Karen Restivo
In Other Words....
Organizing a premiere event takes a village.
There’s so many components involved when weaving all aspects from securing a venue, luncheon menu, speaker, marketing, photography, ticketing, sponsorships, room arrangement, tabletop décor, raffle items, etc., not to mention weather forecasts.
Only in Texas can you experience balmy weather, hard-freeze warnings and snow all in the same week.
With organization, vision, preparation, delegation, teamwork and faith, success can be realized.
The Women in Touch Initiative (WITI) organization completed its fifth Leadership Luncheon on Jan. 23.
Having a few under our belt, we’re able to focus on streamlining and elevating current and future events to new heights.
Maybe because as a team our anxiety and fears have become manageable, there was a collective sense of awareness present at the recent luncheon.
The last, but certainly not least, essential component we realized was our guests.
WITI’s focus has primarily been giving our guests a unique, informative, elevated experience celebrating female leadership in our community.
What opened our eyes this time was the level of energy and excitement our guests brought to the event. Honestly, you need to experience it to understand what I’m referencing.
From the moment the doors open, there’s a comradery or kinship that instantly takes on a level of excitement energizing the ballroom at the Country Club.
For two hours, our guests put aside whatever outside responsibilities they are tasked (with the exception of Police Chief Rodriguez working remotely in the entry hall,) and engage with like-minded women in celebration of each other’s strengths, vulnerabilities and growth at this time in their lives.
Our guests cover a wide swath of unique career and personal paths from all age groups.
Organically, our goal grew into celebrating each other. Egos are checked at the door.
Networking and fundraising for local nonprofits are the cherries on top of our events.
WITI has partnered with Matagorda Regional Medical Center and plans to expand with other partnerships to open avenues of shared interests in community, county and surrounding counties.
WITI will be expanding its wings in the development of podcasts and an evening series called “WITI After Dark,” offering informative speakers, dining, fundraising and entertainment for adults.
From the initial brainstorming sessions at my home, Cassady’s Coffee Bar and La Casona, WITI’s Mission Statement was generated - “To create an inclusive space by encouraging women to surrender their limiting beliefs and foster deeper connections with each other.”
WITI invites women of all ages to join our vision to grow and share their talents, expertise and stories locally, nationally and globally.”
Our guest speakers have carved a path for other women by sharing their stories of success littered with missteps, failures and ultimately their resiliency to keep moving forward.
They dispel the false narrative of picture-perfect lives showcased on social media platforms.
In other words, they bring their authentic experiences comprised of their “whole” story about their personal and professional journey.
Philosophically speaking, we’re all just walking each other home.
Karenrestivo57@gmail.com