MBW. I hope that you have been following your legislative interests through the government website.

winter 2014 volume 92 number 3 MBW Missouri Business Woman The Quarterly Magazine of Business Women of Missouri Legislative Conference Set for March 6-7 in Jefferson City The mid term elections are behind us. The results will be regarded as good to some and questionable to others. The importance of it all is in the eyes of the beholder. I hope that each of you took a person to the polls to vote if the need arose. That is how we help to be counted and to make our system of democracy work a little better. If you did I Thank You. Legislative Chair Pam Adams We have weathered the elections, Thanksgiving, and by the time you read this, we will have a big head start on our Christmas shopping with all our purchases at the Foundation Auction. Before we know it, it will be March and time for Legislative Conference. To keep with my constant need for change, in 2015 we will have our Legislative Conference at the Truman Hotel (PH: 573-635-7171). Some of you will remember this as the old Ramada Inn south of Jefferson City off of Highway 54. The date is March 6-7, 2015. The rooms are Double/King for a rate of $70.00 plus tax. The cost of the Conference will be $45.00 which will cover food Friday, Saturday and conference materials. Registration will begin at 5:30 on Friday and dinner will begin around 6:00 pm. Following dinner, the conference will officially begin with the first presentation at 7:15. We will have presentations that evening and then will start on Saturday morning at 8:00. Lunch is included in the registration fee. The meeting will conclude around 3:00 on Saturday. I have started to put together speakers for the weekend but already have had to make changes due to the elections and other obligations that have come into play. winter edition page 4 page 8 2015 Legislative Conference Registration page 10 Holiday Greetings December Board Recap & Photos Scholarship Applications Due February 1 page 12 Local Club President s Report Due March 1 Conference Award Entries Due March 1 Local Club News I hope that you have been following your legislative interests through the government website. I wish you all Happy Holidays and look forward to seeing you at Legislative Conference. Make Plans NOW to Attend And/Or Be a Sponsor of the BWM 2015 State Conference At Harrah s Hotel and Casino in Kansas City, Missouri Submitted by Mary Clark, Meetings Coordinator Mark April 24-26 as your first entry in your 2015 calendar, and make plans to be Goin to Kansas City and Harrah s Hotel and Casino. Plans are well underway to make this one of the best conferences in the history of the club. For the first time, we are offering the opportunity of being a sponsor of the conference. Sponsorships are available to organizations, individuals or businesses. A $500 sponsor will get free advertising in the program book plus three months of advertising in the MBW and on the website. In addition, they will get one paid registration and two lunches. A $250 sponsor will receive a free lunch and advertising in the program book, MBW and the website for one issue (or month). Lee s Summit BWM has already committed $500 to be a conference sponsor. Plans are well underway for the Generations Taking Charge Challenge, speakers and entertainment are being researched and vendor contracts are being signed. It is an exciting process for a rewarding event. We hope you will join us in making this the best conference ever! Check out the website and watch your emails for more information as it becomes available. 1

