Our sincere thanks to Mary Ann and Sherry McKinley, owners of The Newsletter Company, for opening their lovely new office to us for our April meeting.  Mary Ann and Sherry have renovated a wonderful old building near downtown Dallas, filling it with antiques and beautiful treasures.  Their rooftop, designed for parties, could not have presented a more perfect spot for mixing and mingling.  I heard several of you remark what a fun, relaxing evening it was, and we all laughed that the weather cleared up just for us!  The view of downtown Dallas from three stories up was breathtaking, and especially beautiful as the sun set and downtown came alive with lights.
 
Kudos to D’ Forman, who not only planned this spectacular event for us, but also brought her husband, Caesar, who did everything from tending bar to washing dishes.  D’ chose an excellent caterer, Kathleen’s Art Café--the food was delicious and the presentation was outstanding.  D’ even hired a face-reader to entertain us and tell us the secrets our faces reveal about us. 
 
As small-business owners, we all know the value of recognition and rewards.  We know that it is important for our employees to know they are valued and that their work has meaning.   Recognition and rewards are particularly important in an organization that is run primarily by volunteers.  Each year, we set aside our May meeting to honor  members who have made our year successful and to acknowledge their contributions.  Please join us and show your support for the people who have made NAWBO the premier power player for women in business. 
 
Also, make sure you have June 10^th marked on your calendar to attend our Annual Luncheon.  Teri Abram and her committee have done a fantastic job on this event, which will feature a line-up of outstanding workshops.  The keynote speaker for the luncheon will be Stacy Allison, the first American woman to climb Mount Everest.   In addition, we will honor Colleen Barrett, COO of Southwest Airlines, with the prestigious Louise Raggio Pathfinder Award and recognize six women business owners who have courageously embraced risk to succeed in their businesses.  It will be a day of inspiration and celebration--please plan to bring your friends, family (especially your daughters), employees and clients to enjoy this event.
 
See you there!