Meike Alberts

Hello EWI Members!  My name is Meike Alberts and I am a newer member to EWI.  I really like the work EWI does for girls and women in the areas of scholarship and leadership.  It is very important to have these opportunities in Colorado Springs.  Thank you all for the work you do!

For over eight years, I have been in the payroll industry either as a sales representative, processor, or agency owner.  Currently, I am excited to own the local agency for Perquest which offers an easy to use payroll service.  August 1st marks my agency's one year anniversary.   Perquest has been offering payroll services since 2001 and is based out of California.  With my agency, I help clients get set up on the service.  Once the company information is configured in the system, my clients enter payroll data onto an online worksheet.  They submit the payroll data to us and we take care of everything from there.  It is quite a bit of work that happens behind the scenes as we deposit and file all payroll related taxes and returns and pay the employees.  For example, if you have two employees that are paid twice a month, there are 28 deposits and returns due throughout the year.  All with different due dates and places to remit to!  We keep it all in order, so our clients can work on other revenue generating activities.  The service is really cost effective and my clients are always very surprised at how affordable it is.

As most of us are focusing more and more on being sustainable, so is Perquest.  Our Go Green solution offers a completely paperless payroll process.  It has been calculated that we can save companies between $2-$4 per employee per pay period by not utilizing paper checks.  When you think about printer costs, paper costs, labor costs, etc., it definitely adds up.  In addition, direct deposit and pay cards are a great way to pay employees.  We offer an online Employee Self-Service in English and Spanish.  Employees can view, save, print or email their pay check stub and W-2 at anytime with a secure login and password.  Over 96% of my clients are on the Go Green solution.  If your company or a company you know is struggling with costs, please feel free to forward their name to me and I would be happy to do a cost analysis and see if the Go Green solution would be a good fit.  Plus, anyone that is worried about making timely payroll tax deposits, filing returns, etc., I would love to help make their life easier too!

I am currently working on Perquest being recognized as an Environmental Leader by the Colorado Environmental Leadership Program.  For my agency, I have an Environmental Management System in place and I have posted my Sustainability Policy on my website (www.EasiestPayrollService.com). 

Besides being a member of EWI, I am President of Altrusa International of Colorado Springs (focuses on children and literacy), the current Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year and have been an Ambassador for over seven years, and a member of the Pikes Peak Sustainable Business Network.  I enjoy hiking around in the national forest by our cabin which is located on the other side of Pikes Peak and playing tennis with my husband.  I also love traveling to Europe.  I look forward to getting to know you all better as well.

President Pat Cooper
Wallace Vision

Too those who missed  our July program, at the USOC, we missed you and I must say it was one of my most memorable programs....Thank you to all the planners and especially Brandi and John Walters and Lori Mollie again for your generosity in helping with our last minute needs.  To our speakers Kathy Rex and Barb Kundel, your life experiences are amazing and we applaud you for your accomplishments and your achievements to come. What inspiration you provided to our group last month.

We, as a Chapter are extremely busy planning for the training of the incoming Board, programs for next year and  our Leadership Conference and Annual Meeting in KY this year. 

These are a few items that I would like you all to include in your Fall planning:

1.      Involvement in the EWI committee of your choice; I am very happy to report that we had participation from 95% of our Chapter in some capacity this year.   In time, we hope that your individual talents will be tapped to advance our Chapter.

2.       Our Chapter will be supporting four (4)  Scholarships due to the thankless efforts of our Ways and Means Committee, it would be nice to have five next year....We all know golfers, so start sending email addresses to Mary Good of potential golfers or sponsors. Mary Good you rock for stepping up for another year. The last two-term W&M Co-Chairs were Verna and Joan, they had the foresight to start a golf event and here we are with four Scholarships....and the upcoming 8th Annual.

3.      LCAM 2010....This is an incredible opportunity; please consider for your 2010 budgets. You will come back a better person both professionally and personally........guaranteed.

4.      Start recruiting for 2010.  This Chapter has an amazing array of personalities. I learn more from our conversations about what is going on in your professions and our community with each meeting.  So share the knowledge and experiences that is gained from an elite women's organization.

5.      Remember Mission P.A.T. "Possibilities - Analyze - Take Action", as we continue to make EWI of Colorado Springs the best it can be.

Continue to kick off your-heals this summer and enjoy the great outdoors Colorado Springs has to offer.

Click on the highlighted names to view the member's website.

