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This Month's Issue...
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The Greater Nashua Business and Professional Women respect the
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be purchased or used for commercial reasons.
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Dear BPW Colleagues, |
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The Nashua BPW Board is very excited about our plans for 2008 and
all we have to offer to workingwomen in the community. We
encourage people to come to our meeting at the Crown Plaza on the
3rd Thursday of each month at 11:00 so you have time to network
and meet other women. In addition, following the speaker, you are
welcome to stay after 1:00 to have more time to introduce yourself
to the wide variety of people our meetings attract. This is a good
time, not only to talk about your business, but also get to know
other women in business that you can learn from and share your
expertise. We all have similar problems and concerns in our
positions, but together we can learn how to overcome those areas
that are difficult to us.
As an exception to our 11:00 meeting time during the holiday month
of December we will be meeting on December 20th, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
for the Greater Nashua BPW holiday party. Come celebrate with us
at the home of Vice President Pam Richardson. More details follow
in this newsletter.
I also welcome all members to participate in the "Speaker's Gift
Basket". This is a great opportunity to get your name and business
out to important people in our community. Each month a basket full
of gifts or services from the members, is given to our speaker. It
may be a coffee mug or pen with your logo, a gift certificate to
your business, or even as simple as a free hot chocolate at Dunkin
Donuts. What's important is that with your "gift" you attach your
business card and/or brochure. For more information contact
programs@bpwnashua.com
In addition I want to remind members of our "Members Promotional
Business Table" which is available at every meeting. As a member,
you can put on the table your business card, samples of your
products, pamphlets, brochures and any other handouts you want to
share.
Our Communications committee is always looking for announcements
and articles for our monthly newsletter. As a member, you can add
to the newsletter an article that you think would be of value to
the other readers, or an announcement of a success or recognition
that you or your business might have received. For more
information contact communications@bpwnashua.com
Other benefits that deserve mentioning in order to remind current
members and for all of us to communicate to potential new members
are these opportunities:
- A paid advertisement in the newsletter. (There are several
levels at different costs. Watch for more information in the
January newsletter.)
- A sponsorship of a meeting.
- An opportunity to stand up and introduce yourself at each
meeting, plus time to meet people and exchange business cards
before and after the meetings.
- Participation on a committee, to effect and influence the
organization and support its growth.
- A chance to be a keynote speaker at a meeting to recommend a
speaker for a meeting.
- A listing in the Membership Directory.
- A listing on the State and National Website.
Obviously, by being a member you get more than your money's
worth. Most of your membership fee is paid back to you with the
$10 savings you get at the luncheon meetings each month. But more
importantly is that you are a part of a National organization of
businesswomen helping businesswomen, and that's what it is really
about. For more information on joining this incredible group
contact membership@bpwnashua.com To visit the BPW national
organization website to grasp the outreaching and wide reach of
our membership link to www.bpwusa.org
I look forward to seeing you at the holiday party! Please bring a
guest to share in the fun and to introduce to your colleagues and
learn about all the membership opportunities. No RSVP is required
Susan Weidner Cooke
President
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December 20th BPW Meeting - "Holiday Party" |
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In honor of the the holiday season the Greater Nashua BPW is
excited to host a holiday party. Come celebrate with us with at
the home of Vice President Pam Richardson. This event is open to
anyone interested in finding out more about BPW, networking with
dynamic and energetic women or just enjoying the company of
interesting people. Join us at 10 Buttonwood Drive, Hollis, NH
03049.
Food and drink will be provided at no cost. We are however
asking for donations of groceries or diapers for a local charity.
For more information please call or email Pam at 465-3658 or
pam@inhotwaterteas.com Thank you Pam for hosting!
TIME: 5:30 - 9:00 PM
LOCATION: The home of Pam Richardson 10 Buttonwood Drive Hollis NH
03049
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BPW of Nashua Meeting Format |
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At the Crown Plaza Hotel 2 Somerset Parkway Nashua, NH on the 3rd
Thursday of each month
11:00 Networking and Registration
11:45 Lunch Buffet
12:15 Announcements Sponsor Recognition Introductions
12:30 Keynote Speaker
1:00 Networking and Close of Program
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New!! Announcing Meeting Topics and Sponsors for 2008 New!! |
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To recommend a speaker or to sponsor a meeting contact BPW
programs committee at programs@bpwnashua.com
January 17
Speaker : Lynda Shortt
Topic: The Sweet Smell of Success
Sponsor: Space4U - Sue West
February 21
Speaker : Sherrill St. Germain
Topic: From Corporate Culture to Life
Sponsor: Carolyn Madden
March 20
Speaker: Oonagh Williams
Topic: The Making of a Television Show
Sponsor: Denise King
April 17
Speaker: A politician or candidate to be named
Topic: Politics in NH
Sponsor: Beckonings
May 15
Speaker : Lisa Allen
Topic: Adventures in Creating a Business
Sponsor: In Hot Water Teas - Pam Richardson
June date tbd
BUSINESS EXPO
Exciting opportunity to showcase your business!
