BPW Scholarship Recipient Returns To Repay A Gift

Forty-five years ago Guido Tino was in his final two years at Western Connecticut State University when both of his parents died.

With a $200 gift from the Business & Professional Women’s Club, then located in Brookfield, Mr Tino was able to graduate and become a teacher. He earned a master’s degree at Fairfield University and a six-year certificate at the University of Bridgeport, and taught school for 36 years.

Last week Mr Tino, who now lives in Sherman, came to the Newtown Business & Professional Women’s Club meeting to donate $200 to its scholarship fund. An active volunteer who coached soccer for many years and spent ten years on the American Red Cross Board of Directors, Mr Tino has served on the Parks and Recreation Department, the Board of Education, and the Zoning Board of Appeals in Sherman. He also serves as director of emergency management there.

A stroke in 1999 forced his retirement from teaching, but he has not slowed down. He is a volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Northwest Connecticut Stroke Survivors Group, and the American Heart Association.

“Heart attack, cancer, and stroke are the three biggest killers in this country, and 60 percent of the victims are women,” Mr Tino said. “I have spent five years on the American Heart Association Speakers Bureau trying to get this message out.”

Former BPW President Diana Johnson also had a message for those who attended the meeting in the Villa restaurant in Sandy Hook last week. Ms Johnson, a former Dale Carnegie instructor who now has her own business, VUE Systems LLC, presented “Sell Yourself To Success,” a seminar that teaches how to design a concise and convincing marketing message.

There are four points that need to be followed to sell yourself, she said.

“Define what you do or sell — be clear,” she said. “Explain what is special about you or your product — be concise. Describe how your customer will benefit by using your product or adopting your idea — define the ‘customer’s benefit.’ And tell your customer what you want him or her to do — be convincing.”

BPW is a nonprofit organization that promotes the interests of business and professional women, providing them with an opportunity for networking. The club also sponsors scholarship to help women who are changing or advancing their careers. BPW meets the first Monday of each month at 6 pm at area restaurants. For membership information, call Margot Hall at 270-4280.