#NAWBO CALIFORNIA NEWS
President's Message
The 2020 election is complete. No matter your political opinion, it is time to unite and come together as Americans. As women we have always been in the forefront of mending relationships, caring for wounds and making others feel better.

As NAWBO-CA moves forward into the holiday season, we are thankful that we live in a country where we have the freedom to have our voices heard. As we collectively express our needs for women business owners, we will continue to have a cohesive and united approach to insist that women be included at that table in matters about business, public policy, and advocacy. Let us be the change-makers that the world needs.
As we celebrate Veteran and Military Families Month, NAWBO-CA expresses our appreciation to our military members, especially the women who have served. Veterans and military families have made many sacrifices on behalf of our country. Without their consistent support and dedication, many of our freedoms would be lost. This month take the time to offer an expression of thanks to a veteran, family member, or active duty service member; their love for duty and country has prepared the way for all Americans.
Women in the Spotlight
Lt. General Stayce D. Harris was the first African American three-star general. A California native, she served in the Air Force and has several firsts under her belt. She attended the University of Southern California, and through the ROTC program, she became the first reservist to be promoted to a three-star general.

She has clocked over 2,500 hours as a pilot, and she commanded more than 15,000 citizen airmen. The U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination to general, and she became the assistant vice chief of staff and director of the air staff for the U.S.
Air Force.
The General has flown a C-130H, KC-135R, C-141B/C, T-38 and T-37. Let’s celebrate Lt. General Stayce D. Harris for her service to the United States of America.

Diversity Matters

When we think of the future, we hope for a place where all people are included and equal and that is why diversity is essential. Conversations and decisions held with diverse groups lower the risk of groupthink and exposure to threats. The foremost thought on the subject of diversity is ethnicity, but diversity includes much more. The disabled, visual or hearing impaired and yes even marital status and sexual preference are all part of what makes up a culture of diversity that is rich and sustaining. So, take a deeper dive into the subject of diversity when you implement it into your business strategies.

Memorable days in the history of women’s rights:

November 8, 1910 – The state of Washington passes a constitutional amendment to guarantee woman suffrage.

November 14, 1903 – The U.S. Women’s Trade Union League was established

Upcoming Events

November 12 - 13, 2020 | 2020 California Department of Insurance
Virtual Diversity Summit
The 2020 Virtual Insurance Diversity Summit is a one-of-a-kind, free, online event that includes: Matchmaking Roundtables, Resource Expo, and engaging webinars led by experts on the topics of race and diversity in the insurance industry, diversity in the boardroom, navigating the insurer procurement pathways, building resilience in business strategies, and much more!

2020 is a pivotal year that will shape our future. The racial justice movement and COVID-19 laid bare the inequities that ravage our diverse business communities. Now more than ever, we need to come together to focus on "Uplifting Our Communities" and building each other up. California’s insurance industry is the largest insurance market in the nation -- where insurance companies collect $310 billion annually in premiums -- and poised to advance supplier and board diversity.

There will be several breakout sessions for you to choose from including “Are You Ready for the Boardroom” for women who are interested in being on corporate boards. For more information and to register: www.tinyurl.com/2020VIDS

November 12, 2020 | 2020 Women on Boards Global Event

Women on Corporate Boards is an action that we must actively pursue. On November 12, 2020, at 9 a.m., 2020 Women on Boards will have the global conversation featuring Melinda Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Founder of Pivotal Ventures, Mellody Hobson, President and co-CEO of Ariel Investments and many others. Thousands of senior-level executives, business leaders, and influencers from around the world will attend to learn how to pursue a board position and gain business insights on how corporations benefit from women on their boards.  

Join NAWBO-CA as we attend the Sacramento City event on December 2, 2020 at 12pm with Senator Hannah Beth Jackson, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Secretary of State Alex Padilla just to name a few as we celebrate SB826 and prepare for 2021.

There are other events nationally. Visit the website for the list of events and the lineup of speakers. This virtual platform will give you networking opportunities and panel discussions to further your pursuit and path to the boardroom: www.2020WOB.com

November 17, 2020 | NAWBO-CA Education Fund Pathways to
Corporate Boards Program: Information session

Are you a seasoned leader interested in learning more about pathways to join a corporate board? Join us for an informative networking session to learn about the NAWBO-CA Education Fund Pathways to Corporate Boards Program components and structure, and why you should apply. You will hear from our Volunteer Executive Directors and our Corporate Board Directors and Mentors. We will share why they started the program, their aspirations and goals for the program and mentees and much more! Register here.

NAWBO- CA and the Know Better World Foundation present:

November 17th and 24th, 2020 | The Greatness of Diversity

Whatever your comfort - or discomfort – level discussing discrimination based on sex, race, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity, this lunch & learn focused on Diversity is for you! In a SAFE SPACE Vikita Poindexter and Schenae Rourk, both long-time leaders in the fight for diversity and women in leadership, invite conversation with everyone.
 
