The Final Chapter

"Experience is the best teacher of all.  And for that, there are no guarantees that one will become an artist.  Only the journey matters."

- Harry Callahan

 

 

 

 

Good Day EWI!

 

Well, this will be last blog for the year, and what a year it has been!  The journey I have taken as your 2012-2013 Corporate President has been a true blessing and joy in my life!  I cannot thank those that walked beside me enough!  Ronwyn, Darlene, Benita, Cindy, Cortney, Mary Helen, Lisa and Wendy have all been an incredible inspiration to me...your support has made it such an easy role to fulfill!

 

When we started this year I gave each of our Chairs a key chain as I truly felt they would be the "keys to our success" and I was not wrong!  The work these caring women undertook with their Vice Chairs and Committee Members was astounding!  You are the true heroes ladies!  My deepest gratitude to Pat Evans, Darlene Banogon, Carolyn Woodmansee, Kerry Feltenberg, Darlis Vauble, Jenni Burns, Jeanette Davis, Kim Fankhauser!  Additional heartfelt thanks to Lisa Stokes as Nominating Chair and Nancy Harrison as Credentials Chair.

 

I would also like to thank the staff members for their unwavering commitment to EWI!  Brittany, Kim, Bonny and Ashley - thank you for all that you do for EWI!

 

My deepest hope in undertaking this weekly blog was that through this exercise, I might inspire other members of EWI to read it and think to themselves, "I can do that too!"

 

As our great Founder Lucille Johnson Perkins and the first Board of Directors said so eloquently in our Chartering documents, "She profits best who serves most."  To me, that is the golden nugget of EWI.  For without stepping into servant leadership you are missing out on the greatest learning tool available through your membership. The lessons and skills that I have learnt throughout my time with EWI have been some of the most rewarding lessons in my life.  Is it a time requirement?  Absolutely.  However nothing worthwhile comes without dedicating your attention to it.

 

Heading into the final 48 hours before I fly to San Diego, I am sure my time will be looking like yours...trying to pack, manicure/pedicure, banking, etc.  As I count down the hours I will also be thinking of all the members I will be seeing next week as we celebrate our 75th Anniversary at LCAM!  I am very excited to head into this final week of my Presidency because it is a week dedicated solely to EWI and its members.  I cannot wait to spend this time with 355 other EWI member representatives!

 

For those of you not attending, I know you will be with us in spirit.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support this year!  I have never been so proud of being a part of EWI as I have been this year.  Thank you for the honor of serving as your Corporate President!

 

Keep the faith and please... continue to 20 Mile March!

 

Over and out.

- K

 



International Literacy Day

"To be a leader, you must be a reader!"

- Executive Women International

 

 

 

 

Good Day EWI!

 

Sunday, the 08th of September is International Literacy Day!  What a wonderful "day" to truly celebrate!

 

A friend just asked me why literacy is so important to EWI and I replied with our mantra that "to be a leader, you need to be a reader".  What a powerful slogan that is!

 

In visiting the UNESCO website about this special designated day, I read with interest the message from Ms. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of International Literacy Day.  She says,

 

"Literacy is a basic right and an essential motor for human development.  It paves the way to autonomy, the acquisition of skills, cultural expression and full participation in society.  Literacy is much more than an educational priority - it is the ultimate investment in the future and the first step towards all the new forms of literacy required in the twenty-first century.  We wish to see a century where every child is able to read and to use this skill to gain autonomy.  On this International Literacy Day, we call on governments to work together to achieve this dream.  The progress made in recent years shows that this is possible, and UNESCO is committed to doing all that it can to make it happen."

 

The UNESCO website also quotes the following stats I thought I would share with you today:

• 774M adults are illiterate, 2/3 of which are women (493M)
• 123M youth (age 15-24) are illiterate, 2/3 of which are female (76M)
• Of those 76M young girls, 54M of them live in just 9 countries with India having over 50% of them!  27M young girls in India cannot read or write

What about the children?  While visiting UNESCO's site I also enjoyed an interview from Wednesday with Room to Read.  The Founder of which, John Wood, is our keynote at LCAM on our own "EWI Foundation Literacy Day"!  Room to Read was the laureate of the UNESCO 2011 Confucius Prize for Literacy.

 

In the interview Room to Read states that, "There are currently 250M children of primary age who cannot read or write.  Literacy is the foundation for all future learning and we need to work hard to ensure these children are not shortchanged for the entirety of their education.  Room to Read's vision is for all children - no matter where they are born - to have access to a safe, effective school that can provide them with trained teachers and the tools need to develop literacy skills and a habit of independent reading."

 

I am so excited to hear John speak on Friday of LCAM week!  If that were not enough, we also get to hear from Inocente, Mark Shriver and Alaina Podmorrow that day!  WOW!  I sure hope you are coming to LCAM to help us celebrate our 75th Anniversary with this special day dedicated to Literacy!

 

In closing, my wish for all of you is to have some quiet time on Sunday with a book, or grab a youngster and sit down to read to them and share this incredible gift of literacy we have all been so blessed with just by virtue of where we were born.

