GOLDEN
NUGGET
GOLDEN DOME NEWSLETTER
FOR AND ABOUT PROFESSIONALS
Golden Dome – 37 Years of Excellence
Golden Dome Chapter No. 1230
of the
America Business Women’s Association
Chartered - April 1972
Atlanta, GA
S. Diane White, Newsletter Editor
1735 John Calvin Avenue
College Park, GA 30337
404-209-1185 / 404-281-4074
sdwhite57@ymail.com
Vol. 1 – Issue No. 13
August 2010
The President’s Message
Hello Golden Dome,
It is with heartfelt appreciation and humility that I send this first message to you for the
2010-2011 ABWA Fiscal Year. Words are inadequate for me to express my feelings as we begin
this awesome journey together.
Videssa Woods
When I look at the overall ABWA theme for this year “LEADING WITH VISION” it is impossible for me to visualize
a person without a vision. We all have a vision of our lives, which encompasses our dreams and gives us the picture of
fulfillment. When we permit others to dicker with our vision, the distorted result can cease to inspire and motivate us.
Perhaps we aspire to become the scientist who develops a cure for sickle cell anemia or cancer; if we succumb to another’s
exhortations instead, we are bound to failure and thus have cheated ourselves of our dreams. As your elected leader, I
promise to remain focused on the fact that we continue to “CELEBRATE THE SUCCESS” as we “Bridge the Gap and
Lead with Vision”.
We have a fantastic year ahead of us and it is my desire to Lead with the Vision that has been set for us and not to allow
others to reduce the scope of our vision.
Love to each of you,
Videssa A. Woods
President
In This Issue:
President’s Message. . . . . . . . .Cover
Minutes of July 12th. . . . . . . . . . .3-4
Speaker’s Information . . . . . . . . . . .6
Atlanta Area Council Luncheon. . . .8
Kudos/Birthdays/Bereavement. . .10
Agenda/Invocation/Mission . . . . . . 2
Reminders / Code of Conduct . . . . 5
Insurance/Financial Info. . . . . . . . . . 7
2010-11 Committee Chairs. . . . . . . . .9
Meeting Agenda
Vol. 1 - Issue No. 13
Golden Dome Chapter
“Leading with Vision”
Meeting Agenda
August 2, 2010
Networking
INVOCATION
6:00pm – 6:30pm
Call to Order
Videssa Woods, President
Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance/
Mission Statement
Welcome
Unison
Launa Bacon, Vice President
Introduction of Head Table
Videssa Woods, Pres.
New Member Installation
Videssa Woods, Pres.
Grace
Willie Mae Hood
DINNER
Introduction of Speaker
Speaker
Eunice Carter
Rosemary Willingham
BUSINESS MEETING
Reading of July Minutes
Treasurer’s Report
Marlena B. Coggins
BENEDICTION
Approval of Outreach Proposal (School Supplies)
Benediction
Adjournment
The mission of the American Business
Women’s Association is to bring together
business women of diverse occupations
and to provide opportunities for them to
help themselves and others grow
personally and professionally through
leadership, education, networking support
and national recognition.
Bessie W. Poole
Approval of Standing Rules/Code of Conduct
Door Prizes
Lord in the quite of this hour, we come to
thee for wisdom and for power, to view
Thy world through only love-filled eyes; to
grow in understanding; to be wise and
sure to see Thy guiding light; and thus to
know each other as Thou knowest us.
Amen
MISSION STATEMENT
Announcements
Correspondence
August 2010
Sarah Mobley
Carrol Walker/Joyce Rowe Garrett
Unison
O, guiding spirit, guardian of our days, be
with us as we go our separate ways. Help
us to feel those thoughts that lift and bless.
To know a closer bond of friendliness, to
see Thy beauty, always everyday,
translated into living, this we pray.
Amen
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Vol. 1 - Issue No. 13
July 12th Meeting Minutes
Golden Dome Chapter Monthly
Meeting Minutes – July 12, 2010
The monthly meeting began with a networking
session from 6-6:30pm at the Paschal’s Restaurant
at Castleberry Hill located at 108B Northside Drive,
NW, Atlanta, GA 30313.
