View our calendar to learn about and sign up for upcoming events. RSVP by January 16th for our annual membership meeting on January 19th at Urbandale Golf and Country Club!

2012 Charity of the Year: MWN members voted to support Food Pantry Network via DMARC.  Click on the link to learn more about the services:   http://www.dmreligious.org/aspx/services/emergencyfoodpantries.aspx

From the President’s Desk: January 2012

Happy 2012 to all –

As we elect a new steering committee at the January meeting, I’m really sad I will not be able to attend.  Being your president for the past two years has been a great experience – the steering committee has done an AWESOME job and all the success of the organization is due to their hard work. Kudos to Connie Blodgett, Sherri Johnson, Melissa Read, Pamela Henkel, Janet Seeberger, and Lois O’Donnell!  Please take a moment to thank them for their service to MWN.

 I also want to thank you for the honor of serving as your president!  I highly recommend the steering committee experience and encourage you to become involved J

 I leave for Nashville on the 19^th of January to attend the ALS Association Board of Representatives meeting to represent the Iowa Chapter at the national meeting.  Although I look forward to the work with that great organization, I am sad that I won’t be able to attend one of our largest meetings with Metro Women’s Network.  Take pictures for me!!

 I am amazed that our Iowa winter has been so mild to date.  I hate to even mention it in case I jinx it!  Can you believe that we’re still having days in the 50s and 60s?  LOVE IT!!!

 Happy New Year! 

-Becky Patton-Quigley

Navigating MWNiowa.org

View our calendar to learn about and sign up for upcoming events. RSVP by May 16 for dinner May 19 at Christopher’s!

2011 Charity of the Year: MWN members voted to support HCI Care Services (Hospice of Central Iowa) in 2011. Learn more about volunteer/giving opportunities today!

From the President’s Desk: April 2011

Hello all,

How can it be April already? April is a month of new beginnings (yeah spring) and with a couple of days above 70, the yards have all “greened up” and the tulips and daffodils are poking through. Easter will soon be upon us! It’s Cadbury Egg time.

Lots of things going on this month – I attended the Bubble Ball event to support ChildServe. What a cool concept – a fashion show of clothing made from bubble wrap, with a meal of “round” items (peas with pearl onions, scallops, a mozzarella ball, etc.). It was a sold-out event that helped ChildServe raise more than $60,000. I’ve posted some pictures on my Facebook page if you get a chance to check it out. Anyone interested in signing up as a designer for next year?

I was also able to attend an event supporting Orchard Place – Sean and LeeAnn Toughy (upon whom “The Blind Side” was based) spoke at Hoyt Sherman Auditorium. Their message was a strong one – each of us has the capacity to make a difference in someone’s life. It was a great presentation (lot of laughs with a serious message). Congratulations to Orchard Place for their celebrating 125 years of service to the children in our community!

I feel blessed to be able to attend these types of functions. I know how much time and energy it takes to put something together to support a great cause and really appreciate the effort for both of these events. We CAN make a difference in our community by participating – I encourage everyone to join at least one event a year. Whether you help behind the scenes or buy a ticket, your participation DOES matter! Cheerful giving of your time, talent or treasure is rewarding for both you and the recipients!

I’m really looking forward to our meeting this month – I haven’t been to Mama Lacona’s new location, and our speaker should be very interesting. I also want to hear about everyone’s St. Paddy’s Day fun since we didn’t have a meeting in March!

Best regards,

-Becky Patton-Quigley

Metro Women’s Network supports HCI Care Services (Hospice of Central Iowa). Visit our Programs/Charity page to learn how you can make a difference!

Navigating MWNiowa.org

View our calendar for upcoming events. Note: We will not meet in March. Our next general meeting will be Thursday, April 21 – see you there!

2011 Charity of the Year: MWN members voted to support HCI Care Services (Hospice of Central Iowa) in 2011. Learn more about volunteer/giving opportunities today!