ADD Staff
Aflac Insurance
Aqua Prima Center, Inc.
Art of Design, i.d., Inc
Benefit Resources
BKD, LLP
The Broadmoor Hotel
Cachet Basket Company
Colorado Association Services
Colorado Springs Utilities
Cornerstone Retail Team LLC
The Cool Company
Divine Purpose Unleashed
Enchanted Signs
Ent Federal Credit Union
The Food Designers
Foster Electric
Goodwill Industries of CS
Holland and Hart
Home Instead Senior Care
Kreuser Gallery, LLC
Lawyers Title Insurance
Lynn Severson Interiors
Mountain States Pipe & Supply
My Sentiments Exactly

If you have a website please notify CK Reyes; Directory Chair- This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Old Town Guest House
Old West Cigar/Old West Homebrew Supply
Op-Tech Laboratory/Your Eye Company 
Orbit Promotions/Lee Wayne Corporation
Page Cafe Internet Consulting
Pass It On, Inc.
Penrose St Francis Centura Healthcare System
Pepsi Bottling Group
Perquest
Pikes Peak Regional Development Corporation
Presidential Brokerage
Re/Max Properties, Inc
Joan Saucerman, LTC Insurance
Service Engineering, LLC
Sinton Dairy
The Springs Funeral Services
Stading & Wood Chiropractic
Stanley Steemer
WallaceVision
Wells Fargo Bank
Wilhelm Monument
Woodford Manufacturing

Support Your
EWI Member Firms

Click on the underlined names
to view the member's website.

Chapter Meeting Information

Date: Wednesday, August 12th, 2009 5:30pm
Location: Whole Foods Market 3180 New Center Point,
south side of the Cinemark Plaza at Town Center.

Should you need to cancel your reservation by the Friday before the meeting, you MUST receive a confirming email from the SAA that your cancellation is received.  If you do not get a confirming email from SAA, your reservation is still in effect and you will need to pay for the dinner that was reserved for you.

List of Upcoming Programs:

  COMING UP....
The Treasure of EWI: All That's Gold Does Not Glitter.
When: September 9, 2009
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Where: Springs Funeral Home 3115 E Platte Avenue

Meeting requirements and RSVP

• Everyone must RSVP Yes or No. No later than August 10th, 2009
  

• EWI Program Coordinators must confirm attendance numbers with the hotel or other catering company in advance.

• No shows are charged -- we need to have timely RSVPs into the Sergeant-at-Arms the Friday before the monthly meeting which is the second Wednesday of each month.

• It costs EWI to pay for those that RSVP and don’t show. Once our numbers are confirmed with the hotel or other catering company, any no shows and any late cancellations must be charged in full.

• EWI is required to pay for all of its registered guests, whether or not they attend.

Programs Committee:

September

Time:          5:30 p.m.

Where:       Springs Funeral Home (member firm), 3115 E Platte Avenue
 
Program:  The Treasure of EWI: All That's Gold Does Not Glitter.

Come explore the many hidden treasures of EWI. This networking event will focus on Connections, one of EWI's Three C's.  Career, Community & Connections!  This is the meeting you have been waiting for all year!!!   Share your expertise with your fellow EWI members on a one-to-one basis.   Each person will receive A TREASURE WOW!!, realize that YOU are a treasure, and allow EWI to shine.

This program will also feature the new 2009/2010 Board for the Colorado Springs Chapter of EWI.   Come meet and support them!

This event is hosted by Kay Atwood with Orbit Promotions and Lorrie Mollie with Goodwill Industries on the Program Committee

 October

When:       October 14, 2009

Time:        5:30 p.m.

Where:      TBD

Program:  Announcing our second Financial Literacy evening for young women.  We will be asking for volunteers from our membership with special financial skills to help with the Financial Sessions that will be offered to our youth.  Details for venue, food activities to follow next month.   This event hosted by Pat Cooper with WallaceVision and Audrey Shrive with Aflac Insurance.

November

When:        November 11, 2009

Time:         5:30 P.M.

Where:       TBD

Program:  Self-defense.  This event hosted by Amy Symons with Holland & Hart on the Program Committee.  Looking for additional EWI members to volunteer to help with the program.

December

When:        December 9, 2009

Time:         Annual Luncheon

Where:       Broadmoor Hotel

PROGRAM:  Annual Holiday Extravaganza at the Broadmoor Hotel.  This event hosted by Brandy Merriam with Presidential Brokerage, Linda Williamson with The Broadmoor, Susan Davis with Wells Fargo Bank.  Also looking for additional volunteers to help with the program. 