 

Have a wonderful weekend reading!

 

- K

 

 

 



Be Prepared!

"To achieve great things, two things are needed:  a plan and not quite enough time!"

- Leonard Bernstein

 

 

 

 

Good Day EWI!

 

Well, I am not sure about the rest of you, but my pre-LCAM to-do list seems to be getting longer, not shorter!  I am very thankful a long weekend is ahead with no commitments other than me and "my list!"

 

Please note, I am not complaining, just really in awe of all our Past Corporate President's who have gone through this process before me!  There are so many minute details as you can all imagine, and yet...my role is so insignificant in the planning department vs. our staff's.  A huge thank you to Wendy and her team for keeping me on point and for always making this seem effortless to those of us who attend!

 

I want to make sure though that you, the attendee are also well-prepared for LCAM!  If you are attending you too have a long list I am sure!  If the following points have not yet made it to your list, you may want to add them now:

 

• Do you have your 1930's hat/outfit lined up for the Opening Reception?  Remember when choosing your attire that this event is being held outdoors.
• Does your Chapter have their stamps or stickers prepared for the Passports?  This was really fun last year so we have brought it back again!
• Have you ordered the corsage for your President and any VIP's from the Chapter for the Saturday Gala event?  There is a special discount for corsages with our official florist and they will deliver them to the hotel, as usual.
• Have you booked your ticket for the tour/dinner cruise on Thursday night?
• Have you booked for any of the special tours of San Diego being offered?
• Have you ordered a pin for your outgoing or incoming President?
• Do you have a budget in mind for the purchase of any EWI board installation gifts you might buy?  Speaker gifts for the year?
• Have you jotted down some burning questions/challenges you have that you want to bounce off other members/Chapters?
• Have you got any great success stories/best practices to share with others at LCAM?
• Do you have a list of people you want to connect or re-connect with?
• Has your Chapter made plans for the Friday night?

And, MOST IMPORTANTLY:

• Have you familiarized yourself with the Annual Meeting materials?
• Have you discussed the materials with your fellow Chapter members?

 

Being prepared to make informed decisions at the Annual Meeting is critical for the organization.  The Annual meeting is the primary purpose for our conference, so if you are serving as your Chapter's delegate, please come prepared.  We will be dedicating Thursday afternoon to our Town Hall session, followed by the Delegate session.  Both sessions are avenues to ask questions of the Corporate Board and staff about our current state, about our future and of course about the agenda items for the Annual Meeting.

 

I am really looking forward to celebrating this special LCAM in honor of our 75th Anniversary with you!  In just three weeks time we will be well into convention week, making new friends, reacquainting ourselves with other members and hopefully, enjoying a wonderful week of fellowship!

 

Until then, keep ticking off those items on your list, whatever they may be!  It will be here before we know it!

 

Have a wonderful long weekend everyone!

 

- K

 



Silver Linings

"We'll be friends forever, won't we Pooh?" asked Piglet.  "Even longer," Pooh answered.

- A.A.Milne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Day EWI!

 

Well, yet again, my Friday seemed to get away from me, so I am penning this early Saturday morning before I head north to Edmonton to watch the LPGA's CN Open for the weekend with my dear friend and our Corporate Advisor, Lisa Stokes, who is visiting this weekend.  Our agenda is all about golf this weekend; a round at my home course yesterday with our Calgary Chapter President Jacquie Stephens, the LPGA today and then representing EWI on Monday in a celebrity charity tournament for our local Children's Hospital.  We were blessed to have a team in EWI's name donated to us and we will be playing in this National Canadian women's tournament that hall-of-famer Sandra Post organizes each year.  Lisa, Jacquie and I are all very grateful and excited for this opportunity. 

 

On top of all this, of course, is the chance to spend some quality time together reflecting on this past year, sharing our dreams and laughter too.  Like is so often the case in EWI, it is the relationships we form with one another that keep us engaged and provide that priceless value inherent with membership. 

 

Whether it be friendships formed through Chapter meetings, Chapter board or committee work, Corporate board service or at LCAM, there is an invisible thread that binds us together in one common shared purpose...EWI!

 

Quite often, when I am asked to describe EWI, I use the analogy that membership is like belonging to a sorority....you have a group of women for life that you know you can count on to support you through times of joy or sorrow, encourage you to succeed in whatever goals you set and hold your hand when the road gets bumpy.  As I said, that is a priceless benefit of EWI. 

 

Finding true friends is one of the hardest things in life to accomplish and how blessed are we all that we have an avenue to do so through this great organization?

 

LCAM is now just three weeks away!  I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by!  As we enter into these final weeks, we are busy at both the Chapter and Corporate level, preparing to hand the baton to the next group of leaders stepping up to the plate to assume our responsibilities.  I know this can be bitter sweet but it is the start of entering into that third stage of Learn, Lead and Mentor...mentoring. 

