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

 



My Regrets

Good Day EWI!

My apologies, however there will be no blog tomorrow as I am heading home for my Auntie's funeral.  In the absence of the blog, I invite you to make sure you read the Corporate Connect that came out on Wednesday.  Have a great week!
- K

Balance Brings Strength



"Perfect wisdom has four parts."

- Plato

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Day EWI!

 

My oh my, where did May go?  I cannot believe it is the end of yet another month!  My Presidency is whizzing by me at warp speed.  Funny thing though is that when I started this blog nine months ago, I worried what on earth I would write about each week.  That has never seemed to be an issue when it involves EWI!

 

This week I had the pleasure of travelling to our newest Chapter, EWI of Grande Prairie.  It seems like just yesterday the board was there to charter the Chapter, however it will be three years ago next month! 

 

I had the opportunity for a one on one visit with their incoming President and then a visit with their current President, followed by a meeting with their board, and then a membership luncheon.  What a dynamic group of women we have there.

 

The primary purpose of my visit was part of our work to support those Chapters with <25 member firms.  Yes, just three short years ago we chartered the Chapter with 37 member firms, and today they are just under 20.  "What happened", you ask?

 

Well, as I shared with them, I remember having a bit of unease back in June of 2010 when we conducted their chartering ceremony as the Chapter was almost entirely comprised of entrepreneurs.  Trust me, I love independent business owners.  I am one!  However, the very nature of being independent means we, as owners, have to see a return on our investments, more quickly than a traditional business with multiple revenue streams, might.  Most of us cannot afford to take part in something that does not support us in return.  It is strictly economics for the independent business operator.

As those of us who have continued on with membership in EWI realize, it takes a lot of time to garner business through EWI.  It is all about building long-term relationships within the Chapter.  While this builds, what we have to offer traditional businesses, is developing their employees.  That is not necessarily a motivator for an independent business owner.  So, alas, when a return is not realized in hard dollars within the first year of membership, many entrepreneurs walk away from EWI.

This is why we were so specific in including a necessary business mix for Chapters in the Standards of Excellence.  Having 25% each of Small, Medium and Large sized firms gives a Chapter some stability in their membership base.  We left the last 25% as an "other" category so that, dependent upon a Chapter's local business market, they could fill it with what is most applicable for the locale.  A Chapter, by nature of its location, may indeed be comprised of 50% small firms, but they must have an equal number of medium and large sized firms too!

Medium and large sized firms give a Chapter stability in member representatives and revenue.  We recognize that it might be an easier sell to approach independent business owners as you are talking to the decision maker right from the get go, but we certainly don't want to see a revolving door of members coming in and heading out after a year because of a lack of return on their investment.  That makes it extremely challenging to fill committee and board positions, which leads into the "eco board" phenomenon, wherein you have the same people doing all the work, year after the year, until they too become burned out and walk away.

I know that Grande Prairie is now consciously trying to recruit firms in the medium and large sized category, and I also know that they will be back at 25 firms, or more, very soon!  For what small firms bring to the Chapter is passion and tenacity.  They are fighters and I know that they will succeed in this quest, as will all of our Chapters who embrace this model!

Well, it has been an interesting month and week, and no doubt that next week will be the start of a busy June too!  I hope we can all take this weekend to get a little relaxation in with friends and loved ones.

Have a great weekend EWI!

- K

Half Full or Half Empty?

"Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words.

Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviour.

Keep your behaviour positive because your behaviour becomes your habits.

Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values.

Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny."

- Mahatma Gandhi

 

Good Day EWI!

 

Happy Memorial Day weekend to the vast majority of you!  I wish you all a wonderful weekend of reflection and happy family times!

 

This week has been a hard week for me, but with several lessons embedded within it.  It was a short week as our holiday was on Monday here in Canada.  I came back from a trip home to say a final farewell to my 89 year old Auntie.  She is terminally ill but even in the midst of all the pain from the cancer, her attitude is a shining example of perpetually seeing the glass half full.  She has been, and will always be, an inspiration to me.  When we asked her what she would like on her headstone, she said, "Surprise me!"  When asked if she would have done anything differently, she replied, "No regrets...well, maybe except for the Dutch man....I should have married him!"  Amazing display of grace and dignity until the end.

