Dear Members:
The last time I wrote to our members, summer was coming to an end, and now here we are, just days away from Autumn turning into Winter. I can assure you that it has been a very busy three months for IWF (both Global and Georgia). A brief update follows:
New IWF Georgia Members
The Membership Committee, chaired by Pat Robinson, concluded their extensive work on considering the over 30 nominations received from all of you, our members. Their work included looking at very lengthy nomination forms and bios, with strong consideration given to diversity and balance in our organization. On September 8, the Board approved the eighteen names put forth by the Committee and I am excited to tell you that seventeen (17) of the 18 accepted our invitation. Nearly all of the new members, and one of two transferring members from other IWF chapters, attended the Board of Directors’ Reception for the New (and transferring) Members in my home on November 6. Our new members include:
1. Cathy Adams - COO and EVP, Federal Home Loan Bank
2. Patricia Arundel – Executive Leader, Google Android Carrier Partnerships
3. Kali Wilson Beyah – Director-Assistant General Council and Government Affairs, Delta Airlines
4. Mary Schmidt Campbell – President, Spelman College
5. Elise Eplan – Founder and President, The Eplan Group
6. Dr. Meredith Evans – Director, Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
7. Kate Gutman – Senior VP of Worldwide Sales and Solutions, UPS
8. Julie Haley – CEO and Founder, Edge Solutions
9. Holly Hughes – CEO, Collier International Management
10. Helene Lollis – President and CEO, Pathbuilders
11. Stephanie Mains – CEO GE Industrial Services and VP General Electric Company
12. Judith Monroe – President and CEO, CDC Foundation
13. Bea Perez – Global Sustainability Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
14. Beth Reese – Former Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer, AGL Resources
15. Blythe Robinson – CEO, Sheltering Arms
16. Patricia Russell-McCloud – Attorney, Author and Internationally Acclaimed Speaker
17. Mary Beth Walker – Dean, Andrew Young School of Public Policy Studies
18. Margaret Callihan – Chief Human Resource Officer, Suntrust. Transferring from the Florida Chapter
19. Kathryn Musholt – Retired CEO, Daughters of Charity Services Arkansas, a division of Ascension Health. Transferred from the Arkansas Chapter
Please join me and the Board in thanking Pat Robinson and her Committee and in welcoming these great women into our Forum. Many have already said they will be attending the upcoming events this year!
(L to R) Susana Chavez, Alicia Ivey, Roxanne Douglas, Pat Upshaw-Monteith, Amanda Brown Olmstead, Dianne Harnell Cohen, LaVelle Olexa, Michelle Swann, Chris St.Clare, Lianne Levetan, Lynn Borsuk, Leslie Sibert, Clare Richardson, Shirley Mitchell, Kathy Bremer, Jennifer Langley, Elizabeth Noe, Marsha Sampson Johnson, Gail Evans, Aida Perez Flamm
(L to R) Lianne Levetan and LaVelle Olexa
(L to R) Amanda Brown Olmsted and Clare Richarson
Annual Membership Meeting on November 11
On November 11, Georgia Power and Leslie Sibert hosted our Forum for lunch and our Annual Meeting, at The Gathering Place. Several key announcements were shared with the attendees and include:
New Board Members
The Nominating Committee, chaired by Past President Roxanne Douglas, presented the five new Board Members (effective January 1) that our membership voted on and approved. They are:
Candy Berman, President, Candy Berman & Associates
Mary Moore,Founder & CEO, The Cook's Warehouse
Erica Qualls-Battey, General Manager, Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Teya Ryan, President and Executive Director, Georgia Public Broadcasting
Beverly Thomas, Vice President, Public Affairs, Kaiser Permanente
Also, we recognized and thanked our retiring and/or resigning board members:
Erica Alexander, Area Vice President, Americas- Eastern Region, Marriott International, Inc.
