A new year is upon us and a new Executive Committee has been appointed. We welcome Sandra Ramsay, Jan Hickman, Betty Selezinka, Flori Chaykowski, Jolanda Ostewegel and Ineke Boekhorst as your new executive for 2020.
Please join us on February 13, 2020 at 7am to celebrate the continuation of Women’s AM as we look forward to exciting presentations and networking opportunities!
Your former Executive, Bev Schmahmann (12 years), Kathleen Hatley (6 years), Vanessa Schumacher (4 years) and Christina Waschko (1 year), would like to express their heartfelt appreciation for their involvement with this amazing group, and due to personal obligations and commitments, made the decision to resign from their positions on the executive. Despite numerous attempts throughout 2019 to enlist new executive members, it appeared as though the group would fold, however, we are thankful to pass the baton and support the New Executive as they step into their roles to facilitate the group, meetings and events for the coming season.
Register NOW to join for the February 13th meeting: CLICK HERE
On December 12th, we celebrated the holiday season and the relationships we have built as a group. We are thankful for each one of you, and as we close the chapter on this year and decade, we wish you the very best success, both personally and professionally in 2020 and beyond!
We had a fabulous year of learning, growth and connections, and although the future is uncertain, we welcome the new year with anticipated excitement for what it may bring.
Cheers and Happy New Year from the 2019 Executive Committee.
Eileen Dwillies’ talk was divided into two parts: during the first half she introduced us to various food movements around the Greater Vancouver area; recommended a few of her favourite cook book authors ( e.g. Michael Ableman) and suggested local markets to purchase our fresh produce from (e.g. Bruce’s Market, Hopcott Meats, Golden Ears Cheesecrafters, Lepp Farm Market, Golden Meadows Honey Farm).
During the second half of Eileen’s interesting talk she offered several time saving and delicious ideas for appetizers. Do you actually know the difference between an appetizer and hors d’ouvres? Appetizers are served as the first course when seated at the table. Hors d’ouvres, on the other hand, are one-bite items that are stationary or passed on a tray. Hors d’ouvres are served separate or prior to a meal. The literal translation means “outside the meal.”
Here’s one handy tip we loved: when serving small meatballs offer them with pretzel sticks instead of the ordinary toothpick or plastic picker! Thanks Eileen, great tip!
Our Five Minute Spotlight Speaker was Lily Laverton of Nurse Next Door.
For seniors, Nurse Next Door is an attractive alternative to a retirement home. With the help of a Nurse Next Door they can stay in their own home, being looked after and cared for in their golden years.
Our October speaker, Kristina Steinmetz, gave us lots of easy to implement, cost efficient, clever ideas to make our office space a bit more ‘calm and cozy’. We don’t all have the luxury of having our own office, either away from home or in our own home. Regardless of where we’re working from, having an organized space that feels like ‘ours’ adds to a more productive, inspirational work flow.
Here are some of our take-away’s from Kristina’s talk:
Comfort: Invest in a great chair (more important than a desk)! Add a foot rest under your desk – lift your legs once in a while, it feels great. If possible, place your desk against a wall for you to be ‘in control’ of knowing who enters your space.
For a Personal Touch: Add a few photos, a souvenir, an inspirational quote or a painting that mean something to you.
Plants: Choose plants that are easy to look after and who like shade. For artificial plants, purchase real moss to cover up the tell-tale signs.
Lights: Inexpensive clip-on lights offer a direct light source. Floor lights diffuse light more evenly.
Storage Ideas: Use kitchen storage pieces (e.g. IKEA), use separation pieces for your drawers, wall mounted magazine racks, label matching baskets / boxes.
Sound: Try noise cancelling headphones if you love quiet and peace.
Colours: If you love a colour, go for it! This is your space! Don’t hold back!
Our 5 Minute Business Card Spotlight Speaker was Roxanne Davidson of Cabi Clothing Roxanne introduced us to Cabi Clothing: convenient, stress and hassle free clothes shopping at home. Roxanne brought a variety of mix and match outfits from the autumn collection for us to admire and try on. For further information about Cabi Clothing or to book your personal in-home shopping experience contact Roxanne directly by email at mroxanne.davidson@gmail.com or via her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Roxanne-Davidson-Independent-Cabi-Stylist-745652995645778/
We kicked off our fall sessions with a lesson in fashion and business and what better way to increase success for our members!
Alice Zhou of Gracious Host Events and PR quizzed attendees on such terms as “Coutour” and “Attalia”, explaining industry trends, and how what we wear truly compliments and supports each of us, both personally and professionally. To learn more and connect with Alice, explore her website at gracioushost.ca
This month’s Business Card Spotlight featured Andie Froese of Kudoz where adults with and without cognitive disabilities come together around their passions and learn from each other. To become a host and volunteer your time for this program, contact Andie via the website at kudoz.ca or by phone at 604.862.5836.
*Be sure to enter our monthly draw to win your five minute opportunity to promote your business or event at an upcoming meeting.
Join us for our next meeting which will be on Thursday, October 10th at 7am – stay-tuned for details.