 

As I have said before, mentoring is probably the most critical piece and a huge responsibility.  Share what you know gladly and without reservation as it will only make us stronger.  Like the goose video I played last year at LCAM, it is now time to fall back in line and let another set the course...however that course cannot be reached unless you stay engaged by providing added encouragement.  Geese do this by honking.  We can best do this by cheering on those who will now lead, with our true respect for their servant leadership.  Remember, we want to empower others for positive change...not only in themselves but also in what is best for EWI!

 

I wish all of you a wonderful weekend as we wind down summer! 

-K

 



Ready, set, GO!

 
 
 
 
 

"The future depends on what you do today."

- Mahatma Gandhi 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Good Day EWI!

 

My apologies for writing this a day late everyone!  After a wonderful trip last weekend to my families cottages, I returned to a week of technical madness which was not  resolved until last night, with just a few more wrinkles to iron out next week.  Not being one for dipping my toe into things, I went all out and moved to a new Android phone along with a new Ultrabook laptop with all the latest programs on it....touchscreen via Windows 8, Office 2013, etc.  Shaking it up completely!

 

You see, the reason I had this mess to deal with and had no choice but to jump into a new learning curve, is that I was clinging to the past with Office 2003.  Un-beknownst to me, 2003 is not compatible with Office 365, our companies new server system.  Not a fun experience when you suddenly have 14K emails trying to download into your inbox!  I was so adamant when I got my last laptop with Vista to hold on to my "old and familiar" Excel and Word.  Now that I have the new versions, I am not sure what I was so scared of, other than the change itself?

 

Amidst all this chaos this week, I was SO heartened to receive an email back from the Chapter President we had a board to board call with last week.  As I reported last week, they are struggling with <25 firms and were looking for suggestions and strategies of how to get back on track.

 

In her email to us this week, she shared that her board had a special meeting and implemented many new changes.  They hit the proverbial "Go" button with strategies laid out to:

• Use some of their reserve funds to invest in their Chapter's future by sending a second representative to LCAM.
• Eliminated their Fundraising Director role and voted to just proceed with two long standing initiatives;  poinsettia and spring flower sales which is handled by one of their member firms.  Reps just need to place their orders.  Combined this raises about $2K for them which they will use for their scholarships. Simple and effective!
• Increase their membership by 50% next year through improvements to their website and social media presence, targeting new businesses from the list that Corporate forwarded for their area, involving their Executives through Connect interviews, meeting attendance, guest speaker engagements, etc.  They are also going to revamp their Connect to meet the current standards and most importantly, ensure their monthly programming focuses on one of our 3 C's.
• A move to accept credit cards for meeting fees.

Talk about change!  Kudos to her and her board for making the decision to refocus their efforts, simplify and move forward!  I cannot wait to see the outcomes!

 

We also had another change to deal with this week in one of our LCAM speakers, LeVar Burton having to cancel.  He unfortunately has to be on set for filming that day now.  However, being a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, I am SO happy that we have been able to confirm Mark Shriver as the replacement!  Mark, like all the Shrivers and Kennedys, is very focused on giving back.  He acts as a VP for Save the Children U.S. and will speaking to us on domestic literacy issues.  Very exciting!

 

Next week is a busy EWI one for me.  Monday we have our Chapter's annual Charity Connect Classic golf tournament which is always a fun day.  Tuesday is the call with Delegates to review the proposed Bylaw amendments and Operating Budget for 2013-2014.  If you are a delegate and unable to make the call, or have any questions about any of the materials for Annual Meeting, pleas do not hesitate to reach out to any of the board members or staff.  We are more than happy to hear from any member that has any questions!  Wednesday is our board meeting, so as I said, a very busy EWI week ahead.

 

In closing, I encourage you to embrace change and hit the "Go" button in your world too!

 

Have a great weekend!

K

 

 

 



Mentoring Matters



"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."

- Benjamin Franklin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Day EWI!

 

I am penning this a day early as tomorrow I am off to my family's cottage for a relaxing weekend with loved ones.  I am nervous though, as it will be our dog Emma's first flight on a plane and since she is now three years old, I am not sure how she will do.  Please send me your thoughts and prayers for a quiet and smooth hour-long flight!

 

Tonight, I had the pleasure of participating in a board to board call with one of our Chapter's who are currently with <25 member firms. The issues and predicament they are in was all too familiar.  As always though, what was heartening was to hear the pride and commitment these board members have to their Chapter and to EWI, as a whole.

 

Sadly, I fear we have become an organization of fund-raisers.  On the call, my corporate board colleagues, our ED/COO and I shared some winning strategies that we have been seeing utilized by other Chapters to simplify and refocus on recruitment.  It was a mentoring session at its best, and as with any mentoring relationship, there were things to be learned by each party.  Sharing with a true intention of listening is such an amazing exercise!

We spoke of retention strategies for brand new member representatives and one of the most compelling acts of engagement you can undertake is to assign a seasoned mentor to that shiny, new, and perhaps young, member representative.  The simple act of calling someone up and asking if they are going to the meeting, or asking if they need a ride can go a long way to establishing engagement.  As Director Mary Helen Johnston shared, the best thing we can do after a meeting is to phone those members who did not attend and say, "We missed you tonight!"

