WBN Members Help Save and Change the Lives of Women and Children

Taking part in the WBN Hollywood Christmas Gala was such a pleasure! A wonderful celebration of Peterborough’s amazing business women -- AND, by supporting the YWCA as the beneficiary of the Gala, every volunteer organizer,  every donor of every auction item, every purchaser and every member helps provide the basic human right of safety for women and children in our community.

You see, the statistics around domestic violence are shocking. Nationally some 3,300 women and their 3,000 children sleep in shelters to escape domestic violence each night. And every six days a woman is killed by her intimate partner.  The statistics in our community are equally troubling. 

WBN members have supported the YWCA Crossroads shelter for almost 20 years. At Crossroads we serve more than 300 women and children every year. As well as safe haven, women and children receive everything from safety planning and mental health services to counselling and parental support. And the difference you make as a supporter, volunteer or donor to the YWCA doesn’t end at Crossroads.

By supporting the YWCA, you help us:

•                    Answer our crisis line 24/7/365 so that every woman in our region can get help when she needs it

•                    Run our innovative START program – a one-stop shop of coordinated services for women who have experienced domestic violence or abuse

•                    Support women as they go through family court – often with their abuser fighting for custody of their children

•                    Provide rent-geared-to-income housing for over 100 women and children who have experienced abuse

You also help us:

•                    Build the confidence of 12-13 year old girls in our GirlSpace program to form healthy life-long relationships

•                    Provide grants to women who have fled abuse and are pursuing their dreams through education

•                    Deliver over 3,000 food boxes to families who are struggling to provide healthy food to their families

•                    Advocate on behalf of women and girls in our community and around the world

Abuse and violence against women and children are not a personal issue, but a community one.  By supporting the YWCA, you help to save lives, relieve deep suffering, unleash the human potential of women and children, and strengthen our whole community.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

To find out more, or if you would like to work with us to expand the leadership of women and girls in our community, we would love to hear from you.

Jen Cureton

Director of Philanthropy & Communications

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton

216 Simcoe Street, Peterborough, ON K9H2H7

www.ywcapeterborough.org

2014's Christmas Gala Auction Items!

Have you heard what is being auctioned off at the WBN Holiday Gala in support of YWCA Crossroads Shelter??? 

Here's a sneak peek at our items this year! Thank you so much to all those who donated! 

Win it at the WBN Holiday Gala Live Auction in support of YWCA Crossroads Shelter.  

A summer weekend houseboat rental donated by Egan Houseboat Rentals. 

1 hour site seeing flight for 4 people over the Kawartha's donated by Robb Bennett.

Whiskey Tasting for 8 at the Whiskey Club donated by Mike Skinner!!! 


Where can you get a Duck Dynasty Recliner and a 43" Television???   
Special thanks to Tom Reburn of Leons for the recliner and Lynda Ethier of Kawartha TV and Stereo for the television  


A new La-Z-Boy Chair from Bennett's Home Furnishings would look great under your Christmas Tree. 

There is something for everyone at the WBN Holiday Gale Silent Auction in support of the YWCA Crossroads Shelter. Here are just a few:

• 3 month membership donated by T-Zone Vibration 
• Wall art hangings donated by The Original Flame 
• Family portrait session donated by Alicia Boyd Photography  
• A Scandinavian Spa Day Package at Blue Mountain donated by Trent Valley Honda 

Doors open at 6pm on December 3rd at The Venue. 
Tickets are $40 per guest and registration deadline is November 28, 2014 at noon.
http://www.womensbusinessnetwork.net/pub-christmas.php

Heat Savings Over Hardwood: Survey Reveals Shift in Home Buyers’ Desires

The Canadian dream home has a new laundry list of “must haves”.

Utility bills can cost a homeowner even more when they go to sell their property according to the Remax® Canadian Home Critics Survey. In the results, which expose purchasers' motivations and turn offs, Canadians overwhelmingly report that they would select a home with energy efficiency upgrades (41%) over updated finishings like granite countertops or hardwood floors (22%). View the full survey press release here.

"It's well-known that home buying is an emotional process, so understanding the shifts in where buyers place value is key to a sellers' success," said Todd Shyiak, national director of operations Remax, Canada. "Location is still important to today’s home, Re buyers, but the sheer volume of information available has made them more aware of how a home's features can impact their lifestyle."

