The Association of Image Consultants International’s membership includes many talented image professionals representing diverse areas of expertise of in Appearance, Behavior and Communication. For articles featuring or written by AICI members, subscribe to AICI’s member e-newsletter, Connections.
Our Latest Press Release
PROFESSIONAL IMAGE CONSULTANTS GIVE BACK
LAUNCH GLOBAL PLEDGE FOR NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY®
(New York, NY) The Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) is pledging to offer their professional image skills worldwide to make a difference in the lives of those who are experiencing special challenges during this tough, economic period. AICI is proudly supporting National Philanthropy Day® which launches on November 15, 2009 at www.NationalPhilanthropyDay.net. It is a special day set aside to recognize the great contributions that philanthropy has made to our world. “The AICI Gives Back Pledge Campaign” is our way of giving back globally to our communities,” says Lynne Marks, AICI’s International President.
With the competition for existing jobs growing in leaps and bounds, AICI members and chapter leaders are signing the Pledge as a powerful statement from the international image community. But signing the pledge is just a beginning. AICI’s “Image for a Cause” contributions are now happening around the world and over the coming year. Presenters of these complimentary programs are all professional image consultants who are inspired to give back. They include compelling AICI Chapter Projects such as:
- Singapore Chapter’s Red Box Campaign to provide Work Wardrobe Rescue relief to Typhoon and flood victims in the Philippines through clothing collection centers in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. Inspired by the late Princess Diana who once said, “Anywhere I see suffering, that is where I want to be, doing what I can,” they are creating a “magical box of hope” for affected office workers who are now going to work in t-shirts and slippers.
- Mexico Chapter’s dedicated plan to help women in extreme poverty in support of SEDESOL, Mexico’s Department of Social Development.
- Chicago Chapter’s commitment since 2000 to prepare city high school students for summer internships.
- New York Tri-State’s scholarships to the Fashion Institute of Technology and support for www.divabetics.org, cancer patients at Gilda’s Club, and Bottomless Closet, a non-profit helping women in transition.
- South Central’s partnership with Girls, Inc. to present the ABC’s of Image and Civility to 100 girls in Texas.
- Washington DC Chapter’s collection and donation of business apparel for women re-entering the workforce for www.successinstyle.org.
- Hosting a Prom for troubled teens at the Devereux Center is the mission of the Atlanta Chapter. Together with the Brookstone Women’s Club, AICI Atlanta will provide prom dresses and offer education and awareness of image and self-esteem. Plus, they’ll be donating clothing to the Women’s Extension for homeless women.
The Pledge is also an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of giving and AICI members are taking action:
- Lisamarie Virola Banko is creating a venue for disabled American Veterans of all wars to meet, share stories, and receive professional image services as a volunteer for the Ladies Auxiliary of Military Order for the Purple Heart in New York City.
- Mihaela Berciu invited 24 famous Romanian male celebrities to be photographed with bruises and hits to raise awareness of domestic violence. Her wildly successful photo exposition raised money for a private shelter for female victims of domestic violence. Her future photo projects will focus on human trafficking and a national campaign against pollution.
- Catherine Bell of AICI Toronto Canada helps single mothers and abused women through weekly meetings to build their skills to enter and re-enter the workforce.
- Maria Doll lends annual support to a girl’s camp and offers regular seminars for girls in Calgary, Canada.
- International VP Membership Ferial Youakim founded Mum’s on a Mission and successfully raised over $6,000 for a Children’s Hospital in Sydney, Australia through a Luncheon Fashion Show for over 130 women.
- Delby Bragais will provide support to financially challenged women in the Philippines.
- Beth Strange of Ohio-PA works with breast cancer survivors and models for Shop to Stop Breast Cancer.
- Washington DC member Cecilia Stoeckicht is raising the self esteem of teen girls at Girls Inc. of Delaware.
- AICI Civility Counts Chair Yasmin Anderson-Smith is pledging complimentary admission for girls at her 3rd annual Every Girl Can “Smart Image” Conference which promotes healthy body image for young girls and women in May 2010 in Maryland.
- Chicago member Jill Swanson is giving women at the Local Cancer Support home creative ways to look and feel terrific without spending time and money and actively supports the American Cancer Society.
- Judith Rasband is developing a training tele-seminar for her community in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- In her role as President of www.aptnyc.org AICI’s Philanthropic Chair Pamela Judd is leading a chapter effort to offer complimentary Myers-Briggs® assessments and coaching to a non-profit staff and those they serve.
- Beryl Wing of NY Tri-State will show young people “What’s in it for Me” if they dress appropriately on the job in connection with the Urban League.
- Catherine Schuller is collaborating with BANGZ, a premiere salon and spa in Montclair, New Jersey and other business community leaders to offer "The Cultured Club” - an innovative training program for young adults and teens on networking, social etiquette and image.
- Delby Bragais will provide free Image Workshops for financially challenged women seeking to be self employed or starting their own businesses in the Philippines.
Magoe Johnson, Chair of AICI Gives Back, is excited about giving back locally at the annual AICI Global Conference on May 20-23, 2010 in Vancouver, BC. Her vision is to have every attendee bring a clothing or accessory item to donate to a worthy Vancouver women’s organization, in addition to offering AICI’s expertise in Appearance, Behavior, and Communication.
For more information, please contact:
Pamela Judd
Tel.: (718) 530-3500
E-mail: Pam@PamelaJudd.com
To download this press release as a Word document, click here .
AICI Members in the News
Sangeeta Bahl, "Perfume Personality," Gurgaon Magazine, January 15, 2009; radio interview: "Career as an Image Consultant," on Tu Tu meow Meow 104.8 FM Delhi, January 27, 2009; radio interview: "What not to wear," on Tu Tu meow Meow 104.8 FM Delhi, February 7, 2009.
Scarlett De Bease, "Beauty Savers Minimalist Makeup," Westchester Magazine, January 2009.
Diana Jennings, AICI CIP, CPBS, "50 Personal Branding Consultants Worth Working With," smartlifeblog.com, January 11, 2009.
Olen Juarez-Lim, AICI FLC, "Big accessories, pastel colors chic in 2009 - stylists," GMANews.tv (Phillipines), January 6, 2009.
Peggy M. Parks, AICI CIP, "Style: Eye candy - Glasses make it easy for others to see your creative streak," Atlanta Journal Constitution, January 25, 2009; radio interview: "Bright Spot with Dot Blum," on 1620 AM, February 6, 2009; "Working Women on the Rise," Atlanta INtown, February 15, 2009.
Jeanine D. Rozier, MBA, AICI FLC, "Are You Waging War With Your Hair?" Average Girl Magazine, Jan/Feb 2009.
Adrienne D. Simmons, "The Real Deal: Frugal Fashion," Fox 29 News Philadelphia (WTXF), January 21, 2009; "The Real Deal: Magazine Madness," Fox 29 News "Good Day Philadelphia" (WTXF), March 25, 2009.
Elaine Stoltz, AICI CIM, "United Way of Tarrant County Women's Leadership Society," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, February 8, 2009.