Get Involved!
Committees
Membership in the Chicago Area Chapter entitles you to serve on one or more Chapter Committees. Because committees are what make NAWBO "tick," involvement in a committee is the best way to get the most out of your membership. It is on Committees where you will make your best networking contacts...and friendships. The experience of working on a committee may lead you to further involvement in Chapter leadership.
Seeking a committee affiliation is a critical step in making the most of your membership investment. Below are descriptions of the functions of NAWBO Chicago's Committees. Still don't know where to go or how to begin? Please feel free to contact our Future Leadership Development Director Michele Katz, Welsh & Katz, Ltd., for assistance.
NAWBO 2006-2007 Committee Profiles
Achievement Luncheon
The Annual Achievement Luncheon is the marquee event on the NAWBO Chicago calendar.
Typically held in late April or early May, the event is designed to celebrate
the achievements of all women business owners. This committee plans, promotes
and implements all aspects of the luncheon, including speake suggestionsr,
menu, invitation design, silent auction, raffles, and other logistics associated
with the event.
Chaired by Danata Andrews, Brainchild Promotions. 708.259.9371 and Lisa Peters, MC SC 708.386.2400
Advisory Board
Described as one of Chicago NAWBO’s best kept secrets, the Advisory Board
is a free member service designed to help members address specific business
issues they are facing in a confidential setting. Upon notification by the
member of the issue to be addressed, a specially selected panel of member experts
is gathered to form an advisory board to meet, confidentially, to provide help,
information, direction and advice.
Chaired by Linda Forman, CPA, Linda Forman,
C.P.A., P.C. 847 316 1040
Affiliates
The Affiliates Committee seeks out, develops and solidifies strategic relationships
with other organizations to provide the Chapter and its members with a wider
base of opportunities and a broader outreach into the community. A variety
of affiliate relationships are to be developed and maintained, including
direct affiliation, event/sponsorship affiliation, and networking affiliation.
Each type of affiliation meets a set of criteria, including providing NAWBO
with presence, benefits to members, assistance to Chapter, and furtherance
of the short term and long term initiatives of the Chapter. The committee
typically hosts an Affiliates reception in February. This networking event
brings together the members of Chicagoland’s most prominent professional
associations to meet new people and learn about the various organizations.
Chaired by Patti Ernst, O'Malley & Associates 630.271.8425
Awards and Appointments
This committee provides valuable benefits to NAWBO members. This committee
identifies key award or board appointment opportunities in the business community
and NAWBO and disseminates that information to members for application. Awards
are a great way to build recognition and credibility in the business community
and to gain favorable publicity for your business. A board appointment is
a great way to build personal credentials, gain business acumen and grow
alliances with other board members These are key components of any business
development plan.
Chaired by Lindsay Tilchen Johnson - 877.845.2436
Branding
The Branding Committee is comprised of NAWBO members who are dedicated to developing, enhancing and sustaining the NAWBO Chicago brand. With a strong focus on achieving the organization's goals defined in the Strategic Plan, the Branding Committee seeks members who are smart and creative and who have skills in marketing, communications, copywriting, design and technology. If you are interested in joining this committee of communications professionals.
Chaired by Amy Littleton, KemperLesnik
Connecting Points
The Member to Member Relations Committee creates and implements programs and
initiatives designed to maximize the opportunities for members to connect
with each other for business and other common interests and goals.
Chaired by Mary Erlain, Peak Marketing & Sales Results 630.768.1422 and Karen Shabel, National City Bank 630.954.5797
Corporate Partner Development
As Champions for NAWBO’s vision and mission, Corporate Partners have
an opportunity to show their support for women owned businesses through participation
in the formal Corporate Partner program, sponsorship of events and initiatives
of the Chapter, and in-kind contributions. Corporate Partners also have the
ability to experience and benefit from NAWBO membership. This committee seeks
to identify and develop corporate partner relationships for NAWBO Chicago.
Effort is made by committee members to communicate the numerous benefits and
advantages of corporate participation, sponsorship and in-kind contributions
and obtain commitments by corporations to carry out the corporate partner and
sponsorship initiatives in accordance with the short term and long range strategic
planning of the Chapter. This committee, along with the Corporate Partner Retention
Committee, holds two events annually. The corporate partner reception, a precursor
to the Annual Achievement Luncheon, recognizes the Corporate Women of Achievement
nominees of our Corporate Partners. The corporate partner breakfast brings
together the Chapter’s Corporate Partner members to network and learn
about the ongoing activities of the Chapter. The Corporate Partner of the Year
Awards are presented at this Breakfast.
