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Westerbeke Awaits You!

Newsletter | Jul/Aug 2010

Volume 38:4 | Search
If you would like to see corrections to this newsletter or to submit articles or suggestions for future newsletters please contact the Newsletter Editor at newsletter@owa-usa.org.

In this issue:
OWA Schedule - Leslie Golden
July Marketing Tips - Leslie Golden
Mentorship Program - Karlene Gullone
OWA Health Plan - Leslie Golden


OWA Schedule

by Leslie Golden   





Annual OWA Westerbeke Retreat September 24-26, 2010

by Leslie Golden    |    Share #212

Westerbeke Retreat – Save the DATE 24 - 26 September 2010, Westerbeke Ranch, Sonoma, California, http://www.westranch.com/

If you new to the OWA - there is no better way to get to know the members than attending our annual retreat. If you are a “seasoned” member, you know how much fun and camaraderie there is among our group. The weekend includes a professional development program, art project, delicious meals, stimulation conversations, yoga, dancing and more.

The professional development program will involve a process to uncover our unique strengths. Through our own personal advance work and a guest speaker we will be working with the book StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath which will help each of us to discover and define our top five talents. Prior to the retreat, please complete the on-line assessment from this book, using each book’s unique code. Once you complete the assessment, you will be sent an e-mail with a list of your five greatest strengths. At the retreat we will have a short presentation about StrengthsFinder and then do activities showing us how to better utilize our own individual strengths in our daily activities, wherever we are in life. To obtain the pre-retreat assessment, it will be necessary to purchase the book which is available from Amazon.com and other booksellers for about $16 with shipping. It covers hundreds of strategies for applying your strengths.

The weekend retreat (Friday 4pm through Sunday afternoon) costs $325, including accommodation, all meals, and the program. For Saturday only, the cost including 3 meals is $225. Indoor camping is available at a reduced rate of $250. Extra day option: arrangements may be made directly with Westerbeke Ranch for extra night(s). OWA membership is not required to sign up, but we encourage participants to become members. For only an additional $25 – you can become a member!
Janet Crane at Freebairn-Smith & Crane Architects may be contacted with questions at jcrane@f-sc.com or 415 398.4094. Call or e-mail Janet to make a reservation. The complete retreat flyer will be sent under a separate email and your registration forms and checks can be sent to Heather Sprague. Limited financial assistance for scholarships is available based upon need. Heather Sprague, 154 Portola Drive Apt 3, San Francisco CA 94131

the registration form is here


Design Competition and Events around the Bay

by Leslie Golden    |    Share #213

Design Competition
The XVII Pan-American Bienal of Architecture, Quito, Ecuador BAQ 2010 invites all design professionals to participate in this international conference and design competition.

This year’s Bienal theme is “Architecture, Breaking Down the Borders”. The BAQ 2010 will take place in Quito, Ecuador, one of the cities nominated by the UNESCO as a World’s Heritage Site. The Bienal includes Pan-American and International Design Competitions, a Symposium, Conferences, Architectural and Art Exhibits throughout the City, and other complementary activities.

There are several categories in which you can participate, sending built projects completed during the last four years to enter the international design competition. The deadline for the submittals is Friday, October 29, 2010. All projects submitted will be published in the book of the BAQ 2010.

If you are interested in participating in the design competition or any of the events offered at the XVII BAQ 2010, please go to the Bienal’s web-page http://www.baq-cae.ec , or contact Gilda Puente-Peters, U.S. Coordinator Ph: 510-526-6226

Supper Salon in San Francisco - Not happening until further notice.

Supper Salon in Berkeley - Informal East Bay dinner the second Wednesday of the month at “Gather” on Oxford Street in Berkeley. All are welcome to enjoy an informal small group environment. Check the forum for the next date.


July Marketing Tips

by Leslie Golden    |    Share #214

Networking
Attend networking opportunities and don’t leave without meeting at least five new people
Find Common Ground
Give to get - share timely information or interesting articles
Be Involved (attend regularly and step up to leadership opportunities)
Ask for Referrals with specificity


STEERING COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS DUE AUGUST 30.

by Joanne Winship    |    Share #215

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN TO FILL THREE NEW STEERING COMMITTEE POSITIONS. Consider nominating yourself or others to serve a 2 year term beginning in December 2010. Nominations are due Aug. 30 and will be voted on at the October 19, 2010 Annual Business meeting. This is a wonderful opportunity to share and act on your ideas for enhancing programs and activities at OWA. Read below for details.

Over the past six months the New Steering Committee has met over four times and has discussed many important and substantial additional programs to meet the OWA goals. It has been a rewarding and fun experience. However, it has become clear that to meet our objectives we need additional Steering Committee Members to maintain and grow the organization. The Steering Committee has decided to increase the number of Steering Committee Members from five to a total of seven and are requesting that members nominate or self nominate “members in good standing” to begin a two year term beginning on Dec 2010. As Judy Rowe’s term will be ending at the end of this year, the membership will be asked to vote three new members onto the Steering Committee. Judy has graciously accepted the responsibility of remaining as the Treasurer.

Nominations:
  • Any member in good standing may nominate themselves or another member in good standing to be considered for a position on the Steering Committee.
  • By August 30th, 2010, 45 days prior to the annual meeting, all nominees shall submit a one paragraph biography and a one paragraph statement of why they would like to serve on the steering committee. These statements will be sent out with the annual meeting agenda and posted on the OWA website for member viewing.
  • Steering Committee duties shall be detailed and posted with the call for nominations at least 90 days prior to the annual meeting.
  • Nominations of members in good standing may be made at the annual meeting. The member nominated at the annual meeting must be present and in agreement of the nomination.

Steering Committee:

The Steering Committee shall be composed of 7 OWA members in good standing. They shall have two year terms. Each year there shall be an election for three or four new Steering Committee members to fill the vacancies of the three or four Steering Committee members rotating off the committee. Steering Committee members shall serve not more than two consecutive terms.
The duties of the Steering Committee shall include: