PWCC Connections Newsletter
June/July 2019
Mission

PWCC provides networking connections that support, enrich and inspire women to advance professionally and personally.

Goals

PWCC brings professional women together in a variety of networking venues to share knowledge, experiences, and resources with other women. Members have access to:

  * Facilitated networking opportunities at monthly speaker luncheons
  * Special member-only events
  * Committee activities
  * Board participation
Thank you to everyone who joined in PWCC’s 20th Anniversary Season this past September through June. Our networking luncheon series will restart on September 9, 2019 when we welcome Paula Fasseas of PAWS Chicago. Watch our website for our amazing speakers planned for our 21st season and be sure to add to your calendar.
 
Remember to keep networking and working to build business relationships throughout the summer. 
 
We’re sharing some tips to implement and ideas to ponder as you navigate extra outdoor activity, festivities and summer vacations.  
PWCC Inaugural Golf Outing:
End PWCC's 20th Season with some FUN!
Spots are still open - Register here
2019 Fall Féte - Membership Drive
Thursday, October 24, 2019
The Library at 190 South LaSalle
Take Advantage of Early-Bird Pricing Here
Join us for our annual Fall Fête Membership Drive and networking event that brings together both current and prospective members to mingle and have fun in a one of a kind Chicago venue. 
 
Forty floors above the financial district's hustle and bustle sits The Library at 190 S LaSalle. Warm and palatial, The Library offers an air of refined elegance that nods to another era. The two-story-high, book-lined walls — containing over 50,000 volumes of law books — are flanked by soaring Palladian windows that frame dramatic views of Lake Michigan and the majestic statue of Ceres.
 
Ticket includes open bar with passed hors d'oeuvres, (1) complimentary raffle ticket for the silent raffle, gift bag, and discount of $15 off your yearly dues if joining or renewing that night.
 
Don't miss your chance to spend an evening networking with the best professional group around! 
 
The Flash Sale is only available  June 12 - 28, 2019
Ticket Price: Member:  $75/Non-Members: $95
Tips for Smarter Living: Be Smart this Summer!
After a long hard winter, this one especially long starring the infamous Polar Vortex, I feel the need to relax and recharge. Long work hours and hectic schedules leave me with a level of anxiety only a sunny summer day can help me shake. I plan to journal this summer to track my progress and promise to check back in September and let you know how I did. Join me in my quest and try a few of my ideas below:
 
Have you heard of earthing or grounding? Connecting to the Earth’s natural energy by walking barefoot on grass, sand, or rock can diminish chronic pain, fatigue, and other ailments that plague so many people today. 
 
Try something new! DIY? Pottery? How about improv? What about using an actual map on a road trip? You can be the navigating hero on the next family vacation when the GPS doesn’t work on the road less traveled you’ve decided to take.
 
Boost your brain power by eating foods rich in tyrosine, which can be found in almonds, bananas, avocados, eggs, beans, fish, and chicken. And chocolate!
 
Find your happy green space and walk (or run) in it, allowing your mind to wander. People who have access to green environments were more mentally restored and were able to tackle more complex cognitive tasks. We all have our favorite tree lined park or hiking trail; get out of the gym and into the fresh air! Run in a green space for just 30 minutes a day, and you’ll achieve restoration, stress relief, improved intelligence and zen-like levels of calm.
 
Play a sport! Sports such as tennis are so good at relieving symptoms of stress. Feelings of stress and anxiety will struggle to compete for resources in the brain and will diminish. The sport will still require your mental focus, but your brain will be flooded with so many great neurotransmitters, you probably won’t notice.
 
Last, here are a few things I will be trying to NOT do this summer: Spend time indoors watching Netflix, which will be a challenge for me for sure! Hanging out in the same places: I will be checking the weekly neighborhood fest schedules for sure. And most importantly, I will NOT feel embarrassed to wear my bathing suit! Enjoy your summer!