One of the best practices that I have witnessed the success of is wherein Chapters set aside operating funds to offer a grant to member representatives to attend LCAM.  EWI of Chattanooga has done this successfully for years and attributes this very activity to their ultimate success in growing their Chapter.   This particular Chapter we spoke with tonight, while having only 22 member firms, has over $40K in their operating account.  What on earth for?

Yes, a nest egg is nice to have but perhaps $10K would suffice?  A general rule of thumb is to have at least one full year's expenses covered.  Given this relative healthy state, we encouraged them to make the investment in their Chapter by sending not one, but two representatives to Leadership Caucus and LCAM...preferably one of their newer members who has not been before.  I hope that happens as there is nothing more invigorating for us as members than to attend that glorious week in September when we gather and mentor one another;  Member to Member, Chapter to Chapter.

The other message we tend to impart in conversations such as this is to encourage the Chapters who are struggling to cease fundraising activities, or at least scale back so that the work is not too onerous on those few member representatives they do have.  There is nothing that will kill a Chapter faster than the "Eco-Board" syndrome...having not enough hands to serve and thus burning out those that do, over and over again.

We must all remember the phrase my Chapter uses to describe the role of an EWI member... "Learn, Lead and Mentor"....the most important of which, for the greater good of all, is mentoring.  Share the knowledge and passion you have for EWI with someone sitting next to you!  Guaranteed, you will learn from the experience too!

We must also make sure we are focusing our priorities on the 3 C's of EWI; Connections, Careers and Community, in that order!  Especially if we are struggling with a lack of member firms.  Recruitment is every one's responsibility, not just the R&R Director's.  So, in keeping with the last few blogs...here is this month's challenge...invite at least one guest to your August meeting, introduce them, thank them and then follow up with them.

Before I close I want to send a special thank you to all the Chapter Presidents who took the time to attend the Open Forum call on Wednesday. I sincerely appreciate your ongoing engagement, support and dedicated service.

It is hard to believe that LCAM is just five short weeks away!  Have you found your special 1930's hat yet for the opening reception?  I wish you lots of fun shopping for that!

Have a marvelous weekend everyone!
- K







Patience Is A Virtue

"It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop."

- Confucius

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Day EWI!

 

First and foremost today I want to thank all of you who responded to my call to action and birthday wish to increase the "Likes" of our Corporate Face book page!  While we did not crack 1000, or the modified 600 I asked for by the end of July, we did break 500!  That in itself is huge gain, so thank you to all who participated!  Our webmaster Bonny Steele and the office staff work so hard to post relevant and newsworthy items of interest on that page and I know they will be heartened by the increase.

 

Speaking of numbers, I owe a huge thank you to all of you who read this blog!  We have had over 4700 page views of the blog site!  WOW!  I am amazed!  Thank you to all of you who take the time to visit the site.  I am sure that by the end of my term it will have surpassed 5000 views.

 

We also had great engagement with the recruitment campaign which ended on Wednesday.  Thank you SO much to all of you whom referred a new member to EWI!  I am sure the winner of the LCAM trip will be announced in the Connect due next Wednesday, August 07th.  It will be exciting to see the winner's name, but congratulations to all of you who were entered.  Your efforts are propelling your Chapter and this organization forward!

 

If you were thinking of attending LCAM, now is the time to register!  Our room block is gone in a couple of weeks and the registration fee goes up after the 12th of August.  Don't hesitate!  I know of two members who I chatted with this week that were thinking of going but needed a room mate.  If you are in that situation, just let the office or a board member know and we will try to match you up with someone, if at all possible. 

 

Well, I got the BEST birthday gift ever on Monday in the form of an email from our Attorney.  He had received notification from the Attorney Generals office of Utah that charges have been laid against our former Executive Director.  Good things do come to those that are patient and persevere!  When the board made the decision to pursue all legal avenues, we did so knowing it would take time and money to see it through.  What propelled us though was that we felt we could not allow any other non-profit to be a potential "next" victim.  I am thrilled to see that decision proved to have been the correct one.

 

The perseverance required to see a goal through to completion is often difficult, but it does make the success all that much sweeter.  We must persevere in our "20 Mile Marching" and grow our organization.  I look forward to celebrating 5,000 engaged members one day, as I know you do.  One step at a time and as this quote says above...never stop!

 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

- K

 

 

 



"To Boldly Go"



"Be courageous.  It's one of the only places left uncrowded."

- Anita Roddick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Day EWI!

 

There is something about this quote that makes me laugh...not because it is an absurd thought, but rather because it is so true!  If we use the current scenario unfolding in most Chapters right now wherein incoming Presidents are struggling to fill their boards I think this quote is most apropos for today's blog. 

