Welcome to the quarterly newsletter for the National
Association of Women Business Owners® (NAWBO®)
San Francisco Bay Area Chapter.

Second Quarter 2009 News Summary

Member News

–– Welcome New Members and Renewing Members!

–– President's Letter from Barbara Mark, Ph.D., NAWBO®-SFBA President 2007-2010

–– Members in the News

–– Member Outreach Announcements

–– NAWBO®-SFBA Leaders' Circle Spotlight: Judy Peck, Building Care Systems


Ideas, Inspiration and Opportunities

–– The Small Business Development Center (SBDC): A Helpful Resource for NAWBO®-SFBA Members

–– Public Policy Corner, by Arienne Landry, Public Policy Chair

–– Why You Should Support Equal Gender Rating for Health Insurance Premiums, by Susan Shargel, Shargel & Co. Insurance Services

NAWBO®-SF Events

–– Recap: NAWBO®-SFBA Make me a Match! Procurement Summit

–– Recap: NAWBO®-SFBA 25th Annual Leader and Legends Luncheon

–– NAWBO®-SFBA July Dinner Meeting: Ask the NAWBO Experts - Thursday, July 9 in San Francisco

–– NAWBO®-SFBA Walnut Creek Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting: Tuesday, July 21 (These meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month.)

–– NAWBO®-SFBA San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting: Wednesday, July 15 (These meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month.)

–– NAWBO®-SFBA Marin Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting: Tuesday, July 28 in Corte Madera (These meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month.)


Events with Other Organizations

–– Let's Do Business 2: July 30 in Los Angeles

–– Join The OpEd Project for a WRITE TO CHANGE THE WORLD Seminar on
August 8 in San Francisco

Welcome to New and Renewing Members
of NAWBO®-SFBA!

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the following new members:

-- Neel-Kamal Aulaku, Greenlight Organic, Fremont
-- Lola Bernabe, Lola Design, San Francisco
-- Amanda de Burgh, Edward Jones Investments, San Francisco
-- Darlene Fredell, Insignia, San Francisco
-- Linda Gordon, Access II, San Francisco
-- Belinda Guadarrama, GC Micro Corporations, Petaluma
-- Kathie Holtzapple, Holtzapple & Associates, San Ramon
-- Meredith Johnson, Perseus Wealth, Walnut Creek
-- Marla Kaye, You Name It Promotions, Oakland
-- Sylvia Luneau, PsiNapse Staffing, Pleasanton
-- Amanda Maclean, Imagine The Power, Alameda
-- Christina C. Marshall, Duane Morris LLP, Lafayette
-- Patricia Meagher, Rossi & Meagher LLP, San Francisco
-- Monica Oakley, Oakley Water Strategies, Inc., Oakland
-- Danielle Ochs-Tillotson, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.,
San Francisco
-- Paula Pagano, Client Connect, San Francisco
-- Magdalene Reilly, A&J Electric Cable Company, Hayward
-- Debra Silver, All American Logistics, Stockton
-- Luanne Stevenson, Pajaro Group Consulting, Lafayette
-- Robin Tucker, The Proper Angle, San Francisco
-- Linda Van Drent, Coldwell Banker, Orinda
-- Lynn Walker, Lynn Walker Group, San Anselmo

And thank you to our members who have recently renewed their memberships:

-- Feliciai Favroth, Skincare by Feliciai, Oakland, Member Since: 6/1/07
-- Linda Fodrini-Johnson, Eldercare Services, Walnut Creek, Member Since: 7/1/99
-- Barbara Gillard, Emeritus Investment Management, Inc., Mill Valley, Member Since: 7/1/04
-- Susan Grant, Senior Helpers, Berkeley, Member Since: 6/1/95
-- Vida Harband, Advanced General Counsel, Tiburon, Member Since: 3/1/04
-- Karen Horton, Karen M. Horton, MD , MSC, FRCSC, San Francisco, Member Since: 4/1/08
-- Jane Hynes, W.A. Hynes & Co., Inc., Rohnert Park, Member Since: 3/1/02
-- Mary Janaitis, MSJ Consulting, Oakland, Member Since: 7/1/00
-- Christine Kaplan, Gashouse Cove/Marina City Yachts, San Francisco, Member Since: 5/1/09
-- Linda Leary, Reliable Caregivers, San Francisco, Member Since: 9/1/06
-- Michelle Lerman, Lerman Law Partners, LLP, San Rafael, Member Since: 7/1/07
-- M Kay Robinson, InSight Intuitive Consulting, Lafayette, Member Since: 5/1/06
-- Susan Ross, SR International, Oakland, Member Since: 3/1/08
-- Alison Rowe, Harvest & Rowe, San Francisco, Member Since: 2/1/05
-- Ursula Schneider-Lucania, Ursula Schneider Consulting, Travis AFB, Member Since: 9/1/06
-- Hariet Stewart, Stewart Daly, Inc., Alameda, Member Since: 4/1/07
-- MaryAnn Wetzork, Consulting Controller, Inc., Alameda, Member Since: 5/1/03
-- Deborah Wilder, Law Offices of Deborah Wilder, Belmont, Member Since: 6/1/95
-- Heather Martinez Zona, Square Z Consulting LLC, San Francisco, Member Since: 4/1/08
                                      
