May 2009

Dear RWN Members,

As part of our 2009 Initiative: "Women Connecting With Women", I would like to announce a campaign in which we need your help! Actually, it is a competition that YOU could win! Our campaign entitled, "Each One Reach One" is dedicated to expanding the number of women of color (defined as African-American, Latino, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, and Native-American) in our membership. Diversity and inclusion is the key to a rich, thriving organization!
 
We have a goal of 100 women of color joining RWN in 2009. To-date, 60 have joined! Welcome! Let us reach our goal and interest 40 more women of color in joining our exciting network where we can all connect, grow and succeed together!
 
It's simple! As a RWN member/"recruiter", you simply encourage a woman of color to join RWN on or before June 22. Then, call Sandy at 271- 4182 or e-mail her at rwn@rwn.org and give your name as the "recruiter" and the "new member's" name and e-mail address. Sandy will enter your names in a raffle.
 
One June 23, we will pick one card from the "bowl". The "recruiter" and "new member" will be notified as the winners! You each will win a free registration to The Summit (our business woman's conference and luncheon) to be held on Monday, October 26 at the Rochester Plaza - a $75 value. In addition, the "recruiter" will win a free signature pedicure treatment from Scott Miller Spa compliments of CMS Training (Cynthia Herriott Sullivan, CMS owner and RWN President Elect).
 
We will announce the winners in our July e-newsletter and the total number of new women of color who have joined RWN. I am excited that we will ALL work toward exceeding our goal in our campaign, "Each One Reach One"!
 
Also, I trust I will get to meet each of you at our 4th Annual SPLASH! major event on Wednesday, June 3 at Woodcliff Hotel and Spa at 6:30 pm. It will be a celebration of women and you don't want to miss it! There will be great food, a cash bar, entertainment by The Mambo Kings, and an opportunity to celebrate six women who are our "W" Award finalists.  Be there when we announce our 2009 "W" Award Recipient who has worked tirelessly on behalf of other women!
 
Go to the RWN website and register today! Bring a friend!
 
I cannot wait to celebrate with you!

Connecting to you,

Cynthia L. McGill,
2009 RWN President

---

Welcome New Members

In This Issue...

RWN Welcomes Mary Janick!
Mary joins the RWN staff as a part time administrator. She brings a wealth of administrative experience with her to RWN. She was most recently the administrator for NAWBO and spent the last 10 years as an executive assistant at The Bonadio Group. Mary is a familiar face to many RWN members who are also NAWBO members. RWN is fortunate to add Mary to our staff. She is excited to get involved with RWN and is looking forward to meeting the members. She lives in Penfield with her husband, Cory, and they have a two-and-half year old daughter, Mariella. Please feel free to give her a call and introduce yourself. Mary will be in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 - 11:30.

If you are seeking opportunities to get more involved with RWN or want to learn more about RWN memberships please feel free to contact Mary or me at 271-4182.

Please note: Highland Ave will be a one way street, west to east, during the Lilac Festival which runs May 4th -18th.

Celebrate the 4th Annual SPLASH and 2009 "W" Award Presentation June 3rd Register Here Now! 
Be sure to wear your dancing shoes as RWN will be entertained by the Mambo Kings, a contemporary jazz group. Gretchen VanDerMeid is putting together a program book, if you, or someone you know may be interested in advertising their business please contact Gretchen at gvandermeid@designmagazineny.com.

As part of the festivities, the 2009 W Award finalists and recipient will be recognized. This prestigious award acknowledges a local woman who:

• Works on behalf of women in and out of the workplace 
• Serves the community by inspiring others through her leadership
• Gives of herself so that other women might learn, grow, advance and succeed

A Selection Committee composed of 7 community leaders including representatives from the RWN Board of Directors, RWN members, and community based organizations in the Rochester area have selected six finalists from a qualified pool of nominees. It is now the responsibility of the RWN membership to select the 2009 W Award recipient. Members please make your selection by voting for one of the finalists. A short excerpt from each of their nominations along with the ballot can be downloaded off the RWN home page. The finalists are:

• Regine Calvar
• Jackie Campbell
• Catherine Cerulli
• Sheila Gaddis
• Angella Luyk
• Mary Catherine (Kitty) Van Bortel

Your signed ballot must be returned to the RWN office by midnight, May 18 via email at rwn@rwn.org or by fax at 271-7159. Thank you for your assistance with this important process and I look forward to seeing you at the Splash! on June 3.

Sincerely, Twyla Cummings, Ph.D., 2009 W Award Committee Chair

What a great networking event we had in April, a special thanks to our sponsor Execuscribe. Don't worry if you missed this one because our next one is coming up tomorrow, May 7th, and sponsored by Nancee Sanders of Celebration of Life Jewelery. 

Spring is in the air, so it's time to get out there and rejuvenate your careers. Just as the spring flowers need attention to bloom, so does your career. What a better opportunity to get out and meet like minded woman. On average we have 25-40 people attend. These are woman looking for jobs, looking to fill positions, and to just meet new people. They say that you need to meet someone 7 times before you make a good connection. This could be your first connection, make a coffee date with them and if you see them at a third event, you are half way there. Are you nervous you may not know anyone? Well you're not alone. This event is a great way to test the waters and ease back in to networking.

