ADVANCE: Montgomery Women's Leadership Digest

November 2022

A Message from Leadership

A common exclamation this time of year is, "It's November! Where did the year go?" I frequently ask this question myself ... every month ... "Where did the time go?" If you listen to time management gurus you typically hear that we have 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, 365 (or 366 every 4 years) days in a year. Also typical is the caveat that we have the same amount of time as any "successful person"; it's what we do with the time that matters. While these come across as cliches, I believe these to be true, within reason.

Your Montgomery Women Board of Directors have a big vision for the organization. We developed a strategic plan last year that will guide us for several years to come in terms of what we want the organization to be as a premier women's leadership organization. We also received input from you, our members, as to what you want the organization to be for you. Reality is that we are a 100% volunteer-led and run organization with extraordinarily busy women leading our mission. We find ourselves asking recently, "Where has the time gone?" with this year's Board term heading into the new year. We also looked at how we've managed our time so far, and what we can do to be even better.

Implementing our strategic plan and driving our mission forward takes time. And each of us makes time to serve you, our members (and members-to-be)! I invite you to communicate with us to share not only your concerns, but also your ideas and solutions for our - your - organization. Step up to volunteer in small ways and large, whatever your bandwidth, interests, and skills. Email me to ask where we most need help because you may be just the "right person" to fill the need. As time flies and 2022 is almost at its end, fly with us as engaged, active Montgomery Women members and let your leadership skills soar!

In solidarity,

Sylvia Henderson

President, Montgomery Women

Member Spotlights

Lavontte Chatmon

Executive Director,

Nonprofit Montgomery

Lavontte was recently named the new Executive Director of Nonprofit Montgomery (congratulations!). Lavontte first joined Nonprofit Montgomery as the Program & Membership Director in July 2021 and served as the Interim Executive Director from April to October 2022. Lavontte has over 13 years of nonprofit experience in program development, operations, and management. Lavontte has worked on several major national programs and has a professional background in mental health services, women’s rights, and victim services.

Lavontte is dedicated to the promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and access and has developed BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) affinity groups and DEI committees in her previous roles. Her past experience includes working at the National Center for Victims of Crime, Polaris Project, the National Abortion Federation, and RAINN.

Nancy Floreen

President,

Rebuilding Together Montgomery County

Nancy is President of Rebuilding Together Montgomery County and member of the Board of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church. Between 2002 and 2018, Nancy was elected four times as an at-large member of the Montgomery County Council, serving as Council President in 2010 and 2016. From 2002 - 2010, she chaired the Council’s Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee. From 2010 - 2018, she chaired the Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee.

Nancy has a wealth of experience and expertise based on more than three decades of service in local, state and federal government, including as Mayor of the Town of Garrett Park. She served as a Commissioner on the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission between 1986 and 1994. Over her career, she has been personally involved in the development of nearly 50 master plans.

Quick Tips

For the Everyday Leader

"Best practices" are ideas, procedures, and ways of doing things that other leaders have already put in place or done. Develop "new practices" if you plan to be viewed as a forward-thinking, creative leader. Maya Angelou noted, "If you're always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be."

"The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.”

-- John Maxwell

"A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be."

-- Rosalynn Carter

Have a leadership tip or resource you want to share? Click below.

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Key Updates

Exercise Your Right

As a reminder, early voting continues until Thursday, November 3rd at 8:00 pm, and election day is just a week away. Wishing the best of luck to our members on the ballot: Marilyn Balcombe, Karen Bushell, Charlotte Crutchfield, Sidney Katz, Pamela Luckett, Laurie-Anne Sayles, Kate Stewart, Brenda Wolff, Teresa Woorman, and Julie Yang.

Call for Speakers

The Programs Committee is seeking 2-4 additional members to serve as panelists at our Virtual Career Exploration on November 17th from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM. Speakers will share information about their careers with middle and high school students.

If interested, please contact Ijeoma Enendu.