Women’s International Trade Association (WITA) 2012-2013 Membership Drive

Dear WITA Members, Colleagues and Friends:

We hope that you are enjoying your summer! It is that time of year once again and the Women’s International Trade Association (WITA) Membership Drive for the 2012-2013 year is underway. WITA is a non-profit organization without investors and we rely on our Membership in order to keep the cost of our events as affordable as possible and so that we can take on various community-oriented projects over the course of the year.

WITA’s Mission is to Raise Awareness, Inform and Educate, and Promote the Exchange of Ideas. Our Board and Members help to fulfill this mission through various events: networking, informational and celebratory. 2011-2012 saw WITA expand its focus to community service and we are proud to have worked with the Seamen’s Church Institute of Philadelphia and South Jersey on their annual Ditty Bag Drive for Seafarers and to have conducted a Career Day Assembly for the students of the Maritime Academy Charter School (MACHS) in Northeast Philadelphia with the kind support of the administration.

Membership offers reduced costs on WITA events and links you to a network of maritime, trade and logistics professionals from the Tri-State Area. Your individual or company website will be linked from our website by request. Company Memberships may be interchanged between employees (e.g. if a company signs up for 3 members, those members do not have to be the same three people attending every time from that company). Yes, WITA was formed with a charter of recognition and advancement for women, but we happily welcome both men and women to become members. WITA believes that strength lies in diversity.

Some of our 2011-2012 Event highlights:

Ø September Networking Event – Wines of Australia Tasting with Food Pairings at The Hinge restaurant

Ø Spring Speaker Event – Robert C. Blackburn, Senior Deputy Executive Director of Philadelphia Regional Port Authority on the Development of Southport

Ø April – Maritime and Logistics Career Day at MACHS

Ø May – Woman of the Year Dinner

We are in the process of putting together an equally exciting calendar for 2012-2013 and we look forward to meeting you at our first networking event in September! Please complete and return the attached Membership Form by September 30, 2012.

Best regards, President Yasmeen Johnson and the WITA Board of Officers

For pictures and information about WITA, please have a look at our website!

https://womensinternationaltrade.wordpress.com/about/

If you or someone you know is interested in presenting at one of our Speaker Events, contact us at WITA1979PHILLY and we will be in touch.

WITA Membership Form 2012 2013.pdf

 

Woman of the Year ~ Eileen Bartlomiejus

Please join us in celebrating WITA’s Woman of the Year, Eileen Bartlomiejus.

Please see the attached flyer for complete details of our dinner event honoring Eileen.

Eileen Bartlomiejus

BIOGRAPHY

Eileen Bartlomiejus was first introduced to the Philadelphia port community in 1988 when she became employed by the Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Exchange as secretary to its Executive Director, William A. Harrison.

Eileen learned many aspects regarding the movement of vessels and distribution of cargo throughout the Ports of Philadelphia, Camden and Wilmington during her tenure with the Maritime Exchange. In addition to secretarial duties, she was responsible for solicitation of new members to the Exchange as well as involvement with the publication of its Port Directory.

In 1999, Eileen became employed by General Marine Refrigeration Corporation as an Administrative Assistant. General Marine is a third generation family-owned refrigeration business since 1925. She is responsible for all administrative functions of the business from human resources to accounting.

She serves on the board of the Ports of Philadelphia Maritime Society as Treasurer. She is currently a member of the Women’s International Trade Association and previously served as President. She also served as Secretary to the Mariners’ Advisory Committee during her tenure with the Maritime Exchange. While at the Maritime Exchange and continuing at General Marine, Eileen assists in the organization and planning of the bi-annual Vessel Owners’ and Captains’ Association meetings.

Eileen is the third of eight daughters born to Walter and Madelene Finor, residing in the Bridesburg section of Philadelphia. She graduated from Bishop Neumann Business School in 1965.

She currently lives in Longport, NJ with her husband, Richard of 44 years. They were blessed with one daughter, Dawn Marie and two granddaughters, Dana Lynn and Nicole Lynn.

