Events ArchiveMAY MEETING: Tuesday, MAY 20
“Building a Business”
Miki Hicks and Michele Billam
Freda and Maude's Gifts and Gatherings in Westboro Mart
From the corporate board room to becoming specialty shop keepers—Miki Hicks and Michele Billam were featured speakers in May. Miki and Michele started a successful home-based business while working at Payless ShoeSource’s corporate office. Their business grew so much that they decided to open a shop, Freda and Maude's Gifts and Gatherings in Westboro Mart, in the spring of 2005. Since then the business has grown and evolved to include gift items, specialty coffees and teas, an in-store bakery and daily lunch specials. Michele and Miki have backgrounds in finance, communication, marketing and design, which come in handy when starting a new retail business. Miki and Michele proved themselves to be inspiring, insightful and creative, and very savvy businesswomen.
APRIL MEETING: Tuesday, April 18, 2006
“Earn your Black Belt in Conflict Resolution”
Kevin Reed and Rio Cervantes-Reed, Absolute Martial Arts
Many understand martial arts as a way to punch and kick through problems. However, the real purpose is to know how to resolve conflicts without punching and kicking. Kevin Reed and Rio Cervantes-Reed explained techniques for facing conflict head on like a black belt. Kevin and Rio own Abso-lute Martial Arts of Topeka. Kevin is a fourth-degree black belt in Shotokan karate and chief karate instructor at Absolute Martial Arts. Rio manages the daily operations of the business and also teaches Yoga and Pilates.
MARCH Meeting:
Tues., Mar. 21, 2006
“Working With the Media ”
Sharon Watson, Communications Director at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, worked previously as a radio reporter in the Kansas City market and knows what it's like to be on both sides of a story. Sharon works closely with Mike Cameron, who spoke to us in July 2005. She touched on crisis communication strategies, message mapping, and building relationships with the media.
FEBRUARY Meeting:
Tues., Feb. 21, 2006
“On-air: Live Radio”
Jesyca Hope is the new morning on-air personality for WIBW-FM 94.5 in Topeka. Jesyca comes to Topeka from Daytona, Fla., where she was the number one on-air radio personality. In addition to her radio background, Jesyca has experience with non-profit public relations and has worked with the Miss America Organization.
JANUARY Meeting:
Tues., Jan. 17, 2006
“Writing to Entertain”
Esther Luttrell is a novelist, screenwriter, film producer, speaker and author of Murder in the Movies. She will discuss how her life experiences—a late-life divorce and working in Hollywood—led her to pen a published novel. Ester’s novel is ranked with five stars on Amazon.com and is hailed for it’s clever wit, wisdom and humor. Ester is currently working on additional murder mysteries to add to her bookshelf and the delight of murder mystery readers everywhere.
Betty Eakes and Irene Haws Owen team to move AWC Topeka Chapter Archives. Betty has served many years as our Historian. Irene has agreed to take over the job, Spring 2006.
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DECEMBER MEETING:
Tues., Dec. 20
Friends and colleagues from AWC celebrated the holidays with an extra special luncheon, dining at Aboud's at Western Hills. AWC chapter president, Carol Yoho, briefly shared her impressions on attending the 2005 AWC Professional Convention in Lubbock, TX, October 20-22, 2005. A few AWC members showcased items for sale, such as jewelry, greeting cards, books, etc. Also, members exchanged inexpensive holiday gifts.
NOVEMBER Meeting: Tues., Nov. 15
“Increasing Our Awareness: Bridging the Communication Gap”
Tanya Dorf, executive director for Independence, Inc., a disability advocacy organization in Lawrence, talked about “Increasing Our Awareness: Bridging the Communication Gap.” She shared her insight on communicating with people with disabilities. Dorf also recently returned from a two-week trip to China. She shared observations about communication and cultural differences between our two countries.
OCTOBER Meeting: Tues., Oct. 18
Kristi Pankratz, spokesperson for the Topeka Police Department,
“Serving as Civilian Officer”
Kristi is the first civilian public information officer in the history of the department. She will discuss how that has impacted her job, participating in the citizen’s academy, and crime and safety trends in our community.
SEPTEMBER Meeting: Tues., Sept. 20
Chef Alli Winter, owner and founder of Menu Makers USA, “What's for Dinner?”
So, what’s for dinner tonight? Most people still don’t know what they are having for dinner by 4:30 each afternoon. Chef Alli Winter, owner and founder of Menu Makers USA, created a business that helps individuals and families answer that question. Chef Alli discuseds entrepreneurship, and how small business owners MUST be communications and marketing experts to stay in business. She also discussed the innovative concept of MenuMakers.
This meeting was held in conjunction with the Topeka Advertising Federation—a wonderful networking opportunity with both professional groups.
AUGUST MEETING: Tues., Aug. 16
Morgan Chilson,
Angela Deines
“Working from Home”
Morgan Chilson, freelance writer, and Angela Deines, freelance marketing consultant with the Arthritis Foundation, talked about the realities of working from home as freelance writers. Both started their careers in the media, transitioned to the private sector and then became self-employed freelancers after having children.
Morgan Chilson, upper left.
Angela Deines, lower left.
JULY MEETING: Tues., July 19
Mike Cameron, risk communications coordinator for the Kansas Bioterrorism Program
Anthrax, mad cow disease, pandemic flu…Mike Cameron’s job is to plan and prepare for events such as these---events that we all hope will never happen. Mike is the leading expert in Kansas on risk communication. He has been trained by several national experts on how to communicate to the public during a health/environmental crisis brought on by an act of bio-terrorism or other crisis. Mike gave attendees tools to prepare for any crisis situation that may affect their organization or business. [See also Sharon Watson, March 2006]
JUNE MEETING: Tues., Jun. 21
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Bridgitt Mitchell, president & CEO of B-Style Image Consulting,
“Cultivating your own image
as a strategy for career success!”
Bridgitt also discussed how image plays a big part in successful non-verbal communication. |
See also:
Current Events Page
2006-2007 Meeting Archives
2005-2006 Meeting Archives
2004-2005 Meeting Archives
2003-2004 Meeting Archives
