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

BPW Connection | May 2019

RESERVE IN ADVANCE TO GUARANTY YOUR SEAT - CLICK HERE!

Ilja Chapman, President

May is a month of celebration! Many parents will celebrate the graduation of their child or look back at their children’s graduation in the past. Graduations represent closure and bring new opportunities with it. Same is true for the Upper Keys Business and Professional Women’s annual membership meeting, coming up at our May 15 luncheon. We will look back at our achievements and it will mark the beginning of a new fiscal year.

For me personally, it has been an extremely satisfying and successful UKBPW year. I remember very well how I by accident “committed” to the UKBPW president’s position October 2017 when our then president, Laura Maupin, asked for help. I understand now how important it is to have a president-elect assist you during your term. It was scary to commit, but in all honesty, it has been an amazing experience. This year I do hope to work with somebody interested in learning the ropes from me and taking on the stick for the next year to come.

I would like to take the opportunity to say THANK YOU to the UKBPW board of directors of 2018/2019. Thank you Theresa, Jackie, Laura, Miriam, Shawna, Suzi, Pam and Wendy for your support, your commitment, your hard work and most of all THANK YOU for YOUR SISTERHOOD! I hope you all are looking back to an accomplished and successful year with lots of opportunity to learn, grow and develop. Most of all, I hope you look back to a fun UKBPW year. I sure enjoyed working with you all.

Dear UKBPW members, I hope to see you at our Annual Membership Meeting. Thank you for your ongoing support and I look forward to toast with you to ring in the New Year!

Cheers!

Ilja Chapman

UKBPW President 2018-19

Tel: 305-998-8348

bpw|CALENDAR

May 15: Luncheon. 11:30A-1:00 P. Holiday Inn-African Queen Room, Key Largo. Annual Membership Meeting and Celebrate Scholarship Recipients. Sponsorship Opportunities Available.

June 19: Evening Networking Event. 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.

2019 State Conference

Mark your calendars!

BPW/FL State Conference

June 27-30, 2019.

All Members Are Invited!

Call Ilja Chapman at

305-998-8348 ASAP!

bpw|member SPOTLIGHT

Spotlight on Laura Maupin!

Join us in wishing our former President, Laura Maupin, a fond farewell from the Board of Directors, and bon voyage as she prepares to become a snow bird! Laura and her significant other, Steve, will be back in the Keys for the winter seasons, so it's not "Goodbye," it's "Good luck!"

"When serving on a Board of Directors you often get to work with people you might not have met otherwise. It can create very valuable relations which grow into deep friendships and relationships based on mutual respect and trust.

When I joined the Upper Keys BPW as a director, Laura Maupin had just taken office as president and even though I didn’t know Laura, I was willing to follow her and support her in her role. She sure showed me how to be patient and mellow! When I would stress out about an upcoming event, Laura would say, “The universe will take care of it; it all will fall in place.” Thank you, Laura, for leading by example. Your support and kindness have given me the strength to follow your lead in this organization and your belief in me has kept me sane. You are now a dear friend and I am so grateful BPW has brought us together. Lots of Love." -Ilja Chapman

"Laura has never ending smiles and kind words. It's a joy to have her in the room as she's attentive to everyone. My favorite "Laura" moment was when we had a conversation together with my adult child. Afterwards she complimented me on the bond and love I had for my child. It was such a gift to my spirit for her to say that and it spoke volumes to her spirit as well. I'm super excited for Laura and Steve for their summer adventure -- I wish I could tag along! Blessings to you both!" -Theresa Sutter

"I appreciate all that Laura has done not just for BPW, but for the
community. She will be missed on the board!" -Jackie Harder

"Laura, it's been an honor getting to know you by being involved with BPW. Your loving ways and positive attitude has brought so much inspiration to me that I always look forward to seeing you. Your presence will be greatly missed. May your adventures be great!" -Miriam Lascoz

"Meeting and becoming friends with Laura has added so much joy to my life. Kindness radiates from her, and her smile lights up every room she enters. I was thrilled to join the UKBPW Board under her leadership, and learned a lot about patience and acceptance from her. Laura was the first person to introduce me to the concept of world happiness and the Happiness Project, which has had a profound influence on me. I'll miss you while you're off on your adventures, girlfriend, but I'm so excited for you! Love you!" -Suzi Youngberg

Atta Girl to BPW Board Member Jackie Harder

Jackie Harder, Vice President of Development, was the keynote speaker at the 2019 Florida Work-site Wellness Awards luncheon at the Miami Convention Center May 3. Her topic was “Solitude in the Workplace: How Connection and Community Affect Our Health.”

Nearly 100 business, wellness and community leaders attended the daylong program.

“Not only do I love public speaking,” Jackie said, “but I also love making new connections and learning from others. It was a wonderful day from beginning to end.”

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:

Betty Fernandez, Island Cookie Shack

Victoria Leonard, FKEC

RENEWING MEMBERS:

Miriam Lazcos, Columbus Capital Lending LLC

Jennifer Cappadona, Electric Cooling and Illumination

Pam Feeser, Living Springs Counseling

Shawna Simcic, Chocolate Factory

Cathy Brewer, Southeastern Printing

Joyce Griffin, Supervisor of Elections

Christine Lauterborn, Keystroke Media

Ask us about the benefits of being a member!

Upper Keys BPW proposed bylaws revisions

Greetings, fellow BPW members! At our May 15 annual meeting, we will be asking you to vote on our proposed bylaws changes. The last time we did this was 10 years ago and it's time to come into the 21st century!

The link below will take you to the proposed changes, which includes the original language as well as the Board of Directors' rationale for seeking these changes.

To make it easier, I have compiled a two-page "cheat sheet" in basic language about the major -- but not all -- changes. If you want more in-depth information on committee responsibilities, for example, consult the full document that follows the overview.

We will need to vote on each one of the proposed changes individually so it will be important for you to familiarize yourself with these changes before the meeting. I promise we will do it as quickly as possibly while at the same time allowing for your comments, questions and any amendments you would like to propose yourself.

If you have any questions before the vote, write to jackie@key-dynamics.com and I will do my best to answer them.

Jackie Harder, Head Bylaws Geek

Click here for overview and proposed bylaws changes

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

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!

Click here for the schedule.

Opportunities

If you are interested in the position of Business Manager for BPW/FL, or know someone who might be, please download the REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL by CLICKING HERE.

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