*Vol 2006 - Issue 9* *September, 2006* /*Post Office Box 23874 Chattanooga, TN 37422 (423) 886-8367* / *SEPTEMBER MEETING * *Diversity Seminar* In place of our normal meeting, we are instead planning on attending the DIVERSITY BUSINESS MARKETPLACE 2006. The title of the event is "Making It Happen." The State of Tennessee's Governor's Office of Diversity Business Enterprise, Chattanooga African American Chamber of Commerce, City of Chattanooga and the Tennessee Educational Lottery Corporation teamed together to present Chattanooga's first annual Diversity Business Marketplace, September 21, 2006 at the Chattanooga Convention Center from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This event is designed to provide ALL small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and woman-owned businesses with "on the spot" procurement opportunities as well as workshops covering specific topics to educate and train businesses on how to enhance their management and marketing skills. While procurement and education are the main focus of the event, the networking opportunities and camaraderie also make it a great vehicle to initiate new business contacts. Lunch will be provided by the Convention Center at a cost of $16 per person (non-refundable). No outside food will be allowed. Come join us at this event. Your participation is vital to the success of this unique opportunity. We plan on sitting together during lunch. Register today at the following URL: http://www.chattanoogaaacc.net/DBM2006/register.htm *Special NAWBO Night Out - Thursday 9/14* Several people have mentioned that it is often difficult for them to attend lunch meetings during a working day. In response to that, we are going to start having quarterly evening events. The first event in our evening series will be a Nawbo Night Out networking event at the Walden Club. It will be Thursday, September 14th, from 5:30 PM until 7:00 PM. Please join us for some wine and Hors Doeuvres. Call Pat Egen at 423-875-2652 to reserve your spot at this event. *WELCOME - NEW MEMBER* Dr. Paulette Anderson M & E Land Investment Corp 423-894-6884 *BIRTHDAYS* Deborah Levine - 9/14 Nelda Ward - 9/28 Bobbe Spink - 9/29 *OUR MISSION STATEMENT* Empower women business owners through education, opportunity and support, to achieve success economically, socially, and politically *President's Column By Celeste Friend* Hello NAWBO Friends! We are off to a great start this year! We?ve got lots of fun and educational events lined up to benefit our members over the next couple of months. Everything from participation in the Diversity Business Marketplace (complete with the opportunity to obtain some business that day), to the Race For the Cure, to a NAWBO Night For Networking, to the Self-Defense Workshop, to the Nautilus Awards are planned. Please make room in your schedule for these events. The more you participate, the more you will benefit. The other thing that really benefits us all is growing our group. Each person has something valuable to add ? and expanding our numbers gives us new contacts, new perspectives, and new friends. If you know someone who would be a good addition to our group, invite her to a meeting or event ? we are always delighted to have visitors. We have the potential to be a Powerhouse in this community. Let?s realize that potential. Have a prosperous month! / //Celeste/ *Member Spotlight* *Mary Robertson - Blue Cross Blue Shield* I am the Senior Manager of Corporate Services at BCBST, I have been here nearly 11 years. The areas I am directly responsible for are Travel and Procurement Services, 3 Mail Operations (Internal Mail, Incoming Mail, and Outgoing Mail Dept. - the largest outgoing mail facility in Chattanooga right after the Post Office), Food Services and the Supplier Diversity Program. The Supplier Diversity Program is a rather new formal program in corporate America and I proudly lead a team of dedicated, passionate people who share my joy in helping small and minority business owners get there foot in our door. BCBST was the first organization to have received the Chamber's 2006 Corporate Advocate for Small Business Award. A 2003 graduate of Leadership Chattanooga, I serve as the President of the Chamber's Southside Council, National Association of Women Business Owners Board of Directors, was the Chairwoman of a Blues' national association called NASPURC, served on the National Association of Purchasing Managers Board of Directors, Tennessee Business Travelers Association Board of Directors, and of course, the Downtown YMCA. I enjoy my interaction with people at work and in the community; my hair is on fire when it comes to being able to actively lead a process or program that helps children gain access to a safer and better life - and I use this passion as the coordinator for the YMCA's Camp Sunshine Kids Program. I will complete for my pursuit of a Masters Degree in English at UTC this fall; my undergrad in Business Administration was earned from Bryan College. I enjoy Sunday afternoons on our boat with my husband, the captain of our little ski boat; spin class; yoga; crocheting; reading; writing; traveling; serving the community, and loving my family. I author my own website at www.grandmamimi.com. Mary E. Robertson Senior Manager, Corporate Services 423-535-5659 Chattanooga NAWBO Website National NAWBO Website Send us your comments and articles: Editor Email *PAGE TWO* *Upcoming Events* November 4, 2006 *Women's Self Defense Class* At one of our past luncheons, we had a group from a local karate group show us women self defense techniques. Several people commented that it would be good to have a chance to learn some more in-depth techniques. On November 4, you have a chance to attend a class put on for our group. The class is limited to a maximum of 40 ladies. You can sign up anytime between now and the weekend of the class. There is a sign up page online, or you can call (314-2200) or e-mail (karate@tigersociety.com) to register. A registration form can also be downloaded at http://www.tigersociety.com. Click on Self Defense Classes and you can go ahead register in full. This will avoid needing to fill out all the paperwork the day of the class. If they pre-register, they can return the form with payment to: Tiger Society Martial Arts 626 North Brook Drive Hixson, TN 37343 If you prefer, you can sign up, get yourr name on the list and just register the day of the class. However, they will need a deposit to hold a spot in the class. The class is $20 per person, $15 for 2 or more in a family (immediate family only - children or parents). The deposit to sign up is $10 per person or $5 per person for 2 or more in a family. If a person signs up online, but wants to wait to register the day of the class, they will still need to send a deposit. All those who download the registration form and fill it out and want to mail it in, can either pay the deposit when they send their form, or they can go ahead and pay in full. All fees are non-refundable and they accept checks or money orders made out to Tiger Society Martial Arts. On the day of the class, everyone should wear comfortable, loose clothing. Sweats pants, shorts, workout attire, t-shirts, etc. are all appropriate for the class. The class is open to ladies ages 7 and up. *NAWBO CHATTANOOGA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2006-2007 * President - Celeste Friend Immediate Past President - Marj Flemming Vice President - Julie Bestry Secretary - Katrina Chesney Meeting Management - Mary Robertson Treasurer - Deborah Wooten Membership Chair - Julie Bestry Newsletter - Pat Egen