Ignite Your Future Changing Women s Lives One Woman at a Time

Transcription

1 February 28, 2018 (November 2017-January 2018) Vol. 3, Issue # 2 Ignite Your Future Changing Women s Lives One Woman at a Time Energy Express Network A League of the American Business Women s Association Inside this issue: Page 2: Connect, Learn, & Grow with ABWA Page 2: ABWA s 2018 Annual Theme Page 2: My APEX Campus Page 3: Membership Opportunities Page 3: Practice Your Elevator Speech Page 3: Holiday Party + Networking Page 3: Speed Networking + Membership Drive Page 4: Western Regional Conference Info. Page 5: The Importance of Networking Page 6: Membership Recruitment Campaign Page 7: ABWA - National Board Page 8: Making a Difference in Our Community Page 8: ABWA s Proud Code of Conduct Page 8: EEN Meeting Information Message from the President Energy Express Network Strong Last year our journey lead us to Best Practices Level III, embracing social media and strong growth in membership. Though we were challenged with Hurricane Harvey, we came out #HoustonStrong; #EnergyExpressStrong. We made significant strides and achieved targeted milestones closing out One of our goals was to bring more fun and liveliness into monthly events to increase engagement and attendance. Conducting interactive sessions from practicing elevator pitches to hosting a Holiday Celebration our attendance doubled due, in part, to the efforts of our team and members commitment, participation and leveraging multiple media outlets from Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and more. I am grateful and appreciative of the Energy Express Network team to step up, reach beyond their comfort zone and achieve great success through high energy, fun, collaboration, setting goals and having a unified purpose being ABWA Bold & Brave. The mission of the American Business Women s Association is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support, and national recognition. The Vision of the Energy Express Network is to be a powerful organization that energizes, inspires, and empowers women and men to achieve their optimum potential both personally and professional. Sharing the Spirit of Christmas A key initiative of Energy Express Network in this award year is to be a community service centric League. With Harvey impacting the Houston community, we focused on ABWA members needing help to rebuild long after the initial wave of support. During the holiday season we supported an ABWA member, Amanda Vigil's community outreach to make handmade Christmas cards for Texas Children's hospital by giving our time, love, creativeness (well we at least tried) and hearts to children spending his or her Christmas in the hospital. We set a goal to make cards. With many Energy Express members being part of the CenterPoint family, we conducted two crafting sessions and extended the invitation to all CenterPoint employees. The out-pour of support was incredible bringing tears and joy given the generosity of many. We made 100 cards in less than two days. It was so popular and impactful that CenterPoint employees now want to make Handmade Cards an annual event for children and extend to military active duty and veterans. Regrettably, we all were so in our crafting moment, we forgot to take pictures of everyone making cards. What a way to make a difference! Warm regards, Dr. Melanie Brown

2 Connect, Learn, & Grow ABWA supports women throughout their careers by providing opportunities to hone leadership skills, access to unsurpassed professional development resources, and national recognition in the largest network of working women in the country. Page 2

3 Membership Opportunities Developing professionally through informative programming at monthly meetings. Gaining leadership skills while working on committees, managing projects, and speaking at league functions. Running for a leadership position within a local league and/or the national Association. Increasing community visibility through the networking opportunities presented at monthly meetings of the local league. Networking with local professionals expanding both your personal and professional networks. And More!... Practice Your Elevator Pitch November 8 th Holiday Party + Networking December 13 th In today s world, there s a lot of talk about work-life balance. As part of this life-balance, Energy Express Network invited all members and family to its holiday party plus networking event. Event took place at Little Napoli Italian Cuisine. Holiday parties offers benefits to all individuals and members. Here are four of those benefits: 1) Getting to Know Others: Mingling with your coworkers may benefit your career and your personal life. For example, on the career front, you may find a great mentor who will help you achieve your professional aspirations. 2) Recharging Your Batteries: Sheesh! Use the holiday party as an opportunity to kickback and recharge your batteries. A little relaxation time will get you geared up for a return to your routine after the holidays. 3) A holiday party or networking event can build camaraderie between everyone whether they re from different business industries or generations; and 4) Increasing Engagement: Individuals engagement can be affected by a number of factors including uncertainty about leadership and economic outlook. The holiday party is a perfect time to help others get to know you, allow them to see and learn that you are a trustworthy and approachable individual. Avoid the Elevator Pitch Pitfalls Practice Makes Perfect! Having a great elevator pitch introduction is a great way to make a great first impression, stand out uniquely and develop real connections. And even though it should be simple to answer the what do I do question, so many people fall into an elevator pitch pitfall and fail to attract interest from the listener. The great news is that you can develop a new & improved elevator pitch that is creative and fun in just a few simple steps. Kat Sandford, provided us tips on how to practice the art of how to avoid the elevator pitch pitfalls. Speed Networking + Membership Drive January 10 th Members and guests had the opportunity to network and mingle at this year s Speed Networking & Membership Drive! Membership in the American Business Women s Association Our Commitment to Women Whether you are starting a new business or looking to advance your career, the American Business Women s Association is the place to be for working women and women business owners who want to connect, learn and grow personally and professionally. As a member of one of the most prestigious Associations for women, you can: NETWORK face-to-face with accomplished professionals just like you by joining or starting a new Chapter in your community. CONNECT with members online in ABWA s exclusive Community Connections or on members Facebook group. STAY INFORMED by reading timely business features in ABWA s Women in Business Magazine and Achieve Newsletters. Page 3