The President s Message As this year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the exciting journey I have been on since being installed as your President. My travels have taken me all around the state to participate in meetings and conferences, and to take part in the Executive Committee retreat deep in the woods of Gravois Mills---during Halloween weekend! I returned home from each event inspired, to say the least. You have probably heard me say it before, but it begs repeating. Business Women of Missouri is a gift - a gift that is meant to be shared with others. I m unable to give you a list of gifts I received when I was a child, but certain memories do stand out. They are moments of togetherness, memories of fun shared and things done together. Such memories were made this past weekend at December Board. From the festivities of the holiday open house on Friday evening to the business carried out at the board meeting on Saturday, and moments beyond, I gathered lots of special memories. If it were not for my Business Women of Missouri Advertising Rates Advertising for one year, which includes four (4) issues of the Missouri Business Woman (MBW), plus the Business Women of Missouri website (including business link): Combo Rates ( MBW + Website) Business Card size plus Level 1 website $40.00 One Eighth Page plus Level 2 website $55.00 One Quarter Page plus Level 3 website $75.00 Business Women of Missouri website only for one (1) year: Level 1: 3 ½ x 2 $8.00 Level 2: 3 ½ x 3 ½ $15.00 Level 3: 3 ½ x 5 $35.00 Sherry Rolen BWM State President 2014-2015 mother Betty Kershaw sharing the gift of BWM with me, I would have missed out on these special moments and so many others that came before these. During the holiday open house on Friday evening, over $1,000 was donated to the Foundation for scholarships at the mystery auction, conducted by Auctioneer Mary Clark extraordinaire. Donations continued to pour in throughout the weekend. Inspiring! Genevieve Gibson-Newman s One Reach One campaign challenges each member to recruit one person. Imagine---if each of us meets Genevieve s challenge by sharing the gift, our membership will double. How exciting! This is a goal we can each achieve, ladies. Think about the possibilities for Business Women of Missouri. When women join forces, we create partnerships that are beyond our imagination! You are encouraged to log onto the newly designed BWM website for information on upcoming events, news and announcements. Check out the articles on women s health and tips for success. Access the website for club and member contact information. Look up information in the state manual with ease. Advertise your business at a minimal cost. Don t forget to check out your personal information for accuracy. Apply online for a Foundation scholarship or make a donation to the Foundation. Encourage young women between the ages of 18-24 to apply for the Generations Taking Charge Experience to be held during State Conference 2015. If you do not have internet access, you can still get the word out about these programs, and you do not need internet access to apply. Legislative Conference will be the next opportunity for everyone to gather. Please join Pam Adams, Legislative Chair, and your Executive Committee in Jefferson City March 6-7 for an informative weekend on legislative issues. As we prepare to enter 2015, I would like to extend a heartfelt Thank You to my Executive Committee for their tireless dedication to this organization. I would also like to thank Executive Administrator Jo Coleman, board members, past state presidents, local club officers and members across the state for their participation, and believing in, and being supportive of, the Business Women of Missouri Women Helping Women! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! President Sherry The MISSOURI BUSINESS WOMAN is the Official Publication of the Business Women of Missouri. Published quarterly in June, September, December and March. Note: For a full or half size advertisement, contact the State Office at jo.mofedbpw@gmail.com or Business Women of Missouri, PO Box 28243 Kansas City, MO 64188. You may also contact the State Office at www.businesswomenmo.org POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: MISSOURI BUSINESS WOMAN BUSINESS WOMEN OF MISSOURI STATE OFFICE PO Box 28243, Kansas City, MO 64188 816-333-6959 Phone/Fax 2

BWM Members Enjoyed the SE Regional Meeting Three Rivers BWM Awards Scholarships Three Rivers awarded six $500 scholarships during a ceremony held recently. Three recipients are pictured above: Heather Robinson, Lisa Todd, Stephanie Rodriguez. Award winners not pictured are Nichole Sikes, Theresa Russell and Darlene Becker. Genevieve Gibson Newman Independent Mary Kay Consultant 923 Woods Mill Rd, Chesterfield MO 63011 www.marykay.com/ggibson-newman email: ggibson-newman@marykay.com phone 314-276-4299 Linda Fisher, Publisher PO Box 1746 Sedalia, MO 65302 (660) 281-4371 A Shaker of Margaritas Series Anthologies for Women publisher@mozarkpress.com www.mozarkpress.com 3

Happy Holidays From The Executive Committee To my BWM Sisters My wish for you is the gift of time with those you love and cherish. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Sherry Rolen, President May your Christmas be rich with family love, warm with friendship for the New Year Sharron Sutton, Vice President The gift of love The gift of peace The gift of happiness... May these be yours this Holiday Season! LuAnn Irby President Elect May you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and be blessed in the New Year Deb Saffer Treasurer Peace is always in season. Wishing you peace and happiness. Sheila Miller Recording Secretary This Christmas end a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion, and replace it with trust. Write a love letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind, be gentle. Appreciate. Laugh a little. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Gladden the heart of a child. Welcome a stranger. Take pleasure in the beauty and the wonder of Earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Speak it yet once again. 4

