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CWIT Sponsors |
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From the Chair
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 Dear
CWIT Members and Friends - Every so often, it benefits an organization like CWIT to revisit its goals. CWIT’s mission is to enhance the status of women who work in the field of international trade by presenting educational and networking opportunities to benefit our common goals. With education in mind, I refer you to two recent articles on topics affecting our members:
-- The first, “ The Status of Women in South Carolina” by Dr. Sandra J. Teel, Associate Director of the Division of Research, and Dr. Donald L. Schunk, Assistant Professor of Economics and Research Economist, both at the Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina. Their article, excerpted in the Oct/Nov/Dec issue of the University’s "Business and Economic Review", is introduced with “It is early in the 21st century, and the status of women in the Palmetto State is not good”. Teel and Schunk examine gender equity on key indicators, such as health, employment and earnings, economic autonomy, and more. See the Business and Economic Review and this study reported online at: mooreschool.sc.edu/moore/research.
-- The second, perhaps more directly pertinent to many CWIT members, is IOMA’s Managing Exports and Imports Salary Survey, outlined in the September 2005 issue of MEI under the heading “Overall Comp for International Trade Pros is at $90k in 2005”. This article proceeds to ask the questions “What are you worth – and are you being compensated fairly given your skills, experience, and contribution to the company’s bottom line?” Although not specific to any city or region of the country, it includes tables comparing compensation by gender and function/title, number of employees in the company and function/title, and years of experience and function. All of this makes interesting reading for any of us serious about career advancement. Send an email to mailto:[email protected] to request a copy of this article to be faxed to you.
As to the networking part of CWIT’s mission, that is how we can change things. By supporting one another, CWIT members can make a difference and improve the status of women in our industry, in our state, and in the world.
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-- Ann Watts, USDOC/Export Assistance Center,CWIT Chairperson
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| Tug Boar Harbor Tour Event |
On October 11, CWIT will be embarking on some real waterfront excitement as members and guests climb on board for a "Tug Boat Harbor Tour". This event is being hosted by Mr. Joe Buckheister, Vice President & General Manager, McAllister Towing of Charleston.
His company is one of the oldest and largest marine towing and transportation companies in the United States, operating nationally a fleet of more than 70 tugboats and 12 barges along the entire East Coast from Portland, ME to San Juan, PR. McAllister Towing is engaged in ship docking, general harbor towing, coastal towing and bulk transportation servicing more than 1,000 major steamship companies in business today.
Space for this event is limited to only 50 people; therefore, RSVP's are being received on a first come/first served basis, but not confirmed until Oct. 5. Another great reason to join CWIT: non-member RSVP's will only be confirmed if space is available following confirmation of membership reservations.
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| Bringing Together Business and Trade Leaders |
The South Carolina District Export Council brings together business and trade leaders across South Carolina to provide export promotion and support on the local level. Through an Executive Order signed by President Nixon in 1973, DECs throughout the U.S. were established to stimulate business participation in national export expansion efforts. SCDEC members volunteer their time to sponsor and participate in numerous trade promotion activities and supply specialized expertise to small and medium-sized businesses interested in exporting.
The organization’s key annual event is the South Carolina Legislators Trade Institute, now in its seventh year. Slated for October 10 and 11, the event brings state and federal elected officials to Charleston to learn about trade and its impact on the regions each represent. This year’s program includes a “History of the Harbor” tour, port expansion update, and discussion of market trends in international trade. The legislators also attend the Propeller Club’s annual State-of-the-Port Address and S. C. Products Display.
CWIT members Ann Watts, Dorette Coetsee, Dahli Myers and Peter Lehman all serve this 30-member organization. For more information, visit www.scdec.org.
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| OWIT Update |
The best-laid plans can be turned up side down. The OWIT annual conference scheduled for Copenhagen, Denmark has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, the Washington, DC chapter has agreed to host the OWIT board meeting and various other meetings from November 3-6, 2005. OWIT will present us with the “Chapter of the Year” award during that meeting.
We will have a very detailed agenda; one in which our chapter will be most involved as it relates to the defined future of this well respected, international organization. As you are aware, the expense to our chapter to travel all over the world has been one of many discussions. You’ll be delighted to know OWIT is considering creating “Regional Areas”.
