Anne Arundel Women Giving Together

FULL CIRCLE NEWSMARCH - APRIL 2014

IN THIS ISSUE

FebruaryEducationSession Recap

Women &LeadershipEvent: Over 200Women attend_______________

Upcoming Events:

April 9 : SpringOpen House

April 23 : YourDollars at Work -Grantee Field Trip

May 14 : GrantsVoting Meeting(members only)_______________

In Their OwnWords!

Announcements

AAWGT Loses aThought Leader andFriend_______________

Bylaws Review

2014 Calendar

This is truly a season for women leadership.As part of the first education session of thisyear, women experts shared theirknowledge on changing demographics inour community. In our March Women &Leadership Event, Molly Barker inspired uswith her personal story of successfulleadership by helping young girls find theirtrue healthy happy selves. Our April OpenHouse program will showcase some of ourown members who lead and change livesevery day in Anne Arundel County.

We also learned how difficult it is lose a truechampion and thought leader of AAWGT.We celebrate the gifts of leadership ourpast president Laurie Sharp shared with allof us as we mourn her loss.

Let’s take note of all this power andstrength that our programs and membershave shown us. Join us in April (bringguests) and throughout the year. Add yourown unique skills to our powerful femaleleader circle! We thank you for all that youcontribute! It matters!

Karen Smith, President Maureen Cavaiola

Vice President / President Elect

First Education Session anEye-Opener

AAWGT's first 2014 Educational Session,

JOIN or RENEW

TODAY !!____________________In Memoriam -AAWGT Member andPast PresidentLaurie Sharp

"Laurie was inspiring in herorganizing, fearless in her artwork,courageous in all aspects of herlife, and passionate abouteverything she tackled. Above all,Laurie was hilariously fun, foreveryone, all the time. Even inserious illness, Laurie was full oflife." Jennifer Smith – Laurie’s daughter

"Don't cry because it's over, smilebecause it happened."Dr. Seuss

Spring Open HouseAre you tired of the cold and snow?Think ahead to warmer weather,flowers, and gardens! Plan to joinus for a Members Open House inthe beautiful Paca House Gardenson April 9! This event is open to all

APRIL

9 6:00PM-8:00PMGeneral Meeting –Spring Open House(Membership)

23 Grantee Field Trip

29 Lighthouse Lunches

MAY

14 8:30AM – 10:30AMGrants Voting --Members Only

21 Book Group

22 Lighthouse Lunches

JUNE

11 6:00PM–8:00PMGeneral Meeting(Education)

24 Lighthouse Lunches

JULY

No General Meeting23 Book Group

AUGUST

No General Meeting

SEPTEMBER

10 Book Group (Movie)

17 6:00PM - 8:00PMGeneral Meeting -Grant Showcase

OCTOBER

8 6:00PM – 8:00PMGeneral Meeting(Education)

NOVEMBER

12 6:00PM - 8:00PMBusiness Meeting andMembers’ Forum --Members Only

"Changing Demographics: Opportunitiesand Untapped Resources," was held atKneseth Israel on February 12. More than80 people attended and heard from fivepanelists who spoke on the County'schanging population, with a specific focuson the 60+ and the Hispanic/Latinocommunity.

"It is fitting that we start off 2014 with thefirst in a series of education sessionsdesigned to make us informed decisionmakers", remarked AAWGT PresidentKaren Smith as she kicked off the meeting.

Full details on the February educationsession can be found here.

7th Annual Women & Leadership Event

Over 200 women (and some brave men!)attended the seventh annual AAWGTWomen and Leadership event onWednesday March 19 at Broadneck HighSchool. Co-hosted for the first time with theCommunity Foundation (CFAAC), the eventfeatured Molly Barker, founder of Girls onthe Run (GOTR). This organization inspiresgirls to be joyful, healthy, and confidentusing a fun, experience based curriculumwhich creatively integrates running. Theprograms now run in 47 states and haveserved over 700.000 girls.

