April 2006 Newsletter
You can download the full version in PDF: nawbonm-news-2006-04.pdf (PDF; 139K)
The President’s Corner
April Program – NAWBO Speaks Out!
Platinum Profile – Law Offices of Jill Douthett
Eight of our New NAWBO-NM Members!
First Monthly NAWBO Regional Breakfast Meeting – April 12th
Chapter Members Win SBA Awards
NAWBO Public Policy Committee Meeting
The President’s Corner – Mary Lou Christophersen
Good Grief, Charlie Brown. It’s April already.
Last month’s March Madness membership drive was a roaring success! Ten new members joined at the meeting and five more by the end of the month, so look for new faces at our next meeting and welcome them into NAWBO-NNM. They are a fantastic group of women and bring lots of enthusiasm and excitement to the chapter. New member, Jan Harper, was the first to enter her application and will receive a special NAWBO pin along with a fantastic goody bag to which all of you contributed. The goody bags, printing courtesy of Lezlie Ann Kinney’s Bright Ideas were beautifully done and stuffed to the brim with chapter members’ business cards, calculators, brochures, flyers, pens, luggage tags, a portfolio and a scrumptious jar of Cannon’s Sweet Hots, courtesy of our own Diane Cannon.
Now for the winners of the beautiful NAWBO scarves: Angie Thurman won for the most guests, and Edna Lopez won in a drawing for the most who signed up. Congratulations, ladies. You are a credit to NAWBO-NNM!
We will be Speaking Out! on our two most important issues: health care and taxes
As for our April dinner meeting, it’s time for our NAWBO Speak Out! with our New Mexico state legislators. We have traditionally held this event in the fall, but we ran into a variety of conflicts due to elections, precinct meetings, vacations, etc. The Board voted to switch our annual Silent Auction with Speak Out! so look for all those wonderful items to bid on in August. Therefore, the legislators will be dining with us on the 19th and we will be Speaking Out! on our two most important issues: health care and taxes.
For those of you who don’t know how Speak Out! works, it is a chance for our members to be heard by the legislators, not the usual panel of senators and representatives talking to the group. Rather, we talk to them, tell them what’s on our minds and pick their brains for solutions to the issues we raise. First we have members of our Public Policy committee speak on the most important issues for our members, as indicated by our survey. Then we provide the opportunity for eight members to interact with a legislator at the dinner table so you can really get to know your Senator or Representative up close and personal.
We do this by seating at least one Representative or Senator at each dinner table, along with a trained facilitator, so everyone gets a chance to interact, one-on-one with the legislator of their choice. If you want to sit at a particular legislator’s table, get to the meeting early so you can scope out their table name card and save yourself a seat at that table. If you can’t get seated where you want, know that we will be moving each legislator to at least one other table during the evening, so you have a second chance to talk with the one you want.
We’d like to welcome and thank Qwest, one of our newest corporate partners for sponsoring this event. It’s a real pleasure to have money in the budget to present ourselves as we would like. Please look for the Qwest representatives and thank them for allowing us to do this event.
Looking forward to seeing all of you on the 19th.
— Mary Lou Christophersen
President, NAWBO-NNM
April Program – NAWBO Speaks Out!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
4th Annual NAWBO Speaks Out!
Sponsored by Qwest Communications
Embassy Suites-Downtown (just west of I-25 and Lomas)
5:30-6:30 PM – Social Hour
6:30-8:30 PM – Dinner Meeting
Why is the Round House empty? Many New Mexico legislators will be attending NAWBO Speaks Out! This is our fourth annual event when NAWBO members and their guests will have the chance to speak directly with our state legislators to let them hear our concerns. If you’re tired of politicians talking at you, instead of with you, then don’t miss this legislative information-gathering event sponsored by our Public Policy committee.
Are you concerned about the cost, availability, and quality of your healthcare?
Or about the financial burden healthcare costs are imposing on your business?
Are you concerned about taxes?
Believe it! Our state representatives and senators really do want to hear from you! This is your chance to speak with them — one-on-one and at our facilitated roundtable dinner discussions. So please join us and Speak Out! on April 19th.
A very special “Thank You” to Linda Roe, Linda M. Roe, CPA, PC for sponsoring the cash bar at this month’s meeting.
Advance Reservations Are Required by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14
- If you RSVP Online you will have the option to and pay in advance with any credit card, debit card, or e-check using our secure PayPal service.
- You can also call 243-1430 or email Luci Dawson.
- Meeting Cost: $27 members and $32 non-members.
- To cancel a standing reservation, please email Luci Dawson before the March 10 deadline.
- Cancellations after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 10, and “No Shows” will be invoiced.
Platinum Profile – Law Offices of Jill A. Douthett
For 20 years Jill Douthett practiced law in Philadelphia, where she did everything from antitrust, securities fraud, labor and employment, construction and insurance coverage litigation for a variety of Fortune 500 companies and the City of Philadelphia.