Under a “Grace Umbrella”, Vikita and Schenae will lead a frank and respectful hour of learning on a topic many of us may have been afraid to approach. They’ll constructively address misconceptions and intimidation by words. We’ll also talk about what the next generation is doing RIGHT when it comes to diversity and how we can move forward to support them. We’ll learn of resources and strategies to become more diverse in each of our organizations.

Part 1 - November 17th, 12:00pm - 1:00pm 
Deep Dive with the experts on what you NEED to know and HOW to achieve it

Part 2- November 24th, 12:00pm - 1:30
Continuing the conversation; What is your experience and your questions? Includes
confidential Q&A and breakout room discussions

Register once for both sessions here.

Network & Get Leads with NAWBO-CA — Dates TBD
Straightforward ideas and inspiration from NAWBO-CA sisters

Using Your Super-Powers — Dates TBD
Leading with your strengths, outsourcing your weaknesses

December 9, 2020 | NAWBO CA and CDI Town Hall 

California Department of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is teaming up with NAWBO-CA for a Tele Town Hall on December 9th. The Commissioner wants to hear from women business owners on any challenges and concerns we are experiencing and how he may assist. As we prepare for 2021 join us and learn what the Commissioner will be doing in 2021 to assist women business owners. Please email your questions in advance to crb@insurance.ca.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30th. We will do our best to answer all emailed questions during the virtual town hall. Registration is open at https://tinyurl.com/womenbusinessowners

California News

The Enterprising Women of the Year Awards is widely considered one of the most prestigious recognition programs for women business owners. To win, nominees must demonstrate that they have fast-growth businesses, mentor or actively support other women and girls involved in entrepreneurship and stand out as leaders in their communities. Many of the honorees also serve as leaders of the key organizations that support the growth of women’s entrepreneurship.

Award winners were recognized in categories based on the annual sales revenues of their businesses. On October 19th 7 20th, 2020, 2020 Enterprising Women of the Year Conference first virtual conference was held on Congratulations to our NAWBO-CA winners:

Vikita Poindexter, SPHR-CA, SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP 
President and CEO
Poindexter Consulting Group, LLC.  

Nooshin Behroyan
Chief Executive Officer
PAXON Energy & Infrastructure Services


A program to support California’s Small Businesses to Promote
Equity and Resiliency in Recovery

The California Rebuilding Fund is an economic recovery loan program to support California’s small businesses—especially those located in economically disadvantaged and historically under-banked areas of the state. Businesses who employed 50 or less full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) and had gross revenues of less than $2.5 million or below in 2019 are eligible to apply. Full eligibility requirements are included in the Business Requirements tab.

The loans are flexible, transparent and are designed to help businesses access the capital and advisory services they need to get through these challenging economic times.
Pre-applications for the California Rebuilding Fund will be open in the near future with the portal opening at Noon Pacific Daylight Time on the specified day. Check back to this site for launch details. At that time, you can go to the Pre-Application tab to complete the initial application questions.

Not all businesses will be matched with a participating community lender based on each lender’s initial criteria. If matched, you will be connected with a local community lender, which will be a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). The community lender will work with you on your full loan application. If approved, the loan will be made through that community lender and you will continue to work with them throughout the life of your loan. More information is here.

NAWBO HQ News

February 4 -5, 2021 |Virtual Leadership Academy

October 17-19, 2021 | Women’s Business Conference – New Orleans, LA

November 13, 2020 is World Kindness Day. Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Affection, gentleness, warmth, concern, and care are words that are associated with kindness. #bekind #justbekind 

The work we do today is building a better tomorrow.  

Blessings,

Vikita Poindexter, SPHR-CA, SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP 
CA Insurance License #0K21140
Poindexter Consulting Group, LLC.  
2020 Enterprising Women of the Year Award Winner
2020 Women of Influence Awards Nominee, San Diego Woman’s Advocate Award
2019 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Award Winner
2019 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Finalist
Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce
2008 and 2009 Citizen of the Year Nominee 
2008 and 2009 Sterling Business of the Year Nominee 
951.926.9069 OFFICE  
866.608.5556 TOLL FREE
951.346.3581 FAX 

Schedule your consultation at: https://poindexterconsulting.youcanbook.me

President, NAWBO-CA
National Association of Women Business Owners, State of California

Past, President, NAWBO-IE
National Association of Women Business Owners, Inland Empire

Committee Member
Labor and Employment Issues/Workforce Skills and Education/Workers Compensation
California Small Business Association 

California Department of Insurance
Insurance Commissioner Lara Appointed Diversity Task Force Member
Insurance Diversity Initiative (IDI)
Be a part of the conversation!

