Fall OWWL Social Event Recap - Thanks to all who helped make this event a success!

The Fall OWWL Social Event with author Faith Sullivan was a fun gathering of over 30 Welsh women at the 4400 Training Facility. Pairings catered the event and Ms. Sullivan spoke to our group about the path that led her to writing 8 fictional novels. Ms. Sullivan was a warm, humorous and dynamic speaker. She read from the recent OWWL book club selection, The Cape Ann, and signed copies of her books for those who wanted autographed copies. Julie Martens, Susie Held, Kristi Parrish, Kristen Lillebo and Toni Toborg won Hot Mama gift cards. Thank you to Lori Pounds, Jennifer Smock, Susie Held, Marilyn Baldwin, Rhonda Allen and Pam Sunder who all helped make this event a success!

If you are interested in making a positive contribution to the company, consider volunteering your time with OWWL in 2012. Contact Susan Taylor if you are interested. It doesn’t take much time, and it’s a great opportunity to get to know others at Welsh and also make a purposeful difference!

Mark Your Calendars for the Next Book Club Meeting on October 5th!

The award winning author, Faith Sullivan, is going to be a guest at an OWWL event 10/13 and we thought it would be a great time to read, “The Cape Ann” for our next book club. 

“The Cape Ann” is a story set in the Depression in the fictional town of Harvester, MN and is told from a child’s point of view. 

Join us for our next meeting on October 5, 2011

12 - 1 p.m. | Boardwalk Conference Room

Please contact Susan Taylor if you are interested!

susan.w.taylor@colliers.com

OWWL Luncheon Recap

The Organization for Welsh Women Leaders hosted a luncheon last Thursday for new hires, seasoned employees and OWWL members. The luncheon ice breaker was extremely neat, each woman was asked to reach into a bag and pick out a scented candle. The name of the candle was the table name they along with 3-5 other women would be sitting throughout the luncheon. Other ice breakers were placed on each table for the individuals to get to know one another with the game of, "Would you rather?"

This was a great day overall and an opportunity for OWWL members to explain what the group has to offer, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. The delicious cupcakes from Wuollet Bakery were an added bonus!

Hope For The City Seeking Volunteers for Annual Gala Preparation

Hope for the City's 11th Annual Celebration of Hope Gala is fast approaching on October 22nd, 2011 and will be held at The Depot in Minneapolis. The gala will host over 800 business and community leaders for an evening filled with gourmet food, live music, socializing, and silent and live auctions; all for a very worthwhile cause!  Proceeds will help Hope for the City to further fulfill their mission to improve lives by distributing corporate surplus to organizations who serve those in need next door and around the world. Now celebrating its 9th year, the gala has grossed over 1.6 million to help those in dire need.

HFTC would greatly appreciate volunteer assistance and any auction item donations. Please click on the links below to download additional information.

Auction Item Donation Form
Gala Volunteer Information
For more information contact Jill Rejda at jrejda@welshco.com or Jennifer McGee at jennifer@hopeforthecity.net.

Social Luncheon: August 25th

Learn what committees, groups and events are organized through OWWL and how you can participate. Provide ideas for additional groups and future get togethers, all while socializing with your fellow Welsh Women.

Who: All Welsh Women
What: Lunch (catered by Dave's Downtown) and networking event
When: Thursday, August 25, 2011 from 12-1 p.m
Where: The 4400 Baker Road Training Room

RSVP
Jennifer Matthew
jmatthew@welshco.com

Congratulations Molly Richert!

Molly has recently been promoted from Property Management Accountant to Senior Property Management Accountant. Molly will be moving to the office next to Carey McDowell in Property Management and Accounting.

Please join us in congratulating Molly on her well deserved promotion!

Congratulations Vennessa Goodwin!

Vennessa Goodwin has recently been promoted to Brokerage Coordinator.  Vennessa has been with Welsh for five years and has been an integral part of the retail team.  In this new role, Vennessa will continue to support several of the retail brokers along with taking on more of the day-to-day brokerage initiatives.

Be sure to congratulate Vennessa on her well deserved promotion.

Golden Calculator Award

This month’s winner is Molly Richert!
Molly was nominated by John Brumback, Paul Skram and Audrey Rohrbach for her great attitude, helpfulness and willingness to take on challenges.

“Molly has taken on two receivership portfolios in the last 60 days that contained either spotty or non-existent accounting records. She dove into each and brought accounting order to the chaos we were given. She did this with a great attitude and dealt with the challenges head on.” -John Brumback

“Molly has been my accountant for over 5 years. We worked very closely together at Woodbury Lakes and again now at One Financial Plaza. Molly and I were both able to establish an excellent working relationship with LNR as well as the previous ownership of Woodbury Lakes. She had the trust and confidence of both ownerships. When Molly does a task, I can assume it is correct and only need to ask questions so I can follow her ‘sophisticated’ spreadsheets in case I get asked a question about them. She is always there to help in any way she can.”-Paul Skram

“Molly is my accountant for OSWX and she’s wonderful to work with. Also, I know over the past year she has taken on a few new accounts and has had to get the books set up which can be a big task.” -Audrey Rohrbach

On behalf of all of us, thank you Molly for your willingness to take on challenges and do it all with a smile!

