HISTORY

In 1990 Judy Grossman and her friend, Diane Morgan, cofounders of TCWN, had attended their third or fourth Women’s Network meeting in Calaveras County. They left convinced that Tuolumne County was long overdue for its own network. Diane’s friend, Gay Gandolfo had a desktop publishing business and produced the first newsletter. The newsletter was sent to women in business that Judy and Diane knew, along with an ad placed in the newspaper announcing the meeting. That first meeting was at LaTorre’s Restaurant, with 20 people in attendance. Off and running, Judy and Diane set up a temporary board for six months where they both shared the responsibility of being president.

Toward the end of six months, Diane had moved to Oregon and Gay moved to the Valley. So Judy started her term as president, which didn’t end until 1994. According to Judy, in those four years the network had some wonderful, committed women on the board. TCWN grew and progressed through the energy of all the women in the network and their belief in themselves and their businesses and the power of networking.

The women in business in Tuolumne County have, and will continue to make a major impact on the business community and its growth; and Judy is proud to say she had a part in its inception and development, which she says was both fun and rewarding. She is happy to see it expand and prosper, giving support and inspiration to both new and continuing businesswomen in Tuolumne County.

The Tuolumne County Women’s Network was organized to provide an opportunity for women in the business community to meet regularly in order to build their businesses through networking. The Organization provides social and educational meetings, which focus on business opportunities and development for women. TCWN reaches out to women with an invitiation to join the group’s common purpose of supporting each other’s professional endeavors while also encouraging personal growth.

Membership meetings are held monthly, alternating between luncheon and dinner, on the third Wednesday of each month. Our primary meeting location is the Peppery Gar & Brill, although meeting are occassionaly held at special locations which are announced in the monthly newsletter. We have a few standing meetings such as our Trade Fair in May, Scholarship Auction in September and Installation meeting in November.

It is necessary to arrange meeting reservations for yourself and guests by calling the Reservation Chairperson no later than noon on the Friday before each meeting. The meeting fee is $20.00 per person with a Reservation and $25.00 without a Reservation. Meeting only (no meal) is $5.00.

Any person without a reservation waits until all registered guest and members are seated. If available seats remain, the person will be seated after 12:00 p.m. at luncheon meetings or 6:00 p.m. at dinner meetings. Individuals are encouraged to attend meetings even if they do not wish to eat; however, a $5.00 charge will be made to cover the individual cost of the meeting.

When you are unable to attend a meeting, please cancel your reservation at least 48 hours in advance by calling the Reservation number.

Please call the Reservation Chairperson to make arrangement for special dietary needs.

The suggested time to arrive is between 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. for luncheon meetings or between 5:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. for evening meetings. For those who have not prepaid, progress through the check-in line is expedited when your check is written prior to getting in line.

A General Display Table is located in the entrance area. It is available at all meetings for members to display business cards, brochures, and handouts. You are responsible for picking up displayed items after the meeting. Remaining material will be discarded during cleanup.

Indiviual Display Tables are also located in the entrance area. Members may reserve their own table at any monthly meeting. This opportunity is provided on a space-available basis and the cost is $10.00 per table. Arrangements must be made by contacting the Reservation Chair no later than noon on the Friday before a meeting. Payments may be prepaid or given to the Reservations Chair at the meeting. 

Name tags are available at this table located in the foyer. Placement of your name tag on the right lapel allows it to be seen easily when you shake hands.

You may purchase door prize tickets at the Hospitality Table.

All information pertaining to membership may be obtained at the table located in the foyer. Newsletters, membership applications, new member packets, Membership Directories and binders are available here. Members will find all forms here, including change of address forms, Bulletin Briefs and announcement forms. Completed forms may be returned to the Member Services Table . It is a good place to share your ideas and suggestions, too!

11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. and /or 5:15 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.

Sign in at the Registration Table, choose a table and seat, visit the Membership Services and Display Tables and begin networking!

11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and /or 5:50 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.

Meal served, President’s welcome, introduction of Board members, guests and new members, announcements and Network business information.

12:00 p.m. - 12:20 p.m. and /or 6:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Self-introductions - limited to 30 seconds per person!

12:20p.m. - 12:45 p.m. and /or 7:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Program speaker, with questions and answers following presentation when time allows.

12:45p.m. - 1:00 p.m. and /or 7:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Prize drawings, followed by additional networking as members choose.

This is a monthly publication of TCWN. The Newsletter is sent to members and guests receive three complimentary issues. The Newsletter provides many publicity opportunities for members.

The Newsletter includes:

Telephone numbers of the TCWN Officers and Committee Chairs and assistants,

Upcoming speaker information,

Career opportunities,

TCWN activities and calendar,

Advertising (for members only),

Prize donors and winners,

Guests, new members, Spotlight column featuring one member every month, Bulletin Briefs and articles of general interest.

Information articles from the membership are welcomed. Avertising space may be purchased as shown below. Appropriateness of all articles submitted will be at the discretion of the Newsletter Chair and the President.

SUBMITTING INFORMATION FOR PUBLICATION

Information may be dropped at the Member Services Table or mailed to TCWN Newsletter Chair at P.O. Box 405, Standard, CA 95373. Information may be faxed to Newsletter Chair. See back page of Newsletter for name and number.

Please inform TCWN of any address, telephone, employment changes, etc. These changes will be published in the next Newsletter. Forms to notify TCWN of changes in writing are available at the Member Services Table at monthly meetings. Completed forms may be returned at the Member Services Table, the Newsletter Chair or mailed to the TCWN post office box.

There is time given at each monthly meeting for announcements from members. They may also choose to have their announcements printed in the Newsletter as a Bulletin Brief. Guidelines for Bulletin Briefs and Announcements are as follows:

Announcements are given at meetings on a time available basis.

Bulletin Brief forms are provided at the Member Services Table at monthly meetings.

Bulletin Brief forms must be faxed or mailed so they are received by the Newsletter Chair by the 20th of the month. The Brief will be printed in the upcoming month’s Newsletter on a space available basis. Briefs received after the deadline will be printed in next month’s Newsletter

Information for Bulletin Briefs and Announcements may be about accomplishments, promotions, business do’s & don’ts, employment offered/wanted, new people in your life, helpful hints, important events, marriages or births, learning experiences, changes, travels, things you’d like to know more about, etc.

No advertisements or direct solicitations of funds are allowed in Announcements or Bulletin Briefs. Community events or programs are limited to those in which TCWN members are involved. Employment opportunities may be accepted from nonmembers since these items are of interest to the membership. Determination of the appropriateness of Briefs will be made by the Newsletter Chair and the President.

Membership Directories are available on the Member Services Table at monthly meetings.

Directories include:

Yearly Calendar

Table of Contents

Standing Rules of the Organization

General information, including history and objectives of the Network

Meeting format

Membership benefits

Alphabetical membership listings

Yellow Page membership listings by business category including paid Yellow Page advertisements. Prior to publication of the Directory, a special notice regarding sizes and prices of ads will be published in the monthly Newsletter.

Bylaws

Forms

Support other Network members by using them for your business needs and referring them to others.

For current official policies, please refer to the handbook.