"

"It's always an inspiration to come to the networking events. So many interesting women, from so many work interests. It's the perfect recipe to gain perspective and find opportunities in these daunting times. Certainly no shortage of women willing to share themselves. Only problem there is never enough time to talk to them all!"...Sue Gyore

See you at our next event. Please check out the website for updates on all the great RWN events going on over the next few months.  If you are interested in sponsoring one of these Free Networking Events, contact Heather Smith at heathersmith@finsvcs.com, and if you are interested in being a part of the free networking committee you may contact Angella Luyk at angella@midnightjanitorial.com. 

Date: Thursday, May 7th
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Cornell Coop. Extension Bldg. - 249 Highland Ave.
Pricing: FREE (members); $5 (non-members)
RSVP: Register Online Today!

Summit Committee - What is Your Hot Topic?
Looking to meet the most diverse group of women in Rochester joining together to share experiences and ideas around common issues? Interested in making many new connections and starting new relationships with other professional women? Then you want to come to the RWN Summit on October 26 this year. The RWN Summit, in partnership with other local women's networks, will celebrate our year of 'Women Connecting to Women' and the increase in diversity in the RWN membership. 

To select the most relevant topics for discussion at the Summit we will be running a short online questionnaire to get your input on what you'd like to talk about with other women.  Please watch for the survey announcement in May and have your say on what the hot topics should be. Free prize draw for all completed questionnaires received.

Marketing Committee 
If you have an interest or expertise in marketing, PR, or graphic design, we welcome your participation! This committee usually meets the second Thursday of every month. Please contact Jaclyn with any questions at jmellone@theadvantagegroup.com
Date: Thursday, May 14
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Cornell Coop. Extension Bldg. - 249 Highland Ave.
Event Pricing: FREE
RSVP: No Registration Required 

Program Committee  
Interested in getting the word out about your business? Consider sponsoring an upcoming RWN program! The program committee is seeking businesses to help underwrite programs. Sponsorship allows RWN to keep down our program costs while earning some much needed revenue to cover operating expenses. YOU get the opportunity to market your business to a remarkable group of RWN members. For further information, contact Susan Yovanoff at (585) 271-3361 ext 233 or syovanoff@geh.org.

SIG Events/Meetings

Sales & Marketing SIG 
Last month we had a great turnout of 25 women who joined us for lunch and got to experience RWN member Donna DeClemente's great presentation on how to get the most out of LinkedIn. So, please join us this month as we continue the discussion on social media with Yvonne DiVita who will be speaking about Twitter and How to Apply it to Sales and Marketing. 

Yvonne is president and founder of Windsor Media Enterprises, LLC which specializes in business blogs and social media training and is a published author. Yvonne maintains the blog www.lipsticking.com which focuses on marketing to women online and Twitters in three accounts: @y2vonne @lipsticking @mypetblog.
 
Date: May 19th (Third Tuesday every month)
Time: 11:45 a.m. (networking begins; followed by lunch)
Location: Hawthorne's - 3500 East Avenue
Cost: $15 (lunch - cash only)
RSVP/More Info: Beth Timmerman, beth.timmerman@proforma.com

Wine SIG 
We are a casual group and have explored world wine regions such as Chile, Australia, France, and New Zealand. Whether you are a novice looking to learn more about wine or an experienced connoisseur, we welcome you to join our group for monthly Wine, Wisdom and networking. 
Next Date: June 2 (First Tuesday of each month)
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: TBD
RSVP/More Info: Andrea Bornheim, Chair, 671-5076 or andrea@rochesterwineshool.com

Restauranteers SIG
As I walk into the entrance of the restaurant, I glance toward the bar area searching for a familiar face. Poised at the bar is an eclectic mix of females chatting amicably. There is a mix of ages, professions and diversity. The women turn, smile companionably and issue greetings, "You must try the Seven Deadly Zins", a member smiles with a spark dancing in the corner of her eye, "It is fabulous". The bartender offers me a taste of the mixed blend. It is deep, rich, full-bodied and well named. The conversation is varied and as intoxicating as the wine, the company open and genuine. If you are looking for a good meal in the company of engaging females, please join us, the Restauranteers, this month at Papa Joe's Italian Eatery. You will be glad you did.
Date: May 13
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Papa Joe's Italian Eatery, 485 Spencerport Rd.
More Info: Amy Miller, amy_desu@yahoo.com or Joanne Madonia, jmmral@rit.edu
RSVP: Register online here

Women in Career Transition SIG
We invite you to come share, listen, socialize & strategize with other transitioning women in a casual, supportive and non-judgmental environment. We work together as we each establish new professional goals. We normally meet the first Tuesday and the third Thursday of every month. Here's our next date:
Date:  May 21st
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Location: RWN Conference Room, Cornell Extension Building, 249 Highland Ave.
RSVP/More Info: Ann Johnson, 385-5892 vaughn@frontiernet.net

(Learn More About SIGS...)