Annette Cone-Skelton, Co-Founder/President/CEO/Founding Director of The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA)
Henna Inam, Global Speaker, Author "Wired for Authenticity", Executive Coach, Organizer TEDxWomen, Forbes Leadership Blogger
Penny McPhee, President and Trustee, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
Shirley Mitchell, Former Senior Vice President Marketing Strategist, U.S. Trust Bank of America Private Wealth Management
New By-Laws
I announced that Liz Blake, with Roxanne Douglas, has drafted a new and updated set of by-laws for our IWF Forum. This effort was done for many reasons, and involved looking at other Forums' by-laws; enhancing consistency; factoring in Georgia requirements for non-profits; and aligning our practices and requirements. Under both our old and our new proposed by-laws, our members vote on any amendments or changes. Accordingly, in the next few days, you will get a ballot with a copy of the proposed by-laws, to consider. We request your vote of approval. It is our goal to have this accomplished before yearend, allowing us to start 2017 with the new by-laws.
Membership Changes
During the year, Roxanne Douglas led a Board task force that included non-Board members to benchmark with other forums and determine best practice for membership categories and membership requirements. Roxanne presented her task force’s recommendations, and after much consideration, the Board voted on the following changes to be reflected either in the by-laws (categories of membership) or Forum Policies (requirements of membership).
The membership categories are “Active Membership”; “Approved Inactive”; “Emerita”; and “Honorary”. Each of these is defined in the proposed new by-laws.
Requirements for Active Membership, to be included in our Forum Policies, include:
—Timely payment of dues (within 90 days of invoicing)
—Participation in two formal or informal programs during the year
—Strong encouragement to periodically (once every 3 years) attend one of the two annual Global conferences
Increase in Annual Dues
For many years, IWF Georgia, along with all other forums, has paid a “per person” fee to IWF Global of $80, plus a fixed fee of $1,500. We were notified in the summer that IWF Global would be increasing the “per person” fee to $120, the first increase in over 10 years. Consequently, the Board formed a task force, chaired by Shirley Mitchell, to look at membership dues in other forums of our relative size. Our annual dues of $350, which have not been increased for a few years, were at the lower end of the range and also included more programs than other forums. In light of the IWF Global fee increase, combined with our goal of continuing to increase the quality of programming and to periodically fund a scholarship for an IWF Fellow, the Board approved a fee increase for 2017 to $450 for Active Membership. (Annual dues have also been adjusted for the new categories of Approved Inactive, to $325, and Emerita, also to $325.) Consequently, when we send the invoices out in early December for 2017 dues, you will see these increases.
Lastly, at our Annual Membership Luncheon Meeting, we were honored to hear from our most recent IWF Fellow, Danielle Donehew. Danielle dazzled us with stories of her experiences in the Fellows Program. Her presentation underscored why we want to continue to send such women of promise to this unique program.
October 11th Annual Meeting featuring Danielle Donehew, IWF Fellow
(L to R) Ellen Weaver Hartman and Marsha Sampson Johnson
(L to R) Lani Wong, Aida Perez Flamm, Marsha Sampson Johnson, Chris St.Clare
Exciting Upcoming Programs
November 29th Luncheon Meeting: Innovation Ecosystem at Georgia Tech, featuring Bud Peterson, President. Click here for details and to register.
December 4th Holiday Party, hosted by IWF member, Carol Tome’ in her beautiful home. Click here for details and to register.
January 10th Luncheon Meeting: “Addiction Confidential” program at Georgia Public Broadcasting. Details and registration coming soon.
Retreat, Retreat, Retreat! You won’t want to miss the first IWF Georgia Retreat in years, on February 23-24 at glorious and celebrated Serenbe. Speakers will include the Hon. Shirley Franklin and Gail Evans on a rewarding lifestyle change at every age and stage; and a panel on “rebooting” with Monica Pearson, Glenda Hatchett, Ann Cramer, Becky Blalock and Beth Schapiro. The retreat kicks off on the afternoon of Feb 23 with a progressive dinner at the homes of members Dianne Harnell-Cohen and Penny McPhee and includes a tour of homes and a private performance by the Serenbe Playhouse Apprentice Cast. Details and registration coming soon.