Our region, at this point, has been recommended to include the US and the Western and Central areas of Canada, as “Region #2”. The region would include 13 chapters as follows: Atlanta, Bermuda, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, DC, Detroit, Miami, NE Florida, NE Ohio, New York, Tampa and Toronto. While this has NOT been accepted in any manner, we are excited with the thought process. This should allow us to become more involved with less financial burden.
More to come after I return.
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| Featured Member
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Margie Walker Hardwick
Human Resource Manager
OOCL( USA ), Inc.
Background:
Hardwick works for OOCL (USA) Inc. as the Human Resource Manager in the Charleston office. She's been in the international market for more than 15 years, with experience in the liner industry as well the tourism industry. Hardwick received her Masters Degree in Business Management and Human Resources from Southern Wesleyan University.
Hardwick is married and has three children, two grandchildren, two dogs, a cat and four parrots. Her hobbies are fishing, lying by the pool with a good book, and spending time with her family and pets.
Recent Accomplishments: Hardwick was an active member of the 2005 CWIT Annual Soiree and presently serving as the 2006 Soiree Chair. Margie is active with community projects, such as: Habitat for Humanity, Susan Komen Breast Cancer, and Christmas in July.
Affiliations: CWIT - Member, Programs Chair, and Annual Banquet Committee Chair; MUSC Children's Hospital – Volunteer; Charleston County After School Program - Mentor;
College of Charleston - Kentronics Human Resources Board of Director
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| Nuby Fowler on Services of the SBA |
On September 13, Nuby Fowler explained how her professional success in securing the position "Regional Administrator" of the US Small Business Administration hinged on her clever ability to market household management skills as comparable work experience. She next presented how women are setting the pace for small business start-ups and new job creation, and successfully participating in international markets. Fowler sited these important statistics: 55% of all new businesses started between 1997 and 2004 were women owned and during the same period women-owned firms created jobs at three times the national average. 48% of firms located in the U.S. are 50% or more woman owned.
Fowler also discussed the vast amount of resources available to companies for training, technical assistance and financing. These programs and contact information are discussed in detail online at www .sba.gov.
It was evident that Fowler's professional satisfaction is enhanced by her strong desire to provide small businesses with a means for which to succeed. Her good news was well received.
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| 2006 Charles Towne Soirée Planning Commenced |
In September, Banquet Chair Margie Hardwick held the first planning session of many to come in preparation for the 2006 Charles Towne Soirée, CWIT 's 4th annual banquet event. "We will meet frequently to ensure that the 2006 Charles Towne Soirée extends beyond the success of last year ' s fabulous event," Hardwick said. Committee members present at the meeting were Margie Hardwick, Pam Everitt, Jackie Sassard, English Struth, Audrey Nielsen, Susan Ogren, Charlotte Ross, Erin Firestone, Amy Kosar, and Lauren Estrada. The group discussed the “Do's and Don'ts” of prior years, defined duties, divided tasks, and reviewed the event mission as follows:
To provide a professional, top notch, dynamic 2006 event to further establish the soiree as a "must attend" for professionals in the international trade; increase organizational visibility and significance through publicity, soiree announcements and invitations and overall
soirée success; increase membership and future meeting attendance; secure a "media magnet" as the keynote speaker, a critical component of a successful program; raise funds to support the soiree expenses, annual operational budget, and further growth; spotlight and award a female leader in international trade for her significant contributions; award academic scholarships to aspiring men or women studying international trade or business; and, develop a sense of cohesiveness as CWIT approaches the business community.
The 2006 Charles Towne Soirée will be held at the beautiful Charleston Place hotel on Tuesday, April 11 in downtown Charleston, SC. |
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Mark Your Calendar |
October 11: Tug Boat Harbor Tour hosted by Mr. Joe Buckheister, Vice President & General Manager, McAllister Towing of Charleston. Limited seating. Casual dress. Lunch will be provided.
November 8: Pam Zaresk, Port Director, US Customs and Border Protection, will present "New Programs and Actions by US Customs and Border Patrol".
RSVP via email:
[email protected] or by phone:
843.577.8184. Cost: $20 members/$25 non-members. For additional information visit
CWIT on the web at
www.cwitsc.org.
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