Submitted by: Debbie Story, Corporate Identity, dstory@corpid.com
PWCC Blog: Meet the Challenge of Being a Professional Woman
Yes, it’s 2019.

Most women have had the right to vote since the passage of the 19 th Amendment to the Constitution 99 years ago (women of color had to wait almost another forty years before they could vote). More women head companies and sit on boards of banks and other for-profit corporations but this movement toward equity has been painstakingly slow.

And yes the lending gap between male-run and female-run companies has narrowed.
But there really is no time for complacency when female political candidates are ranked by their “likeability” and expressions such as “resting bitch face” exist.

Recently, Politico Magazine featured the article, “ What are the Biggest Problems Women Face Today ?” and its conclusions, from a variety of women in a variety of industries, are depressing.
In the article, women report:

“Regardless of a woman’s experience, education or abilities, the patriarchal nature of U.S. society fosters the perception that women are less qualified and less competent than men. What patriarchy has done is convince people that a strong and intelligent woman represents a problem; a disruption to the social order rather than an integral part of it.” Keisha N. Blain , history professor at the University of Pittsburgh and president of the African American Intellectual History Society

“Despite decades of notable progress, at home and abroad, a reality in which opportunities are not defined by gender has yet to be universally achieved. Even more disconcerting, in too many places around the globe, women exercising or even seeking their basic rights is interpreted as a direct and destabilizing challenge to existing power structures.” Ertharin Cousin, distinguished fellow of Global Food and Agriculture at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs

“Women in the United States who are caregivers—for children, parents, spouses, siblings or extended family members—have two full-time jobs, while trying to compete with men who have one…We must come to see care work—the work of investing in others through physical care, teaching, coaching, mentoring, connecting, advising and navigating—as work that is every bit as hard, important and rewarding as the more individualist work that focuses us on investing in ourselves.” Anne-Marie Slaughter, President and CEO of New America.

Yes, these opinions can be discouraging. But rather than throw our hands up and admit defeat, what concrete steps can we take to further the presence of women at all tables?

First, education. We each should find an opportunity to provide young women the skills and mentoring they will need. Run for your local school board, join an organization whose mission is to support young women, become a PWCC mentor.

Form your own support network and invite women from all walks to join. Meet socially, discuss serious and silly topics, and make a pinky-swear to help each other succeed.

Bring a young woman who may be at the very beginning of her career or who may be job-seeking to a PWCC lunch and introduce her to as many members as possible and then follow-up on these introductions by arranging another opportunity to meet and talk.

Find an organization that also mentors and promotes women’s professionalism and invite its board or its president to a PWCC lunch.

Years ago, I wrote a dissertation on the importance and value of women’s networks. My research awakened me to the fact that we have been supporting each other for centuries, mainly in our close personal spaces (do you know that when women married on the east coast and moved to the developing Midwest that her east coast family and friends would identify another woman already living in the Midwest to befriend her?). Let’s keep honing our expert networking skill set!

As professional women, we have an obligation to reach behind us and help other women. If we don’t, who will?

S ubmitted by: Carol Jambor-Smith , Ph.D., Jambor-Smith Communications, carol@jamborsmithcommunications.com
Mentoring: Evolving your Mentor-Mentee Relationship 
The PWCC mentorship program is designed to offer support, accountability, and a sounding board for the mentee. It also offers an opportunity for leadership, paying forward, and sharpening work practices for the mentor. Although the formal aspect of the program is over for this year, we hope that the one-year mark is a start for a long-term nurturing and symbiotic relationship. 