Chicago Global Leadership Conference: Cornerstones of Change, Sept 28-30
It is hard to believe that it has been two years since we hosted the Global Conference here in Atlanta, “Human Rights, Human Responsibilities” and we still hear praises for the content, organization and quality of our conference. But the conferences just get better and better and the Chicago conference was no exception. There were over 900 attendees from over 44 countries and I am excited that we had twelve (12) members of IWF Georgia in attendance, including Elizabeth Noe who said, “It was such an inspiring room of powerful and delightful women. The topics covered by the speakers were relevant, energizing and brought our minds to places we seldom visit. We were inspired to be innovative, think about the way things can be and stretch ourselves to make the world a better place. This is my first IWF Conference, but it will not be my last!”. Jennifer McCoy commented, “I was very impressed by the substantive content focused on the Crossroads of Change (very futuristic) and learned fascinating things also relevant to my own work. But I also found it rewarding to get to know better our own Atlanta members, as well as interesting women in the individual Dine-Around experiences.”
In connection with the Chicago Conference, there was a Presidents Council meeting, which was very well organized and helpful. Edelman presented a terrific study on the IWF brand and what differentiates IWF from other women’s organizations. And the results of the first global membership survey was presented with very interesting insights into what our members like and want. Lastly, we had a chance to meet the new IWF CEO, Stephanie O’Keefe and I am convinced she will be a superstar. This is a very exciting time for our organization!
Do not miss the opportunity to register for the IWF Cornerstone Conference, to be held in Stockholm next May. Announcements will come out at the first of the year.
(L to R) Molly Burke, Susan Bell, Shirley Mitchell, Elizabeth Noe, Jennifer McCoy, Chris St.Clare
In Summary
We are rapidly bringing 2016 to a close and it has been a remarkable year of accomplishments. Accomplishments for our Forum, and also for our many members who are forever being recognized and awarded in the community, state, nationally or even globally. What an exciting group of women!!! Please help me and our Board by voting on the proposed by-laws; welcoming our new members; and marking your calendars now for the upcoming events.
My best and a Happy Thanksgiving,
Christine St.Clare
President, IWF Georgia
ctstclare@gmail.com
678.296.3561 (mobile)
The last time I wrote to our members, summer was coming to an end, and now here we are, just days away from Autumn turning into Winter. I can assure you that it has been a very busy three months for IWF (both Global and Georgia). A brief update follows:
New IWF Georgia Members
The Membership Committee, chaired by Pat Robinson, concluded their extensive work on considering the over 30 nominations received from all of you, our members. Their work included looking at very lengthy nomination forms and bios, with strong consideration given to diversity and balance in our organization. On September 8, the Board approved the eighteen names put forth by the Committee and I am excited to tell you that seventeen (17) of the 18 accepted our invitation. Nearly all of the new members, and one of two transferring members from other IWF chapters, attended the Board of Directors’ Reception for the New (and transferring) Members in my home on November 6. Our new members include:
1. Cathy Adams - COO and EVP, Federal Home Loan Bank
2. Patricia Arundel – Executive Leader, Google Android Carrier Partnerships
3. Kali Wilson Beyah – Director-Assistant General Council and Government Affairs, Delta Airlines
4. Mary Schmidt Campbell – President, Spelman College
5. Elise Eplan – Founder and President, The Eplan Group
6. Dr. Meredith Evans – Director, Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
7. Kate Gutman – Senior VP of Worldwide Sales and Solutions, UPS
8. Julie Haley – CEO and Founder, Edge Solutions
9. Holly Hughes – CEO, Collier International Management
10. Helene Lollis – President and CEO, Pathbuilders
11. Stephanie Mains – CEO GE Industrial Services and VP General Electric Company
12. Judith Monroe – President and CEO, CDC Foundation
13. Bea Perez – Global Sustainability Officer, The Coca-Cola Company
14. Beth Reese – Former Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer, AGL Resources
15. Blythe Robinson – CEO, Sheltering Arms
16. Patricia Russell-McCloud – Attorney, Author and Internationally Acclaimed Speaker
17. Mary Beth Walker – Dean, Andrew Young School of Public Policy Studies
18. Margaret Callihan – Chief Human Resource Officer, Suntrust. Transferring from the Florida Chapter
19. Kathryn Musholt – Retired CEO, Daughters of Charity Services Arkansas, a division of Ascension Health. Transferred from the Arkansas Chapter
Please join me and the Board in thanking Pat Robinson and her Committee and in welcoming these great women into our Forum. Many have already said they will be attending the upcoming events this year!
