Irving Women's Network

to Infinity and Beyond!

Irving Women's Network — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 02:43:40 +0000

Wow, gals! Our last meeting was so awesome! The food was over the top, yes, I’m a foodie. In addition to that, our speaker, Mary Amoedo, got us all thinking a lot more about what it takes to move our businesses and ourselves to the NEXT level. She also taught us how to think in smaller steps to get us to our goal ….. now if I can just figure out how to define that goal and determine my steps ….. that’s my homework. Beyond all of the above, I had such a good time visiting with all the beautiful, powerful women leaders. I found out why Margie Stipes has an elementary school named for her (she didn’t even sit at my table). There was a petition. There were many announcements about community affairs including charity events. There were accolades and thank-yous for service from our members. I am so thrilled to be a small part of a group of women who impact Irving to Infinity and Beyond!

Shrilyn Clay, Ambit Energy – IWN member

July Coffee Connection Recap

Irving Women's Network — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 21:09:33 +0000

Why do women enjoy the camaraderie afforded at the intimate IWN Coffee Connections?

Because it’s a great time to take a break, relax, visit and begin to get to know each other. That hour or so, on the second Friday of each month, speeds up the relationship building which is so necessary to women in their business, social and private lives.

Do you know…..

Which IWN member broke records in running during her stint as a Marine?

Who just found out she is pregnant with her first child?

What mother of seven is working on her Masters?

Where all did one member sail to on her recent two week cruise?

Come join us and discover the interesting lives of the women you meet at our monthly luncheons.

August Coffee Connection • Second Friday, August 12 • 3pm –4pm

La Madeleine – MacArthur Blvd @ Royal Lane in Irving

IWN’s The Main Place

Irving Women's Network — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 21:02:06 +0000

Five IISD big wigs came for a presentation and tour of The Main Place on a hot Tuesday afternoon, July 5. Present were School Superintendent, Dr Dana Bedden; brand new Assistant Superintendent, Dr Melody Paschall; Director for Elementary Teaching & Learning, Dr Cheryl Jennings; Director of Special Services, Dr Judy Rudebusch; and Assistant to the Superintendent, Ralph Dias.

All were impressed with The Main Place and the work done by the Irving Women’s Network team of volunteers. Dr Bedden volunteered to call Ken Murray, owner of Ken Murray A/C and Heat to see if he can help with our air conditioning unit that needs replacing. Ralph Dias said he will organize corporate, community and church teams who contact him to help IISD.

Sharon E Johnston, Director of Homeless Teens Project and PIE, Project PASS

WHY Does She Act Like That?!

Irving Women's Network — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:51:40 +0000

Kim Schuld, The Life Journey Coach, will present a talk, Wired That Way, at IWN’s June luncheon. Kim is a life coach, fitness coach and motivational speaker who will show us how to evaluate our life journey and challenge us to reach for higher productivity and satisfaction in both our personal and professional lives.

Learn the keys to observing other people’s personalities and how to have more productive and satisfying communication with them.

Discover how to recognize your own hard wiring and personal needs in order to amplify your strengths and overcome your weaknesses.

Join us as Kim intersperses humor with thought-provoking insight on Tuesday, June 28 – 11:30 am – 1 pm. Reservations needed. Email to iwnirving@yahoo.com (put June Reservation in subject line) or call 972-579-1826. Cost includes lunch. Guests: $20 with reservation; $23 at door. IWN Members: $17 with reservation; $20 at door.

Check out Kim’s website – www.thelifejourneycoach.com

Dr. Elba Garcia – a great example!

Irving Women's Network — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 02:16:05 +0000

How does IWN member, Dr Elba Garcia, keep up with everything in our community? Not only does she have a thriving dental practice, she’s the elected Dallas County Commissioner – so her community is not just Irving – it’s the entire county.

She’s busy. Very busy. Yet, she shows up everywhere. She not only shows up, she brings stuff – and if she can’t attend in person, she has someone bring stuff on her behalf.

Example: Elba couldn’t make it to the shower for The Main Place – but she didn’t just ignore the event or the need behind the shower – she had an assistant bring her very thoughtful donation – toothbrushes & toothpaste for IWN to give to the homeless teens/hand soap and sanitizing soap with refills for The Main Place.

Example: June 1 was IWN Teacher Appreciation Lunch at Stipes Elementary School. Elba was unable to stay to help serve but she participated nonetheless—bringing a big box of churros for dessert.

When you think you are too busy to participate in community activities in which you have a passion, remember Elba and how she makes time for so many events and so many people.

Thanks Elba – you show us how much more blessed it is to give than to receive.

Sharon Johnston, IWN Director Homeless Teens & PIE – Project PASS

Irving City Councilmen help The Main Place

Irving Women's Network — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 02:10:04 +0000

Irving City Councilman Roy Santoscoy and his wife, Cindy, donated a much needed sewing machine to The Main Place. Anyone who sews and has the desire to help Irving Women’s Network help the homeless teens contact Sharon Johnston @ 214-202-0225.