From the President’s Desk: March 2011

Hello all,

FYI – we will NOT have a meeting in March this year. The third Thursday falls on Saint Patrick’s Day, and it was difficult for the Programs committee to get a restaurant lined up. After polling members at the February meeting, it also appeared that many of us have other plans with friends or family that evening (or would be out of town for spring break)! Anyway, I will miss seeing you in March, but the steering committee will discuss a summer meeting that will hopefully make up for this absence. Stay tuned to the newsletter for more information!

Spring is just around the corner and I keep thinking we’ve been blessed with an early spring in February this year. The unseasonable warm weather cleared up all that dirty snow. I’m thinking about spring break and that it might be a good year for a stay-cation if this weather keeps up! Hope you all are able to take a break and enjoy time with your family or friends!
Here’s a reminder that it is Women’s History Month; remember to celebrate the women who led the way for us – we owe it to future generations to do the same!

Please consider joining the steering committee – everyone is welcome to attend and provide input. Our next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. April 7 at Palmer’s Deli on Ingersoll. Hope to see you there!

I learned a new term this week and thought I would share it with you. Paraprosdokian sentences:  A “paraprosdokian” is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part. Here are a few examples:

• Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
• Light travels faster than sound, which is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
• If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.
We never really grow up; we only learn how to act in public.
• War does not determine who is right – only who is left.
• Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
• The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

Best regards,

-Becky Patton-Quigley

Metro Women’s Network supports HCI Care Services (Hospice of Central Iowa). Visit our Programs/Charity page to learn how you can make a difference!

Navigating MWNiowa.org

View our calendar for upcoming events. Note: We will not meet in March.

2011 Charity of the Year: Members have spoken! We’ll support HCI Care Services (Hospice of Central Iowa) in 2011. Learn more about volunteer/giving opportunities today!

From the President’s Desk: February 2011

Hello all,

I missed a WONDERFUL meeting in January! I always look forward to the membership drive meeting and was disappointed when I found out I would not be in town.

For those of you who don’t know, I serve on the board of representatives for the national ALS Association. The annual meeting started Jan. 20 (our MWN meeting date) and I was the voting member for Iowa. Since my husband died of ALS, I’m passionate about making things better for ALS patients as well as the Iowa chapter’s proposal to increase the percentage of revenue assigned to research. The meeting was successful but I did think of MWN on Thursday night, wishing that Star Trek teleporting device was available so I could enjoy the evening with you!

I’m really looking forward to our meeting this month at Maxie’s. I’ve not been there before, which is one of the things I love about Metro – the ability to try new places that I might not try on my own. Mackenzie Sposeto will provide the program on self-defense for women. She will also share information on a new children’s boot camp.

It’s not too late to join the steering committee and I will put on my recruiting hat during the February meeting!

Have a great Valentine’s Day and I’ll see you on the 17th!

Best regards,

-Becky Patton-Quigley

Metro Women’s Network supports HCI Care Services (Hospice of Central Iowa). Visit our Programs/Charity page to learn how you can make a difference!

Navigating MWNiowa.org

Upcoming events:

• Feb. 17: Mackenzie Sposeto, a member of the Waukee Police Department, will join us at Maxie’s Restaurant to talk about a children’s “boot camp” program and self-defense for women.  RSVP by Feb. 14!

2011 Charity of the Year: Members have spoken! We’ll support Hospice of Central Iowa in 2011. Learn more about volunteer/giving opportunities today!

From the President’s Desk: January 2011

I want to thank you for being a part of my life this last year. I am lucky and very blessed to have friends who are smarter, better-looking, funnier, more successful and talented than I am – you all give me a goal to strive for.