The July 12, 2010 meeting was called to order at
6:40pm by President, Eunice Carter, and the
Invocation, Pledge Allegiance, and the Mission
Statement were said in unison.
Madam President, Eunice Carter welcomed all the
members and guests. She followed by introducing
the members of the Executive Board and our
Program Chairman.
Our Program Chair, Mrs. Marlena Coggins
introduced our Speaker of the Month, Mrs.
Geraldine Edmonds Dodson. Mrs. Dodson is a
Licensed Property/Casualty Insurance Broker, and
she has specialized in Contracting & Procurement
for the U.S. Government, ten years in banking,
finance,
commercial
insurance,
contract
development, and administration. Also, she has
sixteen years in employee relations and five years in
fundraising in higher education. Currently, she is
helping to do a survey in the community and
working as a spokesperson for Willie A. Watkins
Funeral Home. She is a graduate of Morris Brown
College.
Mrs. Geraldine E. Dodson’s topic: How do I Pre-
arrange and Plan out my Funeral? Now is the
perfect time to start Planning for life’s events.
Mrs. Dodson stated that planning out our loved
ones funeral or your own is one of the hardest
things a family member has to face. She is
August 2010
conducting a survey to determine how members
of our community plan for the death of a loved
one. She offers help to improve their service by
pinpointing what is most important to each family.
There services include: Pre-paid funeral planning,
service merchandise, caskets, urns, cremation,
memorials, and an insurance policy that cover all
the expenses.
Preplanning enables a person to create a
personalized celebration of one’s life and will allow
your family and friends to focus on remembering
and honoring you. The funds used to establish a
policy are not taxable, and you receive about a 3%
interest rate. Also, the policy they offer is
affordable depending on each individual desires,
and they are transferable. If there are left over
funds, they may be returned to the estate. A
person may establish a policy as long as they are
under the age of 90 years old. Insurance
coverage is provided by National Guardian Life
Insurance Company. The cost of funerals varies
depending on what you want. Cremation and
memorial services are more economical. One
important things she explained is that the funeral
expenses and the cemetery vault (Plot for burial)
are two separate costs, however; they provide
assistance with both. She encouraged everyone to
take the first step and start planning to help make
life a lot easier for their family.
The members received the information very
positively and were very interested. There was a
question and answer session. She was applauded
for her candid and informative presentation. Mrs.
Dodson was presented a plaque from Golden
Dome by Mrs. Marlena Coggins, and a photo was
taken for our scrapbook.
President Carter recognized the Member of the
Month, Mrs. Carrol J. Walker. Currently, Carrol is
the Business Manager for Wilbanks & Bridges Law
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Vol. 1 - Issue No. 13
July 12th Meeting Minutes (cont.)
August 2010
corrections to the Treasurer’s Report, and it will be
filed for audit.
Golden Dome Chapter Monthly Meeting
Minutes – July 12, 2010 (cont.)
Firm and is the owner of C J Walker Office
Management Services, LLC where she is a
consultant for several law firm and small businesses
on legal building systems, technical equipment
purchasing, software selection and training, policies
and procedures and general office management
organizational techniques. She has worked in the
legal field for thirteen plus years. Prior to working
the legal field, Carrol worked for WPBA Channel 30
(PBS) as a Master Control Engineer, on-air telethon
anchor, and became the Assistant Public Relations
Manager for the PBS station. Later she joined a
larger PBS station, Georgia Public Broadcasting,
and worked a total of thirteen years in Broadcasting.
Carrol attended San Antonio College and St. Mary’s
University with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass
Communication. She received additional studies
from DeKalb College with an AS Degree in RadioTelevision Broadcasting in 1984. Carol is a full-time
student at DeVry University pursuing a Masters of
Science Degree in Business Technical Management.
She and her husband of 29 years are the proud
parents of a wonderful daughter and son.