 

I also LOVE this photo...can you close your eyes and remember what it felt like your first time on a diving board?  Sweaty palms as you climbed the ladder, hoping the kids in front of you would not jump too fast.  Feet slipping on the wet rungs and that awful feeling in your stomach?  If you were brave enough and actually got to the top, you then had that long walk to the edge. The board was wet, slippery and oh, so high!  I can see it and almost still feel it, but what we all now know is that incredible feeling when you actually gathered up your courage (mostly because the kid behind you was whining for you to hurry up) and jumped!  The water felt so good once you were in.  Exhilarating....so much so that you swam to the edge, busted a grin, patted yourself on the back and then rushed to line up to do it all over again!

 

Stepping onto a Chapter board may not be quite so intimidating and scary as that first jump for all, but I think it can be for many of us.  Remember the rewards...because, guaranteed you will have a treasure chest of them when you come out of the "pool" on the other side!

 

You may be hesitating in accepting that nomination or request from your Vice President, thinking, "I don't know how to swim".  Well, like any dog who gets thrown into water, everyone learns pretty easily how to swim or float their way through board service.  Having reaped so many benefits, new skills, friendships in my own service with EWI, all I can say is, "Jump!"  Like that feeling of cold water at the end of a dive, stepping into board service is refreshing, invigorating and full of essential life lessons and skills to be learned.

 

Well, I am tuning 50 on Monday.  I think I also loved this quote and image because that is the stance I am going to take heading into this new decade of life.  Embrace it and love what comes because what choice does one have, really?  A friend asked me this week if I was upset or anxious about this birthday and really, I have to say that I am okay with it!

 

When I think back to the one birthday that really slayed me (26th), what made me feel that way is that I had this "master list" of all the things I wanted to have accomplished by the time I was 25 and when I hit 26 and did not have most of them checked off, I crumbled.

 

Now, I count my blessings each and every day and am so thankful for all that has been bestowed upon me at this stage of my life, including this honour of serving as your Corporate President.  Which, by the way, all started with me taking the jump 10 years ago and saying, "Yes, I will be the Program Director for my Chapter."

 

So, in closing, my fervent wish is that every member of EWI is offered the opportunity to serve at the board level.  Collectively, we offer over 600 board positions a year..are you going to be in one of those? 

 

Have a great weekend everyone!  Go for a swim...looks like too much fun not too!

 

- K

 

 

 



Changes Ahead



"Your fear is 100% dependent on you for its survival."

- Steve Maraboli

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Day EWI!

 

Well, here it is the end of yet another very busy week for EWI!  The Board met on Monday and the meeting ran to almost four hours.  Many, many thanks to the board members and Wendy for their patience and perseverance.  We had the final revisions of all bylaw changes to review after our Legal Counsel and Parliamentarian had weighed in on the proposed amendments from the Bylaws Committee.

 

I want to take a moment to sincerely thank our Vice Chair, Bev Kennedy, EWI of Minneapolis for leading the Bylaws Committee this year.  She had some terrific expertise at her side;  Sylvia Napper, Judy Russell, Karen Kuhn, Carolyn Feltus, Karen Jorgenson, Peggy Quade and Jennifer Thornton.  In addition, I want to thank Darlis Vauble, Chair of Board Governance and Lisa Stokes, board liaison.  Thank you ladies for all of your dedication and passion!  I think I lost count of how many revisions were made, but I never feared that it would all come together and be delivered on time because of your efforts.  This from a very naive new President who, nine months ago, vowed there would be no bylaw changes this year! 

 

The delegate package will be distributed on Monday and while it will appear daunting (I can hear the groans already...lol!), please know that each and every suggested amendment was arrived at with great purpose ...to support the critical growth we need and as such, to do what is best for the health and long term sustainability of EWI.

 

We will be holding a call with all Chapter Presidents on August 06th to review the proposed 2013 - 2014 Operating budget, and then the webinar for all Delegates and Alternates will be held on August 20th.  These sessions will allow you to have meaningful conversation at the Chapter level before arriving in San Diego.  Should you have any questions in regards to the proposed bylaw amendments or the budget, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of the board members, the respective committee members or to our ED/COO, Wendy Cowley.  We are here to assist you in any way we can.

 

As we gear up for LCAM, I thought I might also share what is appropriate "gear" for the week.  I have had some inquiries this week from members asking about dress code.  The Opening reception on the Wednesday night is a 1930's era Garden Party.  You might want to start searching for the perfect costume and/or hat!  The 75th Anniversary Committee has planned an exciting evening for us on the lawn of the hotel...badminton, croquet, and lots of networking!

 

The remainder of the week is of course business/business casual attire.  Our Gala evening on Saturday night will be formal/cocktail attire, as usual.

 

Registration numbers are coming in fast and furious and it is so exciting to see it all come together.  I cannot wait to see you all in sunny San Diego, gathering with One Voice and One Vision!

 

I had the pleasure of speaking with quite a few of our Past Corporate President's this week.  What an amazing group of leaders they are!  How they are staying engaged with the organization by serving on committees is a huge inspiration for me.  Thank you ladies for your support and encouragement this year!  I look forward to touching base with those of you whom I did not get a chance to chat with this week.  I will endeavor to pick up the thread again when I return next week from Montreal.   

