April 2008 Newsletter

You can download the full version in PDF: nawbonm-news-2008-4.pdf (PDF;148K)

The President’s Corner – Mary Rutland
Program – Wednesday, April 16 – Dinner Meeting
NAWBO-NNM Hosts SPEAK OUT Event
Save the Date – May 21, 2008 – NMFWE Silent Auction
Welcome New Members
Did you know
Platinum Profile – Denise Baker – D.R.B. Electric, Inc.
New Grid-Style Calendar Up on Web Site!
Update from the Nominating Committee – Results
Opportunities Website is now LIVE for Sandias Small Business Utilization
Melanoma – Deadly Skin Cancer – by Dr. Janice Moranz
Entrepreneurs Expect to Work Even Harder in 2008
Three NAWBO Satellite Breakfast Meetings

The President’s Corner Mary Rutland

Here is some news from NAWBO National you need to know:

NAWBO is joining Inc. in its search for the 2008 Inc. 5,000, Inc. magazine and Inc.com’s annual list of the fastest growing private companies in America. Every company honored on the Inc. 5,000 will be profiled on Inc.com. The top 10 percent will be featured in Inc. magazine. The Inc. 5,000 also recognizes the top 100 companies in every major metro area and several other categories. How many of these lists will your company make? How much local and national media coverage will your company receive? If you don’t apply, you’ll never know. The Inc. 5,000 is an editorial award and there are no fees involved with entering or qualifying. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2008.

Attend NAWBO’s 2008 Women’s Business Conference, June 12-14 in Phoenix, Arizona and you’ll have the opportunity to learn new strategies for growing your business. Take home new ideas and advice from exciting education sessions and experience the power of NAWBO’s community while enjoying the beautiful Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa.

Be Your Own Mentor Webinar, April 17
What does it take to be your own mentor? Find out in this Webinar presented by NAWBO’s Education and Leadership Forum. Speaker Catherine Marsh will introduce you to the concept of self mentoring, show you how to set up your own advisory mentoring board, and more. For just $35 you’ll learn valuable skills that will help you take your business to new heights.

I hope that you will take advantage of some of these opportunities. Belonging to the National organization brings many benefitsthese are just a few!!!

~by Mary Rutland, President NAWBO-NNM, 2007-2008

Program – Wednesday, April 16 Dinner Meeting

Why is the Round House empty? Many New Mexico legislators will be attending the 6th annual NAWBO-NNM Speak Out at our April 16 Dinner Meeting.

We are deeply grateful to Qwest, our Speak Out sponsor, for giving us this opportunity to convey to our elected lawmakers our opinions on topics of importance to us, our businesses and our families.

This year we will discuss our positions on healthcare and immigration. Our state representatives and senators really do want to hear from you, and this is your chance to speak with themone-on-one and at our facilitated roundtable dinner discussions.

If youre tired of politicians talking at you, instead of with you, then you don’t miss this legislative information-gathering event sponsored by our Public Policy committee. So please join us on April 16 and Speak Out!

Meeting Schedule & Location
This month we will meet in La Ventana at the Embassy Suites on Lomas, just west of I-25. La Ventana is located off the main hotel lobby.
5:30 p.m. Mix n Mingle
6:15 p.m. Dinner & Program

A special Thank You to Joan Schlueter of On Site Hiring Consultants for sponsoring the bar at Speak Out!

This Months Menu
Salad: Chefs Salad
Regular Entre: Grilled Flank Steak
Vegetarian Entre: Pasta Primavera
Dessert: Lemon Layer Cake

Advance Reservations Are Required by 5:00 pm on Friday, April 11, 2008:

For immediate reservations, click here. After submitting your reservation, you will have the option to continue and pay in advance online.

You can also email Luci Dawson to make a reservation.

To cancel a reservation, please click here to email Luci.