(L to R) Susana Chavez, Alicia Ivey, Roxanne Douglas, Pat Upshaw-Monteith, Amanda Brown Olmstead, Dianne Harnell Cohen, LaVelle Olexa, Michelle Swann, Chris St.Clare, Lianne Levetan, Lynn Borsuk, Leslie Sibert, Clare Richardson, Shirley Mitchell, Kathy Bremer, Jennifer Langley, Elizabeth Noe, Marsha Sampson Johnson, Gail Evans, Aida Perez Flamm
(L to R) Lianne Levetan and LaVelle Olexa
(L to R) Amanda Brown Olmsted and Clare Richarson
Annual Membership Meeting on November 11
On November 11, Georgia Power and Leslie Sibert hosted our Forum for lunch and our Annual Meeting, at The Gathering Place. Several key announcements were shared with the attendees and include:
New Board Members
The Nominating Committee, chaired by Past President Roxanne Douglas, presented the five new Board Members (effective January 1) that our membership voted on and approved. They are:
Candy Berman, President, Candy Berman & Associates
Mary Moore,Founder & CEO, The Cook's Warehouse
Erica Qualls-Battey, General Manager, Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Teya Ryan, President and Executive Director, Georgia Public Broadcasting
Beverly Thomas, Vice President, Public Affairs, Kaiser Permanente
Also, we recognized and thanked our retiring and/or resigning board members:
Erica Alexander, Area Vice President, Americas- Eastern Region, Marriott International, Inc.
Annette Cone-Skelton, Co-Founder/President/CEO/Founding Director of The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA)
Henna Inam, Global Speaker, Author "Wired for Authenticity", Executive Coach, Organizer TEDxWomen, Forbes Leadership Blogger
Penny McPhee, President and Trustee, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
Shirley Mitchell, Former Senior Vice President Marketing Strategist, U.S. Trust Bank of America Private Wealth Management
New By-Laws
I announced that Liz Blake, with Roxanne Douglas, has drafted a new and updated set of by-laws for our IWF Forum. This effort was done for many reasons, and involved looking at other Forums' by-laws; enhancing consistency; factoring in Georgia requirements for non-profits; and aligning our practices and requirements. Under both our old and our new proposed by-laws, our members vote on any amendments or changes. Accordingly, in the next few days, you will get a ballot with a copy of the proposed by-laws, to consider. We request your vote of approval. It is our goal to have this accomplished before yearend, allowing us to start 2017 with the new by-laws.
Membership Changes
During the year, Roxanne Douglas led a Board task force that included non-Board members to benchmark with other forums and determine best practice for membership categories and membership requirements. Roxanne presented her task force’s recommendations, and after much consideration, the Board voted on the following changes to be reflected either in the by-laws (categories of membership) or Forum Policies (requirements of membership).
The membership categories are “Active Membership”; “Approved Inactive”; “Emerita”; and “Honorary”. Each of these is defined in the proposed new by-laws.
Requirements for Active Membership, to be included in our Forum Policies, include:
—Timely payment of dues (within 90 days of invoicing)
—Participation in two formal or informal programs during the year
—Strong encouragement to periodically (once every 3 years) attend one of the two annual Global conferences
Increase in Annual Dues
For many years, IWF Georgia, along with all other forums, has paid a “per person” fee to IWF Global of $80, plus a fixed fee of $1,500. We were notified in the summer that IWF Global would be increasing the “per person” fee to $120, the first increase in over 10 years. Consequently, the Board formed a task force, chaired by Shirley Mitchell, to look at membership dues in other forums of our relative size. Our annual dues of $350, which have not been increased for a few years, were at the lower end of the range and also included more programs than other forums. In light of the IWF Global fee increase, combined with our goal of continuing to increase the quality of programming and to periodically fund a scholarship for an IWF Fellow, the Board approved a fee increase for 2017 to $450 for Active Membership. (Annual dues have also been adjusted for the new categories of Approved Inactive, to $325, and Emerita, also to $325.) Consequently, when we send the invoices out in early December for 2017 dues, you will see these increases.