Eight years ago she decided to trade in a turn-of-the-century Art Deco condominium apartment on Rittenhouse Square in the heart of Philadelphia for a passive solar adobe house on an acre of land in Corrales surrounded by horses, llamas, goats, dogs, and the occasional pot-bellied pig. Her first undertaking (after buying a car) was to have four guys with a flat bed truck spend a week clearing the tumbleweeds and goatheads off the property, leaving her with exactly one mature ash tree in the back courtyard. The need to put something back to hold the dirt in place led to an extended education in the fine art and science of high desert gardening and a stint as a Master Gardener for Sandoval County.
After goofing off in this fashion for much too long, it was time to go back to work. So she gritted her teeth and took the New Mexico bar exam. Not wanting to face a daily commute from Corrales to downtown Albuquerque, she found some space in Rio Rancho just 6 minutes from her house and opened her own office.
Her New Mexico practice now concentrates on:
- business formations (incorporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships) and governance issues
- business contracts of all types
- franchising, distribution and licensing agreements
- copyright and other intellectual property issues
- commercial leasing and real estate
- venture capital and other investment agreements
- estate planning
- assisting clients who are buying or selling businesses
The best “startup” advice she got when opening her New Mexico practice came from Karen Urbielewicz: “Join NAWBO!”
Law Offices of Jill A. Douthett
4061 Ridge Rock Road SE, Suite C
Rio Rancho, NM 87124-7622
Phone (505) 896-6662
Fax (505) 891-8759
Email Jill
Visit Jill’s web site
Eight of our New NAWBO-NNM Members!
Merritt Hamilton Allen
Executive Director and Principal
Vox Optima, LLC
28 Forest Road
Tijeras, NM 87059
Phone 505-286-1755
Fax 505-281-1827
Email Merritt
Visit Merritt’s web site
Established Business Owner
Vox Optima is a full-spectrum public relations/public affairs firm providing counsel and products to government and industry.
Jan Harper
Vice President, Marketing
Employment Research Services
10555 Montgomery Blvd NE, Bldg 3, Suite 180
Albuquerque, NM 87111
Phone 505-275-5408
Fax 505-275-4767
Email Jan
Visit Jan’s web site
Established Business Owner
Nationwide Services for Pre-Employment Screening. A partial list of services includes background checks regarding criminal, MVR, education, employment references, and credit. We are 100% woman-owned; since 1996.
Faye Heller
Owner
Faye Heller
10001 Coors Bypass NW Apt 217
Albuquerque, NM 87114-4026
Phone 505-922-1750
Fax 505-922-1750
Email Faye
Established Business Owner
Business Consulting & Coaching
(Faye joined NAWBO in 1998 and is very active in public policy. She transferred to New Mexico from the Philadelphia chapter and is very active in WIPP)
Elizabeth Mortensen
Owner
All About You – Weddings & Events
PO Box 91204
Albuquerque, NM 87199
Phone 505-304-0454
Email Elizabeth
Emerging Business Owner
Wedding and Event Planning
Cassandra Shaw
Business Development
Sandia National Laboratories
2809 Chanate SW
Albuquerque, NM 87105
Phone 505-284-3962
Fax 505-844-2018
Email Cassandra
Visit Cassandra’s web site
Supporting Member
Cassandra Shaw is a business development lead for information technologies (IT) and related services at Sandia. She develops marketing and sales plans for a variety of services from business and information systems analysis to data integration. She joined NAWBO with the hopes of sharing marketing and business development ideas with women business owners and of networking among a group of bright, dynamic women.
Sheriece Sinnema
Owner
World Ventures
2836 Palo Verde NE, #A
Albuquerque, NM 87112
Phone 505-352-4437
Email Sheriece
Visit Sheriece’s web site
Emerging Business Owner
World Ventures is an Internet travel company utilizing proprietary search engine technology to book travel. We have wholesale travel memberships. Take a trip of a lifetime monthly. We make a living, living.
Cherie Vaughan
Sales Representative
Imaging Concepts of New Mexico
8600 Pan American Freeway
Albuquerque, NM 87113
Phone 505-828-2679
Fax 505-828-1115
Email Cherie
Supporting Member
We are the largest distributor of Sharp office machines. And we take the approach of finding solutions to improve the efficiency of your business.
Jean Wells
Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist
& NLP Practitioner
SIGHT Hypnosis
3613 Rio Rancho Blvd., NE
Albuquerque, NM 87114
Phone 505-792-2229
Fax 505-792-8446
Email Jean
Emerging Business Owner
Business name is SIGHT Hypnosis –
S elf
I mprovement
G ained through
H ypno
T herapy
First Monthly NAWBO Regional Breakfast Meeting
the second Wednesday of every month!