So, how are Canadians judging your home?

Home buyers want “Layout, location, location.”

Canadians say that layout is the most important consideration when selecting a home (27%), even over location factors such as the desirability of the community (26%) or commute distance (12%). Layout also has the strongest impact on their first impression of a house (39%) while a home's size carries much less weight (11%).

The survey also uncovers that buyers are willing to renovate for looks but not for repair. Only 13% of Canadians view the need to renovate rooms as a major home buying deterrent. Yet, 30% will walk away from a purchase if they notice just a small amount of water damage, even when the costly issue of outdated plumbing or electrical facilities (29%) is considered.

When it comes to homes, Canadians are clean freaks.

If your house has old flooring, just make sure it’s spotless. Uncleanliness tops home buyers' turn off list (60%), whereas dated flooring (40%) or bold paint colours (18%) have much less impact.

The Goldilocks’ effect: Buyers most driven to find a home that fits just right.

40% of Canadians say their number one motivation to buy a house is to "better fit a new life stage," followed by the desire to "have a home of their own

(29%) and “because it’s a smart investment” (just 10%).

Size matters to millennial home buyers, boomers have bigger concerns.

Millennials look more at the face value of houses, including square footage (millennials 9%, boomers 4%) and room count (millennials 12%, boomers 3%). In contrast, boomers are more concerned with lifestyle factors, such as how well the space is laid out (millennials 18%, boomers 34%) or if it’s located in a desirable community (millennials 18%, boomers 30%).

For boomer buyers, it's what's inside that counts.

Boomers are less likely to be turned off by a home's cosmetic features, such as dated flooring (millennials
51%, boomers 36%). This demographic, who may be settling in for retirement or downsizing, seek homes that won't cost them time or money in the long run. Boomers prefer homes with energy efficiency upgrades (millennials 29%, boomers 54%) and are more likely to avoid ones with outdated plumbing or electrical facilities (millennials 23%, boomers 32%).

If you’re a buyer or seller in the near future, keep these tips in mind!!

Betty Johnson

Sales Representative

Remax Eastern Realty Inc. Brokerage

91 George St.

Peterborough, On K9J 3G3

email:  betty@bettysellshomes.net

Website:  www.bettysellshomes.net

Telephone - 705-743-9111

Fax - 705-743-1034

Direct - 705-749-7934

Alternatives Community Program Services - Supporting Individuals

Alternatives Community Program Services has been supporting individuals with disabilities in Peterborough and Peterborough County for over twenty seven years, it is difficult to sit and isolate one specific story of success when there has been so many.

Many of the wonderful people that come in to our lives do so when they are at one of the lowest points, not knowing where to turn for support in daily living, in community connections or in the area that I oversee, employment. 

After some much intense discussion with staff we as a team have decided to tell the story of a young lady with a developmental disability who found her salvation through our employment supports program and began a new journey and found a life full of success and more love and support then she could have ever imagined.
We will call this young lady Jane.  Jane had been through it all, although visible with her compulsions assimilated with her diagnosis of FASD and developmental delay she was the smartest street person many of us have ever met, or will ever have the privilege of meeting again.  It didn’t matter what situation she found herself in all the wrong people always became her friend.  She was promiscuous; she did more than just dabble in drugs and alcohol and blew off her support staff whenever possible.

Eventually Jane became pregnant and her child was taken and placed in the care of an aunt.  This only fueled Jane’s aggressive tendencies and sent her on a downward spiral of depression.  Eventually even her visitation rights were revoked and she felt completely alone in the world with nothing to strive for.  Jane’s dedicated support staff tried everything to turn her life around, putting small practices in place to help Jane learn the skill sets necessary to live an independent lifestyle and earn back the visitation sessions with her baby.

It wasn’t an easy task and didn’t happen overnight, but eventually Jane began to make some very good choices.  Jane became to accept support on a regular basis and tried very hard to develop some necessary skills to learn to live independently and control her anger.  Jane became more involved with Alternatives and strived to become the person she always wanted to be, helping other clients with their learning plans and suggesting good choices for them.  

