ATTA GIRL, PLEASE SEND US THE INFORMATION AND WE'LL MAKE SURE YOU/THEY ARE RECOGNIZED!   bpwupperkeys@gmail.com


Businesswomen’s group makes first mentoring match

Two local educators who are passionate about creating new generations of environmental stewards have signed up to be part of a first-ever business mentoring program in the Upper Keys.

Ginette Hughes, CEO of Marine Resources Foundation/Marine Lab, and Ocean Studies Charter School Principal Trisha Woods are the first matches for the Upper Keys Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) mentorship program.

Woods reached out to Hughes to partner in the program.

“I met Ginette through the BPW luncheons and the Professional Development series and quickly realized that our students frequently visit her at the Marine Lab,” she said.

“The focus of our organizations are aligned and as a new resident of the Keys and principal of Ocean Studies Charter School, I believe that her insight and experiences will help me to grow as a professional and learn about how I can protect our environment and in turn impact the learning of our students,” Woods said.

As for her part, Hughes said she hadn’t considered mentoring until she was approached by Woods.

“I hadn’t really thought about it before that, but upon reflection, I decided that it was an excellent opportunity for my own growth and would be helpful to Trisha as well,” Hughes said. “So, I’m glad to share any experience and expertise I have, I’m paying it forward!”

Both women are relatively new members of BPW, which this year is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding as a national organization supporting working women.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE



NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS

Please help us welcome new and renewing members!

NEW MEMBERS:


RENEWING MEMBERS:

Cynthia Gneiser, Five Star Claims Adjusting

Miriam Lazcos, Columbus Capital Lending

Krist Mitchell, Key Largo Massage

Theresa Sutter, Virtual Assistant

Danya Hersberg, First State Bank

Elizabeth Moscynski, Key Largo Chamber of Commerce


Ask us about the benefits of being a member!





  Join the Upper Keys BPW Team and walk with us in the Key Largo Bridge Bra Walk, supporting the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in the Florida Keys!

To Join our Team or Make a Donation, go to: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/upperkeysbpw

                




APPLY FOR AN UPPER KEYS BPW ADULT SCHOLARSHIP

The Upper Keys's BPW Adult Scholarship program is about women helping women!  Apply for the Upper Keys BPW Adult Scholarship and the UKBPW-Holly Given Memorial Scholarship.

The specifications and applications can be found on our website. Applications are accepted all year round, and are reviewed on March 15th and August 15th annually.  Scholarships may be used for certifications, training classes, or classes and required materials for higher educational degrees.  


For more information, or to download the application, click the button below. 



 

Sending an E-Blast to Upper Keys BPW email recipients is a great way to get your message out. Members and non-members alike are invited to use this forum for events, specials, sales and general advertising.  

Let the Upper Keys BPW help you spread the word about your business!

Our E-Blast prices are as follows:
  • $15.00  -  Members
  • $30.00  -  Non-Members
Proceeds from E-Blasts go toward our Adult Scholarship Fund.

Simply send us your message, along with your name, business name and billing information to:        BPWupperkeys@gmail.com



Connecting our Upper Keys Chapter to BPW Florida


BPW/FL Florida Federation of Business & Professional Women's Club Inc.


Advocacy

America was founded on the principal of equality for all and derives its strength from individuals working together for a common good. This Public Policy Platform is BPW/FL’s blueprint for our work in respect, justice, and equality for working women. 

CLICK to read the official BPW/FL 2018-2019 Public Policy Platform.

Member Resources

On the BPW Florida website you can find wealth of information about our organization and we now encourage all members to take advantage of the resources. Log in at https://bpwfl.org/members-only-documents/

BPWInsider

Congratulations BPW/FL on their E-Newsletter, BPWInsider. There is a lot of good information and the first issue gave a shout out to the Upper Keys BPW as their Highlighted Local Organization!  We thank them for their recognition and their leadership! 

To read the article CLICK HERE.

Breast Cancer Scholarship Fund

BPW/FL proudly administers a Breast Cancer Scholarship Fund, which provides $250 scholarships for men and women fighting breast cancer. Through a legislative advocacy program as well as monetary support to breast cancer patients, BPW not only makes a positive impact on the present, but on the future as well.

Any BPW/FL member in good standing may request a disbursement for any person, regardless of BPW membership, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, in accordance with the approved guidelines.

Members should visit the Members-Only Login  section of the Florida BPW website.


         


Upper Keys BPW Board of Directors

2018-2019


President

Ilja Chapman

305-998-8348

Ilja.chapman@gmail.com


President Elect

Suzi Youngberg, Hospitality

305-393-6830

suziyoungberg@gmail.com


Vice Presidents

Jackie Harder, Development

305-451-9295

jackie@key-dynamics.com


Cynthia Gneiser, Hospitality

305-323-6968

cynthiag@fsclaimsadj.com


Treasurer

Theresa Sutter

786-361-5404

theresasutter@gmail.com


Secretary

Wendy Coffman

305-896-4451

wcoffman@centerstatebank.com


Directors

Jordan Budnik

404-434-1997

jordan@keepthemflying.org


Victoria Leonard

305-304-2458

victoria.leonard@fkec.com


Contact your Upper Keys BPW Chapter:

bpwupperkeys@gmail.com   or   info@upperkeysbpw.org

P. O. Box 231, Tavernier, FL  33070


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