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Member Articles |
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FIX UP YOUR HOME TO LOWER ENERGY BILLS
Submitted by BPW Member Laura Stephan
Opening winter's first utility bill is enough to warm people to
the idea that some simple home improvements can help lower their
energy costs. For senior citizens, this can be an added financial
challenge: many can't afford to make the investments in
improvements that would make their homes more energy efficient and
save them significant money in energy bills.
In almost all cases, senior homeowners could lower their monthly
expenses simply by replacing old appliances and lighting. Laura
Stephan, a reverse mortgage consultant for Great East Mortgage, an
affiliate of Wells Fargo, said older adults are the least likely
to take on such projects because of the cost. "One of the best
ways to lower heating bills is by installing a new,
high-performance furnace," she said. "This is expensive for most
families, but even more cost prohibitive when the homeowners live
on fixed incomes."
A growing number of older adults, however, are finding money for
home improvements by turning to a reverse mortgage.
A reverse mortgage is a loan that enables senior homeowners to
convert part of the equity in their home into tax-free income
without having to sell their home, give up title, or take on a new
monthly mortgage payment. Reverse mortgages are a great way for
seniors with built-up equity in their homes to generate the income
they need to meet an immediate need or an extraordinary expense.
"Many program participants are gaining access to funds and using
them to pay for new thermal windows and doors, putting on a roof
or replacing older high- consumption water heaters," added Laura.
"By using a reverse mortgage seniors aren't busting their budgets
or dipping into savings."
With a reverse mortgage, a senior borrower never makes monthly
payments until he or she moves, sells the home, or vacates the
home for other reasons; never gives up title; never is forced to
move; and never owes more than the sale price of the home or the
amount borrowed, whichever is less.
"Because fixed incomes can prevent older adults from qualifying
for many standard loans, a reverse mortgage gives them a way to
make their homes work for them," Laura Stephan said.
Reverse mortgages aren't for everyone so Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
recommends consulting with a financial advisor.
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is the nation's No. 1 retail mortgage
lender1 and servicer2 of home mortgages. As a division of Wells
Fargo Bank, N.A., it has a local presence in nearly 2,400 mortgage
stores and bank branches, plus the capabilities to serve the home
financing needs of customers nationwide through its call centers,
Internet presence and wholesale lending operations. Wells Fargo
Home Mortgage services loans for more than 7.8 million servicing
customers.
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Member Articles |
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ASSET ALLOCATION: A KEY TO PORTFOLIO SUCCESS
Submitted by BPW President Susan Cooke
For many investors, investing typically begins with one stock or
mutual fund. Over time, other selections are added because many
people understand it may not be prudent to invest everything in a
single security, even if it has a "blue chip" reputation. However,
just "spreading money around" in a haphazard way may create only
an illusion of diversification.
If you have assembled a "hodgepodge" portfolio, you may not know
the extent to which your investments are (or are not) consistent
with your objectives. How do you go about setting up a framework
which tailors your investments to your particular circumstances?
A sound portfolio management strategy begins with asset allocation
- that is, dividing your investments among the major asset
categories of equities, bonds and cash. Since each type of
investment category has unique characteristics, they rarely rise
or fall at the same time. Then, you can make finer distinctions
within each asset category (i.e., diversification). Combining
different asset classes could help reduce risk, although it
doesn't eliminate market risk altogether. Still two nagging
questions remain: What factors guide the asset allocation process?
How much of a portfolio should go into each category.
To answer the first question, the main objective of asset
allocation is to match the investment characteristics of the
various investment categories to the most important aspects of
your personal investment profile - that is, your tolerance for
risk, your return and liquidity needs, and your time horizon.
Investing according to your risk tolerance will help keep you from
abandoning your investment program during times of market
turbulence. One way to measure your risk comfort zone is to ask
yourself how much of a loss in a one-year period you could
withstand and still stay the course.