As we go into a new year, here is what I hope for each of you:

• You have everything you need. I used to wish and hope and pray to get everything I wanted. God gave me that once and it was a nightmare. Now I simply ask to have everything I need, not want.
• Appreciation for friends and family. When I can focus more on someone else and less on me, when I can honor differences, and accept people for who and what they are, things are infinitely more pleasant. My “way” and your “way” don’t have to be the same.
• Laughter, at yourself and situations around you. I once heard someone say their family motto was, “Learn to laugh at yourself. If you don’t do it, we’ll do it for you.” Really, why do we make things bigger and more serious than they need to be? We’re all just Bozos on this bus of life. We each make mistakes. Move on.
• Someone to love us. Whether it’s a pet or person, we need to feel we matter to someone; somebody who lights up when they see us walk into the room. Please surround yourself with these people.
• Something new. We need to challenge our brains to stay sharp. New things also expand us as people… we avoid getting dull and boring. Take on a new project, make a new friend, step outside of your routine. The hard situations are the ones that help us grow.
• Baseball. Sorry, I couldn’t help it. It is great to sit at the end of the bench on a championship team. Not everybody is going to be Willie Mays. Find a role you can play well. If you are the 25th man on a 25-man roster, be the best 25th man there is.

Thank you all for being in my life . . . I hope you stay!

Happy New Year!

-Becky Patton-Quigley

Metro Women’s Network supports Hospice of Central Iowa. Visit our Programs/Charity page to learn how you can make a difference!

Navigating MWNiowa.org

Upcoming events:

• Jan. 20: Deborah Rinner, director of international protocol and corporate etiquette for Tero International, will join us for our annual membership drive at Glen Oaks Country Club. RSVP by Jan. 17!

2011 Charity of the Year: Members have spoken! We’ll support Hospice of Central Iowa in 2011. Learn more about volunteer/giving opportunities today!

2011 steering committee nominations: Play a part in our future! If you’d like to serve on next year’s steering committee or nominate another member, please send a message to admin@mwniowa.org. We’d love to hear from you! Learn more on our Steering Committee page. Elections will be held Jan. 20.

From the President’s Desk: November-December 2010

November brings us Thanksgiving – with the reminder to be thankful for all the things that bless us. Sometimes those things are possessions – a roof over our heads, a meal on the table, clothes on our back, and a reliable vehicle for transportation. Those are tangible things that we see every day but sometimes forget to recognize as a blessing. Most of us count our blessings by our loved ones – both friends and family – who surround us. Let’s also not forget to be thankful for good health.

Until we witness those who do NOT have these basic blessings, we don’t always realize how lucky we are! I am definitely blessed and want to be able to share my blessings with those that are less fortunate. I want to remind everyone that we have the opportunity to do just that. Please nominate your favorite cause for our annual charity event (our December Holiday Social).

Click here to submit your nomination! The steering committee will review, present for a vote, and read the winning nomination at the December Holiday Social.

I feel blessed that we have such an awesome networking group! The steering committee this year has been phenomenal! I want to remind everyone that you have an opportunity to join the steering committee for 2011. You can let any steering committee member know of your personal interest in a position, or you can nominate someone that you believe will be an asset to this group. Contact us today!

I look forward to seeing everyone Dec. 2 at By Design with our own chef Terrie Kohl preparing a fabulous meal! I pray that everyone enjoys the bounty of the season and can share the holidays with friends and family.

Sincerely,

-Becky Patton-Quigley

Metro Women’s Network supports the ALS Association Iowa chapter. Visit our Programs/Charity page to learn how you can make a difference!

Navigating MWNiowa.org

Upcoming events:

• Dec. 2: Join us for our annual holiday social and charity drive at By Design, with catering by Chef Terrie Kohl. RSVP by Friday, Nov. 26. Early birds: RSVP by Wednesday, Nov. 24 for a chance to win a free dinner at the next meeting!
• Jan. 20: Rowena Crosby, Tero International owner and 2009 Woman Business of the Year winner, will join us for our annual membership drive at Glen Oaks Country Club.

2011 Charity of the Year: Nominate a worthy organization by Nov. 24, 2010, for Metro Women’s Network support in 2011. We’ll kick it off with a free-will donation at our holiday social Dec. 2!

