Reflections of 2010 – Asheville PWB

by Amanda Ballew – Chair of PWB Council

During 2010 I have served as the Chair of the Professional Women in Building Council of the Asheville Home Builders Association. As I reflect on all we have accomplished this year, I am proud and thankful for all that our Council has achieved. I extend a personal Thank You to the other Board members, the AHBA Staff and to the individuals who participated during the year. We have worked hard to remain a leading group within the Association and the Asheville Community. These are some of the events and activities of this past year.

PWB held on-site meetings at member locations of White Insurance and Core Installations to learn more about what our members offer enhancing the theme “Do Business with a Member.” Following the Spring AHBA membership drive, our Council held a PWB membership drive making calls to each of the AHBA members to encourage PWB membership.

The Professional Women in Building hosted multiple education classes including a panel discussion regarding Foreclosures and Quick Sales. We held a three part series class taught by Gary Charles of G Social Media on Social Media for Businesses earning over $400.00 in funds for our Scholarship and teaching over 20 new students about Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Follow us and connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AshevillePWB and Twitter @AshevillePWB. We recently hosted the Free Webinar: "Think Solid: Creating Home Sales in ANY Market" as a benefit to our builder members of the Association.

This year we awarded our first scholarship in June; a $500 award to Monica Williams, a very deserving student who is pursuing her education in Architecture. The fundraising committee worked extremely hard on the Wine Tasting and Silent Auction “Wines for the Thanksgiving Table” held November 18th at Wine Studio of Asheville and earned over $3000 for the Scholarship Fund. We were also given a seperate $600 donation by Push Asheville Fashion presented during our Holiday lunch.

Thank you to the Asheville Community for your support during my year as Chair. We look forward to serving the AHBA and the community again next year.

Thank you to the 2010 Board of Directors:
Chair - Amanda Ballew - More Space Place
Vice-Chair and Fundraising - Maria Aponte - Salon Blue Ridge
Secretary / Treasurer - Gina Kidder – Core Installations
Director - Jenny Brunet – Cool Mountain Construction and Realty

The 2011 Board of Directors will take office in January:
Chairman: Maria Aponte of Salon Blue Ridge
Vice Chairman: Kate Duinkerken of Duinkerken Homes, Inc
Secretary/Treasurer: Amanda Ballew of More Space Place
Director: Angela Ramsey of Hi-Tech Integrated Systems, Inc.

I Have Gift Closet Envy

In discussing gifts for the upcoming Holidays, my friend was telling me about her gift closet. This past summer she began clipping coupons and has saved a fortune on groceries and other household items. She also heard about a major clearance sale happening in Asheville on toys and made a serious investment in toys that were on sale up to 70% off. My friend stocked up on toys that are for both genders and in several age groups. Most of the toys that she purchased were originally in the $20-$35 range, but she got them at bargain prices. She has been using these clearance toys for birthday parties since the summer and still has presents for nieces and nephews. She also found some larger toy items for her own children that will be quite a surprise for these little ones.

I am envious of her gift closet. I think this sounds like an awesome idea with a closet dedicated to storage of these presents. You can organize the presents based on the types of gifts with toys, games, stuffed animals for different age groups. Keeping on hand gift bags and tissue for quick and easy "wrap and run" makes you prepared to dash out the door to the next party. After Holiday sales would be a good time to start a gift closet like this. I think I will start a gift closet as well.