Women in Focus™ FORUM February 2005 E-Newsletter

UPDATES IN THIS ISSUE

1] President's Message
2] Remembering Black History Month
3] Career Education
4] Business-Owner Bytes
5] Corporate Corner
6] Get Your Ticket: The Wright Place T.V. is Taping a LIVE Mother's Day Show
7] Coming Soon ... WiF International Virtual Network
8] Call for Research Input and I-M-P-A-C-T
9] Call for Award Nominations
10] About Women in Focus FORUM

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
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Greetings Members & Guest Readers:

This is my first opportunity to wish you a "Happy New Year." It brings me sheer joy to have another opportunity to inform and encourage you this month. My personal mantra this year will be, "Establishing Global Ties in 2005." Having spent the last decade or so doing business within and giving back to my local community, I am confident that there is so much more to "giving, learning and embracing diversity." I believe that all people are valuable, and there is a direct wealth factor in learning and sharing. The best news is that I do not harbor this perspective alone -- and I will not "go global" alone. As the leader in this venture, God is my primary partner, and He has began to align people and resources to help pave existing roads and "develop" others throughout this journey.

As we move forward this year, beginning with this e-newsletter, please pay close attention, as this vision unfolds. At Women in Focus™ FORUM, all that we continue to do will be at a broader level with "Inclusion" at the epicenter. If you'd like to travel the road with us, please send me an e-mail or call my office so that we can talk. (If you are receiving this e-newsletter in a language other than English, please use an online translator "to English" before you send it to me. Thank you.)

Now, although we will "Establishing Global Ties in 2005," it will not be at the expense of taking care of home (supporting and loving our families and the local community in which we live). Women in Focus™ FORUM, through our local presence and the upcoming International Virtual FORUM, will continue to challenge people to step onto our platform to receive knowledge, techniques, ‘how to’ information, technical and people skills to propel themselves to the next level of success they have defined and are willing to work toward. So, when you think of success, think of Women in Focus™ FORUM, and think of a place where you will be embraced, encouraged, filled with synergy, receive friendship, challenged to assess self, empowered to change and grow, and expected to engage with excellence. Join us as we, experience a "WiF" of Success.

In the Spirit of Service,
Jonnetta Chambers, M.A.
Founder & President

There is still time to celebrate Black History Month

Check out these resources below for ideas. You can also look in your local paper for live events, visit your local library or search online to educate yourself.

Southern California Business Owners. Come out and be a part of the Southern California Edison (SCE) Celebration of Black History Month. Theme: "Connecting the Evolution of Black History To Electricity" | February 23, 2005 9:30 AM-12 noon | 6090 N. Irwindale Ave, Irwindale, CA 91702 | Keynote speaker is Victoria Lowe of Victoria Lowe Enterprises | SCE contact- Mashi Nysse 626-695-2120

The History Channel - Black History Month -- http://www.historychannel.com/blackhistory

How to Celebrate Black History Month - eHow.com -- http://www.ehow.com/how_14824_celebrate-black-history.html

2005 Black History Month - Buy Posters, Buttons, Lapel Pins to celebrate Black History -- www.DiversityStore.com

Career Education: Degrees, Certificate Programs and Courses

Atlantic International University -- http://www.aiu.edu/AreasStudy.html
Jones International University® -- http://www.jonesinternational.edu/ourPrograms/index.php
The University of Phoenix -- http://online.phoenix.edu/CampusProgramList.asp

Propel Your Career and Increase Your Education: "Invest One Night Per Week!" Choose From:
1] Supervisory Skills Development 6-Week Certificate Program
2] Leadership and Team Development 5-Week Course
3] Coaching Skills for Managers 5-Week Course
4] Managing Organizational Change 5-Week Course

Women in Focus FORUM Members, Supporters and Associates Receive a Discount -- Just Ask! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AND CAREER COURSES OFFERED BY The College of Extended Learning at the California State University, San Bernardino or Call Nancy Pimental at (909) 880.5979 for a catalog or brochure. Continuing Education Units Given. Reference: http://www.wifforum.com/careergrowth.htm

Business-Owner Bytes

Women Entrepreneurs Face Venture Capital Gender Gap: Study finds just 4.2 percent of venture capital went to women in 2003 By: Darren Dahl | http://www.inc.com/criticalnews/articles/200406/women.html

National Business Incubation Association's (NBIA's) UPDATE: Vol. 10, Issue 3 | May 2004. "GEM Report Shows Start-up Firms’ Impact" The latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report underscores the fact entrepreneurs are not to be ignored as economic development catalysts. | http://www.nbia.org/resource_center/updates/sample/index.php

African American Women Gaining in Biz Starts By Sheryl Nance-Nash WeNews correspondent [Run Date: 02/13/05]
http://womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/2183

TODAY’S IMMIGRANT WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR by Susan C. Pearce, Ph.D. | IMMIGRATION POLICY IN FOCUS
Volume 4, Issue 1 |January 2005 | http://www.ailf.org/ipc/ipf011705.asp

Corporate Corner

Article #1: When Selecting Employers, Women Should be Choosy By Perri Capell
http://www.careerjournal.com/recruiters/profiles/20030930-gordon.html

Article #2: DRESSING THE PART; Attire Closely Linked to Professional Image, According to Workers Surveyed
http://www.officeteam.com/PressRoom