2011 steering committee nominations: Play a part in our future! If you’d like to serve on next year’s steering committee or nominate another member, please send a message to admin@mwniowa.org. We’d love to hear from you! Learn more on our Steering Committee page. Elections will be held Jan. 20.

From the President’s Desk: October 2010

Can’t believe we are three quarters through 2010 already. Where does the time go?

I love October, and here are a few reasons why:

• It’s my birth month – yes, I’m supposed to be “well balanced” Libra. Don’t laugh!
• The temperatures are cooler, but rarely with snow.
• Caramel apples. They’re healthy, right? It is a fruit after all . . .
• Breast cancer awareness month – I’m blessed to have friends and family who are survivors because of early detection. Get that mammogram, everyone! Don’t forget the Susan Komen walk – if you want to join me Oct. 23, you can sign up under the John Stoddard team.
• The Walk to D’Feet ALS is Oct. 16. I lost my husband to Lou Gehrig’s disease in August 2006. The local chapter of the ALS association provides support services to ALS patients and their caregivers. I’m on their board of directors and participate in this walk as a way to give back to them for the way they helped us. Please join me at Principal Park at 10 a.m.
• Halloween is a FUN holiday. Whether you’re handing out treats to those little superheroes, monsters, witches and goblins or attending a Halloween event yourself, it’s a good time. I’m amazed every year with the creative new costumes. I’m also amazed at some of the jokes that come out of youngsters’ mouths!
• Last but certainly not least is our MWN Woman of the Year dinner Oct. 21 – it always brings me joy to honor someone who inspires us to be great! This is a great night to bring a guest!

I look forward to seeing everyone on the 21^st at Nick’s Bar and Grill for the Woman of the Year dinner.

I’d like you all to think about positions you would like to take on our MWN steering committee. It’s fun and painless!

Best regards,

-Becky Patton-Quigley

Metro Women’s Network supports the ALS Association Iowa chapter. Visit our Programs/Charity page to learn how you can make a difference!

Navigating MWNiowa.org

Upcoming events:

• Oct. 7: The steering committee will meet at Gateway Market; members and guests welcome.
• Oct. 21: Celebrate our new Woman of the Year at Nick’s Bar and Grill!
• Dec. 2: Join us for our annual holiday social and charity drive at By Design, with catering by Chef Terrie Kohl.
• Jan. 20: Rowena Crosby, Tero International owner and 2009 Woman Business of the Year winner, will join us for our annual membership drive at Glen Oaks Country Club.

Chick Herbert’s September presentation on personal branding was a hit! View it here.

From the President’s Desk: September 2010

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. I think the creators of this holiday were right to pick a day, rather than a specific date, to celebrate – we can all agree a three-day weekend is a great idea!

This summer has been a whirlwind of travel and activity! How can it be over already? Being able to visit North Carolina in June and South Africa in August made the summer fly by!

I was so impressed with the international pediatric congress in Johannesburg – I already knew that women were strong and enterprising, but until I learned the basis for world education on healthcare for children rests on our shoulders, I hadn’t realized the power of women in this arena. As we reviewed the millennium development goals to improve the health of children, the same fact kept surfacing. To get something accomplished, you have to engage a respected woman as a champion. That woman will teach others and the word will spread.

Here’s a negative example: There was an epidemic of malnutrition in one of the African countries. When studied, it was traced back to a woman who started feeding her baby coffee creamer, rather than formula. The baby liked it and it was cheaper than formula – looks like milk product, right? This mother thought she was doing the right thing for her baby. The baby was happy (I’m sure it tasted good) and she told friends and they started doing the same thing and the story continues with an entire region switching to coffee creamer. Unfortunately, there’s no nutritional value in coffee creamer, which resulted in those infants being stunted both physically and mentally.

On a more positive note, the discussions I heard about finding a woman in each area to spread the word about getting their children immunized, providing the best nutrition available, and bonding with an infant were remarkable. Educating and mentoring is the most important thing we can do – it is replicated in so many positive ways!