Thank you to all of you - we look forward to seeing you at upcoming events, and to the opportunity to grow, thrive, and lead together!

Barbara Mark, Ph.D., NAWBO®-SFBA President

President's Letter from Barbara Mark, Ph.D.

Dear Friends,

Welcome to summer!

I hope that your first two quarters have gone well.
As reported by NAWBO® National, women business owners have held their own during this recession, indicating that women are smart business people.
But we already knew that, didn’t we?

Many of you participated in NAWBO-San Francisco
Bay Area chapter’s first “Make Me A Match” Procurement Summit. It was a terrific success. Over 150 Bay Area women business owners participated and about 40% of those were matched in May. This first cohort of women will have additional match opportunities later this year. We will keep you posted as to the dates.

We will be sending out a feedback survey to learn about the experience of those who participated. As this was our first run at this event, there were many learning opportunities for us. We look forward to being able to take advantage of those opportunities next year at the second “Make Me A Match” Procurement Summit.

It is the goal of NAWBO®-SFBA to be the organization that helps women business owners do more business. Over the next few years we will be connecting with more women business owners and more sponsors to expand the reach and the resources of the organization. I also have several irons in the fire for creating money-saving and business-enhancing opportunities for our members through our "Members Only" web portal.

I am pleased and proud to announce that both Jennifer Baum of Peridot Productions and Feleciai Favroth of Skin Care by Feleciai are our co-Presidents-elect this year. As they work hand in hand with me, we will be making great strides to expand the reach and offerings of NAWBO®-SFBA. Both Feleciai and Jennifer bring vision and enthusiasm to their positions.

The Board is also pleased to welcome Laura Van Galen of Bleu Marketing Solutions as our VP of Marketing. Laura is eager to help NAWBO®-SFBA with this year’s vision of growth.

As always, we welcome your suggestions, feedback and participation! If you are interesting in participating on a committee, please contact the committee chair. If you are interested in being considered for Board participation, please contact me directly.

I look forward to seeing you at our events.

Warm regards,
Barbara Mark, Ph.D.
President NAWBO®-SFBA

--On May 20th, Barbara Mark, Ph.D. spoke at the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce on Women in Leadership. Her topic was "Women in Leadership 3.0™," a look at the impact of the huge and growing number of women owned businesses and how those women lead. Barbara also addressed the benefits of female leadership in large corporations.

--On June 10th, Barbara Mark, Ph.D. spoke on a panel at the City Club at the June CREW-SF meeting. Barbara spoke on the history of positive psychology and its application in strengths-based or asset-based tools for personal career growth and for success in make career transitions.

--Arienne Landry's Just for You Cafe was featured as one of the Best Breakfasts in San Francisco on About.com. See the article here.

Are you a member who has news about your business? Please send your news to the NAWBO-SFBA Newsletter Editor: Jennifer Donahue. "News" refers to recognition your company has received in the press, awards you or your company have won, or events that have happened. This space is not used for promotions of products or upcoming events. Thanks!

Get Involved!
The best way to benefit from your membership in NAWBO®-SFBA is be involved! There are many ways to do this. Attend monthly dinner and breakfast meetings, or join a committee to offer your time and your talent in anyway you can imagine.

Our committees need your time and talent!

--Join the Board/Barbara Mark
--Membership/Feleciai Favroth
--Public Policy/Arienne Landry
--Programs/Susan Ross
--Diversity/Barbara Mark
--Affiliates/Jennifer Baum
--Newsletter/Jennifer Donahue

New! More Convenient Membership Renewal
At the request of our members, NAWBO®-SFBA has begun sending renewal reminders. Expect to receive the notice three months before your membership expires.
--To renew, simply go to www.nawbo-sf.org, and click on
Renew Your Membership (on the left) to download your renewal application
--To ensure timely processing of your membership, send your application to the San Francisco address on the form
--Note: We are working to launch an online registration in the next few months.
--Receive renewal discount! To receive $25 off the regular membership fee, renew before your membership ends.
--When you renew, your company will be recognized in the next quarterly newsletter as a renewing member.

