About Forum: Then and Now
Forum:THEN
The Sonoma County Forum was founded in October 1979 to provide networking opportunities to female community leaders; much the way the Empire Breakfast Club was then providing for men in the business community.
Insurance woman Evelyn Farrell founded the organization. Farrell was new to business in 1977, having been a homemaker for 25 years. She soon realized there was a need in Sonoma County for a way to share information and meet other businesswomen. She invited 10-12 women whom she considered to be community leaders to meet with her and listen to speaker Hugh Turner describe how the men’s breakfast club was formed.
Insurance woman Evelyn Farrell founded the organization. Farrell was new to business in 1977, having been a homemaker for 25 years. She soon realized there was a need in Sonoma County for a way to share information and meet other businesswomen. She invited 10-12 women whom she considered to be community leaders to meet with her and listen to speaker Hugh Turner describe how the men’s breakfast club was formed.
In the beginning the Forum did not have enough members to attract speakers so the members would take turns speaking. The first meetings had eight to ten people. The meetings consisted of the members going to restaurants and getting a table. A typical meeting would take place at the back of a coffee shop with everyone describing how they got to Santa Rosa. From there, the Forum grew.
The founding members wanted the Forum to promote professional networking without some of the characteristics of other business promotion groups like fining, as well as blatant advertising and self-promotion. “We thought it was important to control the fact that people could not be up on their feet advertising,” said Farrell. Although, she pointed out, the members were very much encouraged to do business together. When the By-laws were created, the distribution of promotional materials and fundraising items such as tickets were prohibited at the meetings.
The founding members wanted the Forum to promote professional networking without some of the characteristics of other business promotion groups like fining, as well as blatant advertising and self-promotion. “We thought it was important to control the fact that people could not be up on their feet advertising,” said Farrell. Although, she pointed out, the members were very much encouraged to do business together. When the By-laws were created, the distribution of promotional materials and fundraising items such as tickets were prohibited at the meetings.
Founding Members of the Sonoma County Forum
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Nina Arrabit
Evelyn Farrell Nancy Henshaw Padi Selwyn |
Beverly Thiel
Beverly Viesselman Caryl Weiss |
Past Presidents of the Sonoma County Forum
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2017......... Marianne Messer 2016......... Kerry Campbell-Price 2015/2014.. Donna Spilman 2013/2012.. Rosa Turner 2011/2010.. Pat Edelstein 2009......... Janet Thorpe 2008 ........ Nancy Hoskins 2007......... Sarah Ahlsten 2006......... Alona Thomas 2005......... Pat Edelstein 2004......... Jetta Saharoff 2003......... Gale Brownell |
2002......... Joanne Enemark
2001......... Kathryn Raimondi 2000/99.... Kathie Murphy 1998......... Pat Edelstein 1997......... Judy Glenn 1996......... Beverly Mooney 1995......... Laurie Ramzy 1994.......... Muriel Ray 1993.......... Barbara Baker 1992......... Linda Kachiu 1991........ Jan Gabrielson Tansil |
1990..... Michele Imbach
1989..... Zeanette Williams 1988..... Katie Edwards 1987..... Laurie Westdahl 1986 .... Barbara Detrich Gallagher 1985..... Lynne McMahon-Trowbridge 1984 .... Mickey Cooke 1983..... Cathleen Barnier 1982 .... Reba Roberts 1981..... Evelyn Farrell 1980...... Nancy Henshaw |
Forum: Now
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Sonoma County Forum
Board of Directors 2018 President: Lori Ross
Vice President: Betty Jean Ferris Treasurer: Marty Wait Secretary: Janie Herring Program Committee: Lorraine Reuther, Sara Gerber Nominating Committee: Deedee Bridges, Gale Brownell, Sandy Metzger Appointed Positions: Hospitality: Nancy Barnacle Member-at-Large (events): Patty Kolin Membership: Gerry French Past President: Marianne Messer Non-board Positions: Epicureans: Yvonne Giambrone-Martin Website: Julie Sooley, Kerry Campbell-Price, Marianne Messer, Rosa Turner |
Current Forum Members
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