E-Newsletter, Vol.5, No.6 Professional Women’s Network June 2003

Nicole Bremness Shares Keys to Communication

at June 26 Luncheon

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

This month I’d like to remind you that it is time to start submitting applications for our Alex Memorial Scholarship award. Applications are available online, so please print them out and start submitting for funding to be awarded at the August luncheon. You must be a member of PWN for at least a year to qualify. Additional rules are posted on our Web site. Please mail your completed application to: Scholarship Committee, PWN,

P.O. Box 6538, Kaneohe, HI 96744.

Our scholarship fund was set up to benefit members and their families with continued education in the name of Alex, the niece of former PWN president, Beth Busch.

Recipients of the Alex Memorial Scholarship:

1998 - PWN member Faith Womack
1999 – PWN member, Susan Watson and PWN member Ute Regan's sons, Derek and Michael Regan
2000 - Springy Yamasaki, daughter of PWN member Louise Wooden
2001 - PWN member Arlene Krupa's daughter, Laura Walker
No scholarship was awarded in 2002 - Sadly, there were no applications.

Following are excerpts from an article written by Beth Busch that appeared in the June 2000 issue of the PWN newsletter following the death of her niece, Alex.

“…I’ve been thinking almost daily that I need to write something for the newsletter. During the last three years, as Alex waged her battle against leukemia, Professional Women’s Network members have been a constant source of support to my sister Kim, Alex, and to me. We’ve felt your prayers and had Network newsletter articles about Alex taped up in her room at Cook Children’s in Fort Worth. We feel the need to say something, but it’s hard to know what…

…One day, I went into Alex’s room and the Child Life Specialist, someone we had grown to like very much, had posted a few words about hope. The unlikely author was Vaclav Havel, a playwright before he became president of Czechoslovakia. His words, though simple and seemingly obvious, struck right at the heart of our situation and became a kind of mantra for us during those last days: “(Hope is) the certainty that something makes sense regardless of how it turns out. It is hope above all which gives us the strength to live…”

…How do you go on when your dreams are gone? With hope. And with the knowledge that Alex has her victory. She did not lose this battle; she won -- and she won big! Not only is she rollerblading in heaven, free of a body that did not serve her well in this life, she has complete understanding of why this happened to her – something Kim and I still search for.

On behalf of Alex and her family, thank you for remembering her with the Alex Memorial Scholarship. She only attended a little bit of kindergarten, but she loved it and she loved learning and she will love that you honor her in this way. We thank you again for all your support and we hope you take comfort, as we do, in the knowledge that you have a new angel watching over you.”

Always keep hope in your heart. This is Alex’s final lesson and her legacy to us all.

Aloha,

Biz

President

ABOUT PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S NETWORK

The Professional Women’s Network is dedicated to supporting professional and businesswomen in Hawaii, acting on the premise that mutual support is a necessary factor in bringing about personal growth and business success. The Network’s objectives are to promote the exchange of professional ideas and provide an opportunity to share experiences that will help women expand their business position in the Hawaii marketplace. We are committed to providing women in Hawaii with the opportunity to obtain support from other like-minded women in the pursuit of their professional and business goals. We are committed to challenging our members with new ideas and information that will help them attain their business and personal goals.

Membership Information can be obtained by visiting our Web site:

www.pwnhawaii.org or by calling 533-4800

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Biz Kellam	President info@webbabe.com	Audrey Hutton	Publicity InPowerLife@aol.com
Marie Massengale	Vice President/Programs mmasseng@honolulu.gannett.com	WE NEED A NEW NEWSLETTER CHAIRPERSON	Newsletter VOLUNTEER TODAY – Contact carol@440.com
Sharon Mujtabaa	Secretary/Historian captionlady@hawaii.rr.com	Kanani Iaea	Special Events kanani.iaea@snelling.com
Elaine Myers Hammond	Treasurer elainemyham@juno.com	WE NEED A NEW SCHOLARSHIP CHAIRPERSON	VOLUNTEER TODAY – Contact Biz: info@webbabe.com
Kelly Galvin	Arrangements galvinize@hotmail.com	Bonnie Lambing	Past President/Advisor russbonnie@hawaii.rr.com
WE NEED A NEW MEMBERSHIP CHAIRPERSON	VOLUNTEER TODAY – Contact Biz: info@webbabe.com	Barbara Guss	Past President/Advisor perm@adecco-hawaii.com
Sue Kenwolf	Webmaster skenpwn@aol.com	Carol Williams	Past President/Advisor & Executive Director Carol@440.com

Summary of Minutes of Board of Directors Meeting held May 15, 2003 at the Pacific Club.