Spotlight on Leaders’ Circle Member
Judy Peck
Building Care Systems
Novato, CA
www.buildingcaresystems.com

Building Care Systems is a commercial custodial services company headquartered in Novato, CA. Judy Peck founded the company in 1979 and currently has over 100 employees and annual revenue of $3 million.

What does your company specialize in?
Commercial Custodial Services - carpets, floor care and refinishing, upholstery, pressure washing, window washing, emergency services as well as nightly custodial care.

What is your education background?
I completed some college but for the most part I have been self-taught ...
40 years in the school of hard knocks.

What was your profession prior to starting your company?
Dental Assistant, Bookkeeper, Wife & Mother.

Why did you start your business?
It was a natural off shoot of a janitorial supply company that my father had started during the war.

What was the most difficult part of starting your business?
Finding good, loyal and competent workers.

What is the biggest plus of owning your business?
Working with good people and seeing the results of our work manifest into increased business and an improved lifestyle for my employees.

What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about your business?
Our work is under appreciated and many believe service providers to be at the bottom of the food chain. This is demonstrated through the reduction in services in recessionary times. Only when the client has to assume the responsibilities of our services do they begin to appreciate the fact that our kind magic happens at night.

What is your biggest business strength?
Keeping our promises to clients.

Your biggest challenge?
Finding good, loyal, competent and legal workers.

What was your smartest move so far in business?
Selling one of my 2 companies and giving all my efforts to Building Care Systems.  I only had so many brain cells and most of them were on overload. This streamlined the work I was doing and gave me greater focus.

Your biggest mistake?
Giving too much can be a blessing to your clients and employees or it can be an area where one can be taken advantage of. Because I over give in most areas it has worked both ways for me, but I will continue to over give, over serve and out perform - the blessings are worth it.  

Who/what is your top source of inspiration?
Even though my Dad had passed away when I took over and bought the company, I have many good memories of him: his work ethic, his care for the business and his customers. Many times I wish he were here to check on how I’m doing. Am I holding on to the same standard as him?

Why did you decide to join Leaders’ Circle?
Having a board of directors without any agenda other than to share their perspective from their years in business.

What do you get out of participating in Leaders’ Circle?
The satisfaction of helping others by sharing my perspective about their business issues.

What is your favorite task?
Interacting with the people, either clients or employees.

Your least favorite task?
Dealing with petty issues: be it paperwork, interoffice squabbles or clients who act as though the world will come to an end if the custodian forgets some small thing.

What is your biggest frustration in business?
Getting clients to see the value in excellent custodial care.

Who/what is your source of support for a business crisis?
Leaders’ Circle and other business professionals I surround myself with.

What would be your first move with capital windfall?
A business manager and an additional sales person.  

What is your five-year plan?
Growing my business to $10,000,000 - and I’m on track!

What would be your first choice for a new career or venture?
I want to get more involved in sustainability at the hospitality level.

Who would you most be interested in meeting?
George Lucas

What is your favorite stress reducer?
Reading a good book outside on the patio with a cup of tea.

What is your most influential book?
“THINK and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill

What is your favorite film?
The Sound of Music  

What is your favorite destination?
Kenya or Italy

As NAWBO® members in the Bay Area, we are fortunate to have a wonderful resource available to us: The Small Business Development Center. The mission of this publicly funded organization, with centers throughout the Bay Area and California, is to help people who want to start a business or have a small business that they would like to grow. In fact, 51 percent of their clients are women and if you have fewer than 500 employees, you are a small business.

The SBDC’s business advisors are knowledgeable in a broad scope of industries and aspects of business management. Many have had their own business. This first hand experience is helpful in addressing your business issues and concerns with practical advice and solutions.  Every meeting with their advisors is free, confidential, results oriented, and designed for your specific needs.

Let’s look at one SBDC to give you an example of their economic impact and services available. The Small Business Development Center at Santa Rosa Junior College serves Marin and Sonoma Counties. Last year, their advisors assisted 678 businesses on various business related topics. Their no cost counseling contribute to their clients increasing their sales over 6.1 million dollars. Since opening in 1991, over 8,000 North Bay small businesses have received counseling from this SBDC. These businesses had an increase of sales of over 64.5 million dollars!

