AWC Des Moines

AWC networking webinar August 16: $39 for members

Are You Making Common Networking Mistakes?

A proficiency in networking is one of the greatest skills a communicator must possess to be successful. It's an art that requires practice and a dedication to learning the newest networking trends. Marny Lifshen can help you re-calibrate your networking skills during her webinar "Top Ten Mistakes Women Make in Networking," Tuesday, August, 16 at 1:00pm EST.

Topics of Marny's webinar will include

● Gain a clear understanding of the true definition & power of networking

● Understand how men & women build, manage and leverage professional relationships differently and what we can learn from our male colleagues

● Learn the common networking mistakes women make, that might be holding us back

● Become aware of natural strengths women should leverage to gain more tangible networking results

● Learn how women can gain the confidence to move forward with a strategic networking plan that relates directly to our own goals, strengths and personalities

To Register For This Webinar click here

About the speaker:

Marny Lifshen is the author of the book Some Assembly Required: A Networking Guide for Women, a speaker and marketing communications and public relations consultant, with more than 20 years of experience. She works with businesses to develop brand awareness and credibility with key audiences, and to establish relationships with key influencers. Marny graduated from The University of Texas with a Bachelor of Journalism in 1991. In 2009, Marny was named a winner of the Profiles in Power and Women of Influence Awards hosted by the Austin Business Journal. She serves on the Governing Board of The BeHive and on the steering committee of the Austin chapter of the National Speakers Association.

Girl Scout facilitator training moved to August 13

The new date for facilitator training is Saturday, August 13^th   (8 am – 5 pm) at the Des Moines Girl Scout Leadership Center, 10715 Hickman Road.

This opportunity will equip facilitators to lead groups of adult volunteer troop leaders providing them with tools and practice in responding to girls who may be the target, the bystander, or the bully.  The facilitators will be provided with curriculum and supplies for a 1 – 2 hour workshop for adults.  They will become familiar with typical situations and responses, and  become knowledgeable with FAQs and techniques for adults to use.

This training is Step 1 in becoming a certified facilitator for Friendship Power.  Step 2, accomplished through another full day of training in 2-3 months, will equip the facilitator to conduct 30 – 90 minute workshops for girls.  Step 3 will be offered in early 2012 and will equip the facilitator to conduct full workshops for up to 100 girls lasting up to 3 hours.  We need facilitators at each of the three levels so we will be encouraging facilitators to continue to the level they feel they can be most successful at.

Girl Scouts need volunteer facilitators

Patty Holden, VP of Organizational Development, writes:

We are looking forward to a fabulous year with new leaders, new initiatives and new opportunities.  We need to establish a quality volunteer facilitator force to train our new and returning leaders so they can feel confident and be successful in the new year.  Below is the explanation of the three topics we need facilitators for and the two days on which facilitators can attend training.  I really want individuals who already have great communication skills.  Any experienced communicator will be able to learn our curriculum quickly and successfully train leaders.  Please feel free to send this on to anyone you believe would be a great fit for Girl Scouts.

Friendship Power - Bully Proofing Our Girls

Saturday, August 6^th   (8 am – 5 pm) at the Des Moines Girl Scout Leadership Center 10715 Hickman Road

This opportunity will equip facilitators to lead groups of adult volunteer troop leaders providing them with tools and practice in responding to girls who may be the target, the bystander, or the bully.  The facilitators will be provided with curriculum and supplies for a 1 – 2 hour workshop for adults.  They will become familiar with typical situations and responses, and  become knowledgeable with FAQs and techniques for adults to use.

This training is Step 1 in becoming a certified facilitator for Friendship Power.  Step 2, accomplished through another full day of training in 2-3 months, will equip the facilitator to conduct 30 – 90 minute workshops for girls.  Step 3 will be offered in early 2012 and will equip the facilitator to conduct full workshops for up to 100 girls lasting up to 3 hours.  We need facilitators at each of the three levels so we will be encouraging facilitators to continue to the level they feel they can be most successful at.

Onboarding New Leaders (morning session) and Journey Experience for Leaders (afternoon session)

Saturday, July 30^th (8 am – 5 pm) at the Des Moines Girl Scout Leadership Center 10715 Hickman Road

This opportunity will prepare the facilitator to conduct a three hour workshop in one or both of the above topics.  This facilitator will guide adults in the curriculum provided. 

 Onboarding New Leaders is for Troop Leaders who are new to Girl Scouting or continuing leaders who have not yet attended New Leader Onboarding.  New Leader Onboarding includes:  Basics of Girl Scouting, A Year in the Life of a Troop Leader, Introduction to Journey Experience for Leaders.  New leaders will be directed to multiple resources available which will help them have a successful new year in Girl Scouting.  

