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Capital Priorities 2009-2010 State President, Denise Tarter |
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I just wanted to say what a wonderful event we had at the 90th State Convention of the Arkansas Federation of Business & Professional Women this past weekend! The Women Mean Business Gala was absolutely breathtaking with black and pink colors mixed with the zebra prints and lovely glass centerpieces on each table. Sarah Akin and the Jonesboro LO deserve a great round of applause for pulling off an exceptionally successful event! Awesome job ladies!
Craig O'Neill and Penny Collins Choate were the hit of the evening as the emcees of the Gala. As Penny said, we laughed so much our faces hurt. Not to be outdone was our entertainment for the evening, Holly Gill's dance studio from Walnut Ridge, AR. These young ladies were not only very talented, but got numerous rounds of applause from an appreciative audience.
Our special guest of honor was State Treasurer Martha Shoffner who graciously accepted the Friends of AR BPW award.
Craig O'Neill brought his camcorder and did some filming of his own while keeping us in stitches with every other word. Channel 11 news at 10 p.m. had a brief segment about the Women Mean Business Gala! Thanks Craig!
At our business meeting on Saturday, ARBPW voted in support of the merger of BPW/USA and BPW Foundation. Treasurer, Donna Hopkins, was appointed as Chair of the AR BPW Transition Task Force. A copy of the membership on the Task Force is attached to this email. Anyone that is willing can be on the task force. Just let us know. A meeting of the task force will be scheduled as soon as possible.
The installation banquet on Saturday evening and the reception following the banquet were both very nice. I was pleased that my husband and son, Bill and Keith, were able to attend and my cousin, Linda Gurley, was able to drive in from Memphis, TN for the event. Thank you to Little Rock BPW, Downtown BPW and Conway BPW for their help at the installation banquet and following reception in the Huntersville Hospitality Suite. A very special thank you to my Little Rock BPW for their support and faith in me and for their hard work in the planning and preparations for the installation reception.
Saturday, June 27 is the scheduled Leadership/Officer Training Session in Room 272 of the AR State Capitol from 9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to attend and bring items for a potluck so we can enjoy lunch together. Yesterday a flyer went out on the listserve for registration as well as a list for the potluck.
As we begin this year together, I would like to say how honored I am to represent the State of Arkansas as its newest State President. This year will be one of much change, challenge and hard work to say the least. Yes, it will be a time of uncertainty, but we are strong and determined and we can get through this year of change successfully. We have many very talented members of ARBPW who have the skills to direct and lead us.
It is very exciting to be involved in this year of change because we are not only making a stronger BPW for ourselves and the future, but we are making history as part of the process. This year also brings the celebration of our 90th Anniversary! There is no doubt in my mind that we will succeed. We played "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor at the Sunday morning Post-Convention Board meeting. We will survive!
The theme/logo for this year is Capitol Priorities - Personally, Professionally & Politically. The new theme/logo is attached. Our work at the State Capitol is ongoing and issues remain that still have not been resolved. Let us not forget the most important legislative platform is still the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. The question is not if it will happen. The question is when it will happen. Persistence is the key to success! Let's make it happen this year!
Denise Tarter BPW/AR State President 2009-2010 Capitol Priorities
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