4 Western Regional Conference March 22-24, 2018 Marriott Sugar Land Town Square City Walk, Sugar Land, TX Page 4

5 The Importance of Networking By Rishi Chowdhury After attending my third networking event of the week, I realized that networking is one of the most valuable uses of my time in terms of return and not just in monetary terms. Networking is free, most of the time. It s full of like-minded individuals, and if you go to the right events, it s full of people that you can work with or learn from in some way. Again, you do get the odd events where people just end up trying to sell something to you, but I m glad to say I m coming across these less and less. Most of these social networking events provide a laid back atmosphere to chat with similar people, and these informal chats often lead to many opportunities and potential ways you can work together. What s better is that face-to-face networking events create lasting impressions in the minds of people you meet. I mean, ultimately, it s not about whom you know, but rather who knows you, right? This can always lead to future opportunities for both parties, in terms of help, advice and business. It can also motivate you go further, take the plunge into starting your own business or just expand your industry knowledge. After networking events, make sure to stay connected with those that you meet. Take a look at the business cards you received and those people about what you spoke about while it is still fresh in your mind. You may feel you are to busy to attend these events, but they act as a nice break from being stuck in front of a computer. And sometimes they can count as being at work because you are inevitably spreading the name of your business across an audience that can add value to your business and it s a great chance to learn something and get ideas. You will see the value in forming and maintaining a strong contact base, which will serve you well for years to come. There are many strong startup communities around the world now, and in times of economic uncertainty I truly believe that these communities have helped each startup progress in this period that can be challenging for many. [ ] Remember, networking events give you the chance to relax and socialize for a few hours in what is a time when working on your startup can include working long into the night. And better still, it counts as work. You re marketing your business and yourself, and best of all you are creating connections. These events are all about mutual benefits. How can you offer a service or help another? There will be times when you may need help or advice, and you will want to have built a strong network. There is a reason why many angels and VCs insist on creating a startup with a co-founder it's because the majority of the time, two heads are better than one. And guess what? This scales. The knowledge and help of a community will pay dividend. Your net worth is only as good as your network. Page 5

6 Membership Recruitment Campaign ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO JOIN ABWA! 1. Set a membership recruitment goal of 1, 2 or 3 new members. 2. Download the membership brochure and application form from the National Resources in Community Connections and take them with you wherever you go! 3. Make a list of prospective members who would benefit from membership in ABWA. 4. Send your prospective members invites to your monthly Chapter/Express Network meeting. 5. And when you recruit, one, two or three new members, you will receive some fun (and valuable) prizes! 6. Campaign special! 7. Every new member sponsored during the campaign, at all levels, will receive a small butterfly coin purse! (while supplies last) 6 REASONS TO RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS FROM OUR DISTRICT VP S: SHARE YOUR ABWA STORY! You ve already experienced the numerous ways that you can connect, learn and grow as a member in the American Business Women s Association. Now is the time to share your ABWA success story with friends, neighbors and business colleagues so they too, will take flight in the American Business Women s Association. Page 6

7 American Business Women s Association (ABWA) Page 7

8 Making a Difference in Our Community Energy Express Network of ABWA had a great opportunity of spreading some Holiday Cheer to precious children at Texas Children's Hospital. ABWA s Proud Code of Conduct 1. All members will serve as goodwill ambassadors for the American Business Women s Association. 2. Members will not allow their personal beliefs and convictions to interfere with the representation of ABWA s mission. 3. Members will always treat their member colleagues, guests, vendors and sponsors with honesty, respect, fairness, integrity, responsibility, kindness, and in good faith. 4. Members will maintain compliance with ABWA National, Chapter and Express Network Bylaws. 5. Members will not use their personal power to advance their personal interests. 6. Members will strive for excellence in their professions by maintaining and enhancing their own business knowledge and skills, and by encouraging the professional development of other members. Page Christmas ended in a positive note! Dr. Melanie Brown, President Mary Rodriguez, Newsletter Editor Energy Express Network Meeting Information: 2 nd Wednesday of Month 5:30pm 7:30pm Hyatt Regency Downtown Houston 1200 Louisiana Street, Houston, TX publicity@abwaenergyexpress.org reservations@abwaenergyexpress.org Partnerships/sponsors Energy Express Network of the American Business Women s Association