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<channel>
	<title>SWAPEN</title>
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	<link>http://swapen.org</link>
	<description></description>
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		<title>The Dirty Truth About 3 Point Prospecting!</title>
		<link>http://swapen.org/the-dirty-truth-about-3-point-prospecting/</link>
		<comments>http://swapen.org/the-dirty-truth-about-3-point-prospecting/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 23:32:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Speaker]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://swapen.org/?p=509</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Next Meeting is set for 5/14/2012. William James Dutton has over 25 years of experience in business. He has devoted over two decades of real world study to the areas of Personal Development, Sales, Marketing and over all Business Development. He is currently a Business Development Coach, personally assuring the full execution of each phase [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://swapen.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JamesDutton.jpg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-510" title="JamesDutton" src="http://swapen.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JamesDutton-241x300.jpg" alt="" width="241" height="300" /></a>Next Meeting is set for 5/14/2012.</p>
<p>William James Dutton has over 25 years of experience in business. He has devoted over two decades of real world study to the areas of Personal Development, Sales, Marketing and over all Business Development. He is currently a Business Development Coach, personally assuring the full execution of each phase of  The QGM 12 Phase Massive Marketing System with Guaranteed Results!</p>
<p>President &amp; Business Development Coach with Quantum Growth Marketing<br />
VP of Marketing &amp; Founder of My Referral Network<br />
Founder of <a href="http://Profitmass.com">Profitmass.com</a> and QGM Academy</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<item>
		<title>NextLevel Thinking</title>
		<link>http://swapen.org/nextlevel-thinking/</link>
		<comments>http://swapen.org/nextlevel-thinking/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 May 2012 14:59:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Speaker]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://swapen.org/?p=499</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[NextLevel Thinking (www.yournextlevel.cc) is a Houston based strategic marketing firm that blends emotion, education, and execution into a brand building approach and framework for their clients. You may know NLT as the firm that created one of Houston’s most well known brands, Commit for Life, for Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center (GCRBC). Eric Poerschke (LinkedIn [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://swapen.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/EricPoerschke.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-500" title="EricPoerschke" src="http://swapen.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/EricPoerschke-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>NextLevel Thinking (<a href="http://www.yournextlevel.cc/">www.yournextlevel.cc</a>) is a Houston based strategic marketing firm that blends <strong>emotion, education, and execution</strong> into a brand building approach and framework for their clients. You may know NLT as the firm that created one of Houston’s most well known brands, Commit for Life, for Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center (GCRBC).</p>
<p>Eric Poerschke (<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/ejpatyournextlevel">LinkedIn Profile</a>) is the Managing Partner at NextLevel Thinking and he is frequently asked to speak around the country on the topics of marketing and brand strategy.  He often uses case studies to illustrate his point.<span id="more-499"></span></p>
<p>In this presentation, Eric will show attendees the steps to building a successful brand by outlining the process that was used at GCRBC.  He will then demonstrate how they have integrated an awareness television campaign with tele-recruitment, database marketing, web marketing and the donation experience to create a new perception of blood donation in the minds of existing and potential donors…the <em>Commit for Life</em> brand.</p>
<p>The cornerstone of this multimedia presentation will be the premise that GCRBC changed their paradigm of being in the <strong>Blood Business</strong>.  When someone comes to donate, instead of asking, “Are you here to donate blood?” they ask, “Are you here to save a life?” They are now in the <strong>Life Business </strong>and that changes everything!!!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://swapen.org/nextlevel-thinking/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sometimes You Have to Take a Drastic Step to Turn Your Life Around</title>
		<link>http://swapen.org/sometimes-you-have-to-take-a-drastic-step-to-turn-your-life-around/</link>
		<comments>http://swapen.org/sometimes-you-have-to-take-a-drastic-step-to-turn-your-life-around/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:20:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Speaker]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://swapen.org/?p=479</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Big goals call for drastic steps! Whether it’s reaching your personal goals such as improving your health or relationships; professional goals such as starting a business or finding your passion or your financial goals like earning the income you desire, or recovering from financial setback, this program is for you. Toni will show you how [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://swapen.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ToniHarris.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-480" title="ToniHarris" src="http://swapen.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ToniHarris-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /></a>Big goals call for drastic steps! Whether it’s reaching your personal goals such as improving your health or relationships; professional goals such as starting a business or finding your passion or your financial goals like earning the income you desire, or recovering from financial setback, this program is for you. Toni will show you how to take the necessary steps to kick your comfort zone to the curb and turn your life around personally, professionally and financially to live the life you imagined.</p>