Let’s look at a few ways to help you make the most of your participation in the program:

Review

When you started the program, you probably defined some objectives for the mentorship. These could have been formal or informal objectives. Now is a good time to do a “retrospective” and chat about:
      What you accomplished together
      What worked for both of you
      What did not work or what you would do differently
      What you learned
      What feedback you would give the mentorship committee to improve the program
 Celebrate

Take time to thank each other for the commitment and devotion you had to each other and celebrate the accomplishments you shared. What's a better way to celebrate than doing that over a glass of wine/champagne or a cup of coffee!
Renew or Move on

This is also a time to decide what makes sense for your relationship moving forward. As you consider this tip, keep in mind that some mentorships may come to a conclusion, and some may evolve and grow. It all has to do with the value you are providing and the trust you have established with each other. Sometimes, you simply just outgrow what made you sign up for mentorship to begin with. There is no right answer! It all has to do with what works for you.  
Here are some things to consider:
      Does it make sense to continue the process of checking in with each other?
      Are there specific ways you can help each other over the summer?
      Are there specific connections you can help make for each other?

Whatever you decide to do out of respect and caring for each other, it will be good.
Good luck with your relationship moving forward.

Submitted by:  Elaine Miksell, Ph.D., Managing Partner, Mikesell Digital Consulting - WSI Agency
Networking Over the Summer: Get Creative!
Chicago winters are not for the faint of heart. Spring is no picnic either. But every year we are rewarded with SUMMER, and while Chicago breathes a sigh of relief and takes it a little easier, you can take advantage of the entire city’s j oie de vivre by looking for new opportunities to meet people.

Volunteering
While not strictly an opportunity for making business contacts, volunteering offers you the chance to strengthen existing relationships and meet new people with a common interest during a shared activity.

While some people are naturally outgoing, others are shy and have a hard time meeting new people. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice and develop your social skills, especially as you are working with a group of people with common interests. Once you have momentum, it’s easier to branch out and make more friends and contacts.

Chicago’s neighborhood street fairs are a great place to start. These are usually sponsored by local merchant associations and chambers of commerce and their success depends on a large number of volunteers. Sure, you’ve shared wine and cheese with members of these organizations at a networking event, but showing up for them when they need it most strengthens your ties to the community and broadens your support network.

Meet Up
You’ll find dozens of business networking groups in the Chicago area at MeetUp.com. From broadly defined groups like Young Professionals Chicago, Chicago Boss Ladies, and Lean In Women of Color to special interest groups like Trucking and Transportation Small Business Meetup, Association of Women Journalists, and the China Block Chain Bitcoin Finance & Technology Group, these groups add more social events in the summer and more opportunities for you to connect with people in your industry.

Just Ask
Most women belong to more than one professional networking group. As you connect with women at PWCC and other organizations, ask what other groups they belong to. They will certainly share what benefits they get from each and most will encourage you to attend an event and join.

Your network should reflect where you’re going, not just where you’ve been. Adding people to your network who reflect issues, jobs, industries, and your areas of interest is essential. Spend some time this summer reaching out to new groups, attending conferences, and reading relevant journals. Poolside, of course.

Submitted by: Abby Rath, ALORath13@gmail.com , Storyteller, word nerd, and Oxford comma devotee specializing in brand marketing, strategic communications, and customer experience measurement & analysis.
Build Your Brand This Summer
Summer brings great weather and great opportunities to focus on refining your personal brand and to meet others in casual environments.
 
Take advantage of the less-busy professional schedule that usually accompanies the summer season and use the time for self-reflection!

We rarely have the time to focus on and evaluate our personal brand, so allow summer to be the perfect time to do so. Think about what your personal brand is, how it’s aligning with your goals, and whether or not the choices you’re making are helping you achieve your goals. Choose a time that you can fully commit to you and this self-reflection and it to decide on how to best move forward and continue to improve.
    
Get outside and attend fun events that align with you personally to meet others in casual environments!

Summertime allows for more activities and nontraditional networking opportunities. If you enjoy golf, attend a golf outing with an organization or group that you’re interested in. If you want to continue to attend networking events, opt for one at a fun venue like a rooftop! When you choose to spend your time at events that align with your personal hobbies, you’ll be able to connect with other professionals that have similar interests. Attending networking events in a more casual setting will typically help you relax and let your true self shine!
 