2020 Women on Boards presents a series of virtual events throughout the U.S., Mexico, England, Spain, and Switzerland to ignite a game-changing global conversation.

Sponsored in part by NAWBO-CA, join Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and others on two dates:

November 12: The global conversation on board diversity. Learn more and register.
December 2: The Sacramento conversation on board diversity. Learn more and register.
We have two new Pathways to Corporate Boards events to share!

November 10 | 12:00-1:30: As part of our Leadership Series, we welcome Linda M. Griego, entrepreneur, business and civic leader, and fearless community activist. We invite CEOs, VPs or above in large corporations, business owners with $25M or more in revenue, and corporate directors serving on public or private boards to join us for this intimate conversation. Register here.

November 17 | 2:30-3:30: Are you a seasoned leader interested in learning more about the Pathways to Corporate Boards Program? Join us for an information session. Hear from our Volunteer Executive Directors, Corporate Board Directors and Mentors to learn why they started the program, their aspirations and goals for the program, and much more!

If you are interested in joining the NAWBO-CA Corporate Board Pathways Program
2021 Cohort, please complete an application by November 25.
Public Policy & Advocacy Committee Update

Update on Specific 2020 California Propositions and Next Steps
for NAWBO-CA During the Legislative Interim

This has been a historic election year. We are all awaiting the final election results as
many races including President of the United States are still not available. As noted in
our October newsletter, just less than half of the 40-member Senate are awaiting the
final ballots to be counted while the full 80-member Assembly wait for the final votes to
be tallied.

As of today, many of the races are too close to call and we may not know the outcome
until just before the legislators return to the Capitol on December 7 th to swear-in the
newly-elected Senate and Assembly members.

However, we do have a better idea on the status of 4 key ballot propositions impacting
women business owners, and are reporting on the status of the measures. One of the
biggest blows that we experienced during this election cycle was the failure of
Proposition 16 (Affirmative Action – Repeal of Prop. 209). NAWBO-CA was a co-
sponsor of ACA 5 (Weber), the bill that put this issue on the ballot, and worked with the
ACA 5/Prop. 16 coalition to gain support for this measure.

Finally, we are providing a list of our plans for our advocacy and public policy efforts
going forward as we prepare for the 2021 legislative session that convenes on January
4, 2021.

Status of California’s Ballot Propositions Impacting
Women Business Owners

Proposition 15 – Business Property Taxes (Failed)
This measure would have raised property taxes on big businesses, raising billions for
schools and local governments. Quick history: Back in 1978 California passed
Proposition 13 – a huge permanent tax cut for landowners. It amended the state
constitution to reset property values based on the purchase price of a home or
business, and capped the tax increase each year after that.

If this measure were to pass, property taxes for many large businesses would have
been elevated to the property’s current, probably higher, market value. That would net
$6.5 to $11.5 billion — 60% for cities, counties and special districts, and 40% for
schools and community colleges.

Prop 15 would have increased property taxes on women business owners who own
their property and for those who lease their offices, many would have seen increases in
their monthly rent.

Proposition 16 – Restoring Affirmative Action (Failed)
NAWBO-CA and its chapters became an early supporter of ACA 5 because of the
significant impact Prop 209 had on their businesses. A 2015 study showed that
businesses owned by women lose $1.1 billion annually in government contracts. Many
of our members told the same stories about being qualified but not chosen for
government contracts.

This measure would have restored affirmative action in California. The importance this
measure had to women business owners is that it would have increased access to
women in government and federal contracting opportunities. Government offices would
have been able to factor in gender (and race) in making hiring, spending and college
admissions decisions. 

That practice has been illegal in California since 1996, when voters approved
Proposition 209 that banned affirmative action. Prop. 16 would reverse that vote.
The path of Proposition 16 started as an Assembly Constitution Amendment 5 authored
by Assemblymember Weber.

We sent letters of support to Assemblymember Weber as well as Assembly and Senate
committee members. Chapter members also contacted targeted members before
hearings in the Assembly Appropriations Committee, the Assembly floor session,
Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement, Senate Appropriations Committee
and the Senate floor session. We will have to discuss revisiting this issue with Dr.
Weber.

Proposition 22 – Gig Worker Benefits (Passed)
Exempts gig companies like Uber and Lyft from AB 5’s requirements that workers at gig
companies are now considered employees and not independent contractors. This
provision is not permanently repealed from California’s law. Since January, state law
(AB 5) has required former contract workers in many industries to be classified as
employees and offered benefits such as overtime pay, health care, paid sick leave,
unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation. The proposition requires that
companies that employ drivers through apps will instead keep workers classified as
contractors and offer narrower benefits, including pay at least 120% of minimum wage,
health care subsidies and accident insurance.