We already have amassed a small pile of clothing which needs mending – nothing serious if you know how – mysterious to those of us who don’t- zippers, rips, hems, etc.

Irving City Councilman Michael Gallaway and his wife Deborah, an Irving Women’s Network member, donated a huge case of paper towels and supplies.

This is not the first time the Gallaway’s and Santoscoy’s have donated to The Main Place. It seems they are ready to participate at every opportunity.

It’s wonderful that our elected officials are proactive in the needs of the community. Thanks Roy, Cindy, Michael and Deborah.

Sharon Johnston, IWN Director of Homeless Teens & PIE – Project PASS

What Kind of Women Belong to IWN?

Irving Women's Network — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 02:05:22 +0000

IWN member Linda Lummus, owner of Consulting Services International, just placed an order for 600 shopping bags (an assortment of three different sizes) to be delivered to The Main Place. The teens who are referred for new clothing by IISD and Winfree Academy counselors have transportation issues. So many of the kids have to ride the bus with their parcels – it makes it so much easier for them to have shopping bags in which to carry their goodies.

Linda also purchased and delivered $300 worth of cleaning supplies for The Main Place. Wonder what kind of women belong to Irving Women’s Network? Wonder no more – kind, caring, generous women of character.

Thank you, Linda.

Sharon Johnston, Director of Homeless Teens & PIE – Project PASS

The Value of Networking

Irving Women's Network — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 01:59:49 +0000

Last Thursday, along with Margie Stipes, Sandy Franco, Deya Molina and Jan Killen, I helped serve lunch for the IWN Teacher Appreciation Luncheon at Stipes Elementary. Sloan Johnston, Elba Garcia and a few unidentified others had dropped off food earlier. As a Partner in Education with Stipes, IWN prepares and serves lunch at the end of the school year to honor the teachers. The teachers, however, humble us with their gratitude for the home cooked meal.

Afterwards, I met Maryellen Holbrook at The Main Place. She is on the CIC of the Jack Singley Academy and during their meeting the principal told her of some kids who did not have appropriate clothing for graduation. So, after emailing and texting and calling, she got the guys clothing needs and their sizes. They couldn’t come themselves, as they were having graduation practice and didn’t have transportation anyway. We quickly put together a classy suit, dress shirt, belt and snazzzy tie for each and she delivered them to the lead counselor’s office. We threw in some new underwear and socks as well.

If you wonder about the value of networking – just reread the above and let it sink in. I thank my God, for every rememberance of you. I am so blessed.

Sharon Johnston

The Main Place Shower & Open House May 21, 2011

cmvanvleet — Sat, 14 May 2011 16:27:22 +0000

by Sharon Johnston, IWN Director of Partners In Education – Homeless Teens

The Main Place’s mission, through charity partnerships and generous donor suppport, is to provide clothing for homeless teens. In April, The Main Place dressed 20 homeless teens and on May 7, two teens received attire for prom. The Main Place also received 41 1/2 volunteer hours in April. So far, in early May volunteers have generously given 50 volunteer hours.

But we still need your help in this vital mission. Here’s how you can help:

Now while supplies last, when making your $10 or more donation, you’ll receive a free t-shirt in appreciation.

Help The Main Place bloom this spring! May 21st from 2 – 4 will be an open house at The Main Place. Come take a tour of the amazing distribution center and learn more about the facility. The Main Place is also in need of many operational items to help it be successful and will be accepting donations that day. (See the downloadable flyer below).

Want to volunteer? Contact us at iwnirving@yahoo.com for details on how you can help homeless teens!

Click here for details: The Main Place Shower May 21, 2011

Spotlight on Homeless Teens Program

cmvanvleet — Fri, 13 May 2011 16:22:15 +0000

by Sharon Johnston, IWN Director of Partners In Education – Homeless Teens

I received a call at 5:20 yesterday afternoon from a high school junior who was standing in front of The Main Place with an IISD referral in her hand. It wasn’t prom clothes she was after, she was out of basics. As is the case so often, Irving Women’s Network volunteers drop everything in order to minister to those in need. Jan Moore, in the midst of preparing dinner, turned off her stove and met me there within minutes.

With her mother in Central America, her father in the wind and a foster mother who abandoned her, this homeless teen is on her own. With no familial advocates, she is staying with acquaintances, attending school, earning A’s & B’s and going through the necessary hoops to get her citizenship.

Because of the many successful partnerships we have formed, she left The Main Place with properly fitting, age appropriate summer clothing. One less thing for her to worry about. One more blessing for us to count.

Thank you to all the volunteers who support The Main Place, to all the donors who make it possible for us to provide these needed services. This is just one of the many examples of how your help touches and helps others.