Dinner: The Grace was stated by Eunice Carter
and dinner was served.
Business Meeting:
The minutes of the last
meeting were viewed from the newsletter and there
were no corrections. A motion for the approval of
the minutes was made by Carrol Walker and it was
seconded by Jenelle Brooks Wilson. The minutes
will be filed as printed.
Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer’s report was
given by Bessie Poole, Treasurer. The Beginning
Balance: $5,332.76; Credits $766; Debits $1,370.64;
and the Ending Balance $4,728.12. There were no
Correspondence: Corresponding Secretary, Joyce
Rowe Garrett summarized the following
correspondences: The Alabama Council ABWA
will host a workshop, speaker, networking, and
lunch on Saturday, August 7, 2010 from 9am – 3pm
at the Wynlakes Golf & Country Club located at
7900 Wynlakes Boulevard, Montgomery Al. The
cost is $50 for ABWA members and $60 for nonmembers of ABWA.
For more information
contact: Jill Farris at 334-270-2063 or her email is:
Jill.Farris@knology.net. Also, you may see the
following website: www.abwa.org and click on
Membership, then Council and type in Alabama for
the State (Enter), and Alabama website will come up
and Click on Meetings, then August 7, 2010 and
complete the registration form on line with all
details.
Crabapple Charter Chapter is hosting a Health and
Wellness Fair and 5K Walk/Run for Education on
September 25, 2010 from 10am – 2pm. It will be
held at Mill Spring Academy located at 13660 New
Providence Road, Milton, GA. Registration before
August 16 is $25; after August 16 the cost is $35;
children 12 and under are free, registration for
children begins at 9am.
Registration begins at
8:30am for adults. For more information, check:
www.ABWACrabappleHealthFair.com
There was no other business or announcements.
There was no raffle and door prizes given out. Mrs.
Margaret Williams stated that she will bring the
door prizes back for the August 2, 2010 meeting.
Madam President announced that the members may
remain and continue to eat their foods after the
Benediction was stated in unison and adjourned at
7:40pm.
Launa B. Bacon
Launa B. Bacon
Recording Secretary
4
Reminders / Code of Conduct
Vol. 1 - Issue No. 13
August 2010
ABWA’S
Proud Code of Conduct
CHAPTER NEWS & NOTES!
ATTENTION! ATTENTION!
Dear Golden Dome Members:
Please note that all National and Local Chapter Dues
must be current in order for you to participate in
chapter activities. You must pay for your meals each
month to be considered present. YOU HAVE NO
VOTE and NO VOICE, IF YOU DO NOT PAY
FOR YOUR MEAL.
Please check with our Hospitality Chair if you have any
special dietary and nutritional needs. If you do not
want to eat your meal, that late in the evening, you may
ask for a to-go-box. Parking is FREE and the meal
cost is $21.00 per person.
1.
All members will serve as
ambassadors for the American
Women’s Association.
2.
Members will not allow their personal beliefs
and convictions to interfere with the
representation of ABWA’s mission.
3.
Members will always treat their member
colleagues, guests, vendors and sponsors with
honesty,
respect,
fairness,
integrity,
responsibility, kindness and in good faith.
4.
Members will maintain compliance with ABWA
National, Chapter and Express Network
Bylaws.
5.
Members will not use their personal power to
advance their personal interests.
6.
Members will strive for excellence in their
professions by maintaining and enhancing their
own business knowledge and skills, and by
encouraging the professional development of
other members.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
Monthly Meetings
goodwill
Business
1st Monday night of each month
6:00pm – 8:30pm
Paschal's Restaurant @ Castleberry Hill
180B Northside Drive, SW
Atlanta, GA 30312
6:00pm – 6:30pm – Networking
Meeting begins at 6:30pm
Executive Board Meeting
Monday, August 23, 2010 @ 6:00pm
Bethel Village
500 Richard Allen Blvd
Atlanta, GA 30331
404-699-5665
WIN .. Step into the future with ABWA
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Vol. 1 - Issue No. 13
Speaker’s Information
August 2010
Rosemary Sims Willingham
Having lived my entire life in the city of Atlanta, GA, it has given me numerous blessings, like strong ties to my
family who have instilled in me the importance of quality education. As the oldest of four girls, I learned
responsibility and leadership at a young age and taught my sisters by being a positive role model.