There are SBDC outreach offices throughout Marin and Sonoma Counties and this center, like other Bay Area centers, offers free and low cost workshops to people with no or little business experience to seasoned business owners. Have an idea for a new product? Their Sawyer Center can advise how to turn your idea into a marketable product.

Some SBDC’s also offers free career related workshops to organizations and agencies that work with or support youth. These programs teach young people, ages 14-27, valuable employment related skills that will help youth as they enter the work world and the basics of starting a business.

Whether you work from home by yourself or at an office, store or restaurant with colleagues, there are a number of ways the SBDC can help Bay Area NAWBO members address a variety of business related issues. There are SBDC offices in Santa Rosa, Napa, San Francisco, Fairfield, Concord, Oakland, San Jose and Aptos.

To locate a center that is convenient for you, please visit their website, www.norcalsbdc.org and click on “Your local SBDC”. 

The Importance of Public Policy
By participating in the political process, we can shape the direction of issues such as, health care, taxes, laws, regulations and funding priorities that affect our businesses. As business owners it is important to be aware of laws being enacted by city, state and national governments.

Public Policy Days Summit
On March 23rd and 24th the Sacramento chapter of NAWBO hosted a Public Policy Days summit. An information-packed couple of days was skillfully facilitated by Mary Griffin, Vice President of Legislative Action. On Monday we were treated to a bus tour of the Sacramento Delta region with a briefing on the California water crisis. Tuesday morning we met Senator Mimi Walters (R), Senator Carol Liu (D), Assembly Woman Joan Buchanan (D) and Assembly Woman Diane Harkey (R). Each gave an inspiring synopsis of their careers. This was followed by four panels on Health care, the AB-32 Global warming initiative, Budget initiatives/Tax consequences and Unemployment Insurance/Workers Compensation. The luncheon speaker was Secretary of State Debra Bowen. After lunch we met with Marty Keller, The Governor’s Office Small Business Advocate. All attending expressed concern about legislation affecting small business.

SB-CAL: An Excellent Public Policy Information Source
I would like to recommend the SB-CAL website as an excellent and informative source for statewide public policy: www.smallbusinesscalifornia.org. The site, expertly managed by Scott Hauge, President of SB-CAL, is easily navigated, frequently updated and filled with information about laws and legislation affecting Small Business. SB-CAL focuses on Health Care, Worker’s Compensation, Workforce Development, Government regulations, Energy and Access to Capital.
For example, under the health care heading, there is a Small Business Tool Kit, a Resource Guide for your businesses health care plan and COBRA notice forms.
Also posted are the results of the SB-CAL 2009 Business Survey.

Another Good Source: The City and County of San Francisco
Office of Small Business
The City and County of San Francisco Office of Small Business functions as the City's central point of information and referral for entrepreneurs and small businesses located in the City and County of San Francisco. Gavin Newsom appointed Regina Dick-Endrizzi as permanent Director of the Office of Small Business.

Support Equal Gender Rating for Health Insurance Premiums!
by Susan Shargel, CLU ChFC
Shargel & Co. Insurance Services
sshargel@shargel.com

Help us ensure that women without employer-sponsored health insurance pay premiums equal to mens’ for individual coverage.

Both California and the US Congress are considering bills to prevent insurers from charging higher individual health policy premiums to women than to men of the same age—an industry practice that began a few years ago. The federal government already prohibits group health plans from discriminating against women this way.
 
Eliminating gender rating, as California is considering, solves part of the problem. The federal bill would also require coverage of maternity-related services.

Estimates are that women pay up to 20% more for coverage. Yet that figure is misleading. Factor in that men are more likely to choose plans without maternity coverage, and the magnitude of the discrepancy multiplies. 

With one California plan, a 29-year-old woman pays three times more—an additional $2,160/year—for an $1,800 deductible PPO with maternity than a man pays for the same coverage without maternity. 

Complicating the problem is that individuals can't just add maternity coverage when they need it.  A woman (or man) who chooses a cheap “no maternity” plan and later chooses to have children may not be able to get the coverage she and her child need. At best their options will be limited and expensive. Individuals cannot pick and choose benefits to lower premiums, adding on what we need when we’re ill or injured. Insurers don’t gamble that way. Yet they force women to risk personal and financial health over maternity services, instead of pooling the risk.

Act now. Let’s take these critical steps towards a robust healthcare system that serves all Americans equitably, male and female. 