Woman of the Year Event . Eileen Bartlomiejus . Thursday, May 31st.pdf

 

Come & Celebrate our Woman of the Year on May 31st

Hello Everyone,

It’s that time of the year…

WITA will be honoring our Woman of the Year, Eileen Bartlomiejus, at a dinner on Thursday, May 31st at 5:30pm at Nicole Renee Occasions. We encourage everyone to come out and help us celebrate this special occasion for Eileen. Please see attached invite for more information on Eileen as well as RSVP details.

Please RSVP no later than May 24th, 2012.

Thank you.

Women’s International Trade Association Board
Wita1979Philly@gmail.com

Woman of the Year Event Eileen Bartlomiejus Thursday May 31st.pdf

 

WITA Goes Back to School!

On Wednesday, April 25th, the Maritime Academy Charter School (MACHS) hosted two Career Day assemblies with the Women’s International Trade Association (WITA). Following a tour of the beautiful MACHS campus in the Arsenal Business Center complex, WITA spoke to 10th and 12th graders about their mission to Raise Awareness, Inform and Educate, and to Promote the Exchange of Ideas as well as the wealth of opportunities available in the Maritime, Shipping, Transportation, Trade and Logistics fields. Each participating member then gave a description of how they got into the industry, their company and their job responsibilities. A wonderful and educational day was had by all!

WITA wishes to thank MACHS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ann G. Waiters, Principal Edward Poznek, Director of Operations Kyle Orosz, MACHS Board Member Eugene Mattioni, Esq. and the MACHS teachers, staff and students for hosting them and for helping them to give their idea of a Career Day a place to become a reality. WITA would also like to thank their employers for supporting them in this project. This was a perfect way for WITA to give back to the local maritime community and WITA is looking forward to a continued relationship and future activities with the Maritime Academy Charter School.

If you are interested in partnering with the Women’s International Trade Association for similar events or other projects, please contact them at WITA1979Philly@gmail.com.

WITA Members enjoy a photo op with MACHS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ann G. Waiters, Principal Edward Poznek, and MACHS Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board Eugene Mattioni, Esq.

 from left to right: Marikay McKeon-Murphy, Liz Fretz, Theresa Garvey, Yasmeen Johnson, Jackie Pooler, Nichole Chambers, MACHS Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ann G. Waiters, Principal Edward Poznek, Colleen Kirk, Patricia O’Neill, MACHS Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board Eugene Mattioni, Esq.

 

WITA Happy Hour / Networking Event ~ September 7th at Hinge Cafe

WITA is excited and anxious to start a new year of events and we hope you are too!

WITA is kicking off the new year with a Happy Hour / Networking Event
at the Hinge Café on Wednesday, September 7th from 5:30 to 7:30.

If you were at the last event at Hinge, you’ll probably remember the amazing chocolate fountain, scrumptious hors d’oeurves and the delicious wines. This was a wonderfully successful event and we couldn’t wait to do it again. Australian wines will be our focus this year and the Hinge Cafe has expertly paired the wines with an amazing array of hors d’oeurves. It promises to be exciting event and we hope everyone can make it. Please bring your business cards, as there will be a raffle at the end of the event. The attached invitation has all of the details, please RSVP by September 1st.

We hope to see everyone at Hinge on September 7th at 5:30!

Thank you!

WITA Board of Officers

*** Membership forms will also be going out shortly. We’ll be accepting completed membership forms at the event. ***

WITA Networking Event – September 7th @ Hinge.pdf

 

January 27th, Dinner & Speaker

Mark your calendars!  WITA’s next event is January 27th, 2010. 

Al Martocci will be our speaker and we’ll be hosting the event at Popi’s in South Philly.

Additional details to follow!

 

Charming Shoppes, Inc. : Job Description for Assistant Manager, Import Customs

 

One of our members has asked us to post a job they have available.  The job description is below and the contact person is Brian O’Brien, 215.633.4819.  Please contact him directly if you are interested.   Thank you!

Job Description for Assistant Manager, Import Customs

 ABOUT CHARMING SHOPPES, INC.

Founded nearly 70 years ago, CHARMING SHOPPES, INC. (www.charmingshoppes.com),  is the largest women’s plus-size specialty retailer in the US. Charming Shoppes is the parent company of Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines, Lane Bryant Outlet, Charming Direct, our e-commerce division, and Figis Gifts in Good Taste. Charming Shoppes is a publicly-traded multi-brand corporation dedicated to serving the lifestyle apparel needs of women wearing plus sizes, (NASDAQ CHRS).  We offer exciting career opportunities for talented individuals who are passionate about what they do and dedicated to bringing our customers the very best service, value, fashion, selection and fit.