In attendance:

Kelly Galvin, Barbara Guss, Elaine Myers Hammond, Audrey Hutton, Kanani Iaea, Biz Kellam, Marie Massengale, Sharon Mujtabaa, Carol Williams; Guest: Lisa Cameron

Absent: Gaye Johnston, Sue Kenwolf, Bonnie Lambing

President:

Biz to get pricing on presentation materials and carry-all for same for upcoming exhibits and trade shows.

Biz attended the Y Leadership Luncheon and was able to promote PWN. She received good feedback.

Vice President:

Jim Varner, Dale Carnegie Training is confirmed for May.Title of his presentation: “The Importance of Attitude in Creating Success.”

Marie will distribute a list of suggested speakers and confirmed speakers.

Biz to try to get in touch with Linda Lingle’s office again to see if she can speak this year. Linda Fernandez or someone from Junior Achievement were also suggested as speakers.

A motion was made and passed to forego having a speaker for the trade show. Lisa Cameron was appointed to chair the trade show committee (Kanani Iaea, Kelly Galvin and Audrey Hutton). Lisa will investigate all trade show options and report back to the Board.

Treasurer:

Copy of 2002 PWN tax return was distributed.

First Hawaiian will let us change our Maximizer account to enhance income.

Arrangements:

A meeting with Hale Koa Catering Director will be held following the May luncheon concerning future arrangements. The meeting was prompted by conditions at 25th Anniversary luncheon.

Newsletter:

Newsletter Chairperson still needed.

Membership:

Kathy Tugman submitted her resignation as Membership Chairperson. Carol will maintain the roster until a new Chairperson is appointed.

Publicity:

Star 101.9 advertising proposal was distributed. Board to discuss further if and when advertising schedule is needed.

Special Events:

Kanani reported on costs for horseback riding at Kualoa or Happy Trails. She will firm up a date at Kualoa.

Other suggestions for events: Jewelry-making class; a July picnic; a Waikiki “ghost walk” in October; Dec. 5^th is being considered for the annual holiday party. (Several venues are being considered.)

Web site:

Sue has some ideas for updating Web site design. Will be working on it in the near future.

Old Business:

The new member kit that Bonnie prepared was passed around for review. Cover letter had several errors. Carol to contact Bonnie re: making corrections.

New Business:

For next new member orientation – research a new venue that has a quieter atmosphere.

Lisa Cameron presented a proposal for long term care for PWN members. She will contact MetLife to determine if they can issue group insurance according to our nonexclusive policy. This would be Lisa’s benefit offer to PWN members, not a policy endorsed by PWN.

Next board meeting:

June 12, 2003 at Pacific Club.

Editor’s Notepad:

The primary purpose of PWN membership is networking, of course. After all, networking is part of our organization’s name. Unlike some business networking organizations, we do not have forced networking-procedures at our meetings. It is not a must that you shake five people’s hands, trade ten business cards and make a stand-up presentation at least once a month. What we do is typically the way women network throughout their lives. We build relationships (one of the first steps to being a good salesperson), we interact socially, we mentor, we recommend, we help and guide and listen. And, we talk to each other … at lunch, on the phone, through e-mail. It’s called, “getting to know you.”

One way to learn more about each other is by checking our Web site. I urge you to check www.pwnhawaii.org at least once a week so you don’t miss what’s happening with your fellow members and friends. There is always something new going on at PWN that you could be involved in. There is always a new opportunity to network -- and new members coming onboard.

Step 1. Make sure your online membership directory page is complete -- and without any errors -- so your networking experiences do not fail. A complete PWN Web site directory page should have your photo, your correct contact #s and email address, a Web site URL if appropriate, a summary of your business services, your business resume (your work history) and a personal resume (where you’ve lived, how long you’ve been a resident of Hawaii, your family, pets, interests, hobbies, favorite quote and/or saying).

Step 2. Send your information, corrections/revisions to me in a Word doc or direct in an email: directory@pwnhawaii.org You can also email your photo. If you don’t have a digital photo, mail your photo to PWN, P.O. Box 6538, Kaneohe 96744. It will be returned. If you don’t have a photo, contact PWN members, Patricia Shapiro (Images by Patricia: patspics@yahoo.com) or Melena Whiteside (Whiteside Digital Imaging: whitesidm001@hawaii.rr.com)

Step 3. Our Membership Directory is the key to our organization and successful networking. It is a benefit of membership. Use it to contact members to do business, to self-promote, to introduce yourself, to call for advice or referral, or to give support. Learn to use our Web site to network. Start by using your online PWN Membership Directory today.