Wishing everyone the best Holiday Season and a Happy New Year AvisParman PSP Sincerest wishes for hope, happiness and peace during this Holiday Season and throughout this coming year. Merry Christmas to all our BWM sisters from the State Foundation. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season with family and friends. We deeply appreciate your support through the years. A special thank you to all the Regions who answered the challenge. We wish you good health, great happiness, and much success in the new year! The Foundation Joplin Business Women of MO Heartfelt Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Boutiful New Year Betty Beason PSP Merry Christmas We hope it is a blessed celebration for you and your families. And a very safe and Happy New Year! Your Past State Presidents 5

Truman Hotel Jefferson City, MO 1510 Jefferson Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109 Phone 573-635-7171 Room Rate is $70 + + Legislative Conference March 6-7, 2015 Legislation Package is $45 Package includes: Registration Fee, Meeting Materials, Friday evening dinner, and Saturday lunch Please list each person who will be attending and the amounts paid for each. There are no refunds for cancellations after the registration deadline. BWM rate is guaranteed through February 22, 2015 Registration Deadline March 1, 2015 P S P ST BD M e m b e r V IS I T O R Registration Form PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT LEGIBLY Use An X In The Appropriate Column To Indicate Registration Status NAME $45 Registration Fee includes materials, Fri. dinner Sat. lunch, TOTAL PAID $45 TOTALS (Please add a $5 late fee for registration after March 1) Local Club Contact Name Phone Number email Address dietary needs and/or restrictions: (List by member with needs and/or restrictions) Register online and pay using PayPal at: www.businesswomenmo.org or Mail completed registration form with payment enclosed (Make checks payable to BWM) Business Women of Missouri, PO Box 28243, Kansas City Mo 64188 For any questions or concerns please contact: Legislative Chair Pam Adams: pananny52@gmail.com

Deck the Halls! President Elect LuAnn Irby surprised President Sherry Rolen with a big bag full of gifts at December Board. The Excelsior Springs Business Women of Missouri posed after decorating a ceromonial tree in Excelsior Springs Historical Hall of Waters. Pictured above are: Sandra Clay, Sheila Miller, April Graham, Martha Kirtley and Sonya Morgan More than Vanilla, Pepper & Cinnamon Betty Beason PSP Sales Representative Watkins Products 1703 Richmond Drive Pleasant Hill, MO 64080 H 816-540-2761 C 816-729-4686 email: bjbeason@aol.com Protect your most important assets your loved ones with life insurance. Laurie Sutton, FIC 408 Stark Blvd. Hermann, MO 65041 573-486-5894 Attention Board Members: Personal contact information will no longer be published in the MBW. For officer and member contact information, log onto the website www.businesswomenmo.org. 7