With the passage of Prop 22, women business owners will see affordable rates in gig
fares and for women who want the flexibility of driving for the gig companies, they will
be able to work less than part-time and still receive benefits as noted above.

Proposition 24 – More Data Privacy (Passed)
Changes California’s Data Privacy Law, effective January 1, 2021:
  • Limits business use of sensitive data, such as your exact location, health information, race and religion
  • Prohibits businesses from holding onto your data for longer than necessary
  • Allows the government to fine companies up to $7,500 for violating children’s privacy rights
  • Creates a new state agency to enforce the privacy law, investigate violations and assess penalties
  • Reduces the number of businesses that have to comply, making it apply only to companies that buy or sell data of at least 100,000 households a year
  • Provides for an exemption for “employers administering benefits” which is the workers’ compensation exemption added to the initiative, followed by a companion bill (AB 1281) that includes the identical language and was signed by the Governor in September. However, Prop. 24 repeals the exemption on January 1, 2023 whereas AB 1281 sunsets on January 1, 2022. Efforts will be made to repeal the sunset provision in 2021. The exemption in the workers’ compensation system means that women business owners will see their premium payments stay flat instead of an increase in their insurance costs.

Next Steps for NAWBO-CA During the Legislative Interim
We will continue to meet with elected officials and align ourselves with other women
organizations to discuss issues that are important to women business owners, including
issues that affect all working women and their families. We will report back to NAWBO-
CA’s Advocacy and Public Policy Directors on the issues identified as top priority
policies for 2021. Some organizations have looked to NAWBO-CA as an important
resource to them as they prioritize their bill packages and policy recommendations.

The Art of Advocacy
Stay tuned early in the New Year 2021 for The Art of Advocacy, a multi-part series for our
membership presented by NAWBO-CA led by our lobbyist, Lori Kammerer and
NAWBO-CA Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, Robin Allen.

Join us to expand opportunities to become actively involved in the public policy process,
increase knowledge and awareness about advocacy issues in this educational training
series. This series will include advocacy conversation, roundtables and discussion to
empower members with knowledge in the following subject areas:
  • California legislative structure and policy cycle
  • Legislative bill process
  • The role and impact of state government
  • Best practices in advocacy (local, state, national)
  • Legislative outreach

Additional event details will be forthcoming as the planning process develops. Please
submit your ideas and suggestions to the NAWBO-CA Advocacy and Public Policy
Director, Robin Allen.

JOIN THE PUBLIC POLICY COMMITTEE
We encourage any NAWBO member interested in advocacy to join the Public Policy
Committee. It’s open to all members and we meet on the 4th Friday of the month from
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. If you’re interested, email NAWBO-CA’s Advocacy and Public
Policy Director Robin Allen at robindharris1@hotmail.com. Robin Allen has taken
over the position in place of Moreen Lane, so please address all advocacy and public
policy questions to Robin Allen and Lori Kammerer, NAWBO-CA’s lobbyist, at
LoriKammerer@gmail.com. The bigger the team, the greater the outcomes!
#National News

Women in Business: A New CircleAround Original Video Series

NAWBO has partnered with CircleAround and Verizon Business to develop a new original video series: Women in Business. Watch as two women meet professional business coaches and start to implement the advice they receive. Learn more here and start watching today!
On October 23, NAWBO-San Diego held its first ever LIVE broadcast award show and celebrated the following six BRAVA Award winners:

Corporate Leader Award
Sarah Hassaine, Qualcomm

Resilience Award
Nichole MacDonald, Sash & Lash.Live

Women's Advocate Award
Janedra Sykes, Arboreta Group LLC

Rising Star Award
Emily Goodson, CultureSmart

Trailblazer Award
Cindy Lin, Hey Social Good / HOVE Social Intelligence

Woman Business Owner Award
Renee Zau, DonationMatch
The U.S. Small Business Administration, Orange County / Inland Empire District Office named Mary Lyn Baker, NAWBO-IE board member and President and owner of DH Casters, Inc, as the 2020 Woman Owned Small Business of the Year! Read more about Mary Lyn and her accomplishments here.
Chapter Virtual Events
LA is holding its 3rd Annual Procurement and Matchmaking Event on November 10. Meet buyers, understand buying requirements, learn how to get into the buying system, and take advantage of a great opportunity to introduce your company, your products and/or your services.

Ventura County is hosting a holiday party! Join the virtual fun of live entertainment, music, and games on November 10.

Santa Barbara hosts "New Law Changes and Propositions Affecting California Business Owners" on December 3rd. Join NAWBO-CA's two state legislation experts to get the latest on the new laws focusing on worker classification, employment practices, the ramifications of the recent California Propositions, and more. We will also talk about what legislation NAWBO-CA is expecting in 2021.

For more chapter events, visit our web page.