Eileen Bird
Robin Cochran
Terhea Golden
Pia Millican
Tiffani Tedder
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UPCOMING EVENTS
WIF's "On The Table" Breakfast Dialogue
Wednesday, October 25
7:15-8:30am
Promising Pages
4112 Old Pineville Road
Charlotte, NC 28217
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Reminder!
Membership Dues are due by 12/31. Dues notices were emailed at the end of August. If you did not receive one, please let us know.
(* Monthly ACH payors did NOT receive a notice).
The easiest way to pay is online! Not only is it convenient & fast, now it's free, too! Click
HERE
to pay your dues.
Please contact
Jessica
or
Kathleen with any questions.
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Women, Race,and the Space Between Us
By Melissa Hovey & Madi Palermo
Women's Impact Fund (WIF) hosted its annual "Social Hour for Social Issues" on October 2 focusing on "Women, Race, and the Space Between Us." The injustices in our society are becoming increasingly visible, and knowingly and unknowingly, we all grapple with race every day. As an organization, WIF joined with other community leaders last fall to sign the #ThisIsOurCharlotte Statement of Commitment, and leveraged this night to strengthen our comfort with surfacing, discussing and acting on issues involving race, discrimination, privilege, and power.
The night, sponsored by Moore & Van Allen, kicked off with a vivid performance by Charlotte-based nonprofit The Possibility
 Project-Charlotte. The discussion was structured by Karen Geiger, who helped attendees create space to reflect on their own racial awareness and more fully participate in these issues.
She kicked off the night with transparency and authenticity by asking questions like, "What is one thing you want to happen tonight and what is one thing you fear may happen?" The event cultivated genuine roundtable discussions where members and their guests could openly engage on these relevant issues.
It is evident that the members of Women's Impact Fund are committed to the continuous work of building a community of justice, equity, fairness and opportunity for all. #ThisIsOurCharlotte
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On The Table
by Toni Freeman
Like many of the people working in Charlotte, I wasn't born here. I didn't go to high school here or attend one of the North Carolina colleges or universities. I came to Charlotte because I was recruited by my first employer. Later, I had opportunities to leave, but even recently I decided to stay. Apparently, a lot of people feel that way. The Charlotte Observer stated that Charlotte added almost 35,000 new residents last year. This community has been good to me. As good as it is for some, social capital research confirms that we still have a long way to go in terms of having genuine conversations about aspirations for our community.
In 2003, Mary Lou Babb and Claire Tate invited a diverse group of women for a dinner discussion about investing in our community. We sat around Mary Lou's dining table and spoke of big dreams! That discussion linked to the beginning of the Women's Impact Fund. The purpose of WIF is to maximize women's leadership in philanthropy by engaging and educating our membership, increasing charitable contributions, and strengthening communities through the impact of collective giving. Since its inception, WIF has funded 64 grants totaling $5 million to help make a difference in our community.
I came away from that dinner discussion with an important lesson - there is something special about getting people together over a meal that can make concepts come alive. On Wednesday, October 25, more than 5,000 people in Charlotte will gather as small groups in homes, parks, businesses, libraries, and restaurants to exchange ideas and interact. "On The Table CLT" is a day for Mecklenburg County residents to come together and talk about ways to make our community more connected, dynamic, and opportunity-rich. We believe that exchanging stories and ideas can fuel movements.
We believe that we, as neighbors, have what it takes to make Charlotte-Mecklenburg a better community.
Feel free to join a table or host one of your own (http://onthetableclt.org ).* All perspectives are welcome. All topics are On The Table.
* Don't miss the opportunity to join fellow WIF members in this community-wide civic engagement initiative and continue the conversations begun at Social Hour for Social Issues! At the WIF-hosted breakfast dialogue, coffee and donuts will be provided. Space is limited, so register now by clicking here. *
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Moving Beyond Dialogue: A Call to Action
by Alli Celebron-Brown
Women's Impact Fund member
Jill Dinwiddie was honored in September by
Dress for Success with the Paradigm Award. As many of you know, Jill is a champion for women's empowerment. In her acceptance speech, she challenged the audience of 400+ to get involved, speak out and be the catalyst for change. Thank you, Jill, for sharing this with us and for your unwavering leadership.
Excerpts from Jill's speech:
"August 25th was the 60th Anniversary of the Little Rock Nine, when nine black students bravely marched in to integrate Little Rock High School. Sixty years later our own
Opportunity Task Force Report tells us that the #1 problem facing our community and our nation is RACISM. How are we going to deal with this? We all have a role to play in putting the recommendations of the Report to work in our organizations and work environments. I want my grandchildren to grow into their careers rubbing elbows with people of color who've had similar educational opportunities to theirs, who can solve these cultural problems that have built walls around our communities and created barriers to success for so many people of color. We must solve these problems. Speak up! Get into mixed discussion groups with people who don't look like you, like what WIF started at the recent
Social Hour for Social Issues;..."
READ MORE
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A Guide to Effective Recruiting
by Claire Samuels
The Women's Impact Fund Recruitment team shares the following tips for identifying - and recruiting - new members to join the WIF:
- Make a list of the women in your "warm" network, such as family members and close friends: Does everyone know about your involvement in WIF?
- Make a list of other women in your network: Clients, co-workers, other women in your profession, women you know through other organizations, women you know through your children's schools or other activities etc. With more people moving to Charlotte every day, it's possible to meet someone new to the area that's looking for like-minded women to network with and the thought of joining a collective giving group with the opportunity of meeting amazing women is a win-win situation.
- Don't pre-judge: Do not make assumptions about who would or would not be a good fit for our organization. You never know who may be interested, who this could serve or who might be the brightest feather in our cap.
- Make organic connections: Listen to what they are looking for as potential members. Ask them about what they are doing to give back in the community; what type of philanthropic work they are currently involved in or what organizations they have been a part of in the past.
- Share your personal story: Why did you join, and what do you love about being a member of this incredible organization?
- Share some highlights / accomplishments of the Women's Impact Fund: You do not need to be an "expert" or know every fact or past grantee, etc. to share.
- Connect them with other members: Feel free to connect any potential member to the Recruitment Team (Chair Claire Samuels) to help answer questions or provide another perspective of membership.
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RSVP Reminder: This Year's First In-Home Social!
If you live or work in the South Charlotte area, please join us for this year's first In-Home Social, hosted by WIF members
Steph Howard and
Susan Medina.
In-home socials are smaller, more intimate events organized in Charlotte neighborhoods designed to provide an informal opportunity for members to get to know each other better. They are a great way to socialize, network, mentor, recruit and learn! All members are welcome. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bottle of wine or an appetizer to share.
Date: Thursday, November 2
Time: 6-8 pm
Location: 6935 Shinnecock Hill Lane
Charlotte, NC 28277
If you are interested in hosting an In-Home Social, email Amy Jacobs and include your neighborhood and what month you would like to host.
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WIF Me
mber News
Jean Miller's Charlotte-based literacy program, "Read a Book, Earn a Book," was recently nominated for a Promising Pages Bookie Award. The Bookie Awards event takes place the evening of November 3.
Mental Health America (MHA) of Central Carolinas has named
Cynthia Sims to its Board of Directors. MHA promotes mental wellness through advocacy, prevention and education in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties.
WIF members, we want to hear from you! WIF Member News depends totally on you! Please send us news of a new job, new volunteer leadership role, a new addition to your family, a big move or anything else you'd like to share with your family of WIF friends. Email:
[email protected]
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