Lastly, at our Annual Membership Luncheon Meeting, we were honored to hear from our most recent IWF Fellow, Danielle Donehew. Danielle dazzled us with stories of her experiences in the Fellows Program. Her presentation underscored why we want to continue to send such women of promise to this unique program.
October 11th Annual Meeting featuring Danielle Donehew, IWF Fellow
(L to R) Ellen Weaver Hartman and Marsha Sampson Johnson
(L to R) Lani Wong, Aida Perez Flamm, Marsha Sampson Johnson, Chris St.Clare
Exciting Upcoming Programs
November 29th Luncheon Meeting: Innovation Ecosystem at Georgia Tech, featuring Bud Peterson, President. Click here for details and to register.
December 4th Holiday Party, hosted by IWF member, Carol Tome’ in her beautiful home. Click here for details and to register.
January 10th Luncheon Meeting: “Addiction Confidential” program at Georgia Public Broadcasting. Details and registration coming soon.
Retreat, Retreat, Retreat! You won’t want to miss the first IWF Georgia Retreat in years, on February 23-24 at glorious and celebrated Serenbe. Speakers will include the Hon. Shirley Franklin and Gail Evans on a rewarding lifestyle change at every age and stage; and a panel on “rebooting” with Monica Pearson, Glenda Hatchett, Ann Cramer, Becky Blalock and Beth Schapiro. The retreat kicks off on the afternoon of Feb 23 with a progressive dinner at the homes of members Dianne Harnell-Cohen and Penny McPhee and includes a tour of homes and a private performance by the Serenbe Playhouse Apprentice Cast. Details and registration coming soon.
Chicago Global Leadership Conference: Cornerstones of Change, Sept 28-30
It is hard to believe that it has been two years since we hosted the Global Conference here in Atlanta, “Human Rights, Human Responsibilities” and we still hear praises for the content, organization and quality of our conference. But the conferences just get better and better and the Chicago conference was no exception. There were over 900 attendees from over 44 countries and I am excited that we had twelve (12) members of IWF Georgia in attendance, including Elizabeth Noe who said, “It was such an inspiring room of powerful and delightful women. The topics covered by the speakers were relevant, energizing and brought our minds to places we seldom visit. We were inspired to be innovative, think about the way things can be and stretch ourselves to make the world a better place. This is my first IWF Conference, but it will not be my last!”. Jennifer McCoy commented, “I was very impressed by the substantive content focused on the Crossroads of Change (very futuristic) and learned fascinating things also relevant to my own work. But I also found it rewarding to get to know better our own Atlanta members, as well as interesting women in the individual Dine-Around experiences.”
In connection with the Chicago Conference, there was a Presidents Council meeting, which was very well organized and helpful. Edelman presented a terrific study on the IWF brand and what differentiates IWF from other women’s organizations. And the results of the first global membership survey was presented with very interesting insights into what our members like and want. Lastly, we had a chance to meet the new IWF CEO, Stephanie O’Keefe and I am convinced she will be a superstar. This is a very exciting time for our organization!
Do not miss the opportunity to register for the IWF Cornerstone Conference, to be held in Stockholm next May. Announcements will come out at the first of the year.
(L to R) Molly Burke, Susan Bell, Shirley Mitchell, Elizabeth Noe, Jennifer McCoy, Chris St.Clare
In Summary
We are rapidly bringing 2016 to a close and it has been a remarkable year of accomplishments. Accomplishments for our Forum, and also for our many members who are forever being recognized and awarded in the community, state, nationally or even globally. What an exciting group of women!!! Please help me and our Board by voting on the proposed by-laws; welcoming our new members; and marking your calendars now for the upcoming events.
My best and a Happy Thanksgiving,
Christine St.Clare
President, IWF Georgia
ctstclare@gmail.com
678.296.3561 (mobile)
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