Carol Williams – Newsletter Online Editor

PWN Executive Director and

Past-President Advisor

BRING a GUEST or a prospective MEMBER to the

JUNE LUNCHEON MEETING

Thursday, June 26

Mark your calendars now for the rest of 2003!

June 26, July 24, August 28

September 18, October 23, November 20

PWN Event Calendar

Thursday, June 26 – Regular Luncheon-Meeting – Nicole Bremness, Heart-to-Heart Life Coach, is our speaker. See Luncheon information in this newsletter for all the details.

Fall 2003, Date TBD – The revival of the PWN pau hana trade show. Details coming soon.

by Carol Williams

BARBARA GUSS (Adecco) spent the weekend before Memorial Day on the Big Island at the Hilton Waikoloa. This was no vacation, as Barbara was busy as a delegate to the Republican State Convention. She did manage to bump into old friends and fellow delegates, Susan and George Krueger, whom she met many years ago while attending First Assembly of God church. Barbara managed to rub shoulders with our Governor, also. And these photos of her with Governor Linda Lingle prove it. Barbara says, “She is so gracious and easily approachable. And, we all felt such confidence in where our new governor is taking the state with her policies and hard work.”

GILINDA ROGERS (U-Surf) says her two wonderful children are leaving her for the summer to visit all the family, cousins, aunts and uncles who live in Virginia. They will be staying with Gilinda’s parents in Williamsburg. Gwen and Eve are planning to return in mid-August after attending a Gifted and Talented Program at Vassar College in late July and the first few weeks of August. Gilinda also wants to share her excitement about a new project she is working on: www.Trade4Cars.com where people all around the US can trade their services or surplus inventory for a car, truck or motorcycle. She is working with members of the ITEX Franchise system in Georgia, Florida, Texas, and with Joe Lopez, here in Hawaii. The site launched on June 10th and, hopefully, the 30 cars that were expected to be available for trade sold within the projected first ten hours.

LOUISE WOODEN (Fairway View Bed and Breakfast) and her husband, Neal, are flying to Portland to attend the graduation of their oldest grandchild, Sumner Ohye. He is a proud member of the Camas, Washington High School Soccer team that competed for the State Soccer Championship, placing second for all Division III schools. Louise expects they will have a reunion with their three daughters and several cousins on Father’s Day. They will then drive to Lakewood, WA to spend five days at daughter Kay's home where they will get to know Nathaniel Barrett, Louise and Neal’s youngest grandchild.

BONNIE LAMBING (Young Living Essential Oils) and her husband spent two weeks on a motor-home adventure to Utah, only to leave immediately after returning on May 27. This time it was a flight to Seattle. Bonnie spent a little over a week in the northwest, returning on June 6^th. We’ll expect to see many photos of your adventure/s, Bonnie.

THAUNA ABRIN, N.D. (Thauna Abrin, Naturopathic Physician) will be teaching a series of  Herbal Medicine Making Workshops with Monique Yuen, ND on June 14, 21 and 28th from 10 a.m. - noon at the UH Campus Leisure Center. The topics: June 14^th - How to make herbal teas and compresses; June 21^st - The art of making an herbal tincture (ginkgo) and oil (lavender);
and June 28^th - How to make herbal bath bags, dream pillows and Bach flower remedies. Cost $40 each class or $85 for all three classes. RSVP: 956-6468.

SUSAN AIU (Susan Aiu Astrology) tells us that she will be at the Psychic Fair at Maunakea Marketplace in Chinatown on June 15, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Look for her on the 2^nd floor balcony.

E-mail your member news item for next issue to Carol Williams: Carol@440.com

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NOTICES

MEMBER DISCOUNTS – If you offer special discounts to PWN members for your products, services, etc. please email Audrey Hutton at InPowerLife@aol.com with a description of your discount. Audrey is compiling an ongoing list of all the discounts available to members so you can take advantage of this benefit of membership. These discounts will soon be posted on our Web site.

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KUALOA PANIOLO

On Saturday, June 7, PWN members became Hawaii’s most attractive paniolo as they gathered at beautiful Kualoa Ranch to ride. They met early to avoid the midday heat, but even at 8:30 a.m., the sun was bright. Kaneohe Bay sparkled in the distance as they took their horses along the Kualoa mountain trail. Around 10:30, a few of our cowgirls picnicked down by the Bay at Kualoa Beach Park. If you didn’t take the time off on Saturday, you missed the fun of communing with nature and getting to see your fellow-members in a different light. Mahalo to Audrey Hutton for submitting the photos.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Meet Suzanne Acker – Regional Sales and Operations Mgr. (ASSA ABLOY Hospitality)

by Carol Williams

PWN: For many of us, Hawaii is the culmination of our travels, but for you, it was more the place where you kick-started your life adventure, right?