Scholarship Committee:

Do you know someone who would like financial assistance in
achieving their bachelors degree?

If you know someone who would like to apply to ask for assistance in funding their bachelors degree, please have them download the ASIST application on the EWI corporate site at-http://www.executivewomen.org/pdf/fm25.pdf and mail to:
125 Rainbow Place, CSC 80906.  The EWI Springs Scholarship Committee will only consider complete application packets so please encourage applicants to follow the directions on the application.  Deadline August 25, 2009.
 
Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) is coordinated by participating EWI Chapters:       
Open to adult students at transitional points in their lives.
Applicants may be single parents, individuals just entering the workforce or displaced workers

2008-2009 Springs EWI Scholarship Committee:
Dianne Crimble, Pass It On, Inc.
Cindy Stermitz, Mountain States Pipe & Supply
Barb Winter, Ent Federal Credit Union
with Current recipients:
-Jennifer Nicole Wilder (UCCS)
-Kristian Gudahl is part of the PPCC / UCCS transfer program
-Frances Wadkins, currently attending PPCC

Gorgeously Green Club

Join us for 8 weeks, starting September 15
When: Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
 
Where: Old Town Guesthouse
115 S. 26th Street

Cost: Each $15 session includes:

Gorgeously Green Book, Delicious Eco-licious Treats, Handouts, Laminated CheatSheet, Camaraderie with other Women, Surprise Take-Away Gifts!

Do you want to incorporate earth-friendly practices in your life, but don’t know where to start? Gorgeously Green offers a simple eight-step program that is easy and FUN!

The purpose of this club is to learn from speakers and each other on how to:

• Detoxify your home
• Prepare eco-licious treats
• Indulge in guilt-free shopping
• Adopt a home fitness routine
• Green your entire beauty regime
• Give your kitchen a green makeover

Become aware of your impact on the earth

RSVP and mail check for $120 payable to host: Dianne Crimble
125 Rainbow Place
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
(719) 352-2484 cellular
http://www.eventbrite.com/rss/user_list_events/1657823093

Member Change in Information...

You Are Invited...

Volunteers Needed For El Paso County Boards and Commissions

            Colorado Springs, July 23, 2009 - The El Paso County Board of Commissioners is seeking  community-minded citizen volunteers to serve on the Housing Authority.  Applications for the open positions are due by August 12.

            The Housing Authority needs representatives from the Real Estate industry and Apartment industry to serve for five-year terms.  The El Paso County Housing Authority was established by the Board of County Commissioner to help promote the availability of decent, safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations in the county for persons of low to moderate income.  The Authority also manages the housing trust fund, which provides funding for innovative housing-related programs.

            The volunteer application is located at www.elpasoco.com and can be accessed by clicking on the “Volunteer Boards” link.  Applicants are asked to reference the board and position they want to represent and include a mailing address and daytime phone number.  Send completed applications and letters of interest and/or résumés to: 

                        Board of County Commissioners

                        Attn:  Frances St. Germain, County Administration Manager

                        27 E. Vermijo Avenue

                        Colorado Springs, CO  80903-2208

Make Art or Die! 

Kathy Wallace of WallaceVISION, LLC will have an art booth at the Colorado Farm and Art Market each Saturday morning from 9 am to 1 pm at the Margarita Restaurant, near I-25 and Woodmen.  Come by and get your Colorado-grown veggies and see lots of artists and crafters.  The Margarita opens it's patio for breakfast, lunch and drinks.  It makes for a fun Sat. morning!

Applications may also be faxed to: 719-520-6397 or emailed to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  For further information call 719-520-6436.

TEAMWORK MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Together Everyone Achieves More

The July meeting, as Christine Ressler with Pikes Peak Regional Development, said so eloquently "that's what I'm talkin' about!  I want to be motivated, inspired, moved, etc. and this program accomplished all of that for me in addition to just being an enjoyable evening."  This was not your average Tour of the USOC.  

The evening started at the Great Hall of Fame which is in the visitor center and behind the gift shop.  EWI members popped into the gift shop to see the latest USA Olympic attire and gifts, got to spend time talking with Kathy and Barb learning about their experiences, enjoyed a short movie and then a grand tour of the campus.  We got to see the huge weight room with athletes working out, the state of the art swimming complex with swimmers doing their laps, and some of the other facilities where athletes are monitored and cared for during their stay on the campus.  Kathy and Barb shared their experiences with us when they were training as young athlete's for each of their sports.