<p>About Toni Harris</p>
<p>Toni, known as the Turnaround Queen, is a passionate, dynamic and energetic speaker who “wows” audiences across the country, melding best practices with real world solutions.</p>
<p>Toni is no stranger to risk, change and adversity. In 2000, she took a leap of faith, relocating to Florida to become a financial advisor with no formal education or investment experience to reverse her financial situation and earn a six-figure income in one of the worst economy’s America had ever seen. In 2004, she turned her personal life around by losing over 100 lbs. and maintaining it for seven years.</p>
<p>Utilizing personal and professional experience, Toni has developed programs that help others make marked improvements in their lives. She is zealous about helping people to step outside of their comfort zone and make drastic steps to turnaround their personal, professional and financial lives.</p>
<p>Toni’s first turnaround book, “An American Nightmare – The Pitfalls of Home Ownership” was released in Feb. 2012.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/toniharrisspeak">Connect with Toni on Facebook!</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Planning for Business Owners for Asset Protection</title>
		<link>http://swapen.org/planning-for-business-owners-for-asset-protection/</link>
		<comments>http://swapen.org/planning-for-business-owners-for-asset-protection/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:18:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Speaker]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://swapen.org/?p=399</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Houston Attorney Kimberly Hegwood focuses exclusively on elder law, asset protection planning, estate planning and closely-related practice areas. She chose these areas because family and care giving have always been the most important aspects of her life. A mother of three, Kim founded her own practice in the first place so that she would be [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://swapen.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/KimberlyHegwood-.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-400" title="KimberlyHegwood" src="http://swapen.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/KimberlyHegwood-.jpg" alt="" width="214" height="300" /></a>Houston Attorney Kimberly Hegwood focuses exclusively on elder law, asset protection planning, estate planning and closely-related practice areas. She chose these areas because family and care giving have always been the most important aspects of her life.</p>
<p>A mother of three, Kim founded her own practice in the first place so that she would be available for her children when they were young. Her experiences caring for her grandparents provided further motivation to focus on elder law and estate planning. She saw firsthand the difficulties her grandparents faced in being uninformed about Social Security, the lack of effective, up-to-date planning, and countless other challenges that face today’s seniors and accompany the aging process.</p>
<p>These personal experiences, together with her mastery of the law, make Kim uniquely qualified to help seniors, families and individuals plan for the future and cope during times of crisis. She understands what her clients are going through and is dedicated to treating every client with the compassion and respect he or she deserves. Kim derives particular professional satisfaction from providing a range of enhanced services that allow her to offer a fuller, more personalized level of planning.</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.hegwoodlaw.com/">www.hegwoodlaw.com</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Enrich your life and/or Grow Your Business Effortlessly</title>
		<link>http://swapen.org/enrich-your-life-andor-grow-your-business-effortlessly/</link>
		<comments>http://swapen.org/enrich-your-life-andor-grow-your-business-effortlessly/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:03:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Speaker]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gxtesting.com/swapen/?p=341</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Belanie is motivational, interactive, and engaging with her audience. She incorporates her own life stories; failures and successes, as she creates relatedness with each person, regardless of the size of group. She captures the room through her power of connection, empowerment, and authentic relationship. The material she presents is always heart-felt and life-changing. Though Belanie [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://swapen.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NEWBelanieDishongfade_SMALL.jpg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-342" title="NEWBelanieDishongfade_SMALL" src="http://swapen.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NEWBelanieDishongfade_SMALL-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>Belanie is motivational, interactive, and engaging with her audience. She incorporates her own life stories; failures and successes, as she creates relatedness with each person, regardless of the size of group. She captures the room through her power of connection, empowerment, and authentic relationship. The material she presents is always heart-felt and life-changing. Though Belanie is fun and playful, she is serious. It&#8217;s not about the Rha, Rha, she offers true techniques that can be used to enrich lives for a lifetime.</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.LiveAtChoice.com" target="_blank">LiveAtChoice.com</a><br />