 

Before I wrote this I checked the EWI Corporate Facebook page and see that we have grown by 10 more "likes' of this page!  THANK YOU!  We are now at 477.  Let's really try to get this to 1000 by the month's end please.  Send out a notice to all of your EWI Facebook friends and remind them to like our page.  WE CAN DO THIS!

 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!  I hope, that for those of you in the midst of the eastern heat wave, you can find some air conditioning and for those of you in the rainy areas, that the sun does come out!

 

- K



Connections

 

 

 

"The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity."

- Keith Ferrazzi

Good Day EWI!

 

I hope this finds everyone excited for the weekend ahead!  Summer days and evenings are so special and need to be cherished.  I have lots of family time scheduled for the weekend along with Sunday afternoon at the final day of the Calgary Stampede rodeo in infield seats with good friends.  I cannot wait to wear my new cowhide shoes that I picked up at Nordstrom's!  I just hope no one drops any mustard on them from all the corn dogs being consumed as I walk through the crowds!  LOL!

 

I actually had some time today to peruse my facebook account and as usual, I am always in awe of what our Chapters are posting.  Photos of their scholarship nights, special networking events and inspirational thoughts for the day.  So many of our EWI Chapters have embraced social media and are doing wonderful things with the medium.  Congratulations to all of you!  Just remember to always "share" those great posts you see on your own wall.

 

I came across the quote I used today about the core essence of networking and given that "Connections" is the first core tenet of EWI, I thought it was a very apropos subject for today's blog.  A quick scan of my facebook friends shows that on average each person is connected to about 200 people.  That is not only a huge testament to the success of this tool, but also to you and your life's commitment to fostering and maintaining relationships. 

 

So often we see members join EWI with the proverbial "WIFM" approach.  What everyone needs to remember is that successful networking is achieved by first giving leads and recommendations to the others in the group to help them with their businesses.  Once you do that and become known as a "Connector" for others, business will flow your way because when they in turn come across someone who needs your services, they will think of you first and foremost because you have assisted them before.  I know one gentlemen who speaks on networking and when he meets someone new he asks them, "What can I do to assist you?"  or "How can I help?".  Very powerful words indeed.  Perhaps that is a way to start a networking hour at your next Chapter meeting? 

 

While examining the social media sites today though I am absolutely mystified at the low number of "Likes" we have on the EWI Corporate facebook page...only 467.  If I asked each of our members "Do you like EWI?", the most typical response I know I would get is, "Like?...No, I LOVE EWI".   So, would all of you who read this page please go to our facbook site and "Like" us?  We have had over 4400 views of this blog in just nine months, so I am sure we, the EWI membership body, can get our "Likes" to over 1000 by the end of this month!  Yes, another challenge I am issuing!  You CAN do this, I know!

 

As we get closer and closer to LCAM I can feel the excitement building within the organization.  For me, it is almost like being a child again and counting down the days until Christmas.  I cannot wait to see all of you there and to share in the celebration of our 75th Anniversary!  If you have not yet registered, please do so.  There are wonderful justification tools online that you can use should you need to present the conference for approval to attend.

 

Don't forget to recruit new members too as all those member representatives who have referred someone by the end of July will be entered into the draw for a trip to San Diego with air, hotel and registration fees paid for!

 

Until then, keep strong, share your EWI stories and please "Like" us!

 

Have a great weekend everyone!

- K

The Power of a Community

"

The essence of commuity, its heart and soul, is the non-monetary exchange of value; things we do and share becaue we care for others, and for the good of the place."

- Dee Hock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Day EWI!

 

Well, here we are two weeks after the devastating flood, and yet today, the 101st Stampede Parade went ahead as planned.  The parade kicks of ten days of the Calgary Stampede and I must admit, when they first announced that they would carry on with the event, "Come Hell or High Water", I thought it was a little premature and a bit crazy to try.  However, yet again, our community has pulled together and made it happen.  250,000 people lined the streets of downtown this morning and the first day of the rodeo has just commenced.  I am still not sure that the 100,000 people whose homes have been affected will be attending, however for the other 900,000 plus all the tourists, life must go on!

 

On a personal level, I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of goodwill from all those we know...from those dropping off huge pots of soup, baking, and lunches for the work crews each day trying to rebuild our golf course, to the myriad of strangers that just showed up on the doorstep of family homes in High River to help, it has been an amazing display of humanity at its best.

 

I have received so many emails and best wishes and an especially lovely card today in the mail from the EWI members...thank you all!  You have no idea how much that does to lift the spirits for the day!

 

We too have an amazing community we can be so proud of!  When I think of our 3C's...I have usually framed "Community" within the context of where we live and do business. However, now I think that it may just be a wonderful adjective for our entire organization.  EWI is a unique community to be sure!  One that is not only full of professional member firms but most importantly, their representatives who care for one another deeply.