The Great Hall of Fame on the campus of the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center was outstanding.  We had more fun than a barrel of monkeys trying to learn the new taekwondo moves and team handball skills from our Olympic athletes, Kathy Rex and Barb Kunkel.  Kathy Rex played on the U.S. Team Handball Women's National Team and Barb Kunkel was on the U.S. Olympic Taekwondo Team.  She was a gold medalist at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.  They had us jumping, kicking, hollering all over the place with many taekwondo moves.  We learned how to hold a handball, pass and shoot the ball at the goalies who were a couple of men that joined our entire tour early on.  Now that was really fun!  We had those guys hoppin' and duckin' all around the mats. 

By the time we were done with our workouts for handball and taekwondo, we were glistening, our hairdos were flat and we were in need of some nourishment.  The meal was presented by one of our own member firms, Heather Darrigan, with The Food Designers.  It was a nice summer fare and absolutely delicious.  After our wonderful tour and meal, Kathy and Barb, shared with us how teamwork made a difference in their careers as Olympic athlete's and how each of us can apply those same principles to our businesses, personal lives and the EWI chapter.   Both Kathy and Barb have been successful in running their own businesses since the Olympics. They really focus on giving back and how important it is to give POSITIVE ENCOURAGEMENT.  They ended the meeting by sharing some special rules to follow in our business and our lives.  . 

Six Rules of Success:

1.Know what you want

2.Have a plan

3.Have a coach

4.Take continuous actions

5.Review your goals

6.Renew your plans

And each of us received a USA, red, white and blue blanket as a wonderful gift from Kathy and Barb.  We would love to extend an EWI hand to them to join our Chapter. So let them know what you think! 

Reporting:  Susan Davis, Wells Fargo Bank

 Last year EWI contracted with Vanguard Media to develop a marketing strategy and branding image to keep EWI competitive in today’s marketplace of professional organizations. Guidelines for the approved EWI standards and formats were shared in the Brand Character Manual and Style Formatting Guide .  this guide can be accessed at our Corporate web site ewiconnect.com

The Corporate Board reviewed the brand standard and approved changes to address a few challenges of our logo usage.

It is imperative to incorporate the following as we utilize and maintain consistent branding:

Logo Color

There are now six approved logo designs:

 Full color logo in the original approved three-color design

 Black & white

 Reversed out of dark color

 Solid color logo in any one of the three primary EWI colors

Note:

 Whenever possible, merchandise should be in EWI colors to maintain brand image.

 Primary EWI colors are used to complement a logo, but should never be used to change the logo design.

 Secondary EWI colors should be used as accent colors in marketing and communication materials and merchandise. However, secondary colors should never be used in place of the three primary colors as part of the logo design.

Use of “Connections | Careers | Community”

There is only one approved logo design – the letters “ewi” with the words “Connections | Careers | Community” below. The only exception to this format is if space is limited and the words would be illegible. In this case, the “ewi” design can be used by itself; but, if at all possible, the words

INTERNET USAGE FROM CORPORATE STYLE GUIDE

Corporate Website                                          email

NOT: Corporate website                                 NOT: e-mail

NOT: corporate website                                  ewiconnect.com

                                                                        NOT: www.ewiconnect.com

online                                                  home page

NOT: on-line                                       NOT: homepage

Web    

NOT: web

Correct: She was doing research on the Web.

website (other than “Corporate Website”)

NOT: Website

September 24-26, 2009
EWI's 2009 Leadership Conference & Annual Meeting in Louisville, KY.

EWI Online Program

EWI is pleased to announce new online learning options. These classes, offered in distinct suites, are designed for maximum learning, while allowing you to finish a suite at your own pace. These suites are packed full of great knowledge to build your leadership tool kit.

Contact the Corporate Office at 801-355-2800 with any questions.

Professional Development Teleseminars:  

Professional Development Teleseminar
August 4, 2009
 
Delegate/Budget Teleseminar
August 13, 2009
 
Professional Development Teleseminar
November 5, 2009

Wonderful Business...

I'd like to tell everyone about the terrific business I get
from The Broadmoor.  Can I just say a "THANK YOU, LINDA WILLIAMSON"!!
 
Also, my husband and I bought our Long Term Care Insurance from
Joan Saucerman.
Kay Atwood