Chaired by Vickie Rock, Victoria
Court Reporting Service, Inc. - 312.443.1025 and Lea Delfosse, FlexExecs, 630.655.0563
Corporate Partner Retention
Corporate partners are champions for NAWBO’s mission and vision for women
owned businesses, contributing resources, tools, opportunities, experience
and a source of business for our members. This committee focuses on facilitating
corporate partner involvement in the Chapter, providing information to the
Chapter about wants and needs of corporate partners, and working with corporate
partners to ensure that their benefits are used and their needs are being met.
It shall also carry out the corporate partner and sponsorship initiatives in
accordance with the short term and long range strategic planning of the Chapter.
This committee, along with the Corporate Partner Development Committee, holds
two events annually. The corporate partner reception, a precursor to the Annual
Achievement Luncheon, recognizes the Corporate Women of Achievement nominees
of our Corporate Partners. The corporate partner breakfast brings together
the Chapter’s Corporate Partner members to network and learn about the
ongoing activities of the Chapter. The Corporate Partner of the Year Awards
are presented at this Breakfast.
Chaired by Sharan Tash, The Professional Networker 847.571.0338 and Anna Maria Viti Welch, Guy Viti Insurance. (847) 432-1000
Diversity
Diversity is an integral component of the women business owner market segment.
The Diversity Committee develops diversity strategies and education to encourage
membership and full participation in the Chapter by all women business owners
diverse in age, location, size, industry, type, experience, ethnicity, race,
creed, sexual orientation, national origin, and disability. The committee
holds a number of educational and social programs to educate the business
community and NAWBO members about the role diversity can and should play
in the business community and in their business.
Chaired by Valerie
Beck, Mary Kay Independent Senior Sales Director 312 925 5377
Golf Outing
A much anticipated, multi-faceted golf outing that offers something for everyone,
including, of course, golf, dinner and FUN. This committee plans, promotes
and implements all aspects of the outing, including site, activities, menu,
invitation design, silent auction, raffles, and all other logistics associated
with the event.
Chaired byKaren McClure, Creative Inks - 630.279.5566
Holiday Party
Scheduled for mid-November, the NAWBO Chicago Holiday party is a wonderful
way to kick off the holiday season and of course FUN as only NAWBO can provide.
The Holiday Party Committee plans, promotes and implements aspects of the
event, including theme, menu, invitation design, silent auction, raffles,
and other logistics associated with the event.
Chaired by Valerie Beck, Mary Kay Independent
Senior Sales Director 312.925.5377 and Deborah Sakelaris, Rodas Coaching, Inc. 312.798.7404
Internal Communications
The Internal Communications Committee champions NAWBO Chicago’s branding,
goodwill and reputation. The Committee oversees and assists with developing
all communications to ensure compliance with the NAWBO brand, integrity of
the Chapter’s intellectual property, as well as consistency with the
Chapter’s Mission, Vision, short term and long term strategic plans and
initiatives. This includes spearheading the effort to create a sustainable
communications process. The committee also works with the membership committee
chair to create and manage the content of nawbochicago.org; is responsible
for identifying current business issues impacting or pertinent to members;
works with the outside PR firm to increase NAWBO’s presence in Chicago-area
media; and is responsible for finalizing the Chicago Chapter Portfolio.
Chaired by Julie Katz , Welsh & Katz,
Ltd. 312.526.1544
Membership Development
The Membership Development Committees recruit new women business
owners in a variety of geographic areas within the Chapter territory to become
members of Chicago NAWBO. The Membership Development Committees carry out the
membership initiatives in accordance with the short term and long range strategic
planning of the Chapter.
Chaired by Michele Conti, Ameriprise Financial 773.626.2200 and Jessica Merino, Ameriprise Financial 847.498.7390
Membership Retention
Ensuring that NAWBO remains the “Go To” place for members
of the Chicago Chapter, the Membership Retention Committees focus their attention
on identifying the wants and needs of the members and turning those wants and
needs into initiatives for the Chapter. Service to the members is at the forefront
of their efforts. These committees encourage member participation in the Chapter
Committees and activities and develops strategies to keep NAWBO Chicago current
in its service to its members.
Chaired by Alison Clemens, Clemens Mailing Service, 630.971.8090
Next Generation Outreach
Entrepreneurship as a career alternative is the main message the Next Generation
Outreach Committee communicates to women of high school and college age.
This committee creates and implements programs and initiatives designed to
educate and inspire the next generation of women business owners.
Chaired by Yvonne Heydon, Private Bank and Trust, 312.238.8500
Strategic Forums
Strategic Forums allow NAWBO members across the country to discuss topic of
vital importance to the organization and create opportunities for all NAWBO
members. Any NAWBO member can join a strategic forum. The Chicago Chapter
has designated representatives to some of the forums to ensure we have a
voice and to report back on issues of particular interest. Learn
more and/or join a strategic forum.
Technology Task Force
This Task Force is esponsible for the Chapter's technology plan to ensure the organization runs smoothly and offers added value to members.
Chaired by Angelika Coghlan, Catwalk Consulting 888.989.0196