Phone: 281-859-0677</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Scholarship Opportunity</title>
		<link>http://swapen.org/scholarship-opportunity/</link>
		<comments>http://swapen.org/scholarship-opportunity/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:52:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gxtesting.com/swapen/?p=335</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ABWA/SWAPEN is sponsoring their annual scholarship for 2012. What is it: Grant for tuition, books and fees up to a maximum amount of $1500 (or $2000 if criteria met for early application) to applicant that meets the qualifications below and is chosen by independent committee chosen by local participating ABWA chapter/network. Outright grants are not [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>ABWA/SWAPEN is sponsoring their annual scholarship for 2012.</p>
<h2>What is it:</h2>
<p>Grant for tuition, books and fees up to a maximum amount of $1500 (or $2000 if criteria met for early application) to applicant that meets the qualifications below and is chosen by independent committee chosen by local participating ABWA chapter/network. Outright grants are not to be repaid.</p>
<p><strong>Deadline for Applicants</strong>: January 15, 2011<span id="more-335"></span></p>
<p><a href="http://swapen.org/pdfs/FocusSBMEF.pdf">Download information on the Stephen Bufton Memorial Education Fund</a></p>
<p><strong>Qualified applicants</strong> &#8211; Guidelines as set up by ABWA/SBMEF:</p>
<ul>
<li>Female US Citizen</li>
<li>Completed 45 credit hours or more when applying for funds</li>
<li>Sponsored by an eligible ABWA Chapter/Network</li>
<li>Members and Non Members may apply</li>
<li>Achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.</li>
<li>Attending an institution authorized to confer degrees at the baccalaureate level or higher in the US</li>
<li>Student may apply for funding in subsequent years as long as they meet eligibility requirements</li>
</ul>
<h2>How to apply:</h2>
<p>Applicant must contact Tamara Granger before December 31st to be set up with a  username and password<br />
<strong>Tamara Granger</strong><br />
Regional Account Executive<br />
Elavon Merchant Services<br />
(832) 875-6765<br />
<a href="mailto:scholarship@swapen.org">scholarship@swapen.org</a></p>
<ul>
<li>Applicant will then receive an email directing them to online application site</li>
<li>Applicant must complete online application by January 15th</li>
<li>Provide current official transcript</li>
<li>Complete biographical summary</li>
<li>Obtain three current professional letters of reference.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Please mail transcripts to:</strong><br />
2103 Blue Willow Drive<br />
Houston, TX 77042</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://swapen.org/scholarship-opportunity/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Lisa Giesler &#124; Organization and Time Management</title>
		<link>http://swapen.org/lisa-giesler/</link>
		<comments>http://swapen.org/lisa-giesler/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:58:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Speaker]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gxtesting.com/swapen/?p=188</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Speaker&#8217;s Topic: Need To Do, Want To Do, Finding Time To Do Lisa Giesler is the energized and self-motivated owner of “A Time and Place for Everything”, LLC and the author of, My Life Is a Mess: Organizing 101. Lisa gets to the heart of the matter of disorganization. She enjoys helping people to organize [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><strong>Speaker&#8217;s Topic</strong>: Need To Do, Want To Do, Finding Time To Do</h2>
<p><a href="http://swapen.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LisaBookSmall21.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-196" title="LisaBookSmall2" src="http://swapen.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/LisaBookSmall21-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Lisa Giesler is the energized and self-motivated owner of “<a href="http://www.atimeandplace4.com/">A Time and Place for Everything</a>”, LLC and the author of, <a href="http://www.atimeandplace4.com/">My Life Is a Mess: Organizing 101</a>. Lisa gets to the heart of the matter of disorganization. She enjoys helping people to organize their homes, offices and schedules in a fun and simple manner as well as guiding them in achieving personal and business goals. A Time and Place for Everything is also available to help the new homeowner to unpack and organize their new home.<span id="more-188"></span></p>
<p>Her humorous and informative speaking style entertains and encourages while educating various groups who seek organizational and time management skills. Lisa has enjoyed writing organizing advice for different publications including Fort Bend Independent Newspaper. Her current endeavors include a series of audio tapes and tip booklets for a variety of organizing topics.</p>
<p>Activities that Lisa has been and is involved with include: Katrina relief with Convoy of Hope, board member of SCCHE, member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), Faithful Organizers’ Speaker Directory, and her local Chamber of Commerce. Lisa has worked on fundraisers for Fort Bend Lawyer’s Care, Casa de Esperanza, participated in YMCA Healthy Kids Day, Fort Bend Women’s Shelter, worked as a mentor for Houston ISD and a volunteer staff for Faith and Action, located in Washington, D.C.</p>
