EWI Chapter Connect



Letter from the President

Dear EWI of Oklahoma City,

As we all strive to continuously improve, one organization I highly recommend for professional development is Toastmasters. Not only is Toastmasters a great platform for developing as a public speaker, but being a Toastmaster enhances confidence, success in running a meeting, and even providing constructive feedback during an evaluation. I’ve not attended a meeting with my local club in several months, but, through my membership I receive informative Toastmaster magazines. In this month’s magazine I read a great article “Creating a High Performance Culture,” and below are ten solid leadership strategies that were outlined. I hope they are helpful for your organization.

1. Set high standards and model them. It is not what you say you believe that is important, but what you model, encourage, reward and let happen.

2. Promote self-leadership. A key quality and hallmark of a high-performance culture is when everybody is a leader and takes ownership in their tasks.

3. Promote end-to-end ownership. Make one person, not a committee, responsible for a task ‘end-to-end.’

4. Live the fire principle. Leaders should always extinguish a fire while it’s still small.

5. Communicate frequently. The key is to enable exchange as fast as possible to quickly eliminate misunderstandings and friction.

6. Train together. For high-performance cultures, teams can train together in how to operate and conduct meetings and presentations.

7. Engage team members via feedback. The best way to engage team members and employees is to teach the whole organization how to give energizing feedback that is actionable and can help individuals grow.

8. Regularly and positively challenge the status quo. Frequently ask ‘why are we doing this?’

9. Try out new things and innovate. Frequently test out new ideas, new ways of working, new approaches…and see what works.

10. Get quantitative and focus on the real world. Any organization that wants to have a high-performance culture should not only measure the output but also the input, the key things that need to get done.

Thank you for your commitment to our Chapter and the many ways we give back to our community.

Christine Laird

Oklahoma City Chapter President

Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce

August Firm Feature: Skyline on Bricktown Canal

WELCOME to our new member Skyline on Bricktown Canal! This firm brings on a ‘new’ returning Representative, Michelle Ferguson. Michelle is the primary point of contact for Skyline on Bricktown Canal, a brand new venue ready to host weddings, parties, and an array of special events against the beautiful backdrop that is Oklahoma City.

“Skyline on Bricktown Canal is a stunning one-of-kind venue, located on the tip of the Canal in Bricktown in the recently renovated Case Plow building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.  The Case Plow was constructed in the 1890’s, it is the 2nd oldest building in Oklahoma City and the oldest on the canal. Skyline on Bricktown Canal offers two gorgeous spaces for your special day. Our Skyline Room which is 3,000 sq. ft. of open rustic space and our Rooftop Patio which is also 3,000 sq. ft. and offers a breathtaking view of downtown Oklahoma City.”

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News and Notes: Special Announcements

This month we have included a special announcements piece recognizing a couple of our Representatives.

First, we’d like to congratulate Kelsey Rusnack for being promoted to Vice President of Operations for Two Structures Homes. She was promoted earlier this summer and we are so excited for her to take on such an important role in the firm. Many of you now know Kelsey is also taking on another important role, mom. Baby girl Rusnack will make her grand entrance in December. Congratulations, Kelsey!

We also learned late last week that Chantelle Olguin has earned a promotion at OBI, adding the title ‘Project Manager’ in addition to her Executive Assistant responsibilities. I had the pleasure of learning about Chantelle’s professional journey when she spoke to a group of Rose State College students at the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber last week. If you are in need of an inspiring speaker to touch the lives of those who are facing obstacles, I highly recommend you reach out to Chantelle. Congratulations to you!

Board Digest Oklahoma City Chapter: July 2018

The Board of Directors met on July 31, 2018 at the offices of Benchmark Financial Services at 2932 NW 122nd Street, Suite 19, Oklahoma City.

The Board confirmed that $4,170 was raised through the golf tournament fundraising efforts. All Board members who were present for the July Board meeting are attending the Texoma Board Forum Friday, August 10 – Saturday, August 11 and discussed the agenda for the trip. As EWI’s fiscal year nears its end, the Board touched on scheduling time to complete annual financial reporting for the Corporate office. Also, it was announced that Kristie Allen has stepped away from EWI and Jessica McCool will continue forward with representing NFP. Last, it was announced that DeAngela Jennings has resigned from Arvest Bank and accepted a position with Urban Farmhouse Designs. Arvest Bank’s Wealth Management division is speaking with a possible replacement representative for DeAngela, while DeAngela has approached Urban Farmhouse Designs about membership.

Current Membership:

21 Member Firms

30 Executives

18 Representatives

11 Sustaining

1 Life

The August Board Meeting will be Tuesday, August 28 2018 at 5:30PM. The host will be Benchmark Financial Services at 2932 NW 122nd Street, Suite 19, Oklahoma City.

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August 2018

Oklahoma City Edition

Chartered May 25, 1959

July 2018 | Vol. 8, No.1

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2017-2018 Officers & Directors

President

Christine Laird, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce

Vice President/President-Elect

Michelle Ferguson, Skyline on Bricktown Canal

Secretary/Treasurer

Kelsey Rusnack, Two Structures Homes

Membership Director

Vacant

Sergeant-At-Arms

Dana Nursick, Benchmark Financial

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IM AGE

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DATES TO NOTE

August 14, 2018 at 5:30PM at The Colcord Hotel

Benchmark Financial Services, LLC Firm Night featuring speaker Anne Luke Boozer, representing Nationwide Insurance

Reservations due WEDNESDAY!

August 22, 2018

Board Reports Due

Email to Christine Laird

August 28, 2018 at 5:30PM

Board Meeting

Host/Location: Benchmark Financial Services, LLC at 2932 NW 122nd Street, Suite 19, Oklahoma City, OK

News and Notes: Final Fundraising Update

One of the cornerstones of EWI of Oklahoma City’s success is the ability to raise funds for philanthropic efforts. This year two fundraising efforts were made through the ‘Tee-Off for Education’ golf tournament and the ‘Libations and Luxury’ wine tasting. Through the tireless work of our members, incomparable support of our firms and generous private donations, I’m glad to share we’ve raised $6,963 this fiscal year. This amount does not include our annual check received from our endowment fund (typically in the ballpark of $7,000) with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. Checks are received each fall and are used for the BCDP fund in the upcoming EWI year.

[pic]August Birthdays

August 13 – Shasta Manuel, Executive, SSM Health

August 14 – Linda Brown, Honorary Member

Happiest of birthdays to all!

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Oklahoma City Chapter Monthly Newsletter

July 2018

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President’s Message & Chapter Officers and Directors p. 1 • Firm Feature p. 2 • News & Notes p. 3 • Board/Business Meeting Digest p. 4

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