Join us for the 2nd Annual BBQ Lunch Benefiting Hope For The City's Lunch Box for Kids!

2nd Annual BBQ Lunch The OWWL Community Outreach Committee is sponsoring a grilled lunch benefitting Hope for the City’s Lunch Box for Kids summer program.

Thursday, May 26th
When: 11:30 - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Welsh Headquarters - Patio
A suggested donation of $6.00 will get you a freshly grilled hamburger or chicken breast with all the fixins, chips, baked beans and a cookie. Free water will be available. Additional hamburgers and chicken breasts available for a suggested donation of $2.00 each. Donate a regular size can of fruit and get $1.00 off your meal. 

Notice of Event Cancelation

We regret to inform you that for reasons beyond control, our speaker for this Thursday's OWWL event (5/12) has had to cancel. We hope to reschedule this event for a later date. In the meantime, thank you for your interest in participating, and please stay tuned for future events.

OWWL Thanks Hope For The City Volunteers

Last Thursday, April 21, a total of 18 Welsh volunteers pitched in at the Hope For The City warehouse on a project benefitting IDP Rising Schools in Ghana, West Africa. The crew assembled boxes of books that will be distributed among 120 schools in northern Ghana, most in rural villages. A total of 8 pallets of books (24 boxes of books/pallet) were loaded - valued at approximately $125,000!

On behalf of the OWWL Community Outreach committee, thank you to all of you that volunteered your time!

Leadership, Mentoring and Networking - Thursday, May 12, 2011

Please join the Organization for Welsh Women Leaders (OWWL) for a professional development seminar on leadership and the importance of mentoring and networking. We are thrilled to welcome our guest speaker, Monica Little, CEO and founder of Little & Company, a strategic design firm in Minneapolis with a 31-year reputation and exceptional client base in the Twin Cities. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Please rsvp by May 6 to Rae Lathrop at rlathrop@welshco.com.

When: Thursday, May 12, 2011
Seminar from 4:00 - 5:00 pm (the Seminar will begin promptly at 4:00; please arrive early)
Networking from 5:00 - 5:30 pm
Where: The 4400 Baker Road Training Room

OWWL Hosting Lunchbox for Kids Fundraiser - Thursday, May 26th at 11:30 am

OWWL members will be serving up burgers on the patio to raise money for the Lunchbox for Kids program. More information to come...

Hope for the City Volunteer Opportunity - Thursday, April 21 from 11:30 - 3:00 pm

If interested in attending, please contact Jeanne Bordeau immediately, as they need a headcount to order an appropriate amount of food. Volunteers please meet at the Hope for the City Warehouse (7003 Oxford Street, St. Louis Park). Please pull into the parking lot on the left with the "Welcome" sign, park in any open spot, and enter at the southwest corner of the building (a sign will be on the door). Lunch will be provided. Please be sure to wear close-toed shoes and dress for a warehouse environment.

Golden Calculator Award!

The property managers and property administrators have created a new "Golden Calculator Award" to be given to one property accountant every other month to show their thanks for all their hard work. Nominations are for those accountants that have gone over and above, as recommended by property managers and administrators.

Congratulations to Kay Wallin for receiving this month's Golden Calculator Award!

Property Management Women on the Move

Congratulations on your recent promotions!
Pam Sunder, promoted to Senior Real Estate Manager
Heather McKinzie, promoted to Assistant Real Estate Manager

Quote of the Month

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." 
- Winston Churchill

IREM Awards Four Welsh Property Managers with $1,500 Scholarship

Kristen Hedin, Ann Hartman, Audrey Rohrbach, and Anna Mancl have all been awarded a $1,500 Educational Scholarship from IREM, Minnesota Chapter 45. The scholarship may be used toward the cost of tuition and books for IREM educational courses offered in 2011. Congratulations!

Upcoming Seminar: Respect & Positive Interaction in the Workplace

The OWWL Professional Development committee invites you to a "brown bag lunch" seminar open to all Welsh employees. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch, beverages or snacks. A workbook will be provided.

Course: “Respect and Positive Interaction in the Workplace”
Date: March 17, 2011
Time: 11am-1pm
Location: 4400 Training Room
Presented by: Optum Health
Sponsored by: Organization for Welsh Women Leaders (OWWL)

To RSVP, email welshu@welshco.com.

Special Interest Groups

Check out the groups below and attend the next meeting of those you are interested in! Try one or try them all! These groups meet outside of work time as a way to share time together doing things we enjoy - outside of work.

Upcoming meeting times are listed beneath each group. For more information, or to join a group, please contact the group leader.

Book Club - Susan Taylor


Lunch Group - Heather McKinzie
Join this group for great food and great company with fellow OWWL members, all while trying out local area restaurants!

Movies/Film - Kristi Parrish

Work Out/Yoga/Running - Daphne Carleton
Next Group Meeting: the 3rd Monday of each month from 5-6 pm at the 4400 Baker Building Fitness Center. Contact Daphne Carleton for more information, or to join the group. Hope to see you there!

Quote of the Month

"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing."
- John Powell