Fresh Air

WWF = Women; Worldly and Fascinating

I recently attended the 10th anniversary Annual Meeting for the Washington Woman's Foundation, a wonderful celebration of the growth and magnitude of this powerful group of women.  From the very first meeting I attended in 2003, I have been continuously impressed with the caliber, quality and interesting nature of the members of this organization.  This impression has only been reinforced over time.

The rotunda at Benaroya Hall was abuzz with talk of this year's slate of potential recipients.  I had a chance to meet up with many old freinds, and meet some new folks as well.  Our membership is over 400 strong now, and I have to admit that there were a notable number of men in attendance as well!

Founded to provide women with both the power to leverage their philanthropic power as well as the education necessary to make appropriate and personally relevant choices, this group caters to women of all ages, socio-economic status and degree of experience in working with charitable organizations. 

I love the fact that I can personally contribute to WWF, then select organizations from my personal list to receive donations that I would have given in any regard, and to also participate in selecting deserving organizations that receive "pooled" funds from the group as a whole.  I personally know some of the groups that have received funding over the years, and getting a "chunk" of $50 - 100K allows these groups to consider much larger, more sustainable projects.

It has become quite a feather in an organization's cap to receive funding from WWF.  This is because we've developed a set of criterion and a review process that really asks organizations to consider their goals, results, metrics for success and means to evaluate that success.  It's not about handing out money on a platter...it's about making a real and sustainable difference through our giving.  The bar has been raised, and organizations are responding in a very positive manner.

Recently, in a spate of personal housekeeping, WWF started an endowment fund in honor of Colleen Willoughby; founder, leader and all around amazing woman.  As any non-profit organization recognizes, a perfect world is one in which there isn't a constant struggle for fundint dollars just to keep the doors open.  Endowment funds can assist to provide operational income, allowing for greater programmatic focus for fundraising efforts.

I am encouraging both my family and freinds to get involved with this great organization.  Through this group, I have learned so much, and have met so many excellent women.  I am thankful to have been invited to participate, and look forward to what the future will bring.

If you're interested, I'll bet there is a neighborhood meeting happening somewhere near you.  To find out, please visit their web site at http://www.wawomensfoundation.org/.  You'll be very glad you did!

Swivel Magazine is Pithy, Smart and Engaging. Get Your Copy Now!

Serendipity works in strange ways.  In getting caught up with my friend Brangien Davis, I learned that in addition to her professional role as "Special" writer to our local newspaper, she's also the Editrix of a bi-annual publication entitled "Swivel", focusing on the prose, poetry and photographic skills of women with a sense of wit.  They're seeking submitters who are pithy, smart and willing to take risks - in short, my kind of gals!

One of my favorite experiences is reading something that makes me feel as if I am partnered in perspective with the writer as each scenario unfolds.  The delight of the discovery, the evocative moment, the opportunity to be pushed further than just the story line intellectually and emotionally...it is these moments that I live for, and that I hope to create as well.  Swivel writers seem to excel in creating these types of experiences.

Take this as a clarion call to all creative women who feel strongly they've got something of value to say, and the creative chutzpah to put it out there.  You know who you are, and my hope is that this posting will drive you directly into Swivel's arms as an excellent opportunity for publication, but also to support  these brave, intrepid and truly witty doyennes by buying into their world.  The website is replete with enough info to tease you into submitting, and provides gentle encouragement to pony up, as one ought in support of our growing sisterhood.  And guys - if you're seeking a means to understanding that mysterious set of "other gendered" individuals with whom you engage - you should pony up, too.  It's not just for women only!! 

So I say again, Brangien, you go girl!  Keep the fire burning hot!

Credit Fraud - PROTECT YOURSELF!!

This bit of info came from my cousin Mary - who is exceptionally long on horse-sense and one of the most capable people I know.  And it's chock a block with good suggestions, so here you go:

Subject: Attorney's Advice---No Charge

Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice!

A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.

1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.

2.  When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all  the check processing channels won't have access to it.

3.  Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

4.  Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.

I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards. Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card,  had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN  number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more. But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:

5.  We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately.  But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.

6.  File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc. were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

But here's what is perhaps most important of all : (I never even thought to do this.)

7.  Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had  never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name.

The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away. This weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.

Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc has been stolen:

1.)  Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.)   Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.)  Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
4.)  Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything. But if you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about.