WCR Mid Year Meeting - AWARDS

The Mid Year Meeting proved to be TEXAS TERRIFIC in every way! We attended interesting sessions, heard inspirational speakers, participated in committee meetings, and WON AWARDS!

First, let’s start with the awards based on 2008 Annual Report…..


1. 2008 Chapter of Excellence Awards - 15 chapters won Gold & 6 won Silver

2. Chapters of the Year -
Mega – Houston 1960
Large – Dallas Metro East

3. State Chapter of the Year –
Super Mega State – TEXAS STATE CHAPTER

4. Wells Fargo Award for Best Programming that includes a $1,000 check
Mega Chapter – Houston 1960

Awards based on 2009 Membership Drive for Recruitment

1. Golden Triangle Chapter – Small Chapter
2. San Antonio Chapter – Mega Chapter


I think the state made Becky Hill, our own Texan, mighty proud!!! Pictures are available on the website under EVENTS; then select Event Pictures.

Over the next few weeks, we will feature information from the lab sessions and speakers. The goal is to have something interesting every week so that YOU will return to the blog repeatedly.

Provided by VaLois Hounsel

Top 5 Secrets of Great Networkers

The next Savvy Saturday Sessions will feature reports from the Texas state officers and members concerning information and ideas learned from the forums, lab sessions and speakers at the Women’s Council Mid Year Conference in DC.

During the preparation for the lab session, “Chapter Programming that Works”, I found from one of the program speakers, a flyer that was available from her company’s website that I wanted to share.

The Top 5 Secrets of Great Networkers

Networking is about forming authentic, mutually beneficial, long term relationships.
Nobody is born knowing how to network. Here are some tips from master connectors:

1. It’s NOT Just You
_ EVERYONE feels the same way
_ Only rule is the Golden Rule
_ Get outside yourself through curiosity

2. Quality Beats Quantity
_ Whoever leaves with the most business cards loses
_ Focus on Connectors
_ Minimize clones; maximize diversity
_ The one with access to the most information wins

3. Everyone has Something of Value to Contribute – Including YOU
_ Networking is not about tit for tat
_ Being asked feels good
_ “Payback” can be months later
_ Saying ‘thank you’ is often enough

4. Use the Laws of Physics
_ Get in motion – use momentum
_ It doesn’t have to hurt! Make it fun & easy!
_ Follow-up or it doesn’t count

5. It’s a Lifestyle, Not a Project
_ Way of BEING in a relationship
_ Keep it going and the benefits multiply


Networking Gives YOU Power to Achieve Things Important to YOU! –

Check back each week for the next selection from our treasure trove of information !

"Prime Time Women" with Marti Barletta

My favorite new expression – Prime Time Woman – is a phrase coined by Marti Barletta to describe women between the ages of 50 to 70. According to Becky Hill, 2009 National President, “ Marti gave a powerful overview on gender trends and the opportunity that exists in directing your marketing efforts toward women. Her comical approach to this and the differences between how men approach a purchasing decision versus how females make their buying decisions left all of us entertained, as well as enlightened.”

Marti explained how this group “constitutes a market force to be reckoned with for 2 reasons
First, contrary to conventional wisdom, they are in the prime of their lives. Using tired terms like middle-aged frumpy), mature (over ripe), and senior (out to pasture) mislead marketers into overlooking their reality. Studies have shown that the 50’s and 60’s are generally the happiest decades of their life. Baby Boomer women, who were the first to go to college and go to work in large numbers, have also benefited from the spectacular recent advantages in health & fitness. So today they are the healthiest, wealthiest, most education & most active generation of women in history.” READ MORE

"Women who Mean Business" with Vickie Austin

Vickie Austin of Choices Worldwide is a woman on a mission with a message to share for “Women Who Mean Business”. She notes that “as girls & women, we receive mixed messages about power and prestige. Raised to be nice girls, we struggle up the corporate ladder or as entrepreneurs, confused by the roles we’re trained for that are in conflict with the new roles we need to fill. She tackles the conflicts of being a woman in business: money, power, position and how to have it all without losing the very people we love—or losing ourselves. She helps participants build their power base—their posse—while still honoring the people who support them along way, creating a consensus on everyone can win.”

Vickie proposes 9 Lessons for Women Who Mean Business:

1. Surround Yourself with Supportive People - (Financial Advisor, Accountant, Banker, Mortgage Broker/Lender – Doctor(s), Landscaper, Inspector, Home Warranty, Personal Virtual Assistant., Hairdresser, Housekeeper, Photographer, Technical Assistant., Handyman, Business coach, etc.) These individuals become your posse. Build your “golden rolodex” with your posse and focus on referrals for all. Have a quarterly focus group with your posse.

2. Honor These People Whenever & Wherever You Can; i.e., victories, holidays, birthdays, promotions, etc. Send more thank you cards. Watch each other’s backs.

3. It’s Okay to Toot Your Own Horn; in fact, IT’S REQUIRED. (Check out http://www.bragbetter.com/ to create “brag bites”. Weave these bites together in a story to create a memorable introduction.

4. Honor Your Feminine Style
Women are better communicators.
Women are better global managers (because of communication)
Be proud of the differences we bring to the table.

For the remaining 5 lessons, click here.