WLC Nov 2018 Newsletter

Our Women's Leadership Council (WLC) is proud of the following accomplishments we've made over the past few months, thanks to our members. Together, we continue to make a positive impact on the lives of women and girls in Lake County.

On September 22, 2018, Kristin Kraus, Renee Ochaya, Michelle Walker, Cathy Humphrey and Gayle Sikula met with residents at Lake Geauga Recovery Oak House. This is one of our quarterly visits when our volunteers share information regarding job search, interview skills and healthy living.

Speaker Series Breakfast:

Thank you to everyone who attended our October 11, 2018 Speaker Series Breakfast on Why Women in Politics Matter. A big thank you to our panelists who included Alison Bataglia, Ph.D., Principle of Riso Consulting Group; Lorraine Fende, Lake County Treasurer; and Lake County Juvenile Court Judge Karen Lawson. Special thanks to WLC chair Amber Thomas, who served as moderator and to our generous sponsor, Advancing Women in the Workforce.

Femm Project:

Our WLC has held three of four scheduled FEMM programs to date. FEMM is a Lakeland Community College program that stands for Female Empowerment through Merging Minds. The program is designed to mentor women and we're thrilled to be able to volunteer our services. FEMM program topics covered thus far have included goal setting, interpersonal communication and professionalism.The fourth topic scheduled for November 9, 2018 will cover finances.

On August 23, 2018, more than 60 members and guests attended a membership recruitment social at SOL featuring Certified Image Consultant Pat Gibson of The Artistry of You. The following Thursday, August 30, 2018, Shop For A Cause was held at It’s So You Boutique, a designer consignment shop in Willoughby. Thank you to owner Laurel Howes for donating $100 of the sale proceeds to the Women’s Leadership Council. We also appreciate Bev Lee, chair of the Membership Committee, who coordinated the event and Huntington for the generous sponsorship.

Cathy Humphrey has been a member of WLC since 2016. She currently serves as co-chair of the membership committee and previously served as the volunteer committee chairperson for two years. Cathy played an instrumental role in cultivating the partnership between tje WLC and the Women’s Center of Lakeland Community College, creating the FEMM (Female Empowerment through Merging Minds) project. FEMM focuses on mentoring female students on goal setting, enhancing interpersonal communications, adopting professional traits and learning how to handle finances. Cathy is now retired but has had several great careers. She started her career as an intensive care RN, and then became a full-time stay-at-home mom before serving twenty years at Lakeland Community College as the Help Desk Coordinator for computer support.

Cathy, what first brought you to WLC? What keeps you coming back?

I heard about WLC the year before I was planning to retire from Lakeland Community College and went to a breakfast series event at Mooreland Mansion. I had been involved in the United Way of Lake County (UWLC) campaigns at Lakeland and was familiar with the people and mission of UWLC. I was looking for a volunteer opportunity after retirement, and the WLC mission of helping women and girls in need in Lake County was a perfect fit. I continue to be involved because I love the volunteer opportunities and events. Also, the friendships that I gained with other like-minded women has enriched my life in retirement.

As a member, what do you value most about WLC ?

I have lived in Lake County all of my adult life, and I have been extremely blessed in my life through family and friends and this community. Knowing that I am giving back to the community with an emphasis on helping women and girls makes me proud and grateful.

Have you had strong female leaders in your life?

My favorite place when I worked at Lakeland was in the Women’s Center. I learned some of the same qualities we are mentoring the students in the FEMM project from Merry Ring, Stephanie Dornbrook and Gloria Lane and the many programs I attended there.

Tell us about your family and hobbies that keep you busy.

I spend my time working out (Jazzercise, line dancing, ballroom dancing, yoga). I have four grandchildren ages 16, 14, 8 and 5 that I adore and love spending time with. After I retired I took up ceramics and have discovered the artist in me. It is fun and very satisfying. I also love gardening and traveling.

Can you share one thing people do not know about your or might be surprised to learn?

I like listening to live music and my husband and I have become somewhat of groupies for a couple of local bands. I have been to Nashville six times - it is the best place to go to listen to live music almost 24/7.

Can you share one piece of advice for women.

Something I learned from a Lakeland Women’s Center program a long time ago was - Q-TIP: quit taking it personally. You need to do what you think is best and not listen to the negativity around you.

Female Empowerment through Merging Minds (FEMM)
Friday, November 9 - 10:30 am to 12 pm
Lakeland Community College

Session Topic: Finances

Everyone is invited to attend this series that brings Lakeland Community College students and local professional women together. The series is designed to teach students to be empowered leaders, especially leaders of their own lives. Each session stands alone and focuses on a specific topic. Should you wish to attend, click here now to RSVP.

7th Annual Women's Winterfest & Holiday Food Tasting Fundraiser
Thursday, November 29 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm
American-Croatian Lodge, Eastlake

Don’t be disappointed--register now for WinterFest 2018! This signature event sells out every year and Early-Bird rates have been held over for a limited time so if you haven't registered yet, click here now. Sample small plates from 19 of your favorite local restaurants, be pampered with mini-manicures and chair massages. See old friends and make new ones. And if you are among one of the many lucky women in the room, you’ll bring home a prized designer purse, one of loads of other fabulous gifts from our Chinese auction, and/or a great bottle of wine from our wine pull where you could find yourself the lucky winner of a spectacular gift card!

Oak House Gift Wrap and Visit
Saturday, December 15 from 9 am - 12 pm

Join us to wrap gifts at the United Way of Lake County office where we will then proceed to Oak House to visit with residents and offer holiday cheer. Please RSVP to Gayle Sikula at gsikula@uwlc.org if you plan to attend. We hope to see you there!

SAVE THESE DATES

Speaker Series: Leadership
Thursday, January 24 from 7:30 am to 9 am
American-Croatian Lodge, Eastlake

Our next speaker series will feature a panel of female business owners, including Nancy Brown, President of Ladies and Gentlemen Aveda Salon and Spa. Stay tuned for more panelists and details.

Annual Women’s Leadership Council Retreat
Thursday, January 31 - 3 to 7 pm
United Way of Lake County office, Mentor

Help craft the WLC Vision for 2019! Watch for more details to come.

Connect With Us 
Why follow WLC on Facebook?

It’s current. We update the content on a regular basis. You'll see everything from serious to lighthearted: WLC events, interesting insights on leadership, random quotes (inspiring, thoughtful, humorous) and special interest topics that support women and girls. We’re also building our photo stories with images captured from different events.

The WLC Facebook page is an easy way to not only stay connected, but also help us connect with others. When you follow, like and share WLC posts that resonate with you, it puts our name in front of many more.

This is one of our most popular #fiercefriday posts, which ran in July 2018. Got an idea for something you think we should include on our page? Email Communications Committee Chair Elaine Barnard etbarnard@gmail.com.