Meeting Cost: $29 members; $35 non-members

RSVPs received after 5:00 pm on Friday, April 11, and Walk-Ins: $34 members $40 non-members

Cancellations after 5:00 pm on Friday, April 11, and No Shows will be invoiced.

NAWBO-NNM Hosts SPEAK OUT Event

On April 16th, we will hold our annual Speak Out. We again thank our Speak Out sponsor, Qwest, for giving us this amazing opportunity to convey to our elected law-makers our opinions on topics of importance to us, our businesses and our families. This year we will discuss with legislators our position on healthcare and immigration.

As we reported in last months Public Policy article, healthcare has been our highest priority issue for several years and, based on survey results, it remains at the top of our list of concerns. Because we knew that this year the legislature and the governor would focus on the issue, the NAWBO-NNM public policy committee spent many hours comparing our policy on healthcare with the provisions of several legislative proposals. Rather than merely supporting or opposing the bills, we analyzed each one and delineated the areas of agreement and disagreement with our adopted positions. In summary, our position is that healthcare costs are increasing, and with them the cost of health insurance, at an unacceptable rate because, in a non-competitive marketplace, they can.

We favor a private, free-market solution that controls costs by introducing competition and empowers consumers by making all aspect of the system more transparent. We object to greater governmental involvement and control of our healthcare system. In the regular legislative session, we supported one bill, the Health Insurance Exchange Act, opposed another, the Health Security Act (single payer plan,) and took no position on a third, the Health Solutions New Mexico Act (Governor Richardsons plan. In any special session, we will support legislation that offers private, free-market solutions and oppose any that imposes greater governmental involvement or control.

The other issue we will discuss at Speak Out is immigration. This is a new topic for our chapter, but one we believe will become increasingly significant in the months ahead. Our sister state of Arizona is feeling the effects of their new state immigration law and we can learn from their experiences as well as from other states that have newly enacted immigration policies. The Public Policy Committee of the Northern New Mexico Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners believes that the impact of a dysfunctional immigration policy on our members and on the economic vitality of New Mexico is significant and that it is incumbent upon us to state our position on this important business topic.

As business owners we know that businesses cannot operate without an adequate labor supply. Our state is experiencing an unemployment rate of 3.2%, far below the natural rate of employment. Even the national rate, with few localized exceptions, is historically low. Many sectors of the economy are already experiencing severe labor shortages. Unless all facets of the immigration issue are addressed on the federal level, the current labor shortage will worsen. In addition, employers are facing uncertainty and anxiety brought on by the requirement to utilize federal systems that are entirely unreliable. At the same time they are being threatened with severe penalties for failure to comply with confusing and conflicting laws. Inevitably this leads to anti-Latino and anti-immigrant discrimination.

NAWBO-NNM Public Policy Position on Immigration:

• Immigration reform must be accomplished at the federal level so as not to pit the economy of one state against another by adopting a patchwork of laws.

• Stop the flow of illegal immigration by tightening border security so that only those who wish to come to this country for work, school, travel or other legitimate purpose are admitted.

• Adopt a rational guest worker program that provides an adequate supply of legal employees to all U.S. businesses. A guest worker program must be practical, usable, and cost effective for all companies, large and small. The number of guest workers available should vary to meet economic and industry needs. A guest worker program must include provisions for guest workers to pay all taxes a citizen of the same income level would pay.

• Enact H.R. 5515, or a similar proposal that would create a verification system that is accurate, functional, and quick. Employers should not be primarily responsible for monitoring and enforcing immigration policy, but can play a limited, defined part. A safe harbor process must be available to employers to ensure against civil or criminal liability from the government and from employee lawsuits based on discrimination claims.

• Do not enact Touchback requirements whereby skilled employees are required to return to their homeland for a period of time, causing increased training costs and disruption to business operations.

• Ensure that U.S. workers are not displaced by foreign workers.

• Provide a path to citizenship for hard working, tax-paying guest workers behind those who have come legally and are already working toward citizenship. Speed up the process to become a citizen and correct the inequities in the immigration quota system.