S.A.: That’s a unique way to look at it. I was born in Dallas in 1958 and when I was 21, I left Texas and moved to Honolulu with my Texas boyfriend. We got married a year later and moved to the South Pacific. We lived on the island of Yap in Micronesia for four years.

PWN: What kind of work did you do in Yap?

S.A.: I worked for the Governor of Yap and, also in many other departments within their state government -- which was just transitioning from being a Trust Territory of the United States to the Federated States of Micronesia.

PWN: Why did you come back to Hawaii.

S.A. In 1984, I got divorced and returned to Honolulu to finish college. I graduated from UH Manoa in two years with a B.A. in Communications/Business.

PWN: It must have been difficult to go back to college and start all over after you’d already been working and living in Micronesia.

S.A.: Yes, I was broke, divorced, and had nothing but my freedom – which was everything to me! I lived in the back of a Japanese's family's house near UH. At first, I got around Honolulu on a bike with backward handlebars. Then, I had a rusty, stinky, old car. I was desperate for work, didn't want to keep living off rutabagas and Spam.

PWN: How did you make the transition to sales?

S.A.: I borrowed a friend's respectable car to apply for my first sales job. It was in 1986, and I got a job at McCaw Telepage, selling pagers and cell phones (when cell phones first came to Honolulu and were selling for $2000 apiece). Two months after starting as an inside sales rep, I was promoted to outside sales rep. This is where I realized that I could start making money by selling things to people. I would drive down the H1 praying everyday that I would make a sale, make people happy, that something or someone would be better off, safer, happier, or whatever -- because of something I did that day. That’s how I started my sales adventures. From there, I took other sales jobs. I spent five years as a Sales Rep/Territory Sales Manager for Island Heritage publishing, where I was named Sales Person of the Year. Then in 1992, I accepted an offer from Elsafe.

PWN: Isn’t Elsafe the company that provides the guest room safes that we see in our hotel rooms here and throughout the rest of the world?

S.A.: Yes, and that’s how I combined my sales adventure with my world travel adventure. I worked for Elsafe from 1992 to 1997. The job took me around the world, literally. I traveled everywhere for factory tours and worldwide sales conferences including trips to Malaysia, Thailand, Spain, Norway, Alaska, Fiji, and French Polynesia. Then Elsafe wanted me to move to the mainland and work for them there. I said, “No.” And I quit my post as their Sales Manager for Hawaii, South Pacific, & Pacific Northwest and took a sales/marketing position with Guest Informant in Honolulu. I stayed at Guest Informant several years until Elsafe asked me to come back and work for them again at their Honolulu office -- so I did.

PWN: But now you work for ASSA ABLOY Hospitality?

S.A.: Elsafe is now known as ASSA ABLOY. I am the Sales & Operations Manager for Hawaii and the South Pacific. I manage a small office that is responsible for selling multiple product lines of Elsafe, VingCard (hotel door locks), TimeLox (hotel door locks), and INHOVA (hotel door locks and safes).

PWN: Through all these ups and downs -- mostly ups, luckily – you’ve been an active member of PWN. What prompted you to join PWN?

S.A.: I joined PWN in 1994 to meet and make friends with other working girls like me.  I wanted to have acquaintances with women who could relate to the work challenges and stresses I was facing. My girlfriends at that point were all stay-at-home moms who were wonderful, but didn't quite understand some of the work challenges I was facing. So I thought I would get around women who would understand – and expand my friendship circle and learn new things -- all of which has happened and is still happening!

PWN: Are there any adventures waiting for you around the corner?

S.A.: My next goal is to retire from working, and still have recurring income coming in every month. I'm working on this – after all, I still have a whole lot of this wonderful earth to visit.

MAY LUNCHEON RECAP

by Elaine Myers Hammond, Molokai Ranch

Jim Varner, President of James E. Varner & Associates, Inc. and a Dale Carnegie trainer, left us with a gem that, I feel, summed up everything he shared with us: “MAKE it a Good Day!”

Oh, but I guess I should start back at the beginning.

Jim started his presentation with a challenge to us. He asked us to greet everyone in the room with the phrase “Hi, I’m glad you’re here today,” while touching our pointer finger to their noses. There was a lot of laughter and many smiles in the room as we tried to meet everyone in just thirty seconds.