We learned what makes Molly Barker awonderful woman leader and there were afew surprises! According to Molly, there isan “ebb and flow” in leadership. Sometimesthe light shines on you and sometimesthere is “self- doubt.” The self-doubt is thereto allow for growth and introspection. It isimportant to choose the part of “female” thatempowers us. And when the challenge

AAWGT members and their guests.This is the perfect opportunity forprospective members to socializeand learn more about ourorganization. We will have food,beverages, and a lively paneldiscussion by seven of ourmembers. We hope to see you anda friend there! Members shouldregister today as space is limited!

Grants Process UpdateThe 2014 AAWGT grants reviewprocess got underway in Februarywhen 23 organizations submittedapplications for funding. Theproposed projects reflect a widerange of needs in the county frommental health and job counseling tonutrition and mentoring.

Thirty AAWGT members, workingin four teams, have reviewed theapplications for adherence to theAAWGT mission and guidelinesand the readiness of theorganizations to carry out theirproposals. Site visits are nowtaking place to gather additionalinformation which will inform ourfinal decision-making discussions inApril. All of those involved in thereview process look forward topresenting the membership with anexcellent selection of projects forconsideration in May. Registertoday to attend the grants votingmeeting May 14, 2014!

Your Dollars at Work

19 Book Group

DECEMBER

No General Meeting

came to Molly, she couldn’t NOT do it, sheHAD to do it! The challenge aligned with herpurpose.

Leadership is about being “fearless ingetting to know each person and theirstory.” It is a “willingness to be vulnerable.”It is the ability to use your “elevator pitch”often to sell others on your idea –to bepersistent. It is also important to know whento let go and move on.

Molly believes that the world is” very hungryfor what the “feminine” brings to the worldprocesses. There is a yearning forcompassion, love, strength, andvulnerability. Love and compassion are notweak.”

When asked if there was any risk inleadership, Molly was adamant. She seesno risk and says “go for it!” Be prepared for“dark spaces” in the process but “fake ituntil you make it.” And you will find thehappy space again. She has faced her darkspaces with being a single parenthood andwith overcoming alcoholism but does not letthat define her. She uses these challengesto help move forward in her life.

When asked what she might do with a“magic wand” and all the power in theworld, Molly said she would like all womento witness their own greatness and see theirstrengths as power.

With wisdom, wit, and authenticity, Mollyinspired all attendees to find the leader inthemselves.

AAWGT members are invited togather at the Community Library, 1East 11th Ave., Brooklyn Park forour annual Field Trip. After visitingthe Learning Center, we’ll treatourselves to lunch at Brian BoruRestaurant and Pub at 489 RitchieHighway, Suite 103, in SevernaPark. Please register by Friday,April 18 to secure your place forboth the library visit and lunch.Space is limited.

Bylaws ReviewThis year the GovernanceCommittee’s focus isa comprehensive review ofthe AAWGTBylaws. Inpreparation,members are beingasked to review theBylaws and providecomments,suggestions, andquestions before the end ofMay. Just send an email withyour thoughts togovernance@givingtogether.org.Members can access the Bylawson the members only page of thewebsite by clicking here (membersign-in required). We look forwardto hearing from you.

Donna Stackhouse, ChairSusan Nolte, Asst. Chair

In Their Own Words! Members were asked…

Why are AAWGT education sessions important? Can you share an "aha" moment from our February Session?

"Education opportunities are one of the ways that not only keeps me engaged inAAWGT but also helps me keep track of what is happening in the community in waysthat I might not otherwise have known. “I learned that the Latino/Hispanic population isincreasing in our county and that the schools are doing a good job of assimilating thechildren into our community." – Helene Betnun

"Education programs help keep me mindful of the needs in the area. The most recentsession reinforced the diversity of cultures and the economic disparity in the countyand that we need to keep helping one another. One standout statement was 'Call usLatino not Hispanic'." - Helen Krone

"Education sessions helped me understand what the social problems are, andwhat solutions are effective. I learned how close these problems are to mycomfortable neighborhood and that the children and families we help are ourneighbors. Hearing experts speak about issues makes us informed citizensoutside of AAWGT as well as educated voters and focused volunteers." -Phyllis Saroff

What do YOU say? Email us at giving@givingtogether.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

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