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

BPW Connection | January 2019

Join us for the January luncheon and kick off the new year with your Business and Professional Women's Club!

We are excited about speaker Douglas Brewer! He will be the trainer in February & March for the Professional Development series, which you'll learn more about below!

Special thanks to Dennis Ward for sponsoring this month's event.

The featured charity is the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of the Florida Keys.

RESERVE YOUR SEAT IN ADVANCE - CLICK HERE!

Ilja Chapman, President

Fill your Pages with Beauty!

“The new year is like a blank book. The pen is in your hands - it is your chance to write a beautiful story for yourself.”

I received this inspirational quote on a card from a friend and I think it is the perfect tip to start 2019!

Upper Keys BPW can help you start writing your story. In the new year, the Upper Keys BPW will continue to focus on you, the member. Thank you for those who completed the poll expressing your expectations. It helps the board members to stay on track and realize the goals important to you.

It is also the responsibility of the board members to be financially responsible and unfortunately we have to raise our luncheon price as the cost has increased. As of Jan. 19, 2019, all members will pay online $25 and $30 at the door. Guests will pay $30 equally online and at the door. It has been a tough decision and we appreciate your understanding.

The good news is that we are kicking off the Professional Development Series with our luncheon this month. Doug Brewer, Ocean Reef Club’s training manager, will talk about the importance of being a great listener. I hope you will join us and, of course any feedback and suggestions are welcome.

The board has voted at its last meeting to adjust the fiscal year for the Upper Keys BPW to coincide with the same year as the BPW Florida. That means that the slate for the Board of Directors for 2019-20 will be presented in May and the installation of the new board will be June 2019. If you have any questions regarding the board of the Upper Keys BPW, how to become a part of it or want to join one of our monthly meetings, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any board member.

I look forward to seeing you all Wednesday and I wish all of you a healthy, happy and successful New Year and we hope the Upper Keys BPW can contribute to it. I can’t wait to see where 2019 takes us.

Ilja Chapman

UKBPW President 2018/2019

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES

SPRING 2019

Upper Keys BPW is committed to providing professional development opportunities for our members by creating new and exciting workshops, presentations and programs. We encourage our members to participate and take advantage of the wealth of experience and knowledge both inside our organization and within the community.

Our first program, presented by Ocean Reef Club Training Manager Doug Brewer is Listen Up: How to Speak Last (during luncheon Jan. 16).

Other programs include Understanding Generations (Feb. 2) and The Power of You: Creating Your Personal Brand. (March 16).

Doug has been an educator, speaker, presenter, and trainer for the past decade. Audiences have praised him for his ability to engage and empower efficiently through storytelling and inspired group discussion.

In a past life, Doug was a Chinese rapper who performed entirely in Mandarin and toured through Beijing. Currently, his obsessions include chess, JDao, and his beautiful wife.

All sessions will be two hours at a fee of $25 for members and $40 for non-members. We need a minimum of 10 enthusiastic participants.We encourage all our members to participate – and bring a friend!

Part of the cost of these workshops are covered by the money raised during our luncheon. Take advantage of this membership opportunity; start writing your 2019 stories by developing yourself professionally and personally. A sign-up sheet will be available online.

For further information, call Ilja Chapman at (305) 998-8348 or Jackie Harder (305) 451-9295.

bpw|CALENDAR

January 16: Luncheon. 11:15-1:00. Holiday Inn-African Queen Room, Key Largo. Speaker Douglas Brewer. Sponsor Dennis Ward State Attorney.

February 20: Evening Networking Event. 5:30-7:30 PM. Sponsorship Opportunities Available.

March 20: Luncheon. 11:15-1:00. Holiday Inn-African Queen Room, Key Largo. Sponsor First State Bank.

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.

JOIN US IN THANKING THE SPONSOR OF THE JANUARY LUNCHEON:

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 Allison Fisher

I remember when I was a kid, in the backseat of my parents car, still too young to know what direction we were headed, I somehow made this connection that the sky looked clearer as we got ‘closer to the water’ (east).

Of course, on Sundays, my Dad (as most Dads’ do) would insist on “going for a ride”! And as for most kids (that survived childhood without apple devices) this meant being locked up in the car with your family, destination unclear (possibly even to the driver)... for the entire day! But lucky me, when I saw the sky turn clear blue and cloudless , I knew that we were heading to the Keys.

It’s important that you know that back story, because I was almost 10 when I decided that I would one day live in the Keys and/or Key West. For my 10th Birthday I requested my ‘birthday dinner’ in Key West. And it became a bit of a ritual, celebrating my ‘milestones’ (16th, 21st, 30th, and 40th) somewhere on Duval!