Excelsior Springs Business Woman Honored Evelyn Cowsert, owner of Mill Inn Restaurant in Excelsior Springs, received a Community Activist Award from the Excelsior Springs Business Women of Missouri (ESBWM) in October, presented by Courtney Cole, who worked at the Mill Inn as a teen. Evelyn was also presented a bouquet of fresh flowers. I witnessed as Evelyn continually gave back to our Excelsior Springs community, said Cole. She provided jobs for many young women as they got their start in the world... She was always there for us for support and was a wonderful model for what a business woman should be with her professionalism. Evelyn has committed time to the efforts of the downtown, helps those less fortunate and upholds all the qualities that the ESBWM stand for. The award is presented annually to an Excelsior Springs woman during National Business Women s Week. A Proclamation recognizing the local club was presented to members by Mayor Ambrose Buckman at the October 20 council meeting. Accepting the award were Sondra Kasserman, Courtney Cole and Sonya Morgan. Harrisonville BWM Honor Teresa Hensley as 2014 Woman of the Year Harrisonville Business Women honored Teresa Hensley as their 2014 Business Woman of the Year. Cindy Jobes, HBW s 2013 Woman of the Year, made the announcement as a climax of the organization s celebration of Business Women s Week, which was held in the Harrisonville Chamber of Commerce Community room in October. The Woman of the Year recognition honors one of the HBW members who has been deemed an asset to the club and to the community. Hensley has served as club president and has been active in all facets of the organization. Earlier this month, she chaired the HBW s Girls Leadership Camp, a seminar for selected young women leaders in Cass County high schools. This one day event teaches young women business, professional and civic rules and responsibilities. Hensley serves as Cass County Prosecuting Attorney. Her family and staff were invited to be surprise guests to share her honor. After Jobes presented the award and praised Hensley s service to the business women s organization and community, personally and professionally, she asked Assistant Prosecutor Monica Penrose to speak: I ve been privileged to work with Teresa for 10 years, and see daily how hard she works for her community as our Prosecutor and how deserving she is of this award. Our office serves 15 law enforcement agencies and receives thousands of cases from them each year. Every day, many people come to the Prosecutor s Office searching for answers. Teresa Hensley personally receives calls seven days per week, 365 days per year. Her leadership and guidance are invaluable. Penrose also praised her employer for being guided by a moral compass of always doing the right thing to keep our community safe and to render justice for the victims. 8 Evelyn Cowsert, owner of Mill Inn Restaurant in Excelsior Springs, pictured with Courtney Cole representing the Excelsior Springs Business Women of Missouri. P. S. ENTERPRISES Sandra C. Stegeman, LLC For all your Advertising Promotional Items Wearable Needs Name Tags Banners Shirts Banners Novelties & more www.psenterprisesonline.com 7398 KoKo Beach Road, Union, MO 63084 WBE (Woman-Owned Business) Certified by the State of Missouri Sandra C. Stegeman psent@fidnet.com 636-583-8992 314-852-3199 (cell)

Business Women Of Missouri Calendar Of Events 2015 February 1 DEADLINE Foundation Scholarship Applications March 1 DEADLINE Local Club President s Annual Report to State Office DEADLINE Mentoring Report to State Chair DEADLINE State Foundation Report to BWM Foundation Treasurer March 6-7 Legislative Conference Truman Hotel & Conference Center, Jefferson City TBD Lobby Day with Missouri Women s Network Missouri State Capitol, Jefferson City TBD NW Region Inspirational Breakfast Kansas City Metro Area April 23 Executive Board Meeting Harrah s Hotel & Casino, North Kansas City April 24 Pre Conference Board of Directors Mtg. Harrah s Hotel & Casino, North Kansas City April 24-26 2015 State Conference Harrah s Hotel & Casino, North Kansas City Eighth Annual Convention of the Missouri Federation of Business and Professional Womens Clubs Amazing what appears on FaceBook! PSP Debora Biggs shared this photo. She said she was sorry that the date was cut off, but for you BPW history buffs, it should be pretty easy to calculate the date since the photo does say Eighth Annual Convention 9