The successful candidate will work with company Sourcing and Merchandise groups in the following areas:

• Determine proper classification of all goods, imported directly by a Charming Shoppes division, as defined by and interpreted in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
• Determine application of Other Government Agency (OGA) regulations to imported merchandise.
• Maintain all appropriate back up documentation to support commodity classifications.
• Maintain and/or enhance company’s master classification database and program as it relates to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
• Review all new Purchase Orders to ensure goods have been properly classified and the transmission of classification data to US Customs House Brokers.
• Work with Import Clerk to ensure entries are properly classified at time of entry and respond to Clerk regarding broker questions or post entry questions as it relates to classification. 
• Work on Binding Ruling requests.
• Develop and maintain metrics as it relates to the company’s classification program.
• Provide back up support to Import Customs Manager as necessary in other areas related to customs compliance.
• Assist Import Manager with Importer Self Assessment Annual Audit.
• Assist Import Manager with programs, processes and procedures governing the use of Free Trade Agreements and other duty reduction programs the company chooses to participant in.
• Assist and back up Import Manager with the month end and duty reconciliation processes.
• Review Payment and Purchase Orders (PO) involving agents to ensure accuracy of requirements and agency determinations are met.
• Ensure timely handling of the LC and PO approval processes involving agents or non-csi direct imports.
• Monitor shipments involving agents or non-csi direct imports to ensure Final Inspections are performed and approved prior to shipment of merchandise.
• Act as back up in the area of social compliance and factory evaluation programs.    
• Assist Import Customs Manager and Director of International Trade and Compliance on special projects involving customs or vendor compliance as requested or needed.

 

Open Date 11/18/2010

Job Requirements Four year degree

• US Customs Brokerage License preferred
• Minimum of 5 years experience in an import related field.  Experience preferred in the classification of textiles, apparel and footwear in accordance with classifications standards and principles of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.  Knowledge of FTA and duty reduction programs preferred.
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent organization skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Good project management skills
• Experience using automated classification tools such as electronic version of Harmonized Tariff Schedule, and CROSS ruling databases
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products, Word, Excel.  Knowledge of Access a plus

 

Women-Owned Businesses

Here’s a short article about ‘Why Women Make Better Business Owners’. It’s not long, but it doesn’t offer some interesting points about why women open their own businesses and why their businesses succeed.

Enjoy!

 

We’re Not Gossiping, We’re Networking …

“We’re Not Gossiping, We’re Networking” is the cover of my business card holder. Catchy, right? I remember buying this years ago, when I didn’t even have business cards yet! It was just too perfect to pass up and I’m glad I didn’t. Networking has always been, and will always be, an essential part of business. I know all of us go to industry events because we believe in the goals many of the organization’s have, WITA’s being to ‘Provide Awareness’, ‘Inform & Educate’ and ‘Promote the Exchange of Ideas’. However, one common goal in all of these organizaitons, which we don’t always come right out and say, is that we’re at these events to Network. We’re here to meet people and make new contacts, which is wonderful. It’s how this industry is able to continuously grow and expand.

In the spirit of networking, I wanted to share an article I came across on http://www.bnet.com. It will hopefully give you some tips on networking (or as they call it in the article, Schmoozing).

Enjoy!
~ Liz Fretz
President of WITA

 

New Terminal for Philadelphia

This week a 50-year lease was given to the Delaware River Stevedores and Hyundai Merchant Marine to build a new container terminal on the Delaware River. While the constuction won’t be completed for many years, this is wonderful news for Philadelphia and an investment in our future.

The article goes on to say that construction of the new terminal will be planned around the dredging of the Delaware River. Developers will begin constructing the new terminals when the River is deep enough to accomidate bigger vessels. It’s funny how things work out. If the dredging project hadn’t gone through (finally!), Philadelphia may not have been able to build a new terminal. It’s nice when things work out for everyone. A new terminal will lead to more jobs for Philadelphia and will put us in a good position for future econominc success.

Have a great weekend!
Liz
President of WITA