In
addition, my friends have provided great support in all my endeavors as a young professional in the business
community. It is my turn to "give back" to the community by serving in any capacity I can help women to lead
better lives. Married to Walter Willingham we have two daughters, Arnetta Giles and Toya Riley and a beautiful
granddaughter Nyna Rose Riley.
Over the years, I have always tried to stay positive, involved and feel passionate about giving back. Therefore,
volunteered at several women's shelters including My Sister’s House and Abernathy Shelter for Women; worked
with the Dress for Success Program; volunteered at Bonterra Nursing Home, Grady Health Care and many
outreach programs through Zion Hill Baptist Church ministries and American Business Women Association. I
am an active in ministries at Zion Hill Baptist Church, currently serving as president of the Courtesy Guild
Ministry, member of Evangelism and Missionary Ministries.
My work in the business arena began at the Ivan Allen Company in 1969 where I remained until 2001 when a
National Office Products Company acquired the company. It has been a pleasure to provide services and
products to numerous Atlanta businesses over the years. I continued to work in the industry building customer
relations and helping companies find the right products for their offices. I currently made a career transition
with MassMutual Brill Financial Group, where I am still building relationship and helping others. Currently I am
an independent broker representing several Fortune 100 companies in the insurance and financial industry. I am
a broker for insurance for the following insurance products; term, whole life, critical illness, final needs plans and
long-term care insurance products.
A national member of the American Business Women’s Association as well as a member of the Golden Dome
Chapter and has severed as president of the Southlake Chapter and vice president of Atlanta Downtown
Express Network (ADEN). I have served in many capacities on various committees and chaired their respective
Executive Boards. Honored to have served on the Formation Team of the Southlake Chapter and once
its chartered I became the 1st Vice-President. Also served as 2004-2005 Corresponding Secretary, 2006 Treasurer
and 2007 Vice Chair of the Atlanta Area Council became Council Chairman 2008.
Always striving to broaden my knowledge and educational horizons in preparing for a world of change, I
enrolled at Atlanta School of Business and completed courses at Clayton State College, Atlanta Technical
College, and Dale Carnegie Sales Course for career growth to obtain current workplace knowledge. I have
participated in numerous other certified programs offered through ABWA. Graduate of Shorter College, B.S. in
Management cum laude. I am currently enrolled in graduate program for general counseling at Capella University.
This has truly led to a career path to help women to lead in all aspects of their lives. However, we cannot lead
until we are servants at heart.
It is an honor and pleasure for me to serve as 2008 Council Chairman of Atlanta Area Council of ABWA and
most recently selected as Woman of Year by an outside panel. Atlanta Area Council consists of more than thirty
chapters and express networks in metropolitan Atlanta. Selected as 2008 Unsung Heroine by The National
Coalition of 100 Black Women of Atlanta is a community award I will always cherish. As Chairman of AAC, I
have help women to strive for leadership roles in their communities and workplace, with the knowledge we can
only be great when those we help, helps another from lessons they have learned. We should all strive for
greatness.
Vol. 1 - Issue No. 13
Insurance / Financial Assistance Information
August 2010
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Vol. 1 - Issue No. 13
Atlanta Area Council Delegate’s Report
August 2010
AND A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Annual Atlanta Area Council July Luncheon began with a very
informative morning session which was presented by our “FOREVER
TENS” – Richie Morris – Hidden Hills, Barbara Christian Campbell –
Hidden Hills, Marcita Scharnhorst – Douglas County Charter Chapter, Dr.
Maggie Mercer – Douglas County Charter Chapter and our very own Marlena
Coggins was very enlightening and informative for those of us in attendance.