Jane was doing well but still she felt that she could give more, she wanted to be like everyone else, she wanted to have a job.  Jane came in to the Employment Supports program and set to work on what types of things she liked to do.  Because Jane had spent so much of her time on the streets she found it difficult to adjust to the first couple of work placements she had.  She didn’t like to be in an office and she didn’t like to feel as if people were consistently watching her and judging her.  It became to wear on Jane’s fragile self-esteem.

One day while Jane was waiting for her job coach to finish up some paper work she began weeding the gardens at Alternatives, before any of us knew it she had done some amazing landscaping work and the property looked fantastic.  Jane had found what she wanted to do.

Alternatives ended up hiring Jane and she worked for us until she made the move towards her home to be closer to her baby.  Jane now has a full skill set and employment history for her next position and is able to see her baby on a regular basis.  Although Jane has thanked us all for the changes that have come to her life we as an organization and  family thank her as well as she has taught all of us that even the most challenging individuals that appears to have the highest barriers, want what everyone else wants and they can achieve it!

Jennifer Cormier
Program Director
Alternatives Community Program Services
Employment Supports Program, and
Individualized Supports Services

http://alternativescommunityprogramservices.ca/ 

Commemorating a LIFE IN A DAY

By turning the well-known phrase "a day in the life" around to "a life in a day", we gather the essence and purpose of the funeral/ memorial service. 

Funeral/Memorial ceremonies have been part of the spiritual and social framework of the human culture for thousands of years. And although the details of the ceremonies may vary greatly according to customs and beliefs, the service shares a common purpose - to honor and remember a life that has passed.

When we consider the various elements of memorial/funeral services, the ability to uniquely capture that individual's life in the service is of highest value.   The manner in which we mark the passing, whether as a traditional funeral service in a church, as a private family memorial at the graveside, or as a celebration of life reception, all serve to bring together the family and friends of the loved one, to honour, and share the stories, beliefs, successes and grief that their passing means to each and all.

We know that more than three quarters of Canadians over 35 have thought about their own funeral, but very few (less than 12%) have taken steps towards planning it.   And, yet, when the conversation is launched, sometimes in whispered tones and with an awkward laugh, individually we tend to have strong opinions on what matters to us, including elements far beyond the obvious decisions associated with funerals.    If asked, each of us will have our own wish list --  for example, to have a specific selection of music played, to personalize the chapel or reception area with our favourite possessions (a gleaming Harley, favourite sports equipment, or that teapot collection), to have someone special recite a favorite poem or prayer, or to provide a favorite food or even a favourite tipple for the guests to share while toasting a life well lived. 
The pre-planning process, for both funeral services and burial/interment, can greatly assist your loved ones in creating the most appropriate and valued approach to commemorate a life.  And, through pre-planning, the wide range options can be explored, considered and contemplated, without the grief, urgency and stress that occur at time of death.

The options available to commemorate a "life in a day" have never been broader.  And, the ideal opportunity to clearly communicate and record those specifics is now.   The option are yours, should you wish to pre-pay, or simply pre-arrange without financial commitment, either approach will be welcomed, supported and documented by your funeral provider.   And, for your commitment of an hour or two on that day in your life, you can be assured that you have helped those you love to feel confident and comforted, knowing that they have honoured you and your wishes, with a service that uniquely commemorates a well lived life.

Mary McGee
Chief Executive Officer
Highland Park Funeral Centre/Little Lake Cemetery Co

WBN's 2014/2015 Line-Up

September 3 2014 – Richard Robbins - Deliver the Unexpected: And 6 Other New Truths for Business Success

From his small town roots as an award-winning real estate sales professional at the age of 24, to world-renowned speaker, author and elite business coach, Richard Robbins is Co-founder and CEO of Richard Robbins International Inc., a leading sales and business coaching organization that has transformed the businesses and lives of thousands of real estate sales professionals and leaders at all levels, worldwide. read more,,

October 1 2014 – Theresa Easler - Connect to the Core

Whether guiding business leaders to reach new heights, coaching individuals to increase results by bettering their presentation skills, or working with companies to grow their sales and create new systems and processes, Teresa works with joyful determination to ensure her clients leave their time together challenged, and in an enhanced position to increase revenues.  read more,,

November 5 2014 – Peterborough's Empowering Women - Maryam Monsef, Peggy Shaughnessy, and Kerri Davies

A night with our very own Maryam Monsef, Peggy Shaughnessy and Kerri Davies. read more,,

December 3 2014 – Holiday Gala

Our Holiday Event is a time to celebrate the holidays in style and raise a glass of cheer with the great members of the WBN.  It is a time to relax, be with friends and colleagues, and reflect on your accomplishments of 2014.  It is also our way to give back to our Peterborough community through our support of the YWCA Crossroads Shelter. 