• Prohibit workplace raids unless probable cause can be shown that an employer makes hiring of illegal workers a part of their business plan and that he/she knowingly hires illegal workers.

~by Robin Dozier Otten, Director Public Policy

Save the Date – May 21, 2008 – NMFWE Silent Auction

We will hold a silent auction to benefit our “sister” organization, the New Mexico Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs (NMFWE), at our May 21 DINNER meeting. NMFWE is a 501©(3) nonprofit foundation. All of the funds that are raised at the silent auction go directly to the foundation to be used for education, training, scholarships and loans for women entrepreneurs. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by tax law.

This year we are asking that each donated item have a value of at least $25. We are also doing something new. If you donate an item that has a value of $100 or more, you will get a 30-second spot to tell about the item youve donated at the May meeting. (The $100 value has to be on a single item not a combination of two or three items.) We also accept cash donations in lieu of an auction item.

Your items can be brought to the May meeting, but please get them there by 4:30 p.m. so we can have everything set up before our members and guests arrive to start bidding.

This is a great way to promote your business or an associates business, and it is also a good time to purchase gifts. Items that usually sell well include:

• gift certificates for lunches/dinners
• tickets to events
• rounds of golf
• sports memorabilia
• hotel and vacation packages
• airline tickets
• jewelry and unusual clothing items
• spa services
• original artwork

To donate auction items or cash, please complete the Auction Donor Form and return it by mail, email, or fax as indicated on the form. For questions regarding the auction, email Roberta.

Thank you for supporting our philanthropic efforts!

~by Roberta Salas

Welcome New Members

Gillian Armour
Image Consultant
Gillian Armour Design, LLC
PO Box 5218
Santa Fe, NM 87502-5218
Phone: 505-820-2824
email Gillian
Visit Gillian’s web site
Fashion transformations for men, women, and teens. Certified International Image Consultant and Style Master. Ready to transform even the shlumpiest!

Ruby Grzelachowski
Branch Manager
Irwin Union Bank
7401 Jefferson NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Phone: 505-857-6203
email Ruby
Visit Ruby’s web site
Founded in 1871, we opened our Albuquerque office in December 2006. Our outlook is as familiar as our past: Stay focused on our clients. Offer highly personalized service and customized solutions. Invest in the local community and serve its members. Give entrepreneurs the chance to change the face of business.

Barbara Neulight
President
The Art of Redesign, LLC
20 Alteza
Santa Fe, NM 87508
Phone: 505-577-1403/505-466-1403
email Barbara
Visit Barbara’s web site
Redesign (with existing decr) and staging for home sales in homes that are occupied with furniture and vacant properties

Did you know

there is a great resource on our chapter website called FAQs, or Frequently Asked Questions. Click on the FAQ button located on the right-hand side of the top purple navigation bar on the home page. Or, click on the FAQ button (purple text inside yellow bar) located at the bottom of any page. You will find great information about meeting locations, RSVPs, etc.

~ by Amy C. Zampella, Internal Communications Chair

Platinum Profile Denise Baker D.R.B. Electric, Inc.

Denise Baker has been the owner and chief financial officer of DRB Electric, Inc. since 1991. She has an extensive fiscal management background, with a B.S. in accounting and business from Arizona State.

With her husband Randy, they have grown D.R.B. from garage-shop electricians to a $7.5 million dollar company with a teeming facility of 59 employees and a fleet of trucks. The company has been providing services to the community for 22 years, specializing in electrical contracting, 24 hour service and maintenance, construction, IT Technologies, and assisted design build with value engineering. D.R.B.‘s apprentices are required to complete the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) nationally accredited, four year apprentice program, which focuses on education and safety. This allows their electricians to stay abreast of current regulations and industry standards. The company has received ABC’s prestigious “Platinum Level Safety Training and Evaluation Process” award annually since 2002. D.R.B has provided quality service to many new and exciting companies around New Mexico. Some of their recent project include the Center for Prenatal Development, UNM’s Communication and Journalism Building, Destiny Center worship center, Purple Sage Garden Center, Farm Credit of New Mexico, and Prime Therapeutics.