Born and raised in the Kendall area, graduated from Miami Killian Senior High, and earned my AA from MDCC. Because my mom worked and retired with Eastern Airlines I was fortunate to travel throughout the U.S. as a child. In 1995 I met my best friend and husband Andrew, and we were married in 1999.

In October 96’ I earned a Real Estate salesperson license, working for brokers in Pine Crest and Miami Beach. While working in real estate, Andrew and I started a landscape Design company and have worked on various commercial and residential designs projects throughout Broward, Dade and Monrone.

After living in Homestead in for almost 8 years and spending most of our weekends in the Keys, I declared, on my 40th Birthday trip to Key West, that We would move to the Keys that year. And in July of 2015 we moved into our Key Largo home!

In August of 2015, I joined Froggy's Fitness in Tavernier, where I teach a spin class at 8am on M/W/F. I have a true passion for cycling indoor and outdoor, as well as a passion to help people push themselves to achieve their physical and mental goals. In 2014, after being inactive, and sitting most of my day in a office for almost a decade, I finally committed to some big lifestyle changes and lost 50lbs. So I guess it’s a bit of a personal passion.

Last year I joined the BPW because I wanted to know and connect with the women leading my community. I will be grateful to learn from you all and hope to encourage and inspire you as well.

Atta Girl to BPW Member Lucy Given

Congratulations to Lucy Given and everyone who made the 1st Annual Fish For Holly Sailfish Tournament such a huge success!

The tournament was created to honor and celebrate the life of Holly Given. Proceeds benefit the Holly Given Fund, which provides scholarships and training for Keys residents. Lucy and the Fund generously contribute to the Upper Keys BPW's Adult Scholarship Program in the form of the Upper Keys BPW Holly Given Memorial Scholarship.

Great job on such a successful inaugural tournament and on the perfect way to honor Holly's memory!

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

NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS

Please help us welcome new and renewing members!

NEW MEMBERS:

RENEWING MEMBERS:

Debra Walker - Archaeology Research Curator, Florida Museum, Gainesville Maya Archaeologist specializing in ceramics

Brenda Carr - Aviation Safety Management Systems, Owner

Sally Stribling - Coldwell Banker Schmitt, Self-Employed Broker Associate

Sue Woltanski - Minimize Testing Maximize Learning, Founder; and Monroe Co. School Board

Ask us about the benefits of being a member!

Women in Government = Healthy Country?

Public Health Researchers published findings recently, supporting the argument that yes, women in government do in fact advance population health.

More women in power, fewer deaths

Compared to their male counterparts, female politicians are more likely to hold left-wing attitudes (with regard to issues such as civil rights and social equality) and substantively advance women’s rights in areas such as pay equity, violence against women, health care and family policy which all help reduce mortality rates.

Women spend more on health and education

The study found that four types of government spending are predictive of lower mortality rates: medical care, preventive care, other social services and post-secondary education.

They tested government spending as a mediating factor, and found that women in government have reduced mortality rates by triggering these specific types of health-promoting expenditures.

Women work in more collaborative ways

The study also found that there was no relationship between the political leanings of women in government — whether they belonged to left-wing, moderate or right-wing parties — and mortality rates. Women are more likely to promote and support bi-partisan ideas.

Ideological differences among political parties seem to be less important to mortality rates and a healthy population than increasing the actual number of women elected to government.

Gender politics is important to public health because it helps to determine “who gets what, when and how.”

Electing more women in government not only promotes gender equality and strengthens democratic institutions, but also makes real and substantive contributions to government spending and population health.

Given that women in government can bring about desirable changes in population health, let’s figure out how we can genuinely level the political playing field for women! A record number of women were elected to seats of power in the 2018 mid-term elections, but we still have a long way to go.

MARKETING COMMITTEE MEMBERS WANTED

Upper Keys BPW is looking for members with experience in marketing & public relations to join a committee that will help create a strategic marketing plan for the Upper Keys BPW, working towards a goal of increased membership and community awareness.

Interested members should call Ilja Chapman at 305-998-8348.

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.

2019 State Conference

Mark your calendars!

BPW/FL State Conference June 27-30, 2019.

If you would like to attend with the Board and other Members, call Ilja Chapman at 305-998-8348 ASAP!

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.

Upper Keys BPW Board of Directors

2018-2019

President

Ilja Chapman
305-998-8348
Ilja.chapman@gmail.com

Vice Presidents

Miriam Lazcos, Membership

305-926-3125

mlazcos@gmail.com

Suzi Youngberg, Hospitality
305-393-6830
suziyoungberg@gmail.com

Jackie Harder, Development

305-451-9295