We are fortunate to be hosting the event at the Venue. read more,,

January 7 2015 – Nina Spencer

Nina Spencer is a popular Toronto-based international corporate motivational speaker, workshop facilitator, speaker's coach and best selling author. Dubbed by the National Post as, "One of Canada's leading motivational speakers", she is in-demand with audiences from a diversity of associations, professions and industries, in both the public and private sectors. Read More 

February 4 2015 – Frank Soriano

Frank s a seasoned Toronto-based keynote speaker, workshop facilitator and leadership development consultant. Holding a Combined Honors. B.A. from York University, Frank's early professional days as a rehabilitation counselor well informed his middle and senior years in progressive leadership and management positions within the health, wellness and safety-focused areas of the Ontario Public Sector. Frank spent the last ten years of his organizational life working as an Internal Consultant focusing on leadership development, the delivery of Human Resource products and designing/developing customized interventions for work teams. Check him out at  http://youtu.be/kqTaLmYFQec

March 4 2015 – Trade Show!

After great success in 2012, we are happy to be hosting another WBN Trade Show at the Venue.   This night will provide members and businesses an opportunity to showcase their business, learn from other members experiences through member success stories and offer an enhanced networking opportunity as we mingle with cocktails and plenty of food.  Once details are finalized, more information will be posted.  Please stay tuned.

April 1 2015 – Local Resources for your Business

Do you know all of the resources and services there is in our community to help business grow and develop?  Tonight we will feature a number of local agencies and organizations that will present on how they can help you succeed in your business.  Whether it is funding resources, business support, or partnership development, members and guests will definitely leave with more information and knowledge about what Peterborough has to offer.

May 6 2015 – Claudia Harvey - Creating a Business from the Ground Up

Success in partnering with Kevin O'Leary, one of Canada’s notorious Dragons from the CBC’s Dragons’ Den and over 20 years of business experience in corporate and entrepreneurial settings, Claudia Harvey is sought after as a Keynote speaker for Corporate functions, Association meetings and Conferences. Read More 

June 3 2015 – End of Year Event - Details to Follow

Richard Robbins - Deliver the Unexpected

Presenting September 3 2014  Richard Robbins 

Deliver the Unexpected: And 6 Other New Truths for Business Success

From his small town roots as an award-winning real estate sales professional at the age of 24, to world-renowned speaker, author and elite business coach, Richard Robbins is Co-founder and CEO of Richard Robbins International Inc., a leading sales and business coaching organization that has transformed the businesses and lives of thousands of real estate sales professionals and leaders at all levels, worldwide.

Richard is author of the ground-breaking new business book, Deliver the Unexpected: And 6 Other New Truths for Business Success that exposes the pitfalls in many conventional approaches to success and replaces them with a new set of rules for reaching personal and business success. Richard is also the strategic force behind all research and development of his organization’s highly impactful and world renowned programs such as: Ignite
Training Retreats, Business Advance Coaching, Masters Edge Training and The Vault.

On a more personal note, Richard believes life is to be experienced at every opportunity. From flying a fighter jet through the mountains of South Africa, skiing at the peaks of Whistler, to racing NASCAR and coming face to face with sharks some 80 feet below sea level in an open water shark dive – Richard seizes each and every opportunity to live life to the fullest.
Richard and his wife, Sue, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Richard Robbins International, reside in Markham, Ontario, with their two kids, Jaimie and Tanner. The Robbins’ are avid readers, fitness enthusiasts and personal development junkies who truly believe there’s no place like home.

Richard is a sought-after expert in the field of sales performance, business and leadership, and is best described by his audiences as the epitome of a true integrity-powered leader. He has been performing ground-breaking seminars and keynotes for nearly two decades, in over half a dozen countries, on four continents and at countless international conventions for audiences exceeding 10,000 people. His captivating presence and engaging style allow him to communicate profound messages in ways that make even the most complex topics understandable, memorable and immediately usable.

Book your seat here to see Richard fast, we're sure to sell out!