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Southeast Chapter
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee
The Southeast chapter has had an exciting year so far. We have new members, new board members, and have had a number of meetings and events for our members. It is a thrilling time for the Southeast chapter, come join us and be part of the fun!
Announcements:
We would like to announce our new board members! It is a great team that represents different backgrounds as well as different areas of the jewelry industry. Our team will be working for you to create educational and networking events, increase membership, and manage our scholarship and grants program.
Southeast Chapter Board Members:
President: Diane Warga-Arias
Vice President: Arathi Ramappa
Second Vice President, Atlanta Liaison: Melissa Rovner
Treasurer: Lillian Kaplan
Secretary: Lera Lasater Lee
Chair of Communications: Caren Cotto
Chair of Scholarships/Grants: Carol Diamond
We are looking for more board members and for liaisons from Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. Please contact us if you would like to be in integral part of WJA’s Southeast chapter!
WJA Southeast Chapter Shining Star:
Please join us in congratulating WJA’s Southeast Chapter’s Shining Star, Arathi Ramappa. Arathi has been an essential member in building the Southeast chapter and was given her award at the WJA National Conference in March. Thank you for your hard work and commitment to WJA!
Upcoming Chapter Events
Oct. 17th-18th
WJA President’s Retreat
The WJA President’s Annual Retreat will be held in Miami, Florida. We are honored and excited to be the hosting the event this year. It will be a chance for our chapter members to meet with WJA national executives and presidents from other chapters. We are planning a boat cruise that will be open to our members, it is sure to be an entertaining and beneficial experience for those who attend.
If you would like to be involved in the planning of this event, please contact Diane Warga-Arias.
November (Exact Date TBD)
Hands On Miami Day
Hands on Miami is a non-profit volunteer organization for Dade County, Florida. Volunteers work with the homeless, are companions to the elderly, build low-income housing, restore the natural environment, tutor at-risk children, read to children in shelters, etc. In November they have a “Hands on Miami Day” where teams of individuals work throughout the county on community projects such as painting murals, cleaning parks, etc. WJA’s Southeast chapter will be organizing a team to work at one of these projects. Please join us in giving back to our community.
Location and exact date still TBD.
Recent Chapter Events
March 7th
WJA National Women in the Know Conference
More than 225 jewelry industry professionals attended this year's 5th annual Women in the Know conference in New York City! The day was filled with phenomenal speakers and informative workshops. All that attended were inspired, informed, and were able to network with women from around the nation.
March 1st
Luncheon with AAUW – American Association of University Women.
WJA & AAUW…Perfect Together
WJA Southeast Chapter had their first event of the year with the American Association of University Women (AAUW) on March1st. The Dollars for Scholars Luncheon was held at the Lighthouse Point Yacht and Racquet Club in South Florida and all proceeds of the event went to scholarships that are awarded to young women in their Junior and Senior year of college.
The theme of the event was Gangsters in your Backyard and the featured speaker of this educational event was Sally Ling, author of Run the Rum: South Florida During Prohibition. Twelve themed gift baskets were also raffled off including baskets of cheer/champagne from our chapter. It was an entertaining, educational and charitable event that also provided great networking opportunities for all that attended from our chapter.
Location: Lighthouse Point Yacht and Racquet Club
2701 NE 42nd St.
Lighthouse Point, FL 33064
Oct. 21, 2007
Wine and Cheese Mixer– Miami Beach Convention Center
In conjunction with the Jeweler’s International Showcase (JIS) tradeshow, our chapter had Wine and Cheese mixer that took place directly before JIS’s Martin Rappaport seminar. We provided a time for attendees of the show to relax, have a drink, and meet with their colleagues. Both women and men attended and represented a variety of different fields in the industry such as jewelry design, advertising, retail, wholesale, and technology. It was a dynamic atmosphere where attendees were able to exchange ideas and receive advice from their peers. Thank you to all of those who attended.
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