Contact your legislators to support these important bills: 
Federal – The Women’s Health Insurance Fairness Act
California – AB119; SB54

Make Me a Match!
NAWBO®-SFBA's Groundbreaking
Procurement Summit A Great Success!

NAWBO®-SFBA’s inaugural Make Me a Match! Procurement Summit took place at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco on May 15, hosted in conjunction with Union Bank and PG&E. Almost 200 attendees were present, including NAWBO®-SFBA and Affiliate Partner members, other women entrepreneurs, and community and business leaders.

The goal of the Summit was to provide NAWBO®-SFBA members with as many educational tools and resources available to help them potentially secure procurement opportunities during the current economic downturn. To accomplish this, a unique business assessment was conducted by Sarah Lyu of Sarah Lyu Consulting (www.sarahlyuconsulting.com) of all registrants to directly match women business enterprises (WBEs) with potential subcontracting opportunities so that they could directly meet with Prime Suppliers and Subject Matter Experts in one-on-one appointments the day of the event.  

In addition to the one-on-one appointments, Corporate Networking and Roundtables filled the morning to provide attendees with vital information and other business opportunities.

Educational Roundtables were well attended and topics included:

Table 1: Business Growth in the Recession
--Transformation for Growth – Balancing the 3 “M’s” of Your Business – Money, Management & Marketing
--Getting Ready for Financing – Steps to Take Before You Apply

Table 2: Key Elements of Marketing
--Recession Proof Your Business – 9 Killer Steps to
Boost Sales
--Using Social Network Marketing and Public Relations to Build Your Business
--Build a Fearless Brand: A Powerful Way to Tell the Story of Your Business
--Projecting Credibility and Confidence – How to Come Across at Your Best, Every Time!

Table 3: Expanding Resources to Secure Contracts
--Using Certification to Secure New Contracts
--Creating Strategic Alliances to Build Your Business

Table 4: City, State, and Federal Opportunities
--Doing Business with the City of San Francisco
--Local and State Opportunities with the Department of Transportation

The Networking Roundtables were moderated and set up to specifically provide attendees a place to connect with one another and discuss doing business together. Supplier diversity representatives from Chevron and Blue Shield were also on site to meet with registrants and potentially provide additional opportunities for the attending WBEs. Participants were excited with the educational information they received and matches that were made at this groundbreaking Make Me a Match! Procurement Summit. NAWBO®-SFBA would like to thank Union Bank and PG&E for their generous participation and support.

Follow up events are planned for later this year to ensure that WBEs that registered for the May 15th Procurement Summit have the opportunity to be matched with Prime Suppliers for potential subcontracting opportunities. Information about these events will be communicated to registrants as soon as the details are finalized.

Click here for more pictures of the Make Me a Match! Procurement Summit and Leaders & Legends Luncheon. 

Walnut Creek Relationships and Referrals Breakfast
Meeting: Tuesday, July 21

NAWBO®-SFBA - Walnut Creek Relationships
and Referrals Breakfast Meeting
Tuesday, July 21
7:30am to 9:00am
Il Fornaio, 1430 Mount Diablo Boulevard,
Walnut Creek
Free parking at rear of building

Our morning breakfast meetings provide a comfortable forum for business women and entrepreneurs to meet monthly, exchange ideas and discuss business challenges. The Relationships and Referrals Breakfasts are a dynamic, informative and productive way to spend your breakfast!

Pre-registration is required as space as limited and our group has been larger these days than ever! We want to ensure that there is enough wonderful food and beverage to satisfy all. The cost, if you register by the Friday before each meeting, is $16 for members and $20 for non-members. After the Friday before each meeting, the price is $20.

Please share the word with your friends and colleagues!

Learn more and register online here.

San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast
Meeting: Wednesday, July 15

NAWBO®-SFBA - San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting
Wednesday, July 15
7:30am to 9:00am
55 2nd Street at Market - Harvest & Rowe
Introductions begin at 7:45 sharp.

Directions from San Francisco:
1: Start out going NORTHWEST on 11TH ST toward MARKET ST.
2: Turn RIGHT onto MARKET ST.
3: Turn RIGHT onto 2ND ST.
4: End at 55 2nd St

There is parking in the building

The San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Networking Breakfast is NAWBO®-SF's newest venue for building business connections between local women business owners. Meetings are held at 7:30am on the third Wednesday of each month at Harvest & Rowe, 55 2nd Street in San Francisco. Bring business cards and come prepared to meet other women business owners, make friends, exchange ideas, share leads, lend support and recommend resources.

