First of all, I’d like to wish a Happy Valentine’s Day to you.  I hope you feel the warmth of your NAWBO-SEVA sisters all the time, but especially this month.  In keeping with the theme of reaching out to those we love, our program for February is perfect.  This month’s program is about networking.  We all are in for a special treat as we learn the process of impact networking and making connections that count.  Please be sure to mark your calendars and register for our February 15^th meeting.

 As long as we’re on the subject of Valentine's Day, what better way to celebrate than with chocolate?   Yes, we are having a social at The Royal Chocolate at Town Center on Tuesday, February 7, at 5:30.  You won’t want to miss this.  Please register so you can join in the fun.  Girlfriends, chocolate, socializing…What more could we ask for?

 I can’t believe it is already time to start thinking about our new board, but June really will be here before we turn around.  Please let Peggy Sijswerda know if you are interested in taking on a board position.  I can’t tell you how rewarding it is to be an integral part of our NAWBO chapter.  Please don’t be shy.  You all have your own strengths and that’s what we need to grow and prosper.  Peggy is counting on us to support her and to bring NAWBO-SEVA to its next level.

 As you can see we are planning a great month of activities to help enrich our personal and professional lives.  I’m looking forward to seeing you on the 7^th and the 15^th.

Sally Kocen
President, NAWBO SEVA

Open to the public

Enjoy a night of chocolate, friends, and business building!

When: February 7, 2012, 5:30-7:00PM

Where: The Royal Chocolate

164 Central Park Avenue

Virginia Beach

 $15/person includes; samples of gourmet apples, samples of store made chocolates, and a beverage (coffee, tea, bottled beverages, or hot chocolate), Door prize will be given away by The Royal Chocolate.

 Registration closes 2/3/2012 at 5PM.

Register here.

Jean Caragher, author and an award-winning, recognized professional services marketing expert with over 25 years’ experience will be drilling down on how to network quickly, efficiently and create connections that count.  Let’s face it, are we really going to use the services of a person we can’t remember even if we have their business card???  Now add a connection to that person and let the opportunities flow with the services they may offer us and our businesses.  In this program Jean will use a practical, relationship-based approach to help all of us achieve marketing success.

Where: Town Point Club, 101 W Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510

When: February 15, 2012

Tickets:

$45 Member Registration
$35 Earlybird rate before February 10

$60 Guest Ticket
$50 Earlybird rate before February 10

Register here: www.nawboseva.org

NAWBO®'s Spring Membership Drive will take place from March 1 through April 30, 2012. NEW members who join NAWBO® during the Spring Membership Drive will receive $25 discount off the national dues.

If you have been thinking of joining NAWBO or know someone who has, now is the time! Let them know to sign up March and April to receive the discount.

NAWBO president and CEO, Diane Tomb, reported the “State of NAWBO” recently. Since taking the helm, she has been working hard to move NAWBO forward, and she noted the following:

1.  Good news for federal contractors. Following a strong bipartisan vote in the House, the Senate on Monday moved forward on a bill that would repeal a rule requiring the government to withhold 3 percent of its payments to contractors. The House-passed measure is backed by both congressional Republicans and the White House to ease regulations on businesses. Read more here:  http://repealwithholdingnow.com/article/senate-moves-on-withholding-bill

2.  NAWBO is working to provide network opportunities with other business leaders and government and private industry officials. For example, events like the upcoming Financial Services Roundtable’s Small Business Lending Summit in April on access to capital and our partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Latino Coalition’s America’s Small Business Summit in May. I hope you will join us in Washington, D.C. for these exciting events. 

3.  Also, planning is currently underway for the NAWBO Women’s Business Conference which will take place October 4-5 in Louisville, KY.

4.  NAWBO corporate sponsor, Sam’s Club, just announced that Rosalind Brewer will assume the role of president and CEO next month. Diane Tomb was invited by Walmart and Sam’s Club to spend the day visiting with their leadership and discussing ways to strengthen our efforts together moving forward.

Sandy Dumont

Public Policy Chair

Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast: 4th Annual Samoa Soiree 

Tax Center for Small Businesses

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.htm

Department of Business Assistance
www.dba.virginia.gov

Small Business Administration (SBA)
www.sba.gov

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)
www.wipp.org

The Organization of Women in International Trade
(OWIT)
www.owit-hr.org

Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) at
www.crewnetwork.org

Department of Minority Business Enterprise. See
www.dmbe.state.va.us/index.html

for Information and resources for small, woman-owned
and minority-owned businesses throughout Virginia's
state procurement processes.

Hampton Roads Society for Human Resource
Management See: www.hrshrm.org

Leadership Hampton Roads builds and strengthens
regional leadership through education, partnerships and
networking.
www.experiencelhr.com/leading_the_way.html

National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
www.nawic-greatertidewater137.org

National Speakers Association Va Chapter
www.nsavirginia.org

The Financial Planning Association Contact
eroussos@fpahamptonroads.com

U.S. Women's Chamber
www.uswcc.org