$11,000 in Foundation Scholarships to Be Awarded! And YOU Can be A Foundation Star Business Women of Missouri Foundation will award eleven $1,000 scholarships in April at the 2015 State Conference. The Foundation is committed to women helping women through education, legislation and building self-sufficiency. Since 1995, the Federation has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to deserving individuals. The application deadline is February 1, 2015. We have prepared a press release for BWM clubs to submit to their local newspapers and/or school counselors. Please encourage the women in your community to apply for a BWM Foundation scholarships. At the same time, you are promoting our mission by providing educational assistance to deserving individuals. The Foundation will have a fundraising auction at the December Board Meeting in Branson and at the State Conference. In addition to Foundation fundraisers, we depend on our Foundation Stars to help Missouri women (and occasionally, men) further their careers through education or training. Please consider becoming a Foundation Star and make a generous donation to support annual scholarships. For your convenience, you may make a donation online with PayPal, or download a form to send with your check. Checks should be payable to Business Women of Missouri Foundation and mailed to Vicki Silkwood, Treasurer, 611 Preacher Street, Chillicothe, MO 64601. The scholarship application, press release, and donation information can be found on our website www. businesswomenmo.org/foundation-and-scholarships. Press Release for Use with Local Media to Announce BWM Foundation s Scholarship Application Deadline FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Business Women of Missouri Scholarship Available Business Women of Missouri Foundation will award eleven $1,000 scholarships in April at their 2015 state conference. The Foundation is committed to women helping women through education, legislation and building self-sufficiency. Since 1995, the Federation has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to deserving individuals. Scholarship applications are available on the organization s website www.businesswomenmo.org. To apply for the scholarship, click on the scholarship link and follow the directions provided. The application deadline is February 1, 2015. [Insert here the names of local scholarship winners from previous year, if any] Applicants must be a Missouri resident and a citizen of the United States. Scholarships are awarded based on a need for financial assistance to upgrade skills and/or to complete education for career advancements. To receive the award, the applicant must show evidence of acceptance into an accredited program. [who has questions should contact -----, who is a member of the --- Business Women of Missouri organization.] #End 10 submitted by: contact information:

Highlights of December Board 2014 The Foundation Auction was a rollicking good time as members bid on gifts based upon the clever clues of the bag or box contents. Pictured at left are Foundation President Betty Beason, Foundation Board member Linda Breckle and honorary auctioneer Mary Clark. PSP Connie Mc- Ginness, right, carefully tabulated the bids, and proudly reported that the auction raised $1, 190, all to be used for the annual scholarships. Foundation President Betty Beason accepted a donation from the Executive Committee given in lieu of a gift exchange between the state officers. Guest Bruce Breckle, above, found the clever clues and the pretty packages too good to pass. He was happy to win one of the bids and displayed his purchase Previous scholarship recipients and current Maryville BWM members, Amanda McGinness and Shelby Jones, pictured at left, were happy to pay it forward as they participated in the auction and get a head start on their Christmas shopping. 11

Missouri Business Woman Magazine PO Box 28243 Kansas City MO 64188 FIRST CLASS MAIL One Reach One Recruiters Earning Gas Cards Mary Clark, Chillicothe Teresa Hensley, Harrisonville Ruth Christain, Harrisonville Betty Beason, Harrisonville Meryline Kramer, Harrisonville Sherry Rolen, Lee s Summit Phyllis Hunter, Lee s Summit Sandi Stegeman (4), Three Rivers Annette Johnson, Sedalia Charli Thompson, Sedalia Donna Stezenbach, Sedalia Della Schnakenberg, Sedalia Laura Ford (2), Kennett Robin Byrd (2), Kennett Debra Holland, Carthage The Program was such a success, that it will be repeated through this fiscal year ending March 31, 2015. Recruit Recruit Recruit Attention All Local Clubs: Deadlines are Coming Soon! February 1, 2015 is the deadline for applications for the Foundation Scholarship. Full details are available on the website: www.businesswomenmo.org. March 1, 2015 is the deadline for Local Club Presidents to complete their Annual Report and get it to the state office. Don t let your local club miss out on the recognition and awards they have earned. Awards are presented at State Conference in April. The form is available as part of the manual on the website: www.businesswomenmo.org. March 1, 2015 is also the deadline for the Mentoring Report to be sent to the State Chair. The form is available as part of the manual on the website: www.businesswomenmo.org. Also on March 1, is the date to get your State Foundation Report to BWM Foundation Treasurer. The form is available as part of the manual on the website: www.businesswomenmo.org. Reference your manual for other forms that should be completed before state conference. For example, your local club s roster of new officers should be completed and sent to the state office. If you have any questions about any of the forms, contact any member of the Executive Commitee or send your questions to the state office: jo.mofedbpw@gmail.com 12