MBWIB is so proud to announce the launch of our volunteer program starting July 1st, 2010. With all the hard work, dedication, and determination it takes to run a committee like the Manhattan Beach Women in Business Committee, Bibi Goldstein and I saw what a wonderful opportunity this was to get people involved in some of the aspects that make this committee successful. Let's face it, without the hundreds of volunteers who put in thousands of hours to make this committee what it today, I would not have the platform in which to write this post, nor the knowledge of those who came before me, to grow this organization and take it to the next level.

Our vision is to take the very reason why you joined the best chamber in the South Bay, whether it’s to network, expand your business, or to grow as an individual, and give you a platform that allows you to do so, all the while maintaining your comfort level and capitalizing on your strengths. If you take a look at the committee members tab on this website, it gives you an idea of what the necessary positions are within this organization. From procuring sponsorships for the Women in Business conference in April, asking local businesses for goodie bag items, helping out on the online and silent auction team, helping with graphic design projects, keeping the social media up to date, or simply helping at the registration table during our monthly mixers, we want you to get involved. It's up to you what level of involvement or time commitment you are able to give. For every hour of service you provide, we award you with a percentage off your entrance into the next exciting mixer, and cumulatively a percentage off your ticket price to the hottest conference in town!! During our monthly newsletters we will feature a "Volunteer of the Month," which will feature your biography and an excerpt of your business.

If this is something you are interested in participating in, there is a volunteer application link on the site. Tell us a little about yourself, that we can expect from you and what you expect to get back from us. It's that simple. After you fill out the volunteer application, our board of directors will process it, and Jessica Perahia, our Volunteer Program Chair, will contact you to get the process started. You can email us any questions to volunteers@mbwib.com. Our goal is to help you maximize your chamber membership and grow your business. We hope you will join us!

Thankfully yours,

Sarah Perahia & Bibi Goldstein

Manhattan Beach resident, business owner, philanthropist, wife and mother, Terry Gilman has devoted herself to giving the underprivileged a voice, sharing a love of literature, and building community in the Los Angeles area. These are just a few of the reasons MBWIB has chosen Terry as our 2010 Heart and Soul Award recipient.

 
Terry holds an MBA from DePaul University in Chicago, and has worked for Johnson & Johnson, traveled extensively through Europe, raised two children, and opened a bookstore in San Diego. "I need a lot of stimulation in my life, so in 1993, with 2 partners, we created Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore, a genre bookstore featuring books on martians, murder, magic and mayhem."
 
In 2001 Terry and her family moved to Manhattan Beach, where she dedicated her (considerable) energy to the community, Manhattan Beach Education Foundation, and served on the Board of her synagogue. Terry launched "Ladies, Lunch, and Literacy," a unique event which introduces first time authors with proceeds benefiting a variety of literacy organizations. In 2009, their first beneficiary, WriteGirl honored Terry with the Friend of WriteGirl Award. That same year Terry joined EveryChild Foundation, which donates a $1,000,000 grant to child-related causes each year.
 
Terry's contributions are sizable, but always measurable. They don't make headlines, but they make a difference. Terry has identified the things important to her and  brings these goals together with a creative spirit that touches the lives of many. We are thankful to have Terry as part of our community, and we are honored to that she is our 2010 Heart and Soul Award recipient.