Denise is a strong advocate for community involvement, striving to make Albuquerque the best place for her family of 3 daughters, now ages 9, 12, and 13. Beside her affiliations with many local business organizations, she has volunteered her time on Go Red for Women/American Heart Association, the Extreme Home Makeover project, and several activities for St. Charles Borromeo where her daughters attend school. Denise is also very active in the burgeoning film industry in our State as a member of the New Mexico Women in Film & Television. Whenever they get chance Denise and her girls work on films, commercials or television projects together.

When she’s not at the office, or busy with her family, Denise has been on the Board for Albuquerque Economic Development and chair of the Ambassador Association for the past two years which assists with recruitment of membership. She also serves on the Boards of Associated Builders & Contractors, the Executive Committee for the American Heart Association, and the New Mexico Women in Film & Television.

The accolades for Denise and her company are too numerous to list. Most recently, D.R.B. won the New Mexico Ethics in Business Award (2006) and was honored in 2007 by the New Mexico Business Weekly as one of three of the state’s “Best Places to Work”. Denise has this pearl of wisdom to impart “Join associations that promote not only your field, but also women-owned businesses to provide a networking avenue. The knowledge you will learn from others, both good and bad, can be the key to your success.” Denise has once again shown her commitment to NAWBO by signing on as one of the sponsors of the March Prospective Member Reception.

Denise Baker, President/CFO
D.R.B. Electric, Inc.
3601 Second Street, SW
Albuquerque, NM 87105
877-8500
email Denise
Visit Denise’s web site

New Grid-Style Calendar Up on Web Site!

We are very excited to announce that the Internal Communications Committee has launched a new grid-style calendar on the NAWBO Chapter website. From the home page, click on the Calendar link in the top/ purple bar. This link will take you to a new window with a wonderful full-view calendar. Click on each event title to see a pop-up box with details. We hope that you find this new calendar more functional and easier to view. As always, please email Nancy Ullery with NAWBO sponsored and other business events youd like to add to the calendar.

The right-hand panel on the Events page will still contain a list of recent special features, upcoming events, the link to the standing RSVP form, and archives. You can also access the calendar from this
page by clicking on either of the two links in the first paragraph.

Credit for a job well done goes to Nancy Ullery, Cassandra Shaw, and Luci Dawson for working so hard at making this project a reality.

Update from the Nominating Committee – Results

The Nominating Committee wants to thank all members that submitted their name (or had their name submitted) for consideration to the 2009 Board of Directors. We had 21 names for a total of 4 possible positions. We spent a great deal of time talking to nominees; asking about the role they might want on the Board, reviewing their experience on an association board, the time commitment and the potential out of pocket expenses they could incur during their board term. We talked with Barbara Dawson, President Elect as to her goals and what skill sets or experience would be needed by the Board members to reach the strategic goals set by Barbara and the Board.

While our task was complicated and required we keep an open mind, put the needs of the chapter ahead of all else, we had a great time. I want to thank each of them and ask that next time you come in contact with, Amy Matthews, Katree Edmonds, Ann Silva, Mary Bresnahan, that you thank them for their service and dedication to NAWBO-NNM.