Pre-registration is required as space as limited and our group has been larger these days than ever! We want to ensure that there is enough wonderful food and beverage to satisfy all. The cost, if you register by the Friday before each meeting, is $12 for members and $15 for non-members. After the Friday before each meeting, the price is $15 for members and $18 for non-members.

Please share the word with your friends and colleagues!

Learn more and register online here.

Marin Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting: Tuesday, July 28 in Corte Madera

NAWBO®-SFBA - Marin Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting
Tuesday, July 28
7:30am to 9:00am
Il Fornaio
Corte Madera Town Center, Corte Madera

Get your morning off to a great start with our monthly NAWBO®-SF Marin Breakfast Meeting. Our group continues to grow and evolve - become a part of this unique networking opportunity now!

Our monthly forum for business women to exchange ideas and discuss business challenges is a dynamic, informative and productive way to spend your breakfast.

· Join a supportive group of business women with similar experiences
· Give and receive professional support, input and advice
· Gain access to a wide array of business resources
· Discover possible collaborations and alliances
· Meet new friends who share common interests and values

Pre-registration is required as space as limited and our group has been larger these days than ever! We want to ensure that there is enough wonderful food and beverage to satisfy all. The cost, if you register by the Friday before each meeting, is $12 for members and $15 for non-members. After the Friday before each meeting, the price is $15 for members and $18 for non-members.

Please share the word with your friends and colleagues!

Learn more and Register online here.

Let's Do Business 2
Thursday, July 30
Westin Bonaventure

NAWBO-SFBA has been invited by Let's do Business 2 to join them in Los Angeles for more business opportunities with Financial Service companies and their First Tier suppliers.
Check out their website and take advantage of another great opportunity to get new business!

Write to Change the World Seminar
Saturday, August 8
10am to 5pm
ACLU
39 Drum Street, San Francisco

You are invited to join The OpEd Project for an upcoming WRITE TO CHANGE THE WORLD seminar on August 8 in San Francisco, September 12 in Los Angeles and other cities around the country. The Project had major successes recently including pieces published by participants in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitor, The Financial Times, the home page of the Huffington Post, and also one piece that was #2 on Google news and had 20,000 hits in the first hour. You can read more and get the seminar schedule at www.theopedproject.org.

This seminar is not about writing, it's about empowering you to make a bold case for what you believe in, and make a difference in the world. The seminars are limited to just 20 people to ensure a top-quality experience.

Register at: www.theopedproject.org, or contact Susan Alexander at salexandersf@gmail.com. Use the key code OEPSA for a 10% discount. The cost is $300 if you register 10 days before and $375 thereafter. Scholarships are available.

Why this matters: Our position is not that women need our help, but just the opposite: we think the public, and more specifically public debate, needs women. Our nation’s conversation currently reproduces the voices and opinions of a small fraction of society: mostly white, mostly privileged, and 85% male. Even worse among academics: a 2008 Rutgers University study found that 97% of opeds by scholars in the Wall Street Journal are written by men. What is the cost to society when half of the nation’s best minds and best ideas—women’s minds and women’s ideas—are missing? Join us—and help us change the world of public debate.

Key Dates: Mark Your Calendar

–– July 9: Dinner Meeting in San Francisco - Ask the NAWBO Experts Your Burning Questions.

–– July 15: San Francisco Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting

–– July 21: Walnut Creek Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting

–– July 28: Marin Relationships and Referrals Breakfast Meeting in Corte Madera

–– July 30: Let's Do Business 2 in Los Angeles

–– August 8: Write to Change the World Seminar in San Francisco

Thank you to our Corporate Partners:

If you would like to submit stories, news, events, or happenings for the
next issue of NAWBO®-SFBA's e-news, please send to the newsletter editor,
Jennifer Donahue, at jenniferdonahue@comcast.net.

We invite anyone who is not already a member to join NAWBO®-SFBA. Take advantage of a growing package of member benefits and activities. To learn more, visit our website: www.nawbo-sf.org/membership.html.

To subscribe to (or unsubscribe from) this newsletter, contact Wendi Moradian at 415.333.2130, or email: join@nawbo-sf.org.

The NAWBO®-SF Quarterly Newsletter is designed and edited by NAWBO®-SF member
Jennifer Donahue Communications.

© 2009 The National Association of Women Business Owners® - San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (NAWBO®-SFBA). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of NAWBO®-SFBA is prohibited.

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