While we may not have greeted everyone, Jim got us energized and excited. The more we project positive attitudes in our lives, the more powerful we will be as business people and leaders in our communities.

In workshop style, the group gave Jim examples of traits successful people have: energy, vision, perseverance, passion, vision, sense of humor, compassion, knowledge, motivation, good memory, negotiating skill, listening ability. If each us could raise the bar just a little in any of these, wow!

Jim has seen Dale Carnegie graduates grow and blossom, each learning many of the traits our group shared. He credits the Dale Carnegie courses with turning his own life around. Jim took the Dale Carnegie Course while living in Phoenix in September 1980. After taking the Course, he was asked to move back to Hawaii where he had grown up, to manage the Dale Carnegie Program here. In 1988, Jim took over ownership of the programs in Hawaii and Guam. He’s had an active career, teaching all of the Dale Carnegie training programs, including personal growth, management skills, sales skills, presentation skills, customer service and team performance.

Dale Carnegie gives people tools to help them get ahead faster. The triangle of success is built on a foundation of Technical Knowledge, representing 15% of our success. Its sides are built with Attitude and Skills, for 85% of our success. Most of the success traits that we came up with at the beginning of Jim’s presentation have to do with attitude, and a few were skills, while some were knowledge.

A big part of our success is built on our attitude. Whenever you’re in a situation where attitude is involved, ask yourself what you’ve done to contribute to this situation. Influence your environs rather than being (negatively) influenced. Project a positive attitude consistently if you expect positive outcomes. Raise the bar on your confidence level just a little and you will find success. By increasing your Attitude and Skills, you will increase your Knowledge. The Dale Carnegie Course may be the starting point you are looking for.

If you would like to learn the memory exercise that Jim shared with us, ask me about the dinner plate with the gold pen standing on it, with the brown cow balanced on the pen. King George is sitting on the cow, wearing a large crown with a crack running down its side, with a Band-Aid over the crack and a Halloween mask is stretched across the top of the crown. Doogie Howser is hiding behind the mask, sitting in a gold convertible going south. There is a huge ham sitting in the driver’s seat, with a girl in high, high heels named Virginia standing on the ham. The girl has the Empire State Building balanced on her head and a blue convertible going north is on the building’s point, being driven by a feathery, red chicken. There really is a point to all of the above!

So, as you go out into the world, do not use the phrase “Have a Good Day.” Be confident and say: “MAKE it a Good Day.”

Some Comments:

1. “““I really enjoyed it.”
2. “Really enjoyed Jim’s talk.”
3. “Excellent speaker – inspiring!” (2)
4. “More fun than usual!”
5. “Excellent, motivational, solid business knowledge women can apply immediately to their businesses.”
6. “Great speaker!” (5)
7. “Useful tips!”
8. “Very personable speaker.”
9. “I enjoyed ‘touching noses’, it fostered good fellowship.”
10. “Great motivating speaker!”
11. “Great talk.”
12. “Loved the memory game.”
13. “Great program, better room, great lunch.”
14. “Good salad.”
15. “Veg meal was good!”
16. “Food was just the right amount and tasted good, too.”
17. “Service from staff much quieter today. Thank you!”
18. “Like the salad. Nice, light.” (2)
19. “Can we start on time?”

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June 26, 2003 Luncheon

SPEAKER: NICOLE BREMNESS

Nicole Bremness, owner of Heart to Heart Life Coaching, has been fascinated with communication all of her life, both in understanding communication and perfecting skills in communication.

As a former English and speech teacher, she first approached her love for language

and communication as an educator. She studied the talking aspect of communication as a counselor, professional fund-raiser, manager, and staffing coordinator. She studied the silent dimension of communication as a meditator. She studied the active body of communication as a hospital clown and she studied the emotionally engaging communication of music as a classical pianist.

Ms. Bremness has instructed, empathized, sold, manipulated, pleaded, demanded, danced, sang, and soothed – all in pursuit of mastering communication.

Now Nicole combines her past learnings in communication with life coaching and public speaking. Described as an ‘agent of change,’ Nicole offers focus, insight, and direction to individuals in major transitions - as a life coach. She coaches business leaders in communicating and relating more effectively. She also motivates audiences as a To Lead is to Serve seminar leader, providing practical methods for leading with heart.

Nicole Bremness says, “In the end, communicating with others may be an art. Before art, however, is skill building. Please join me on June 26 for ‘3 Easy Steps to Communication’ – simple and practical.”

JULY LUNCHEON-MEETING – Thursday, July 24

Honoree Corpron – “Going from Success to Excellence”

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