The process is nearly complete and the Nominating Committee is proud to announce the 2009 Board of Directors slate of Officers and Directors

OFFICERS

President – Barbara Dawson, Balancing Life & Work President Elect – Deb Steg, Dynamic Metamorphosis Immediate Past President – Mary Rutland, Human Resources by Mary Rutland Treasurer – Liz Lucero, Elizabeth Lucero, Financial Planner Secretary – Lesha Orcutt, Body and Skin Clinic

DIRECTORS

Leadership and Education – Carol Guerra, All-Star Insurance Public Policy – Celia Ameline, Gen5 Development, LLC International – Ann Allsbury, Realtor Foundation – Robin Dozier-Otten, RDO Strategic Consultants, LLC Membership – Merri Jean Jones, Studio J Interiors, Inc. Communications – Lynne Marcus, Marcus + Company Economic Development – Debbie Maestas-Traynor, Maestas Consulting

According to the chapter by-laws:

1. The nominating committee shall review nominations for directors and officers of the board as submitted by the voting members, and shall slate their recommended nominees.
2. The nominating committee shall present a minimum of one nominee for each office to be filled. Additional nominations may be made by the committee or by petition signed by at least 15% of the current voting members.
3. The slate shall be presented to the voting membership 60 days prior to the election. Nominating petitions shall be delivered to the nominating committee no later than 45 days prior to the election so that additions to the slate may be presented to the voting membership 30 days prior to the election.

Therefore, if you were not slated as a nominee and would like to be considered you may petition to have your name added to the slate. To do so, please submit a petition with at least 25 signatures supporting you in your desire to serve on the Board. Persons agreeing to sign the position must be voting members of the chapter. Please submit you petitions to Sandy Cody, Nominating Chair, PO Box 52018, ABQ, NM 87181 no later than April 7, 5pm.

Should we receive eligible members to add to the slate of nominees, the chapter will then hold a ballet vote for its 2009 Board of Directors. If no petitions are received the current slate will be accepted as presented at the May meeting, installation of the Board will be held at the June meeting and the new Board of Directors will assume their positions July 1, 2008.

Again, thank you for your nominations, support and participation in the future of NAWBO-NNM.

~ by Sandy Cody, Immediate Past President Chairwoman, Nominating Committee

Opportunities Website is now LIVE for Sandias Small Business Utilization

Don Devoti, manager of Sandias Small Business Utilization Department, wants the Business Development Organizations to know that the much anticipated Opportunities Website is now available twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week. Effective immediately, the supplier community can see competitive requirements greater than $100,000 and can check a box to receive a Request for Quotation (RFQ). This website contains detailed Statement of Work and mandatory requirements for Sandia Opportunities. All opportunities will be posted for a minimum of two work days.

Email Sandia Small Business
Visit Sandia’s Small Business web site

Melanoma Deadly Skin Cancer – by Dr. Janice Moranz

Some habits can kill you. Others can save your life! In January, the masses resolve to change their life but by February many of the best intentions have fallen by the waste side. The main stream media have developed cute tricks to help us incorporate important habits into our lives. Installing new batteries in the smoke detector when changing the clock for day light savings, having your cholesterol checked during National Heart Month in February, or using a shower card to remember to check your breasts for lumps once a month are some nifty ideas. Unfortunately, there is no catchy slogan to remind people to check their bodies for moles, and this simple act, done regularly, can save your life.

Malignant melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. The chance of developing a melanoma is 1 in 75. In women ages 25-29, it is the most common cancer and it is second only to breast cancer in women ages 30-34. People of all races and color can get melanoma, but it is ten times more common in Anglos than in African Americans and two to four times more common in Hispanics.

This year, vow to prevent or at least discover melanoma early. When melanoma is detected in an early stage and removed, the patient is almost always cured. Do a self-exam once a month examining all of your skin using good lighting, mirrors, and a blow dryer to check your scalp. Look for growths that are asymmetrical, have irregular borders, have two or more colors (especially blue and black), and have a diameter larger than a pencil eraser.

Just remember your ABCD‘s:

Asymmetrical
Borders that are irregular
Colors
Diameter larger than a pencil

Besides checking yourself each month, you should also have an exam yearly with your dermatologist. Everyone is at risk of getting melanoma, but some are at a higher risk than others. Genetics plays an important role. If you have a close family member who has melanoma, your chances are about 50% that you will inherit the same problem. Melanomas are also more common in people who have had severe sunburns. Be watchful for unusual “atypical” moles. Atypical moles have some of the ABCD characteristics. People with many moles are at higher risk. The more risk
factors you have, the more often you should be seen by your dermatologist. A once a year check-up is fine for people with few risk factors. People who have had a melanoma are at the highest risk of developing additional growths and should be seen every three months.