 

I have always said that through EWI I know I have a network of women who "have my back" and will be there for me whatever the challenge.  During these past two weeks that belief was reaffirmed for me in spades!  What an amazing thing EWI is and what amazing things it brings to our lives! 

 

One then has to ask oneself..."Why do we not share that more readily with those we know?"  We should be singing the benefits of this organization from the rooftops and inviting all those who we think could benefit, to attend our very next meeting to share in this joy and make it even stronger!

 

The membership incentive runs until the end of July!  Is there a potential member firm you can close in the next 26 days?  If so, you will be entered to win a complete trip to LCAM in sunny San Diego.  So far, we have issued over 40 Amazon gift cards to members for referring a new member firm.  Fabulous results...but there is still more time to have your name entered!

 

Share the wealth of EWI everyone!  Tell your EWI story!

 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend and to always keep the faith....

 

- K

 



Heard It Through the Grapevine?

"Believe only half of what you see and nothing that you hear."

- Edgar Allan Poe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Day EWI!

 

Well, here we are a week later and the world, as I know it, has shifted on its axis.  Just a week ago the board and I started our day with a breakfast meeting with the Tacoma and Seattle Chapter boards.  It was a great meeting with wonderful conversation and sharing!  Thank you to all of those members that were able to attend.  You are accomplishing great things in your Chapters and communities and have so much to be proud of!  I know your individual growth plans will come to fruition and am excited by the possible synergies between your two Chapters!  There will be great things to come by working together.

 

Our corporate board agenda progressed as planned, but every so often I would get an update from home about the devastating rain and flood waters that hit our city, family and livelihood hard.  I could not have made it through the weekend being away from home without the support of my board members and Wendy.  My deepest gratitude ladies!

 

It is hard to hear that your family members have been evacuated and that your homes and businesses are first at risk, then later, confirmed to have been affected in the worst way.  Flying home on Sunday with a bird's eye view of the city left me absolutely shocked.  Such devastation everywhere along the rivers, and then everywhere else...life as usual.  Surreal.

 

Thousands of people have been affected by this latest natural disaster wherein Mother Nature is fighting back. Inevitably though, it is the heartening stories of the community coming together, neighbor helping neighbor that sustain you through this.  I had tears in my eyes when I read an article about children of an orphanage in Cambodia donating $900.00 to the flood relief here in Alberta.  Amazing how small the world has become, isn't it?

 

Currently, we have grown from a household of two, to one of eight with my in-laws and my sister-in-law, her husband and their two children having moved in with us.  They all live in High River which is a town just south of us, and very appropriately named!  We are all safe and sound and in the end, that is all that matters.  Being so intimately involved with this has allowed me an inside view to the worry and fear that prevails when you just don't know what the outcome will be.  All of the town's citizens are still not permitted to re-enter their homes, and yet some people chose to ignore the evacuation orders and stay.  This is where the rumour mill has kicked into high gear..."I heard that..." or "So and so said this".  All of which cannot be verified and just leads to misinformed, frustrated people, eager to point fingers and lay blame. 

 

I have recently been updated on some conversations and rumours within EWI...nothing earth shattering, but very disappointing that some members choose to start and then spread things that are just not true.  Please....if you have ANY questions, the office and the board are hear to listen and address those questions firsthand.   You can reach me personally anytime at 403.452.1277. 

 

Negative untruths do nothing but erode the very core of our organization and I implore each and every member to really study and live our Core Values...Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Collaboration.  Integrity really means doing the right thing even when no one will know you have done it.  Excellence...are we acting like a professional organization by spreading rumours that hurt others?  Respect is summarized best by the old adage, "Do unto others as you would have done unto you."  Recent behaviour by some certainly doesn't foster collaboration either.  So, in closing on this subject, I offer you these additional quotes;

 

"Rumours are like songbirds; they sound filling but make a poor feast" 

 - W. M. Gear

 

"Rumors generally grow deformed as they travel"

- Edward Counsel

 

"For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarrelling ceases"

 - Proverbs 26:20

 

So before participating and perpetuating something, please verify the facts first!

 

We are now just 81 days away from LCAM!  I cannot wait to see everyone there and if you have not yet registered, remember that the early bird discount ends on June 30th. 

 

As we move into the first week of July, my wish is that we all remain safe, surrounded by loved ones as we celebrate Canada Day on Monday and then Independence Day next Thursday.  May the fireworks after a great day of celebration, glow long in your hearts!

 

 

  HAPPY CANADA DAY!

 

  

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

 

 

- Karen

 

 



 



 



Hope Springs Eternal


"There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love."

- Martin Luther King Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Day EWI!

 

By the time you read this, I will be en route to Seattle to attend our final in-person corporate board meeting before LCAM in September.  I am very much looking forward to this weekend because of the shared commitment and passion that is always displayed by the women I am blessed to lead.  We have a heavy agenda, but have again carved out time to meet with not one, but two Chapters; Seattle and Tacoma.  I know the discussion with these two boards will be invigorating with lots of shared insight.