My advice this month is to share your knowledge: Teach someone something they can pass along!

I hope to see everyone on the 16th!

Best regards,

-Becky Patton-Quigley

Navigating MWNiowa.org

Due Aug. 31: Nominate a special woman in your life for 2010
Woman of the Year! We’ll celebrate her in October.

From the President’s Desk: August 2010

I really enjoyed our July MWN golf lesson. As most of you know, we don’t traditionally have a meeting in July because of lack of attendance with members on vacation. This year, we decided to add an ad hoc July golf lesson, with 14 people attending. I had a good time and gained a few golf tips!

August brings the State Fair with all of its fun and fanfare. I’m looking forward to attending and checking out what is new on a stick! Here’s the August question: What is your favorite fair food, or the most unusual food you’ve ever tried?

I shared in my last letter that I was attending a convention in Asheville, North Carolina in June. It was a blast and, although I fell the first day, I didn’t let my injuries slow me down! Most of my letters this year have been about travel, and this one won’t be an exception. Once again, I am extremely blessed with opportunities! I leave for Johannesburg, South Africa Aug. 1 to attend the International Pediatric Congress. I am accompanying a nurse practitioner (Jan Foote, DNP) who will present one of the workshops to more than 3,000 attendees. I will attend some of the conference, but will also go on a safari, visit the Apartheid museum, and attend other cultural events during our weeklong stay.

I’m happy to say I will return to Des Moines in time for the next MWN meeting – another great program with the opportunity to discuss broadcast journalism with two talented local celebs! I encourage you to bring guests to our meetings – we’ve had nice growth this year and I would love to see that continue.

I hope everyone has a safe and FUN summer!

Best regards,

-Becky Patton-Quigley

Navigating MWNiowa.org

Now featuring:

• A Steering Committee page with member photos and bios!
• 2010 Charity of the Year: ALS Association. Get involved today!
• 2009 Woman of the Year Jacquie Easley

From the President’s Desk: June 2010

What a great Memorial Day weekend! The weather was fabulous and I really enjoyed spending time with my dad, who had his 80th birthday May 28 and is still going strong!

I missed our May meeting while I was in Chicago for a Physician Practice Management seminar. I was able to take my board exam at the end of the week to renew my Master’s Certification in Practice Management – thank goodness that’s over! In June, I will be in Ashville, North Carolina, for a convention of the Benevolent Patriotic Order of DOES. I’m a five year officer (musician), so they are sending me on this great trip. I’m really blessed to have such great opportunities!

Hopefully, I will attend the rest of the meetings this year! Metro Women’s Network is an amazing organization and I encourage everyone to bring friends to our meetings! Most people that come to a meeting end up joining (that’s what happened to me!). It’s really nice to meet people in a relaxed atmosphere and have FUN together while we’re networking.

I hope everyone is ready to enjoy a fabulous summer! I grew up spending summers on Lake Okoboji – those were the days! I will in August to relive some of the fun times. One summer memory is of homemade ice cream. Cranking and cranking until it felt like our arms would fall off! Here’s a fun summer activity to do with kids – and it doesn’t require a machine!

Ice Cream in a Bag
What you’ll need:

1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup milk or half & half
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
6 tablespoons rock salt
1-pint plastic food storage bag (e.g., Ziploc)
1-gallon plastic food storage bag
Ice cubes

How to make it:

1. Fill the large bag halfway with ice and add the rock salt. Seal the bag.
2. Put milk, vanilla and sugar in the small bag and seal it.
3. Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully.
4. Shake until the mixture is ice cream, which takes about five minutes.
5. Wipe off the top of the small bag, then open it carefully. Enjoy!

Tip: A half cup milk will make one scoop of ice cream, so double the recipe if you want more. But don’t increase the proportions more that that — a large amount might be too big for kids to pick up because the ice itself is heavy.

I hope everyone has a safe and FUN summer!

-Becky Patton-Quigley

Navigating MWNiowa.org