June 2014 Newsletter

Christie Walker, OWA President

Your Optical Women's Association is working on growing with its membership to make sure this organization meets the needs of you, its members. We started the year with a bang by rolling out our refreshed branding and website. If you haven't had a chance to check out the site, please "stop on by."

As a member, you have access to the Member Directory, a huge resource and one of the most valuable aspects of being an OWA member. Traveling to Dallas? Look up other OWA members in the area. Laid off from your job? Reach out to members who might have information on open positions in their company. Have a question? Contact a member that works for a company with the answers you seek. This networking of women is the most powerful benefit of OWA membership, and it's all at your fingertips in the OWA directory online.

Other member benefits include the monthly issue of Fast Company magazine and the annual book selection. By now you should have already received an email from the OWA alerting you to your choices of book (in your preferred format) for this year.

We're also working on increasing our local efforts through Meet & Greet networking events around the country. We've had one in Newport Beach, California and one in Dallas, Texas. Members interested in organizing a local event should contact me for more details or check out the article on the Dallas Meet & Greet in this newsletter.

As summer spreads its warm wings to embrace us all, remember to take time to relax and feed your soul with some fresh air and sunshine.

Keeping it short and simple,

Christie Walker
OWA President

There Are Amazing Women In Other Industries, Who Knew?
Karen A. Michaelson, ABOC
In this second of a two-part series, I will share a story about another amazing woman, Linda Bradley. Linda approached me while I was traveling and introduced herself. She was confident and classy, and wore more pins and ribbons then I had ever seen. I could just tell I needed to include her in my life!
Read more . . .

OWA Meet & Greet — West Coast!
Robin Berger, VSP
Join other women in the optical industry for an hour and a half networking event at VSP headquarters in Rancho Cordova on Wednesday, September 3rd from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. OWA members are encouraged to bring non-members to learn about the benefits of membership. Read on for more details or to RSVP.
Read more . . .

Members and Guests Meet & Greet in Dallas
Christie Walker, OWA President
Nineteen women gathered in Dallas on May 15th for lunch at an OWA Meet & Greet event. Area members were invited to attend and to bring non-member guests to introduce them to the OWA. The event was a big success on many levels, including new members joining, great networking, and valuable feedback from the attendees. "We had an excellent turn out. And it was so easy to pull this all together. I encourage other OWA members to consider organizing a Meet & Greet in their city," said Walker.
Read more . . .

What's Your Passion? Robin Berger — A True Humanitarian!
Karen Altemose, Charmant USA
I recently sat down with Robin Berger, fellow OWA Communications Committee member and VSP Project Manager Associate, to discuss her passion for working with convicted felons at Folsom Prison. "People often complain about the rehabilitation of prisoners but do not seem willing to do anything about it." Robin and other volunteers work with groups of female inmates on learning crucial life skills before they are released.
Read more . . .

Men and the OWA?
Kate Renwick-Espinosa, Membership Committee
Over the years, there has been on and off discussion about the possibility of having men as members of the OWA. We've started this discussion again within the Board and would like to share with you our process of considering this change. Since we know many of you have opinions on the topic, we want to involve you in the discussion!
Read more . . .

Getting to Know Our OWA Members: Ann Englert
Katherine Allen, Briot/Visionix
This segment of the newsletter is a new concept that will share a little more about the women we are networking with as part of the OWA. Our sincere hope is that you not only enjoy learning about one another, but that you will find out how much you have in common. Enjoy . . . .
Read more . . .

Volunteer and Grow!
Christie Walker, OWA President
There are several benefits to being an OWA member. Networking with other women and men at our events, having access to the OWA member directory to make connections, One Minute Mentor inspiration and advice, the subscription to Fast Company and the annual book selection are just a few that come to mind. But there is another benefit of membership that often flies under the radar unnoticed and that's volunteering. How can giving of your time to the OWA help YOU?
Read more . . .

OWA President Visits Association Headquarters Office
Optical Women's Association president, Christie Walker, was in Dallas to visit the association's management office and host a Meet & Greet with local Dallas area members. "It was great to see our association headquarters and spend time with our director, Dave Beebe, who keeps our organization running like a well-oiled machine," said Walker.
Read more . . .

Welcome New OWA Members!
Dave Beebe, OWA Executive Director
The OWA membership continues to grow! We are happy to welcome these 7 new members since the March 2014 newsletter.
Read more . . .