Journey Experience for Leaders is for new or continuing leaders.  Journeys are the series of grade level appropriate books which leaders use throughout the year to plan meetings.  Girls earn badges, patches and awards for completing their Journeys.  There are three separate Journey series.  Each focusing on a different topic:  It’s Your World – Change It, It’s Your Planet – Love It, It’s Your Story – Tell It.  This session will provide a deep “dive” in to the Journeys and how to use them in Troop meeting.

We need facilitators in all of these area, but are particularly focused on the Bully Proofing initiative.  A facilitator may participate in any one or all of these opportunities.  We are asking that facilitators, once trained,  commit to leading five sessions during the next year.  There will be multiple opportunities mostly on Saturdays and some evenings beginning right away in August.

To register for facilitator training, simply call the Des Moines Leadership Center – 515-278-2881.

 

Intercultural communication webinars offered free 7/12 and 14

AWC Webinar Series is hosting webinars July 12 and July 14 that are free to all AWC members!

 

These webinars, presented by Professor John Baldwin, will delve into the complexity of cross-cultural communication and provide a deeper knowledge of how to become an effective communicator in professional situations where diverse cultures are represented.

 

Join us July 12, 1:00 pm EST, as Professor Baldwin sets the framework of understanding cultural diversity and how it affects us in the workplace. From this webinar participants will:

1. Understand the issues affecting and causing communication barriers in a culturally diverse workplace
2. Learn how to overcome these barriers to communicate better with colleagues, peers, clients and supervisors of a culture different from your own

Dig deeper into the applicable nuances of navigating a diverse workplace on July 14, 1:00pm EST, as Professor Baldwin describes how American culture differs from other cultural styles and how these styles affect our communication. From this webinar participants will:  

1. Better understand different cultural styles
2. Learn how to tailor messages to an international and interethnic workplace based on cultural styles

 

To register for either webinar, go to Upcoming Events on AWC's homepage.

 

John Baldwin is Professor of Communication at IllinoisState University, where he has worked since receiving his doctorate from Arizona State in 1994. His research and teaching interests include domestic and international diversity, especially issues of group difference and intolerance (racism, sexism, etc.).  He has several journal articles as well as book chapters on intercultural communication and an entry on Western communication in The International Encyclopedia of Communication. He recently co-edited a book that analyzes the notion of "culture" from several different disciplinary perspectives (Redefining Culture). 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

INHF recruiting for Director of Communication

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Work to make a difference  INHF Director of Communication Would you like to tell the stories of Iowa’s conservation successes and challenges, as seen through the eyes of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation? We’re saying farewell to our longtime Director of Communication Cathy Engstrom. After nearly 13 years of great service, she’s choosing to return to a teaching career. This creates a rare opportunity to join our staff team, share great stories and encourage Iowans to help protect and restore Iowa’s land, water and wildlife. Competitive salary and benefits add to the satisfaction of this work. Strong writing skills, diverse software and technical skills, a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and at least five years of related experience are required for this position. Apply by July 25, 2011. Read the job description. Read how to apply

Wise Women Speak Event Supports Africa Beacon of Life May 23

Join us at Jasper Winery May 23 for an evening with Lynnae Hentzen to support programs that develop and empower women in Des Moines and Kibera, Africa Beacon of Life and Women for Justice.

Doors will open at 6:00pm. A graduate from the Beacon of Life will speak at 6:30; Lynnae's presentation will follow. Cost is $25, with all proceeds going to programs.

Lynnae has served as COSC’s initial Executive Director for the past 6 years, after co-founding the organization in 2005. Born and raised in Iowa, Lynnae left the state for 20 years before returning to her home state to raise her family. Recognizing the need for green building education and resources while working on her own green remodel projects, COSC has grown to become Iowa’s trusted sustainable resource for both professionals and homeowners, helping to create a market shift toward
more sustainable communities.

Lynnae’s personal message on sustainability is to remember our past. Our grandparents knew how to do this – buy local, use natural materials, build durably, and carefully manage our resources; and we can learn a lot from their wisdom.

Lynnae is a member of the Steering Committee for the Des Moines Metro’s Regional Plan for Sustainable
Development and a past board member for the Iowa Environmental Council and the Governor’s Energy
Efficiency Commission. She was the recipient of Metro Waste Authority’s Individual Environmental Stewardship award in 2007 and a member of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute class of
2007-08.

Jasper Winery wine, beer, cheese plates, and Stam's gelato, Italian sodas, and chocolates will be available for purchase. All proceeds go to the programs.