Please join us
When: April 12, 2006 – 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
Where: Le Peep Restaurant
SW corner of Indian School and Louisiana (South of Pier One)
2125 Louisiana Blvd N E – 881-7272
Why: Establish relationships, network, and share business-building tips in an intimate NAWBO group, and experience the value-added benefits of being part of a powerful group of New Mexico business owners
Guest Speaker: A 10 minute presentation followed by Q & A by fellow NAWBO member Julie Epling, Financial Advisor with UBS Financial Services – ORGANIZE YOUR LIFE WITH MAINSTAY LIFEFOLIO SYSTEM
Members: cost of breakfast (bring your appetite)
Non-members: cost of breakfast and a $5 admission fee (Please note that non-members can attend up to three times. After three visits, they will be encouraged to join NAWBO)
Because this is our 1st Regional Meeting and we have no idea how many will attend, please RSVP to Barbara Dawson
Chapter Members Win SBA Awards
In recognition of the small business community’s contributions to the American economy and our society, the week of April 10th is designated as National Small Business Week. The NM district office of the Small Business Administration will present awards to our state’s winners in April.
We are so proud to recognize our NAWBO members that have won 2006 New Mexico Small Business Week Awards. Congratulations to:
- Jean Gibson/Resource Interlink – Women in Business Champion of the Year
- Patricia Chavez/PLC Enterprises – Home Based Business Champion of the Year
- Kimberly Holmes/New Mexico Business Weekly – Small Business Journalist of the Year
These remarkable women will be presented their awards at a ceremony on Friday, April 28th from 11:30 to 1:30 PM at the Hotel Albuquerque in Old Town. Tickets are available through Sandy Cody for $35.00. If you wish to sit at the NAWBO table, please send your reservation check made payable to Resources for Excellence to Sandy at 12805 Arroyo de Vista NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111. If you have any questions, you can email Sandy
NAWBO Public Policy Committee Meeting
Present were Celia Ameline, Lucy Archamboult, Kay Ballinger, Jill Douthett, Faye Heller, Samantha Lapin, Edna Lopez, Elizabeth Lucero, Robin Dozier Otten and Joan Schlueter.
Subcommittee Reports:
Healthcare. The Governor vetoed the legislative appropriation for the task force to study comprehensive healthcare reform. We will thank the legislators for their efforts and ask them to try again.
Taxes. No report; we will thank the legislators for their efforts during the 2005 special session that dealt with reductions in personal income tax rates and during the 2006 session on gross receipts pyramiding.
Procurement. Nothing to report, but Edna reminded us of the April 28 SBA awards luncheon; Sandy Cody is putting together one or more NAWBO tables for that event.
WIPP Report. Joan is trying to get the candidates (Wilson-Madrid, Denish-Beffort) to commit to an August date for a candidate forum.
April 19 Speak Out!
Gift Baskets: Diane Cannon has graciously offered, once again, to put together “thank you” baskets for the legislators; thank you, Diane. Barbara Kline Hammond has offered to contribute some gift certificates; anyone else who would like to contribute should contact Diane. We will get Diane as good a head count as we can as soon as we can, and offer some logistical support for transporting the baskets to the dinner.
Position Paper Handouts: Celia will coordinate with Nancy Denker to produce somewhere around 100 to 120 of the handouts that were used at Santa Fe Business Days. These will be placed at the dinner tables and placed in the legislators’ gift baskets, so we will have to get some to Diane Cannon as she assembles the baskets.
Table Placards and Name Badges: Sandy Cody offered to do the table placards (she will need at least a couple of days’ notice) and Lucy Archamboult will handle the name badges for the legislators, and coordinate with Sandy as we get reservations firmed up. I gave Lucy a box with our inventory of table placards and badges so they can be reused as appropriate.
Facilitator Assignments: We agreed to hold off until we get a head count on the legislators who will be attending.
Telephone Calls: 59 individually addressed and signed letters of invitation went out to State representatives and senators (including all women legislators, regardless of their districts), asking them to attend and stating that a committee member would be calling shortly to follow up.
Additional Invitations: Edna is talking to our Corporate Partners about attending and perhaps purchasing entire tables for Speak Out!.
— Jill Douthett – VP, Public Policy
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Chapter Corporate Partners
Please support our Chapter Corporate Partners that support us so well.
Platinum Members
Please support our Platinum Members, whose extra financial commitment allows us to continue developing our chapter leaders.
If you would like to submit an article for the next NAWBO News, please get in touch with us!
Editor
Donna Luke
djLuke enterprises – desktop publishing
821-5659
Email Donna
Reporters
Amy Zampella
Heartline Wellness Center, Inc.
255-2203
Email Amy
Mamie C. Chan, OD
Eye Care For You, PC
821-8333
Email Mamie
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