 

This is what I must focus on because with the grief I am experiencing, I got side-tracked this week and pulled into a downward spiral of negativity.  Such an easy thing to let others drag you down when you are at your least resilient.  So much so that I ended up taking yesterday off with a migraine.  I never do that.

 

What pulled me out?  Two GREAT conversations today with some fellow EWI board members!  Hallelujah!  Thank you ladies for inspiring me and helping me to once again see a glass that is half full!

 

As you will have seen by now, the Nominating Committee has extended the period for members to apply for Corporate Board service.  I want to take a moment and encourage you to take that leap!. I cannot begin to express how this experience of the last four years has changed my life.  I will always be eternally grateful to have been given the privilege of serving in this capacity as a board member. 

 

If you feel strongly about EWI and are a past Chapter President, I ask you, "What is stopping you?"  I can guarantee you that through board service, either at the Chapter or Corporate level, you will benefit the most from what EWI has to offer.  So, if you are a positive thinker, wanting to affect change for the good of the entire organization, then please do reach out and let those that need to know you are interested in serving.  We need you engaged!  The deadline for the corporate board applications is now June 3rd, 2013.

 

I am so excited to report that registrations for LCAM are coming in fast and furiously.  I cannot wait to see you there!  It is going to be a stellar week of learning for all those who attend, guaranteed.  Most important is for the incoming Chapter President's and Vice Presidents to attend Leadership Caucus.  I cannot stress enough how crucial this is for the health of your Chapter to attend.  Kudos to EWI of Chattanooga for dedicating the profits they made from Spring Conference as on ongoing endowment fund to get their members to LCAM on an application basis.  They are continuing on with the reinvestment in their Chapter and I think that is really what has been a cornerstone of their huge growth in the last five years.

 

So, like the short week I had, this is going to be a short blog today!  Thank you all for your positive energy and for continuing to envision a strong EWI of the future. 

 

Keep smiling and keep the faith!

 

- K

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Size Matters


              "Strength lies in differences, not in             similarities."

- Stephen R. Covey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Day EWI!

 

I hope this finds everyone looking forward to a glorious weekend...here in Canada, it is a long weekend for us!  Happy Victoria Day to all of our Canadian member representatives! 

 

This week I had the pleasure of visiting with EWI of Lethbridge on Wednesday evening.  It was a glorious day for a road trip and their dinner meeting was held at their Golf & Country Club.  We were blessed to be able to gather outdoors in the sunshine for the networking hour, followed by a lovely meeting.  Thank you EWI of Lethbridge for the invite and for all of your ongoing support.

 

Visiting with this Chapter is the first step for me in a project that each Corporate Director has undertaken since renewals.  We have identified within each of our "Fleet" of Chapters, those who are standing with <25 member firms.  The list is dis-heartening to say the least and as such, needs our collective, immediate action.  So much so, that we have identified "Rebuilding" these Chapters as one of three top priorities for the office and board for the rest of the year.

 

We are currently sitting with 29 Chapters holding <25 member firms, or if you prefer, 47% of our Chapters.  As you all know, having a minimum of 25 member firms is the requirement to be chartered as a Chapter. 

 

In our discussions with these Chapters to chart a growth plan with them, we are still witnessing the general misconception surrounding Major/Minor classifications.  For clarification again...no firm can "own" a Major classification.  They can though "own" a Minor classification.

 

One of the first initiatives we took this year was to task the Member Services Committee, chaired by Jenni Burns, EWI of Phoenix, and Vice Chair Judy Russell, EWI of Tulsa, in researching and implementing a plan to move to NAISC codes for our Major & Minor industry listings.  This will allow each Chapter a far more extensive list of Minor classifications to draw from when recruiting.

 

The NAISC codes are standardized codes in both the U.S. and Canada and every company filing a tax return has one assigned by their respective governments.  The committee has made tremendous strides in identifying a process for EWI to adopt this new classification system.  As a first step, they and the corporate office will be reaching out soon to each Chapter to first identify the applicable NAISC codes for each current member firm.  We will roll out the complete process at LCAM in September.  My thanks to the entire committee for their efforts and to Director Ewald-Ihde for liaising with them throughout the year!

