Background

Early in 2008 a small group of friends, led by Dr. Melanie Pugh and her husband Jody, came together to discuss the education gap that exists, generation to generation. This gap is the basic life, social and business skills that are not typically taught or modeled at home or in school. From this meeting the decision was made to form a non profit organization that teaches these skills to young women who have the highest level or personal accountability, no matter their socio-demographic background. Thus, TheconfidentImage.org was born.

Mission

Our mission is to teach important life, social and business principles and skills not typically taught at home or in school, to young women who have a high level of personal accountability. This will increase their self esteem, confidence and image, help them to be more competitive in the marketplace, and help them make better decisions in their life.

How the Program Works

A small group of young women will be chosen from a selection/nomination process. They must show a high degree of personal accountability (to learn more about personal accountability, see the book QBQ! by John Miller) and be able to commit to attending all of the program classes.

Each program consists of six classes that will occur one day a week for six days. The classes are:

• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People © Franklin-Covey Inc.
• Fundamentals of Classic Style
• Business Communication (Posture, Poise, Body Language, Speech, etc)
• The Home - Elements of Design and Organization
• Healthy Body, Mind and Spirit
• Personal Financial Management

Upon completion of the program the young women will be charged with the responsibility of teaching and sharing what they have learned. This will help spread the content throughout our communities while increasing the participant’s retention.

Where we Need Help

We have several committees that are in need of more people. If you would like to be involved but are not sure where you may fit in, email jody@theconfidentimage.org. We also have an informational meeting that we encourage everyone to attend on the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 at the Courtyard Hotel at Gulf Coast Town Center in south Fort Myers. If you have a group of folks in your community who would like to learn more, let Jody know and we can do an informational meeting in your community.

We also need sponsors and donors. Our KY Derby Party in particular needs products/services donated for a raffle/auction, and sponsors. To donate, please contact Meredith Parsons at MeredithP@BonitaBayGroup.com.

Where we are

We are in the process of forming our committees and beginning our content development. Our 501©3 is in process. The first program is scheduled to occur in October 2008, with six more programs in southwest Florida in 2009, two each in Naples, Fort Myers and Cape Coral. In late 2009 or early 2010, our goal is take this program to the rest of Florida and begin developing a men’s program.

The Confident Image Committees

Community Relations Committees

Sponsor Relations Committee – Develops relationships with sponsors and donors as it relates to assisting the young ladies in their professional image enhancements.

Marketing Committee – Designs all branding and marketing materials for the organization and manages the marketing function.

Public Relations Committee – The written voice of the organization writing press releases, letters to potential new supporters, and any other written communication on behalf of the organization.

Events Committee – Coordinates annual Kentucky Derby Gala and Yearend Celebration fundraising events.

Education Committees

Content Development Committee – Oversees the development of content, consulting each content development committee and insuring consistency in theme, approach and material.

Grant Writing / Government Compliance Committee– Consults the leadership of the organization in strategy, oversees all grant writing responsibilities, and ensures compliance within the organization as it relates to grants.

Administration Committee – Coordinates all activities of the organization including scheduling facilities, instructors, etc.

Content Development Sub-committees

Fundamentals of Style Content Committee – Develops content. Subject matter: understanding business culture, individual’s family culture, and learns how to adapt more to the business culture while at work; classic style including clothing, accessories, hair, makeup and nails.

Business Communication Content Committee – Develops content. Subject matter: posture, poise, body language, speech, networking, interviewing and business writing.

The Home - Elements of Design and Organization Content Committee – Develops content. Subject matter: fundamentals of interior design and home, auto and office organization.

Healthy Body, Mind and Spirit Content Committee – Develops content. Subject matter: physical wellness, diet, exercise, mental health.

Personal Financial Management Content Committee – Develops content. Subject matter: understanding basic financial terminology, balancing a checkbook, getting out of, and avoiding debt, and building wealth for retirement.

The Confident Image Core Values

Integrity

Our governing value is to do the right thing in everything we do. We stick to our values and principles.

Pay it Forward

Everyone needs help at some point in our lives. It is our duty to be there to help when it is needed, and to graciously accept help when we need it. We do this one person, one activity at a time.

Personal Accountability

Our organization, nominees and recipients live by the QBQ!©.* We take responsibility for our decisions, our actions and our lives. We are not entitled, do not blame others, and we do not look for others to solve our problems.

Continual Growth and Improvement

Our organization is committed to constant and never ending improvement, personal, professional and spiritual growth, and never settling for “it’s good enough.”

Leadership Integrity

We serve out of a sense of contribution, for the greater good, not for our own personal agendas.

* based on the QBQ!© book by John G. MIller