 

This past weekend saw the Nominating Committee gather to determine the slate for next year's board.  I would like to congratulate all those that were named, but most importantly, today's message is especially written for those who applied, but were not selected.

 

I know there is great disappointment within you as your dedication and passion for EWI is evidenced by the very fact that you expressed your interest to serve at this level.  I congratulate you all for aspiring to lead!  While it was not the exact time for you this year, please rest assured that your contributions to the organization are deeply appreciated and noticed.  Keep hope and please make sure you re-apply for service next year and stay engaged at the corporate committee level.  We need your dedication and passion!

 

I have often said that our Nominating process is a very scientific approach to very human decisions.  Participating in this process involves weighty and sometimes difficult decisions. 

 

As such, I want to specifically thank the members of the committee for their time and their commitment to act from a perspective of what is best for EWI.  Thank you to:  Janice Knight, EWI of Jackson, Linda Cordor, EWI of Birmingham and Pati Dahmen, EWI of Spokane, along with our VP/President-Elect Ronwyn Anderson, EWI of Nashville and the Chair, Lisa Stokes, EWI of Harrisburg, 2012-2013 Advisor to the board.  I know you have selected a dynamic board to lead EWI into the future! 

 

Have you registered for LCAM yet?  The early bird deadline is just days away.  There will be so much to take in...a customized AoL module for all those attending Leadership Caucus, led by Lori Giovannoni, and a general AoL module session, "The Power of the Diverse Communicator" led by Collette Carlson, followed by our special 1930's garden party themed opening reception on Wednesday evening.  Have you found your special hat yet? 

 

Thursday and Friday are going to be jam-packed with inspiring speakers and an "Ask The Expert Session", Town Hall Meeting and Delegate Session.  Thrown in the middle of that on Thursday night is the optional dinner cruise that EWI of San Diego has planned!  How great will it be to watch a Pacific coastal sunset from on board a boat? 

 

Then of course Saturday is our Annual Meeting followed by the Gala dinner.  WOW - so much to look forward to!  I cannot wait and hope to see you all there for this special LCAM "Celebrating our Past, Embracing our Future!"

 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  I know I will have lots to update you with next week so be sure to check back.  Thank you to all of your who read this blog!  When I logged in to write this edition, we have had over 4,000 viewers to the site.  I am amazed and very humbled by that!  Thank you!

 

- K

 

 

 



Action!



"There are people who make things happen, there are people who watch things happen and there are people who wonder what happened."

- Jim Lovell

 

 

 

 

 

Good Day EWI!

 

As I write this, there is a huge storm overhead and I can hear the thunder and see the black clouds rolling in...no lightening yet, but sure to see that soon!  Electrifying!  I have a long standing fascination with thunder and lightening storms because my Dad used to drive us kids out on the prairies to watch them.  Probably not the safest idea in retrospect, but it was exciting and fun.  I never remember being scared because as long as we were with Dad, we felt safe.  The storm makes for a perfect analogy as I reflect on the past week...change rolling in whether we may be prepared for it or not.

 

Last week brought about a huge change for me personally, having lost my dear 89 year old Auntie.  Writing her obituary, speaking at her funeral and of course, saying that final good-bye to her was difficult, but it was also a time for great thanks in that we were so blessed to have had her in our lives for so long.

 

I also sense great changes coming for EWI and yet again, I am in awe of our member representatives in how they can unite and speak with One Voice for One Vision.  The Bylaws Committee has been hard at work reviewing the suggested amendments received from the membership and in particular, I want to congratulate our Chapters who came together with a united vision.  I was unable to join in on the call, but have heard that it was a great conversation between those Chapter's designated representatives and our Bylaw Committee members, led by Vice-Chair Bev Kennedy.  This is what it should be all about...members bringing forth the changes they desire and receiving the guidance of those more experienced in helping them affect that change.  A perfect example of Learn, Lead and Mentor!  

 

Today, I want to celebrate those who take action and make things happen within our membership body.    You are all to be applauded for taking the time to set things in motion and seeing them through to completion!

 

Another great example of this is EWI of Richmond's newly released video, in celebration of their Chapter's 46th Anniversary.  What an incredibly professional tool you have built for your retention and recruitment purposes.  Well done!  I was very moved by it and it brought a tear to my eye.  I encourage everyone to take a moment to watch this great testimonial of EWI.  You can check it out on YouTube at http://youtu.be/_m1gnvPkfkU

 

I cannot believe it is the middle of June already!  This year has sped by so fast that most of it seems like a blur.  Our last face-to-face board meeting is next weekend and I am excited to meet with the incredible women I am blessed to serve with, who take action for EWI on a daily basis.  While in Seattle, we will be meeting with both the Seattle and Tacoma boards so I am really looking forward to that dialogue with them too!

 

Registrations are coming in fast and furious for LCAM and it will not be long before we gather once more to learn, share and celebrate!  Don't forget that early-bird registration ends on June 30th. 

 

Have a wonderful weekend EWI!

 

- K