UPDATES

Happy Valentine's Day

UPDATES!

The Newsletter for the North Fulton Business & Professional Women

February 2006 - Vol. III, No. 2

President's Notes

It's hard to believe that we've been through one month into the New Year! I can feel it slipping away already. I hope you're all keeping up with your New Year's resolutions.

We're also coming close towards the end of our fiscal year. We'll be looking for a nominating committee for this 2006-2007. So please put your thinking caps on for nominees for NFBPW officers. Cindy Overton will move into the President's position, and we'll need to complete the roster of officers. If you're considering running for an office or would like to be a committee chair, you can see what the possibilities are on the "Contact Us" page of our Web site.

I hope you'll be willing to step up to the plate for NFBPW and help us develop this fabulous organization! Again, I issue my challenge for each and everyone of us to bring a guest to the February meeting. See you there on the 2nd.

Warm regards,

Peg Titus-Hall

Editor's Notes

Well I have just returned for over three weeks in Sunny Florida. It was great. We even saw the Pluto Shuttle take off from Gamble State Park about 60 miles North of the Cape.

Debbie Belz was to finish this month’s Newsletter in my absence but she has been over whelmed with her daughter’s problem pregnancy and her job and etc. Her daughter is due any day now. Please keep them in your Prayers.

A Great Big Thanks to Peggy for finishing it for us. I had done what I could in December before I left on the 1st of January.

Earlene Roden, Editor

February Program
Karen LaMarsh, Director of Professional Development and Life Enrichment, will speak on "What Is Continuing Education, Really?" Karen will share her insights and professional experiences related to the vital role continual learning plays in people’s personal and professional lives. There are many community misconceptions related to the field of continuing education:

	What is it?
	Why does it matter?
	How can you judge a quality program?
	How does professional development affect the bottom line?
	Why is it important to take time for leisure learning?
	What kinds of programs are available for people of different age groups?

Karen has been with Continuing Education at Kennesaw State University for six years. After twenty years of working as a professional volunteer, Karen decided to take her transferable skills to the workplace. In 1999, she joined Continuing Education at Kennesaw State University—an organization where her passion for helping people could translate into even more tangible results. Join us Thursday night an informative evening!

Hear Roslyn Ridgeway's Views on the ERA
BPW/USA President Roz Ridgeway participated in a Women's Rights Roundtable on "Democracy & Women's Rights" in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Martha Burke, Chairman of the Council of National Women's Organizations, asked Roslyn why BPW/USA's support of the ERA has been important up to now and continues to be. Hear what Roz has to say in her own words. Click here, scroll down to "The Power of Connecting," and click the first link, "Watch Roslyn Ridgeway on C-SPAN..."

UPDATES! Submissions

Submission deadline for the February UPDATES is February 14, 2006. Please send information to Debbie Belz at grandebbie@bellsouth.net.

February is Foundation Month
BPW Foundation celebrates its 50th Anniversary February 27. Attendees to the 2006 Policy & Action Conference can join the celebration at the 50th Anniversary Celebration Breakfast on February 3.
In 2006, the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation will actively engage workingwomen and employers in dynamic discussions, innovative research projects, and exciting educational opportunities.

BPW/USA believes that the results of these activities will have a direct impact on empowering workingwomen and helping build successful workplaces. Take a look at BPW/USA's list of events and activities for the 50th Anniversary, and you will see that there are more events and projects to which we can look forward.

Important and Notable Dates
February 2 - NFBPW Regular Meeting, Integrity Bank (Details)
February 2-4 - Policy in Action Conference, Windham Washington Hotel, Washington, D.C.
April 25 – Equal Pay Day
April 28-30 – BPW/GA State Conference, Crown Plaza Perimeter, Atlanta
July 2006 – BPW/USA National Conference, Dallas, Texas
July 20-27, 2008 – BPW/USA National Conference, Atlanta Hilton, Atlanta

A Little Bit of BPW History

Women celebrate the passage of the 19th Amendment granting them the right to vote:
Aug 26, 1920.

Member Profile* - Rita Gray

	What do you do? Executive Vice President-Operations, Integrity Bank
	Who are the important people in your life? Skip, Our Children-Susan & Bill, and our five grandchildren
	Who is your mentor? I have had many mentors during my life, both in my career and in my personal life. They were all valuable to me at that particular time in my life. Today, the mentor I call on most often is God.
	What will you be doing 5 years from now? Retired, traveling
	What is your favorite food/beverage? Seafood, veggies, a good glass of red wine
	What do you do for fun? Traveling, camping, hiking
	What brought you to BPW? My Mother and all the powerful women in my community were in BPW

*Notice the new Member Profile format. We'd appreciate your feedback. Let us know what you think!

Treasurer's Report

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Prayer Request

We ask you to continue to keep Mary and John Bennett in your prayers. John has very serious health problems.

Early History of Valentine's Day

	One thought is: The early origins of Valentine's Day can be traced back to the ancient Roman celebration of Lupercalia, which was held on February 15. The celebration of Lupercalia honored the gods Lupercus and Faunus and the founders of Rome.
	Another thought is: There were two saints named Valentine and a priest a named Valentine. One saint was executed on February 14 and 227 years later, Pope Gelasius named February 14, Valentine's Day for him. The priest named Valentine disobeyed the Emperor and secretly married couples.
	And another thought is: Birds and fowl select their mates on February 14.

Orientation - Virginia Allan Young
Careerist Program

The Young Careerist Program recognizes the accomplishments of successful women or men and introduces them to the mission and vision of BPW/USA.

Begun in 1964, the program involves a competitive selection process within local organizations, districts, regions, and 53 state federations. The selected Young Careerists represent each State Federation at the BPW/USA annual conference.

The national winner serves as the National Representative for BPW/USA and attends functions in her official capacity. To participate in the program, a Young Careerist must:

	Be between the ages of 21 and 35
	Have been employed with at least one year of full-time work experience in her/his career area
	Support the goals and objectives of BPW/USA

Candidates are judged in written and biographical information, judges' interview, group interaction and prepared speeches on specific topics. You can read more on the BPW/USA Web site.

Below is Danae DeMasi of BPW/Masontown, Pennsylvania, the 2005-06 National Young Careerist.

Return to NFBPW Home Page

January 2006 Meeting Minutes

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