<p>Her continuing education include: diplomas from the Emerging Leaders Institute, Berean School of the Bible and various courses in the organizing field. These give Lisa the ability to encourage and lead others to achieve their goals. Lisa holds credentials through Evangelical Church Alliance.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://swapen.org/lisa-giesler/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<item>
		<title>Improve It! Consulting &amp; Training</title>
		<link>http://swapen.org/tuesday-november-15-2011-1100am/</link>
		<comments>http://swapen.org/tuesday-november-15-2011-1100am/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:22:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Speaker]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gxtesting.com/swapen/?p=99</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Speaker: Diane M. Elko Diane M. Elko is President and Owner of Improve It! Consulting &#38; Training, in Fulshear, Texas. After working in manufacturing management and quality for a turbo machinery company, and as a quality consultant and product manager in banking, Diane moved to Texas in 1990 to direct quality improvement for a mutual [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img style="margin-right: 15px;" src="http://swapen.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Diane_M_Elko.JPG" alt="Diane M. Elko" height="128" align="left" border="0" /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Speaker:</span> Diane M. Elko</p>
<p>Diane M. Elko is President and Owner of Improve It! Consulting &amp; Training, in Fulshear, Texas. After working in manufacturing management and quality for a turbo machinery company, and as a quality consultant and product manager in banking, Diane moved to Texas in 1990 to direct quality improvement for a mutual fund company. She later worked as a vice president of customer service and quality for a national staffing company. In all of these positions she collected the best practices “package” of services that promotes performance excellence. As a certified Lead Auditor for ISO 9001, she now integrates these practices into effective management systems across the Greater Houston business community. <span id="more-99"></span></p>
<p>Building teams and measurement systems are key elements of her practice. An advocate of maintaining simple approaches such as mapping processes that are the heart of the business and implementing continual improvement processes, Diane coaches business leaders and teams on how to reach their highest level of achievement, and these efforts include award-winning results. She taught management courses at the University of Houston and Seton Hill University, and published many articles related to quality management, team building and customer service. She facilitates problem-solving teams and enjoys speaking at conferences nationwide. Diane is certified in personality profiles analysis, and offers motivational and communication seminars. She received the BA degree from Seton Hill University and an MBA from the Katz School of Management, University of Pittsburgh.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Annual Membership Drive Social</title>
		<link>http://swapen.org/annual-membership-drive-social/</link>
		<comments>http://swapen.org/annual-membership-drive-social/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 29 Oct 2011 14:18:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gxtesting.com/swapen/?p=96</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Tuesday, October 11, 2011 Time: 5pm to 7pm Place: Trustmark Bank, 1845 Hwy. 6, Sugarland, TX Refreshments will be served.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 align="center" style="color:#cc0000;">
      Tuesday, October 11, 2011 </h2>
<p><strong>Time</strong>: 5pm to 7pm<br />
        <strong>Place</strong>: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Trustmark+Bank,+1845+Hwy.+6,+Sugarland,+TX&#038;hl=en&#038;ll=30.675715,-95.625&#038;spn=10.251716,21.51123&#038;sqi=2&#038;t=m&#038;z=6&#038;vpsrc=0&#038;iwloc=A" target="_blank">Trustmark Bank,  1845 Hwy. 6, Sugarland, TX</a><br />
        Refreshments will be  served.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Conquering Fears and Self Limitations</title>
		<link>http://swapen.org/tuesday-september-21-2011-1100am/</link>
		<comments>http://swapen.org/tuesday-september-21-2011-1100am/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:11:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Speaker]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gxtesting.com/swapen/?p=94</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[SWAPEN meeting: &#8220;Conquering Fears and Self Limitations&#8221; Speaker:Veronica Wasek Through her speech, “Conquering Fears and Self Limitations,” Veronica Wasek draws upon her own experience losing two jobs to the economy, starting her own business, getting into top physical shape, and finding her full potential while facing her greatest fears and self-limiting thoughts.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img style="margin-right: 15px;" src="http://swapen.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/VeronicaWasek.jpg" alt="Veronica Waske" width="91" height="128" align="left" border="0" /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">SWAPEN meeting:</span> &#8220;Conquering Fears and Self Limitations&#8221;<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Speaker:</span>Veronica Wasek<span id="more-94"></span></p>
<p>Through her speech, “<strong>Conquering Fears and Self Limitations,”</strong> Veronica Wasek draws upon her own experience losing two jobs to the economy, starting her own business, getting into top physical shape, and finding her full potential while facing her greatest fears and self-limiting thoughts.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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