Submitted by: Michelle Collett, Marketing Associate , Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago, michelle@industrialcouncil.com
Summer Job Search Tips
Remember what is was like … working in the summer? Business keeps moving, but people slow down. This means less time for “extras” like chats over coffee and long lunches. I worked for a company with half-day summer Fridays and an unspoken agreement that no one would schedule a non-essential meeting or call on Friday mornings.

This adds a degree of difficulty to a job hunter, especially with kids home from school or long weekends at your in-law’s beach house. Don’t use this as an excuse to buy into the myth that hiring slows down in the summer. Employers search for qualified candidates in every season, so how do you keep your momentum going, even when the days are (finally) warm in Chicago?

Be Disciplined
Some job seekers scale back or put their hunt on hold during the summer. This may translate into less competition for positions. Step up your own efforts.
Set daily, achievable goals. Block out periods of time on your calendar to devote exclusively to job searching, and stay focused with a detailed, prioritized to-do list. Include a little fun to your calendar, too. You’ll want to be well-rested and relaxed when you start working again!

Attend Events
Networking organization calendars are filled with social events now. Think less luncheons, more rooftop cocktails. Attend these whenever you can. Take advantage of a more relaxed atmosphere to get to know people and connect over common interests. Similarly, try strengthening previous connections. Former co-workers and associates might love getting together for after-work drinks at a patio bar.

Volunteer
From street fairs to charity fun runs, summer brings a variety of non-profit events. Offering your services is a great way to develop new skills, boost your resume, and meet a variety of people. You’ll go home with a good feeling, and maybe a lead or two.

Avoid Negative Self-Talk
Yes, some hiring managers do take vacations in the summer. This could mean a delay in responses and interviews – or it could mean bringing candidates in ASAP before their break begins.
Yes, some industries slow down during this time of year. This could mean less pressing hiring needs – or it could be the ideal season to bring new employees on board before things get busy again.
You simply cannot predict each employer’s thoughts and actions, so stop second-guessing yourself and start applying.

Submitted by: Abby Rath , ALORath13@gmail.com , Storyteller, word nerd, and Oxford comma devotee specializing in brand marketing, strategic communications, and customer experience measurement & analysis.
Looking Ahead
Upcoming Events!
Thank you for a fabulous 20th Anniversary Season!
 
We have an incredible line-up of speakers and events for the 2019-2020 membership year and you won't want to miss a single event. So if you haven't joined or renewed PWCC, make sure you do today! Learn more about membership in PWCC here.
Connections & Conversations
All First Timers, Experienced Members and Guests are Welcome.
 
Join us at 11am, prior to every luncheon at the Union League Club, to learn about the Professional Women's Club of Chicago and membership engagement. Ask questions, participate in discussions about PWCC, and network during this brief, 30-minute meeting.
 
Our next Connections & Conversations Event is Wednesday, September 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.!
Welcome New Members
Please join PWCC in welcoming these new members who joined during May 2019:

Elizabeth Bray, Polsinelli
Katerina Economou, Cargill
Bridget Gulotta, 1968
Barbara Halverson
Elisabeth Kasnicka, PhotoFax
Lisa Seidenberg, Greentarget
Salwa Suleiman, Oasis Café
Jacqueline Worrell, Stout Risius Ross, LLC

New Members:  Be sure to look for our New Member Ambassadors with their Red Ribbons affixed to their nametags at our next luncheon. The Ambassadors are keen to help you feel welcome, comfortable, and introduce you to opportunities available within PWCC.
PWCC Policies
All reservations for the monthly luncheons are requested no later than 5:00 p.m. the Friday before the luncheon.  Anyone reserving after Friday, September 6th at 5:00 p.m. is subject to a $10 late charge and seating availability.  
 
Please help PWCC and the Union League Club make the monthly luncheon experience a great one and reserve on time and observe their  dress code policy .
Stay Connected!