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Their turn
By SHARON L. BOND, Neighborhood Times Business Editor ST. PETERSBURG -- One morning last week, in less than two hours, a committee of the Women's Council of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce sketched out its fall event. Exactly how the women went about their business provides insight into the council, which now is the largest of the chamber's subgroups. Some would say the Women's Council is the most dynamic. The group sees all of Pinellas County as its territory. "What about health issues?" asked Suzanne Fisher as six council members met in a small room at the Atlanta Bread Co. downtown over coffee and low-fat muffins. Fisher is manager of Coplon's, the women's dress shop on Beach Drive and a past chair of the council. Christine Weigle, of Business and Professional Women's Florida, liked the idea of a health issues forum, saying that osteoporosis would be a good topic. She is head of the committee that plans another of the council's annual events, the fall golf tournament. Dianne Caton, director of special events for the chamber, who serves as a liaison for the council, said local health service providers were interested in the fall event. "We could do a whole health forum," said Lisa Wharton Turner, who heads the council this year and is associate director of advancement, alumni and community relations at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. "I think osteoporosis is a great idea for the forum," said Fisher. "I think you might lose a lot of younger people if this becomes osteoporosis exclusively," said Kristin Guenthardt, financial adviser with Raymond James & Associates. She becomes head of the council Oct. 1. "I think health insurance should be added," said Dolores K. Benjamin, executive director for the Resource Center for Women in Largo. "We need the current statistics on just how many women in Florida don't have health care," Turner said. The forum, tentatively set for Nov. 5, was divided into a health fair from 4-5 p.m.; socializing, 5-5:30 p.m.; and then information from experts for an hour and a half. It will be open to the public, but there will be an admission cost to cover the catering. These plans will have to be agreed upon by the entire Women's Council, and prospective sponsors and venues must be approached and secured. But the idea is in motion, and different committee members have jobs to do or information to gather before the full council meets this week. St. Petersburg chamber chairman Terry Brett said he got this advice when he asked his predecessor about the Women's Council. "We probably have 40 committees at the chamber. Some are very active, and some aren't," Brett said. "What do I need to do? I asked Bernie Young. "She said, "Your best bet with the Women's Council is just to stay out of the way,' " Brett said. Initially he did that, so much so that Turner asked him to become a little more involved. Benjamin, of the Resource Center for Women in Largo, said she has been involved with the council for about three years. "This is the first, I would say, major coming together of working women in Pinellas County," she said. "We have never had that." The Women's Council began in the early 1990s as a chamber committee putting together an event for women's history month (March). In the past few years, the council has gained momentum as it has become more focused and more active. "This is a focal point in Pinellas County," said Benjamin. "That is why it is growing. They get things done in a hurry because their time is limited." The council exists to draw women into business circles and get them involved in a network from which they can draw support and experience and provide the same to others. The group meets monthly, alternating its venues between nonprofit agencies and council members' businesses. That way, members get to know each other's businesses and become acquainted with the nonprofit groups. Up to 50 of the council's 200 members attend the monthly meetings, according to Turner. Brett said that was a lot for a chamber subgroup. "It's a whole variety of people. It provides a forum for us all to work together. It's a network, the same way as the old boys' network," Turner said. The Women's Council is putting together a resource directory in order to draw on the expertise of members when questions and needs arise. Turner said that was one of the main goals this year. The group has three events: the fall one, for which planning was done last week; the golf tournament; and the Women's Symposium in March, which honors a local businesswoman and community activist each year and brings in a nationally known speaker. Nearly 800 people attended this year's luncheon to hear Andrea Mitchell, NBC News foreign affairs correspondent. "In my memory, that is the biggest event we (the chamber) have ever had," Brett said. "As far as the council goes, they are great ambassadors for the chamber. When you can put on an event and draw 800 people, and the chamber can say, we are part of that," it can only help. How much of the success derives from the gender of most of its members? (Men are welcome, but not many are members.) "I think the first thing is that they are focused," said Brett. "They try to pursue and advance causes more oriented toward women, and that helps in their energy." "I think gender is a very small part of it," said Jewly Youschak, who owns Inn at the Bay with her husband, Dennis. She has been a council member for just over a year. "It's businesswomen that are supporting each other in the community," Youschak said. "The fact that (members are) women gives it a common denominator. "I find it probably the most dynamic group of individuals I've ever been associated with. They come from so many different areas of the community. They are very willing to share their expertise." Youschak attended the chamber's Entrepreneurial Academy several years ago as she and her husband were beginning the inn. She says what she learned there was the beginning. "Now I'm in business, and I need that next step. That is what I find in the Women's Council, that next step," the result of the networking and knowledge gained from other members.
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From the Times South Pinellas desks Letters |
