May's Annual Nonprofit Showcase Luncheon

It is always exciting to hear about what is going on with our nonprofits in the network. Last Tuesday at our monthly luncheon we were able to hear from Patty Craven, Director of Membership and Information Technology of Girl Scouts of Central California South; Jill McCartney, Community Development Coordinator with Hinds Hospice; Gerre Brenneman, Executive Director of Evangel Home; and Kathleen Smith, Investor Relations Manager of the Economic Development Corporation.

 

We are glad these ladies took the time to share about their organizations and their current and upcoming needs. Luncheon attendees were then able to go to the organization's booths to ask more questions or find out how they could get involved.

Jayne, our 2013 President,  announced a couple of prize winners at the luncheon. In her April President's Message she mentioned giving out 5 raffle tickets for the 57th person who registered online for the luncheon and a Starbucks card for the 39th person who registered online. The winner of the raffle tickets was Margarie Donavon with MedID559 and the winner of the Starbucks card was Doreen Dunn with Volt Workplace Solutions. It pays to register for your lunch and to keep your eyes out for special little incentives!

 

A big thank you to our luncheon and gift sponsors. So many of the following names are people/companies that continue to give every luncheon.

Luncheon Sponsor
Katie Avila, New York Life

The Buddy Bag Sponsor

Judy Strickland, Juice Plus

Scholarship Raffle

Sandra Rodriguez-Lucero, The Perfect 10 Nails by Sandra

Girl Scouts of Central California South

Pamela Alexander, Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel

Lisa Rinehart, Principal Financial Group

Alicia Hinton, Lavender's Light

Jayne McCallister, Fresno Women's Network 

Kelly Fitzgerald, Sequoia Sandwich Shop

Michelle Peacock, Heald College

Shellie Green, Fresno State University

Kitty McManus, Jack Nadal International

Debbie Milla, Milla Vineyards

Karen Bowser, Creative Memories

Shelie Green, Hampton Inn & Suites

Lisa Serman, Fresno Memorial Gardens

President's Message for May

April Showers Bring May Flowers.  How is your Network Garden Growing?

Before the flowers can grow, they need to be planted, nurtured, and watered. Building relationships is like growing a beautiful flower garden. It is remarkable to see your relationships grow into lasting friendships.

The Fresno Women’s Network has provided me this opportunity. Awhile ago, I realized that just showing up and handing out my business card was not true networking. I learned that it was really about building relationships.  My involvement in a committee provided me with even many more opportunities. Working with so many talented, creative ladies is an honor.

Your involvement on a committee is an opportunity to develop new, positive relationships in your life and business. You can make a positive difference in another member’s life. And, most importantly, you can have some FUN!!

My network garden is so beautiful, not only in the spring but all year long. There is still a lot more room to plant.

Remember this is your Network and we want to provide you with a positive and memorable experience and your input is very important and we welcome your suggestions for improvement. Please fill out the evaluation slips at the luncheon. They are on every table.  If you want to get involved and don’t know where to start, or have any suggestions for improvement or programs you can always contact me by email president@fresnowomensnetwork.org or by phone at 559- 307-9981

All of our committees have been hard at work planning some very exciting luncheon speakers, mixers, and other events that you don’t want to miss. Check out the calendar on our website and plan ahead.

Remember to register for the luncheon online at our website.  Registration # 39 wins a Starbucks card and # 57 receives 5 free raffle tickets!

Can’t wait to see you at lunch!

FWN New Members who joined in April 2013

Welcome to Karen Nishimura with Premier Valley Bank, who joined Fresno Women's Network in April 2013.  Also welcome Wendy Niles with Radisson Hotel (referred by Karen Sorensen) and Jill Parker with Heald College. Are you interested in joining Fresno Women's Network? Click HERE for information.

April Luncheon

Our luncheon speaker for April was Larry Powell, Superintendent for the Fresno County Schools. Mr. Powell was an engaging speaker and encouraged all of us to inspire kids to be positive about education. He stated that if parents feel good about school then their children are more likely to have a positive experience in school. He also talked about the mentoring programs in court and community schools in Fresno County and stressed that education doesn't just happen in school it happens throughout life and how one great adult or mentor in a child's life can make a huge difference in their future.