Atypical moles that are removed prevent melanoma. Once a melanoma develops, the depth of the melanoma determines survival. Thin melanomas are least likely to have spread through the lymph system, and so chances of survival are great. The deeper the melanoma, the more likely it may have spread to the lymph system and to organs of the body. When melanoma has spread, chances for survival are small. That is why prevention is important. Minimize sun exposure. Dark colored and tightly woven fabrics provide the most protection. Wear a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sun-screen that contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide on all exposed skin. Avoid tanning parlors. The UVA rays they provide may not burn you, but they penetrate deeper and alter the DNA of your cells, which is what defines cancer.

Remember, melanoma if detected early is curable. Stay alert, watch your ABCD’s, and keep the habit that can save your life.

~by Janice Moranz, M.D. (visit Janice’s web site)

Entrepreneurs Expect to Work Even Harder in 2008

If you want to be an entrepreneur, be prepared to work some late and long hours. Thats one primary finding from the second annual Staples National Small Business Survey, which shows that 98% of small business owners regularly work during their time off at vacation, on weekends, and at night. In addition, fifty-four percent expect to work even harder in 2008. More than 2/3 of those surveyed agree that they are constantly challenged by not having enough time to complete necessary tasks. While business owners are pressed for time, many are not taking advantages of effective time management strategies and technologies. Seventy percent of those surveyed did not have a written business plan, and more than 84 percent do not utilize new media technologies, such as blogs, podcasts, or virtual meeting tools.

Learn more about the results of the 2nd annual Staples National Small Business survey. The survey was based on an Internet poll that queried more than 300 small businesses with less than 20 employees each.

Three NAWBO Satellite Breakfast Meetings

NAWBO-NNM NORTHWEST Satellite Breakfast Meeting

the FOURTH Wednesday of every month
When: March 26, 2007
8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Where: WESST Corp Facility
4200 Meadowlark SE
(528th & Southern)
Rio Rancho 87124

Guest Speaker: A 10 minute presentation

RSVP to Lorie Guthrie at 892-1238

NAWBO-NNM UPTOWN Satellite Breakfast Meeting

the SECOND Wednesday of every month
When: May 14, 2007
7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.

Where: Le Peep Restaurant
2125 Louisiana NE (S. of Pier One)
SW corner Indian School & Louisiana
881-7272

Program: A 10 minute presentation

Please e-mail Lynda Turner an RSVP or call her at 855-5126

NAWBO-NNM SANTA FE Satellite Breakfast Meeting

The SECOND Thursday of every month

When: May 8, 2007 from 8:45a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Where: Zia Diner, 326 S Guadalupe (between Aztec and Montezuma), Santa Fe 505-988-7008
Guest Speaker: A 10-minute presentation

Please e-mail Debbie Steg an RSVP or call her at
505-920-7141

Cost:
Members – cost of breakfast (bring your appetite)
Non-members – cost of meal and a $5 admission fee

(Please note that non-members can attend up to 3 times. After three visits, they will be encouraged to join NAWBO.)

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
Pre-Paid Legal Services, Independent Associate
505-307-2906
Email Donna

Internal Communications Committee Members

Amy Zampella
Heartline Wellness Center, Inc.
255-2203
Email Amy

Nancy Ullery
Heartland New Mexico
440-9586
Email Nancy

Lisa Adkins
SolutionWerx
797-3801
Email Lisa

Annette Campbell
Atkinson & Co.
843-6492
Email Annette

Andrea Carvey
DrumFire
856-4033
Email Andrea

Cassandra Shaw
Business Development, Sandia National Laboratories
284-3962
Email Cassandra

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