BOOK TO READ: The EQ Difference: A Powerful Plan for Putting Emotional Intelligence to Work
by Adele B. Lynn | Emotional intelligence is a hot topic. Proven as a leading driver of success, it's also a hot commodity. The EQ Difference offers practical tips and suggestions for developing emotional intelligence and reaping its benefits in any work environment. The book helps professionals at all levels understand how emotions can have a profound effect on performance, values, and relationships in the workplace. The EQ Difference features: * A step-by-step process for improving emotional intelligence * Very practical workplace examples * Creative language and presentation of concepts including Letters to Leaders, excepts from performance reviews, questions to ask your "self-coach" * Methods, exercises tips, and suggestions for improving and building self-awareness about emotional intelligence. Techniques such as scanning, recognizing triggers, identifying emotional m.o.'s (modus operandi,) distinguishing emotional workviews, shifting, and a formula for redirecting emotional reactions gives the reader a completely new look at self-management.

Get Your Ticket: The Wright Place T.V. is Taping a LIVE Mother's Day Show

The Wright Place T.V. is Taping its 3rd Annual Mothers Day special on April 5, 2005 at 1 PM in Irwindale, CA. Southern California Edison is the Presenting Sponsor. You can have a great time and join in the Mother's Day fun as an audience member. Please request your spot by e-mailing info@wrightplacetv.com. Include your name, telephone number, email address (where you would like to receive further information about "THIS particular show"), mailing address and any special instructions. Seating is limited and fills-up every year. Don't wait. Reserve your space today.

COMING SOON ... WiF International Virtual Network

News Release ...
------------------------------------------------ Contact Jonnetta Chambers, M.A.
------------------------------------------------ jc@wifforum.com | 909.873.5055
------------------------------------------------ Box 1334 | Rialto, CA | 92377-1334

Women in Focus FORUM Expands Around the Globe
Women in Focus FORUM, A Professional Business Network,
Shares the vision of its upcoming International Virtual FORUM

Rialto, CA (February 14, 2005) -- Women won't need a passport to travel through our custom kiosk where they can tap into key resources to support their personal and business growth. Women in Focus FORUM's upcoming International Virtual Network will provide a menu of services and avail itself as a leading portal of career, entrepreneurial, health, wealth, educational and self-help information and online education. The "International Virtual FORUM" is slated to kick-off this spring and will target women in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, the Middle East and Australia. This site will have both general audience and custom content to attract each region of participants.

"The Women in Focus International Virtual FORUM will challenge its members and guests to log-on, call-in, articulate, contribute, observe, and get involved if they want to transcend from where they are to where they'd like to be" says President, Jonnetta Chambers. "Women in Focus FORUM can set the stage, but the participants must be ready to engage." Involving, educating and uniting people from around the globe, the Women in Focus International Virtual FORUM will provide an atmosphere that affirms current research from the Center for International Private Enterprise (Washington, DC) indicating that the global market responds well to qualities women entrepreneurs bring to the international playing field such as proficiency in building and maintaining long-term relationships and networks, effective communication skills and sensitivity to cultural differences. Additional research from BlueSuitMom.com contends that only 13 percent of American managers sent abroad are women, despite the fact that they represent 49 percent of all managers and professionals. So, by participating in the Women in Focus International Virtual FORUM's atmosphere, driven with these perspectives in mind, millions of participants out there will increase their return on investment and grow their competitive edge both personally and professionally.

Since 1999, Women in Focus FORUM has delivered its career and educational services to individuals, businesses and communities by forging alliances and partnerships with more than 200 entities. For more information about the Women in Focus International Virtual FORUM or to learn how your company or educational institution can get involved, e-mail us at WiFvirtual@wifforum.com. Media can contact us at 951.532.4177.

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Call for Research Input and I-M-P-A-C-T: http://www.wifforum.com/intlrsrch1.htm

Women in Focus FORUM is conducting research on behlaf of the upcoming WiF International Virtual Network. A "GLOBAL WOMEN'S RESEARCH Response Form" has been composed to allow you to help us get an indicator of what women want, to get to the next level over the next three to five years. We are interested in hearing from Women around the world (such as you). Your identity when responding will be confidential. With your support, you can affect a network of services currently being developed to help women propel their lives and businesses to the next level. Please be honest ... YOU CAN ALSO SUPPORT US BY FORWARDING THIS SURVEY LINK TO OTHER WOMEN TO PARTICIPATE. Thank you. CLICK HERE to participate: http://www.wifforum.com/intlrsrch1.htm

Call for Award Nominations -- More Details Will Be Announced in Our Spring Newsletter
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Women in Focus™ FORUM Business-Community-Educational Awards is going international. In our next e-newsletter we will seek nominations to honor women from around the globe to be inducted in to our Inaugural International Hall of Fame. "Stay Tuned" for more detailed information.

About Women in Focus FORUM

Women in Focus FORUM announcements are complimentary. If you would like to not receive further notifications regarding our meetings, event and news updates, please reply to the e-mail you received and you will be removed within 48 hours of request. Thank you. | Women in Focus FORUM is solely a Mentoring Group for women, college students & teens -- men and young men are welcome too! So, get on board. GET SERIOUS. Improve your life. Enhance the life of someone else. It's all about success with support! Join us today. Come to Our Place & Experience a WiF of Success!