 

Another disturbing trend we are seeing is complacency within the membership body of some Chapters in that "they are happy with their size."  I struggle with this rationale.  EWI is not a monthly dinner club.  It is an organization whose core purpose is to deliver quality programming each month that addresses one of our 3 C's (Connections, Careers, Communities) while also providing professional development opportunities for our member firms employees.  I was thrilled to hear from one of our member representatives this week that she has just taken on the Presidency of her governing industry association.  She acknowledged and attributed this success to her board exposure in her EWI Chapter.  Collectively, we provide over 600 board positions a year, primarily to women.  That is probably more than the Fortune 500 companies do.  We need to start marketing and sharing this story to a far greater degree.

 

An additional key priority for the office for this year was to develop new marketing tools for Chapter's use in their recruitment efforts.  Those have been finalized and released and are ready for you to utilize.  Links to the documents were in the May Connect and Leadership Connect issues, as well as having been posted to the website.  We are also compiling testimonials which will be used for a new recruitment video for all of our use shortly after LCAM.  Be prepared to answer the question, "Why do you belong?"

 

The office and Corporate Directors are also researching and providing lists of new businesses in the communities for those Chapters with <25 member firms.  We also suggest immediately that fund-raising activities be reduced or eliminated until they once again hit the minimum of 25 member firms, ideally comprised of a mix of small, medium and large sized firms.  Having a mix is absolutely integral to the long term viability of a Chapter as we laid out in the Standards of Excellence.  A majority of small businesses can be detrimental to a Chapter as evidenced in once case study.  The Chapter had over 46 member firms two years ago, but when the entrepreneurs that had joined did not see an immediate return on their investment, they opted out.  That Chapter is now sitting with just 16 firms.

 

Recruitment is every one's responsibility.  We are doing all that we possibly can to encourage and support Chapters in their growth initiatives.  This includes a proposal to amend the bylaws so that their is no confusion surrounding Major/Minor classifications.  In addition, we will again be proposing a budget that includes a discount for firms with 2 or 3 member representatives.

 

I encourage all members to review the Recruitment and Retention Webinar that I held in February for some ideas on how to approach a prospective firm.  Most importantly, remember that we need to recruit the firm, not the rep.  Director Hillegass will also be holding a Webinar for these 29 Chapters to share her experiences and the resulting success in the rebuilding of the Rochester Chapter. 

 

Strong Chapters are essential for so many reasons but primarily because through a diverse group of businesses, there is strength to be realized.  Without a diverse membership body in our Chapters we will continue to see Charters being handed in because there are not enough hands to do the work required.  We have witnessed this three times already this year and I am sure you will agree with me that we don't want to lose any more Chapters!

 

When you have the same people sitting on the board, burnout will occur to the point where they just cannot continue.  I call these "Eco" boards, because it is the same members being recycled over and over again for board service, sometimes in the same role for years on end.  If you are not learning new skills from your membership in EWI then of course you will disengage.  Remember, "Learn, Lead, Mentor!"

 

We also set up a committee this year to specifically study ways in we can eliminate or ease the tasks that corporate requires from Chapters.  Easing Chapter operations is an absolutely integral initiative that the office and board are fully committed to.  Thanks to Judy Russell, EWI of Tulsa for acting as Vice Chair on this committee as well!

 

At LCAM in Dallas I issued a challenge for each Chapter and member representative to embrace "One Vision", which is our vision statement of being 5,000 strong.  To get there each Chapter needs to increase their membership by 20% each year, for the next five years.  Kudos to those Chapters who have already succeeded in their "20 Mile March".  We CAN do this EWI!  It is not unrealistic because we have been there before!

 

Like the rubber band ball I chose for this post today, my wish is for each Chapter to grow to the point where they are strong by virtue of their diverse group of member firms.  Banded together for resiliency and able to bounce with the challenges thrown their way.

 

So - there is my "rant" for the week.  This weekend, think of who you can share your EWI story with.  Then, invite them to your next meeting! 

 

Have a great weekend!

-K