Please bring a hand mirror to be donated to the women of Kibera.

www.schooloflifesol.com | www.jasperwinery.com | www.stamchocolate.com | www.weareamaze.com

Iowa Assn of Electric Cooperatives seeks communications manager

Communications Manager, Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives

Position Title:  Communications Manager                                        

Organization:    Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives         

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Purpose

Plans and conducts communications program designed to create and maintain favorable public image for IAEC and Iowa Electric Cooperatives by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Writes, edits and/or publishes, communication pieces for IAEC and member cooperatives on a regular basis including fact sheets, news releases, photographs, scripts, motion pictures, and recordings. 
• Writes internal and external communications pieces including newsletter articles, news releases, speeches, brochures, talking points, position papers and communications plans to build awareness and enhance the image of electric cooperatives.
• Assists and coaches electric cooperatives' strategic public relations activities in the areas of issues management, media relations, community relations, crisis communications and employee/member relations.
• Manages media relations activities for IAEC. Builds and maintains relationships with state and local media, responds to media inquires, and conducts media interviews. Develops ideas and opportunities for feature articles, interviews, presentations, and other public relations activities, and pursues distribution through appropriate media outlets.
• Conducts media/communications training for cooperatives’ management teams and boards of directors on topics relevant to cooperative members.
• Writes and produces weekly informational newsletter for internal audiences on timely regulatory issues, industry trends/news, compliance and general interest topics.
• Develops and maintains IAEC website content and overall design.
• Develops and delivers presentations to cooperative employees and directors and other key audiences.  
• Assists other IAEC staff in development of similar presentations as required. 
• Supervises Communications department personnel. Develops and oversees maintenance of departmental procedures.

SPECIFICATIONS

Skills and Abilities

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

 Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Education and Experience

Thorough knowledge of communications and public relations as would normally be acquired through Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

 Physical, Mental, and Visual Effort

This position requires being in a seated position for continuous periods of times and lifting of boxes of records weighing up to 35 pounds. Continuous mental and visual concentration requiring attention to detail and accuracy. Must plan and lay out complex work. Tasks require constant alertness and considerable mental concentration due to degree of difficulty, irregularity, and variety. Stress associated with working with a great number of different personalities of the membership, work pace, and pressure.

Working Conditions

Primarily normal office environment. This position requires regular travel within the state.

Send resume by April 15, 2011, to

Executive Vice President and General Manager

Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives

8525 Douglas Ave., Suite 48

Des Moines, IA 50322

No phone calls please.

 

See March meeting photos

The Des Moines Register printed two photos from the March meeting in the 3/16 networking section. You can see all the photos at http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPublicPhotoGallery&plckGalleryID=7b254e33-ea3c-406e-ab42-ec729c9004a0

Two positions open at Grinnell College

Grinnell College is seeking vice presidents of development and alumni relations and of communications. Details are available at http://www.imsearch.com/searches.html

First "Freelance February" webinar coming up 2/1; Free to members

 

Tuesday, February 1st
1:00pm ET/12:00pm CT 

No, You May Not Pick My Brain: Drawing the Line Between Free and Paid

 

Freelancers often share their knowledge by being helpful and perhaps blogging and/or speaking; it does not always pay the bills, but it can indirectly market their services. How can freelance professionals draw the line between giving away their ideas, and yet possibly attracting more paid clients by doing so?  Join us for this webinar and find out.

 

          REGISTER NOW!

 

Tuesday, February 8th
1:00pm ET/12:00pm CT 

From Cubicle to Coffeeshop or Kitchen: Creating an Indepedent Successful PR Business

Are you thinking about making the jump from corporate public relations to setting up your own freelance business?  Or maybe you've made the transition already, and want tips on how to be more successful and find more clients.  Three established independent PR experts have the scoop for you, based on their own leap from the cubicle to the coffee shop!

 

         REGISTER NOW!

Tuesday, February 15th
1:00pm ET/12:00pm CT 

I'm With the Band: Getting In and Selling Your Work In Surprising Places 

 

In the ever-changing media landscape, "traditional" publishing is long gone. The bottom line is that it's a lot harder to sell a good article idea if you're a freelance writer, or even a good story idea for a client if you're a freelance PR pro.  Learn how to seek out other alternatives to sell your writing prowess and learn solid tips and tricks to increase your bottom line in 2011 by branching out into new markets.

          REGISTER NOW!

Wednesday, February 23rd
1:00pm ET/12:00pm CT 

Wednesday, February 23rd
1:00pm ET/12:00pm CT 

Tips and Tools For Your Very Own Wildly Successful PR Business

 

Need a "Swiss Army knife" of strategies, techniques, tools and technology to either establish or improve your independent business?  This final session in the Freelance February series will gather best practices and new trends with 3 freelancing experts who have seen it all and will help you jump to the next level! 

 

             REGISTER NOW!