Finding an appropriate match for you means balancing your
tolerance for risk against the different volatility levels of
various asset classes. For example, if you have a low tolerance
for risk, that fact may dictate a portfolio that emphasizes
conservative investments while sacrificing the potentially higher
returns that usually involve a greater degree of risk.
Return need refers to the income and/or growth you expect a
portfolio to generate in order to meet your objectives. For
example, retirees may prefer a portfolio that emphasizes current
income, while younger investors may wish to concentrate on
potential growth.
Your personal time horizon extends from when you implement an
investment strategy until you need to begin withdrawing money from
a portfolio. For example, a very short time horizon (less than 5
years) is probably best served by a conservative portfolio
emphasizing safety of principal. On the other hand, the more time
you have to invest, the greater risk you may be able to withstand
because you have time to recover from market downturns.
The short answer to how much of a portfolio should go into each
category is that asset allocation is more a personal process than
a strategy based on a set formula. There are guidelines to help
establish the general framework of a well-diversified portfolio.
For example, you may decide on the need for growth in order to
offset the erosion of purchasing power caused by inflation.
However, building an investment portfolio that is right for you
involves matching the risk-return tradeoffs of various asset
classes to your unique investment profile. One final point that is
worthy of emphasis - when you put together your own asset
allocation strategy, you should combine all your assets (i.e.,
your investments and retirement savings). That way you can ensure
that all your assets are working together to help meet your goals
and objectives. Keep in mind, investment return and principal
value will fluctuate with changes in market conditions so that
shares may be more or less than original cost. Diversification
cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses.
his article is provided for general information only. It is not
intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any
individual. You should consult with your financial representative,
attorney or accountant with regard to your individual situation.
FOR NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES, MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND MORE VISIT
www.bpwnashua.c om
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Call For Sponsors |
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We are also lining up sponsors for next year. For just $50, you
will receive:
- 1 free lunch on the day of the Sponsorship
- 5 minutes to speak about your business to the entire group
- Half of a table to put products/brochures etc. about you and
your business
- Notice of your sponsorship in the BPW newsletter
- Opportunity at the meeting to hand out information,
products, samples, etc. to the attendees
- If desired, a chance to raffle off a product/service or gift
certificate, etc. with the proceeds to benefit Nashua BPW
If you are interested in a sponsorship, please contact next year's
Program Committee Chair, Pam Richardson, at
cpaclement@yahoo.com., and we will work to match up your
business with an appropriate meeting and topic/speaker.
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COMING SOON! - BPW/USA Webinar |
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Women & Money - 2:00 PM Tuesday, January 15th
Statistics show that at some point in their lives, most women will
be responsible for handling their finances. For some women, that
responsibility is exciting but for others it may be terrifying.
Lauren Lindsay, CFP, is a fee-only planner and educator who has
spent many years conducting seminars to educate people on how to
make better financial decisions. In this webinar, she will address
the financial issues specific to women, such as the fact that we
are likely to live longer--- but on a smaller amount of money. She
will teach tips to help with budgeting and to get your debt under
control, as well as review basic tenants of financial planning
areas such as insurance, education planning, benefits and estate
planning. There will be opportunities for questions throughout the
webinar so you will have a chance to get your specific concerns
answered. We hope you will join us for this insightful,
educational event. For more information on Lauren please visit
www.MyPFA.com . For more information on fee-only planning is you
may also visit: www.NAPFA.org
BPW/USA is constantly adding new dates and workshops. Please check
back regularly to ensure you don't miss out on any pertinent
career information. For more educational webinars, please visit
the BPW Foundation website.
The Greater Nashua Business and Professional Women's (BPW)
organization is a non-profit association whose mission is to
provide a forum for the education, networking, business
development and advocacy for women.
For additional information regarding meetings and membership
contact Membership Chairperson Julia Manlogon at membership@bpwnashua.com
or by visiting the web at
www.BPWNashu a.com.
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REMINDER!! "Holiday Party" |
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TIME: 5:30 - 9:00 PM
DATE: Thursday, December 20, 2007
LOCATION: The home of Pam Richardson 10 Buttonwood Drive Hollis NH
03049
Looking forward to seeing you !
Sincerely,
Lopa Shroff
www.shroffdesigns.com
Communications Committee Chair
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Our Sponsors |
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