President’s Message April 2022
Hello everyone,
They say spring is here, but I’m not so sure lol Hopefully we see those double digit temps on a more consistent basis soon.
As you read on you will notice we have had to change this month’s dinner to a week later, Wednesday April 20th, again in Kelsey’s Sam Brown room. They have been good to us and are able to accommodate us best in the short term. Hopefully you can make it. Bring a friend along! We love to meet new ladies.
My short term goal is to have over 15 ladies attend April’s and May’s dinner meetings, have a successful Gala, and long term, get back on track in September with 30-40 members attending our monthly business dinner meetings. This bulletin goes out to hundreds of emails and it would be lovely to get some previous and honourary members back and have our current members help build membership back up by bringing a friend each month or at least spreading the word by distributing our rack cards and encouraging ladies to treat themselves to a night out. Remember. You do not have to own a business in order to join us.
Leah has arranged for a wonderful community involved speaker for this month’s dinner meeting, as announced in this bulletin. Please come out and welcome her to the OBWA. She has important information for all of us.
Our meeting will include networking for the first 20 minutes. Networking time can also include sharing of other women’s activities that you think may benefit our membership. Remember to have printed information out on display for sharing. My introductions and giving of important information regarding the OBWA will follow. Once ordering of our meal is complete, it will be time for a quick 30 second Introduction of ourselves and businesses (if applicable).
Our informative speaker from Hospice Orillia will follow the enjoyment of our meal and more networking time. Being in a restaurant atmosphere does make it difficult to strictly stick to times set out, but we appreciate your every effort to do so.
It is my pleasure to announce that Trisha Cuthbertson has joined our executive as our Membership Coordinator. I know she will bring some great ideas to enhance our association. Welcome aboard Trisha! And as always, thank you to Andrea Sullivan, Leah Cavanaugh, Shelle Hossack and Susan Zaroski for their perseverance in helping to keep our organization up and running during these difficult and challenging times.
With Warmest of Regards,
Sharon L. Van Noort, OBWA President
Deadline for Nominations for Woman of the Year 2022
is April 15th.
We are also looking for Sponsorships and Draw Prizes for this Year’s Gala from our OBWA Members and those in the Community
April Dinner Meeting will be held at Kelseys Restaurant, 405 Memorial Ave. Orillia, L3V 0T7
(Please note this month’s meeting is the third Wednesday of the month)
The restaurant will be following the Covid Protocal that is currently in place at their establishment
You must e-mail OBWA at: networking@orilliabusinesswomen.com by Friday April 15th to reserve your dinner reservation
You will order and pay for your meal plus your tip at the restaurant
As always we welcome all women to the OBWA and we are encouraging our members to bring a guest or two to our March meeting!
5:30 – Networking-please bring your business cards & brochures with you
5:50 – President’s Welcome
6:00 p.m. – Members will order their dinners
6:15 p.m. – 30 Second intro & our business updates
(please respect each other by keeping to the time limit)
6:20 p.m. – Business of The Month – Sheona Kloostra- Happy At Home Support Services Inc. 
6:35 p.m. – Guest Speaker - Amanda Tevelde
Communications & Fundraising Coordinator Hospice Orillia
Born and raised in Orillia, Amanda brings to the team a background in marketing, event planning, communications, and fundraising. Her passion is being creative and doing her part to ensure the health of our planet for future generations. With over 10 year’s experience in the not-for-profit industry and 20 years marketing experience, Amanda brings a wide array of expertise to the team. She considers her position with the Hospice Orillia team as an honor and treasures being able to give back in her community.
Brief Description of the evening’s presentation:
We will touch on how our volunteers and staff serve clients and their loved ones of all ages and backgrounds with compassion and respect, while honouring their choices and supporting them throughout their life journey. Plus we will discuss how individuals can become involved through our volunteer opportunities or through on of our three community events; Garden of Remembrance, Candles of Remembrance and Hike for Hospice.
6:55 p.m. – Community Announcements
7:00 p.m. – Closing words from our President
The OBWA Executive would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Membership coordinator Trisha Cuthbertson
The OBWA is now changing when our annual membership fee of $100 will be due. All members will have a renewal date of Sept. 1
st. each year for their annual membership. The majority of our members have not paid their dues during the pandemic. Those members will need to renew their memberships starting January 1, 2022 for a pro-rated amount of $60. That will put the member in good standing from Jan.1, 2022 until Sept.1, 2022. Then on Sept. 1, 2022 everyone will pay their membership dues which will cover their membership for Sept.1, 2022 until September 1, 2023. Members have the privilege of posting on social media & have their information about their business and themselves on our website as well as posting on FB.. Non-members can attend meetings though without the other privileges. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of our executive members.
Our 2021 Gala Sponsors
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