Although Larry Powell was discouraging about the focus that has been put on high test scores in our national schools; he also pointed out what we are doing well in the United States as far as education. We have done a great job in fostering creativity in our schools and mentioned that the United States is number 1 in exporting patents as opposed to China that is number 1 in exporting toys. He also pointed out that 90% of all engineers in the world are educated here in the United States. We are honored that Superintendent Powell was able to fit us into his busy schedule so that we could have a peek into education in Fresno and nationwide.

Luncheon Sponsor
Fresno Pacific University

The Buddy Bag Sponsor

 Sandra Rodriguez-Lucero, Gold Canyon and The Perfect 10

Scholarship Raffle

Karen Bowser, Creative Memories

Shelie Green, Hampton Inn & Suites

Pamela Alexander, Stephens & Bean

Debbie Milla, Milla Vineyards

Kellie Fitzpatrick, Sequoia Sandwich

 Jayne McAllister, London Properties

 Jennifer Wojtas, Orchard Park Assisted Living

Carole Laval, Laval & Associates

Sandra Rodriguez-Lucero, The Perfect 10

 Carolyn Pierce, Facelogic

Kitty McManus, Jack Nadal, Inc.

FWN New Members who joined in March 2013

Welcome to our newest members who joined Fresno Women's Network in March 2013.

Therese Lynn Corchado with Norton Chiropractic Wellness Center, Alison Haugan (referred by Richelle Jarrell), Shelly Keyser with Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, Barbara Krikorian with Mystique Medical Spa & Wellness Center, Toni MacDonald with Automatic Body, Lauren Nickerson with Hinds Hospice K(referred by Karen Bowser), Keirsten Quest with MaxPotentials, Cindy Lea Sambueso with Simply Inspired Healing, Nina Sensenbaugh with Guarantee (referred by Karen Brown), Wendy Yribarren with Yribarren Family Family Vineyards.

Are you interested in joining Fresno Women's Network? Click HERE for information.

Message from FWN President for April

Happy Spring to you all!! 

We just completed our 21st Network at Night Trade show “Imagine the Possibilities”.  I hope you were able to find the “Possibilities to Network”. A trade show is one of the best networking venues of them all - it is a time to make new friends, connect with old friends,  and to develop new business relationships.

Congratulations to Vanessia Carpenter and her Special Events Committee, plus all of you who helped make this years’ Network @ Night such a huge success. There was something for everyone! We had a great mixture of exhibitors and many different foods and beverages to taste and enjoy. We even had a Race car driver signing autographs. Many people commented on how beautifully decorated the Valdez Hall was and how glad they were that they attended this year.

What a great Team effort!  Because of you and all of our Exhibitors and Guests, we were able to allocate increased proceeds to our Scholarship Fund. This year was truly over the top!

A very special thank you to our Platinum Sponsors: Economic Development Corporation Services, Fresno Heart & Surgical Hospital, and Massage Envy. And our Gold Sponsors and Media Sponsors also deserve a thank you : Best Party Rental, Dumont Printing, Fresno Women’s Network, Piccadilly Inn, and Saint Agnes Medical Center, Peak Broadcasting,  and Univision. We appreciate all the exhibitors and the companies that provided food sampling and wine and beer tasting. The 21st Networking at Night success can only be attributed to the many fine sponsors and supporters of the Fresno Women’s Network.

Do you have a story about how your FWN Membership has benefited you, please email me. I would love to share your story. 

Net@Night Meet & Greet

Last night the sponsors and exhibitors that will be participating in the upcoming Fresno Women's Network Network @ Night Business Trade Show were invited to join the FWN Special Events Committee to meet with each other and learn more about their role in the event on March 21st to be held at the Fresno Comvention Centre, Valdez Hall.

The meet and greet was held at the Piccadilly Inn,  who is a Gold sponsor for the event and they supplied a great venue and wonderful food for all the guests. Lots of great information was presented by the Special Events Committee that will enable the sponsors and exhibitors to setup their booths and wonderful displays for all the visitors. 

If you are thinking about a booth at the event there are still a limited number available and you can find further information on the FWN website and download the registration form.

The FWN Net @ Night is one of the largest networking events in Fresno and a fabulous occasion to share the latest and greatest news, information and offers related to businesses within our community. Attend and enjoy wine tasting, food samples and visit the booths of local businesses in this positive setting.

Tickets for Network @ Night are FREE to the public and you can pick them up from any of the sponsors or exhibitors or contact the FWN office and they will be mailed to you.