Latest News - February 21, 2008

Dear AWSDA Members,

After a tremendous amount of preliminary work for this years conference, your AWSDA Board of Directors stepped back and took a hard look at the current financial situations of so many of us everywhere right now, and considering that and the cost of travel we have decided to cancel the 2009 Conference. Consider this a tactical withdrawal, one to give us all time to assess the situations that exist now, gather our strengths and defeat our weaknesses, and come back even stronger. And be assured that your AWSDA Board is busily planning a 2010 Conference. Now, this also gives us more time for you, the members, to tell us what you would like to do, where you would like to see AWSDA going, and how you would like to participate. Please let us know!

Consider being a Regional Representative for AWSDA in your area. Spread the word, share about a women's self defense network. For questions, interest, or comments please contact Deanna Enis, the Regional Representative Director.

If you like to write, if you have a female success story to share, or a poem, consider it for the Fisted Rose, the AWSDA newsletter. Submissions can be sent to Dawn Young, the editor.

Althought we will not have a conference for this year, we will have board elections in the Fall. Class III term is up and we will have openings. Please consider running for a position on the Executive Board of AWSDA. So many of you have strengths to contribute to this organization. As the current board builds strong the foundation and continues working towards fulfilling the mission of AWSDA, your strengths would aid in this endeavor. If you have even a small thought or interest or have any questions, please contact us. We are happy to speak with you.

As we move along with achievements and changes we will keep you informed. Currently we are working to update the website, and always could use extra eyes and suggestions. Watch future newsletters for more news, and stay safe out there!

GoodSearch and GoodShop for AWSDA

What if AWSDA earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause.

Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter AWSDA as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!

We are doing our best to keep you informed of all the changes taking place in the organization as well as news and items of interest via these email updates. As always, should you have any questions or comments, they may be directed to the Board at:board@awsda.org.

Sincerely,

The AWSDA Board

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Help Wanted

Articles, success stories and anything related to women's self protection. We need people to submit these to our editor. You do not have to be a writer. We can help with editing and making the article or story just to your liking. We are all inspired by stories, so please, consider sending something in for the Fisted Rose and the website. Speaking of the website, if you have not logged in as a member, you can do so by using this email address and use this same email address for your password. Once you are in the members section, you can go to My Information, change your password, update your address, email, profile etc. If you have any difficulty, please contact the webmaster.

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AWSDA Board Contact Information

Sheila Haddad (Chair) - shaddad@awsda.org

Susan Baldwin (Vice Chair) - sbaldwin@awsda.org

Evelyn Logan - elogan@awsda.org

Darla Bolon - dbolon@awsda.org

Ruth Covey - rcovey@awsda.org

Cathy Lewis- clewis@awsda.org

Randi Smith-Todorowski - rsmith-todorowski@awsda.org

Staff and Officers

Jodi Cooper - Administration/Membership Coordinator - jcooper@awsda.org

Cristina Eriksson - Webmaster - webmaster@awsda.org

Dawn Young - Fisted Rose Editor - editor@awsda.org

Deanna Enis - reg.rep.dir@awsda.org

Treasurer - Cathy Lewis - clewis@awsda.org

Secretary - Darla Bolon - dbolon@awsda.org

Remember - using GoodSearch or GoodShop earns money for AWSDA!!