“You’re not the boss of me!”  Have you ever heard that?  Or, better yet, have you ever said it?  I have but mostly just to my husband.  I’m sure you lovely, adult women haven’t said it since you were young and trying to declare your independence from your parents.  None of us wanted to be bossed around or told what to do by anyone else, and I think that translates into how we feel about supervisors we encounter in the professional world.  Everyone seems to have a story about the worst boss they ever had but rarely have I heard someone share a story about the best boss.  Those stories aren’t as high on the drama scale and usually aren’t as funny but I think a lot can be gained by focusing on what we like about a supervisor.

   Our president, Bob Spinks, recently announced he is leaving United Way for an exciting opportunity at Oklahoma City University.  I have spent the past several days thinking about how great it is to work for Bob and how lucky I am to have had such a great boss.  I think one of the greatest things a boss can do for his/her employee is care about them as people.  And if I had to sum up Bob in one statement it would be that he cared deeply about everyone who works/worked for him during his tenure at United Way.  While I know that is not the only key to being a successful boss I truly believe it’s one of the most important.  I hope someday in the future, when we are all in charge, we can care as much about our employees as the Bobs of the world do.

   This month’s meeting is our annual Bosses Breakfast.  It’s the perfect time to bring your boss and demonstrate the value of your AWC membership.  We have a great speaker, Pattye Moore, and we will be awarding our annual scholarships to some very worthy collegiate women.  I hope to see you there!

President: Elizabeth Taylor, Griffin Communications

President-Elect: Sunny Cearley, The Journal Record

Past President: Mandy Ellis, United Way of Central Oklahoma

Treasurer: Vonnie Anderson, Bank of Oklahoma

Secretary: Rachel Klein, United Way of Central Oklahoma
Publicity Chair: Kim Holding, Oklahoma City Community College
Program Chair: Heidi Brands, Salvation Army
Newsletter: Elizabeth Taylor, Griffin Communications

Web Editor: Tina Evans, World Neighbors
Membership Recruitment Chair: Mandi Briggs, Heritage Trust

Membership Retention Chair:  Amy Mitchell, Citizens Caring for Children
M embership Database Chair: Mandy Ellis, United Way of Central Oklahoma

Communications Chair: Erin Engelke, World Neighbors

Byliner Awarders Co-chairs: Kristin Van Nort, The Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation & Katelyn Turnbull, Oklahoma City University

Progress of Women Chair: Margo Ward, Oklahoma Bankers Association
Bosses Breakfast & Scholarship Chair: Tina Evans, World Neighbors