They provided insight into obtaining National Top Ten. Some “Winning
Edge” pointers provided were 1) Stay Committed, 2) Community
Involvement, 3) Write your own story with enthusiasm, 4) Join Civic
Organizations and 5) Never stop learning. This session was ended by a
question and answer period which climaxed with the question “Why are the
retired members not included in the number of those eligible to run for
National Top Ten?” The panel was unable to provide an answer but promised
to seek out the answer.
The Luncheon celebrating our District One Vice President, Anne Pasquini
was a grand success. Attendance was up and this made for a very good
presentation. The District 1 Vice President candidate Christine Wright
presented her candidates’ speech to the national candidates, topic “How to
Utilize WIN to Impress Women to Join ABWA” which was to the point and
quite timely. There were so many dignitaries from around the country present
that you would have thought it was in honor of Stephen Bufton, himself. We
were graced with the presence of two of our National Officers – National
President, Casey Coven and National Secretary-Treasurer, Lynn Drowne. A
large number of past and present District Vice Presidents were in attendance and
helped to make a grand celebration. Anne was presented with a beautiful gift (Lead
Crystal Vase) from the July Luncheon committee members, headed by Christine Mann.
A very special recognition was given by Anne Pasquini to her parents which
were very touching and heart wrenching for her as well as those of us in
attendance. Special recognition to past PAACC Patricia Malone was done and
a group photo was taken of the committee with her photo in the center. Ms.
Pasquini advised us that she and Christine Mann attended the recognition
luncheon held in Warner Robbins wherein Patricia Malone was inducted into
the Women of Aviation Hall of Fame.
There was good news provided by
Atlanta Area Council Chair, Janice
Trusdale Harris who announced that
due to the great participation at the
Atlanta Area Council Annual Workshop
they were able to give out two (2) one-half registrations to ABWA National Leadership Conference; Ms. Roshon
Thomas was the alternate recipient.
Videssa Woods
8
Atlanta Area Council Delegate
Vol. 1 - Issue No. 13
Sharon Preston-Harris
Professional Development
Sherry Mallory
Publicity
2010-11 Golden Dome Committee Chairs
August 2010
Tomyko L. Levi
Membership
Rosemary S. Willingham
Programs
S. Diane White
Newsletter
Patricia Smith
Hospitality
Willie Mae Hood
Rainbow
Lena Reid
History/Scrapbook
Carroll Walker & Joyce Rowe-Garrett
Fundraiser/ Ways & Means
Barbara Turner & Jenelle Brooks-Wilson
Outreach
9
Kudos / Bereavement
Vol. 1 - Issue No. 13
August 2010
August Member of the Month
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Helen Storey – August 12
Sonya Lowe – August 28
SICKNESS & BEREAVEMENT
Barbara Turner
Joyce Garrett’s sister Jenelle Sweeney Head
past on Sat., July 24th and was funeralized on
Sat., July 31st at Higher Hope Ministries.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Our Website is Up
www.goldendomeabwa.org
Have you made plans to attend the
It is still a work in progress.
Take the time to look at it and let
Vice President Launa Bacon
know what you think.
2010 National
Women’s Leadership Conference
Chattanooga, TN
October 28-30, 2010
Full Registration Fee - $479.00
Hotel Registration Deadline
October 5, 2010
Room Rates - $149.00 per night
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Vol. 1 - Issue No. 13
Golden Nugget
August 2010
Notes
11
Vol. 1 - Issue No. 13
Golden Nugget
August 2010
The first gold rush in U.S. history did not start in California in 1849. It was 1828, when gold was discovered in a
part of the Cherokee Nation, known today as Dahlonega, GA. The town gets its name from the Cherokee
Word, talonega, meaning golden. A U.S. Branch Mint opened there in 1838, pumping out $6 million in gold
coins – over $100 million in today’s dollars. This gold was used to build the Dome on the State Capitol and thus
our Chapter was named “Golden Dome” after the State Capitol.
Golden Dome Chapter No. 1230
c/o S. Diane White, Newsletter Editor
1735 John Calvin Avenue
College Park, GA 30337