D&C's Women at Work Column

Communication, Compassion Crucial During Downsizing by Donna Rawady

"No article or single resource will be a cure-all for the challenges you'll face as a leader during a period of layoffs because you will need a complex set of skills, business strategies, decisions and communication. But it may help to consider the following as you prepare for, and manage after, a downsizing event:" Click here to continue reading

Please note: Due to recent changes in format of the D&C Sunday Business section, we are requesting that articles be submitted 400 words in length. ALL RWN members are invited to write for the Women at Work column! Every Sunday the Democrat and Chronicle's Business Section features the "Women at Work" column written exclusively by RWN members. Contact Gretchen VanDerMeid if you have any questions about the column; gvandermeid@designnymagazine.com  We're looking for more RWN writers to submit articles on a variety of business related topics! Articles can be on any subject relating to business. They just need to be informative and educational - not self-promoting. Submit your articles to RWN lead editor Mimi Bacilek at womenatwork@rwn.org

Also we have reformatted the archive page on the RWN website. Check it out here. You can find the articles under the "Who We Are" button on the home page under "News".

Board  Profile

Meet Brigid Ryan, RWN Vice President of Membership
Brigid has been an RWN member for 10 years. In addition to sitting on the RWN Board, Brigid is also a member of the Community Service Committee and the Leadership SIG. Over the years she has been on the membership, underwriting, and business women's conference committees.

Brigid's career has been an amazing journey where she amassed a diverse skill set. She is a fund raiser, events planner, and marketer. Currently she serves as Membership Manager for the Girl Scouts of Western New York where she supervises and trains volunteers in Monroe and Livingston counties. Brigid enjoys working in the not-for-profit world because it allows you to wear many hats and never have a boring day! The key to her success Brigid says, "is building solid relationships with volunteers. They need to know you have their backs, and they have your backing."

Since relationships are the cornerstone of Brigid's success it is no doubt she is an avid networker, both face to face and on-line. She loves the new opportunities such as LinkedIn because it is an invaluable resource, whether you are in the job market, in need of volunteers, or just trying to find the latest hotspot.

Community service is a great way to help build a network, Brigid sits on several other community boards. She has been active with the Multiple Sclerosis walk, Lifespan's RSVP program, and a lector at her church. She also serves as an Area Director for BNI, helping chapters develop and grow their memberships.

Brigid relishes her spare time. She is passionate about her vegetable garden this time of year. She also loves reading, baking, walking and Pilates. She and her fabulous husband Paul live in Henrietta. Together they enjoy traveling and scuba diving.

RWN Website Tips - Searching the Member Directory
The RWN Member Directory is available to all current RWN Members. You must be logged in on the RWN Web Site with your Member ID and Password in order to access directory information. If you need help with your Member ID or Password, go to the Member Login screen and select the option: Click here if you have forgotten your Username or Password.
You can search the Member Directory by First Name, Last Name, Company Name, and many other options.  

For example, let's say that you met someone named Mary at an RWN event. You exchanged cards, but gremlins struck and now you can't find her contact information when you really need it. No problem! You can do a search of the Member Directory by First Name and will see that there are 9 people named Mary currently in RWN. Letters which are red and underlined indicate places where you will find a 'Mary' or select All to view the full list. 
 
Are you looking for someone in a particular company? Would you like to find RWN members located in your zip code or town? Would you like to find someone who lists a particular skill or interest in her profile? All of these search options are available to you.

Reminder: the more complete and current your own profile is, the more likely it will be that RWN Members who are doing searches will be able to find you! 

RWN LinkedIn Group
Rember to visit the RWN LinkedIn Group occasionally to see what discussions are going on. We currently have 157 Members in the LinkedIn Group.  If you haven't tried it yet, this is a great way to start to learn about Online Social Networking. To join, you can send an email to linkedin@rwn.org or just request to join the group once you're logged in on LinkedIn.  Remember, you must be a current RWN member and have a LinkedIn profile to join.

2009 Rochester Go Red for Women® Luncheon
The Go Red For Women Luncheon takes a critical step toward raising women's awareness that heart disease is their number one cause of death. Women who understand their risks of heart disease, and know the steps to prevent it, are better equipped to avert this serious and largely preventable threat to their health.

The luncheon is a truly wonderful event that mixes education, passion for the cause and fun! This year, we will have morning forums on health and wellness, nutrition and a fashion show featuring local female heart survivors in beautiful clothes from Ruby Road Clothing in Pittsford.

One of our RWN members, Alana Archer, along with her daughter, Ebony, will be modeling in the fashion show. Ebony is a heart operation survivor and has the lining of a calves' heart wrapped around her aorta. Alana is a table captain and you may purchase tickets directly from her by contacting her at 295-4437 or AArcher@hblaw.com.
Date: Tuesday, May 14th
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Fee: $50
Location: Rochester Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, 70 State Street

If you would like to comment on this newsletter or add content you may email us at newsletter@rwn.org.
 You can reach the office at rwn@rwn.org and visit our website at www.rwn.org
To unsubscribe from our distribution list send an e-mail to unsubscribe@rwn.org