April 2020
Women's Network is a Division of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce
The mission of Women's Network is to connect, empower and engage members through leadership development, educational opportunities and innovative outreach.
Chair's Corner: Are You Taking Care of You?

Chair Krista Kippenberger with Focus on Health Chiropractic reminds us that this is still the Year of the Best Yes, and we need to remember to take care of ourselves in this time. She asks us to keep track of our mental health how we're doing, and to continue to take care of yourself and your mental health through self-care.

Upcoming Events

Women's Network events are a great way to challenge your comfort zone, meet new people, and get the most out of your WN membership. Make a point to attend one of our upcoming events this month! Visit our website for all events.
Momentum Mindset Series with Kim Becking
Join Columbia Chamber of Commerce Divisions: Ambassadors, EPIC and Women’s Network for this exciting webinar series!

Kim Becking will be leading three weeks of interactive, virtual, live programming focused on helping you build a Momentum Mindset to reduce stress, boost your resilience and that of your organization, be more positive, and communicate, connect and lead more effectively during this challenging time.
Week 1 - April 29, 2020 at 11 a.m.
Personal Resilience: Keys to Reduce Your Stress and Boost Your Resilience During Crisis and Uncertainty

Week 2 - May 6, 2020 at 11 a.m . 
Team Resilience: Keys to Connect, Motivate and Lead Others with Positivity and Resilience During Crisis and Uncertainty 

Week 3 - May 13, 2020 at 11 a.m.
 Organizational Resilience: Keys to Build a Resilient Organization So You're Ready For What's Next
(a special breakout discussion will follow, for all session 3 attendees)
Registration Cost:
$10 per session / $25 for all three sessions and a breakout discussion that will take place after Session 3
Upon registration, admission links will be sent out.

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Presented by:
Presenting Sponsor Joe Machens Dealerships , Gold Sponsor Hawthorn Bank

Scholarships and Awards

Women's Network offers a number of scholarships and awards to its members. Scholarship and award nomination windows vary; for a complete list of scholarships and awards, visit the Scholarships and Awards page of our website!
Women's Network has announced the 2020 ATHENA Young Professional Finalists!
Meet the 2020 ATHENA Young Professional Finalists! -...

We're excited to give you the opportunity to get to know our 2020 ATHENA Young Professional Finalists! Women's Network recognizes three individuals each year for their exemplary work in their profession, their devotion of time and energy to their ...

Read more
womensnetworkcomo.com
Scholarships and Awards

Open now:

The Carrie D. Francke Scholarship is open to applicants through May 1, 2020 . Each year, Women’s Network provides a $1,000 scholarship in memory of Carrie D. Francke. Carrie was ambitious, completing a political science degree at MU in three years, followed by earning journalism and law degrees. She served as Senator John Danforth’s press secretary, as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri, and on the University of Missouri Board of Curators. She died in a tragic car accident in 1989 at the age of 34. Carrie served on the Women’s Network Steering Committee.

Open now:

Debin Benish started Delta Systems Group at a time when women were not encouraged to venture out on their own, not to mention in a technology field. During her 18 years in business, Debin and her staff trained thousands of people in Mid- Missouri on many different software programs and provided computer network support to hundreds of companies.In addition to achieving great success in her company, Debin was actively involved in the Chamber and Women’s Network. She served on the Chamber Board of Directors, Accreditation Task Force, Business Conference and Showcase Committee, Government Affairs, Education, Leadership Columbia, Women’s Network Business Owners Committee, and Ambassadors.To honor Debin Benish’s memory of volunteering and supporting small businesses, the Women’s Network, in conjunction with Delta Systems Group, selects a businesswoman who has achieved great success in her business to receive the annual Debin Benish Outstanding Businesswoman Award.

Interested in receiving
committee email reminders?
Click below to get on
a specific list!
Upcoming Committee Meetings - update

Changing the Odds| No Meeting This Month

Leadership Development Roundtable | Wednesday, May 27 | 12 - 1 p.m.

Special Events| Wednesday, May 6 | 12 - 1 p.m.

Monthly Program | Wednesday, May 13 | 12 - 1 p.m.

Membership Development | Thursday, May 14 | 12 - 1 p.m.

Marketing & Communications | Monday, May 11 | 12 - 1 p.m.

All committee meetings are open to WN members and will take place virtually over Microsoft Teams through May 15. Meeting location/method after May 15 will be determined closer to meetings and noted in reminder emails.

To learn more about our committees and receive reminder emails for any of our committee meetings, visit our leadership page and complete this sign-up form.
WN Leadership Application Deadline Extended to April 30!
Co-Chairs and Steering Committee members: benefit from gaining leadership experience while serving next to other influential leaders in Columbia (as well as leading their committees), help in setting goals for each committee at the beginning of the program years, and identify opportunities for expansion and improvement of Women’s Network!

Top 10 Reasons to Become a Women’s Network Leader:
  1. Proactively grow your network of contacts
  2. Develop professionally
  3. Gain positive exposure for your business
  4. Build your resume for future promotion opportunities
  5. Find a mentor
  6. Stay inspired by working outside your normal routine
  7. Learn more about your community 
  8. Improve your public speaking skills
  9. Create stronger bonds with members
  10. Build something amazing on behalf of women in business in our community!

Interested in applying for a position but aren’t sure if its a fit?
Browse our leadership, and send them an email! Or feel free to contact the Director of Women’s Network, Deena Kahn, with any questions.
INTERESTED IN AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER POSITION?
(Chair-Elect, Treasurer, Treasurer-Elect, Secretary)

If you're interested in being considered for one of the executive officer positions, you don't need to complete an application form.

Please send your contact information (name, company, title, email and phone number) and a bio/letter of interest to Director of Women's Network, Deena Kahn, at dkahn@ColumbiaMOChamber.com . 
Committee Spotlight - Special Events
The Special Events Committee is the event planning committee for Women’s Network. This committee is in charge of several large events throughout the year including: Women’s Network fall and spring mixers, the ATHENA International Awards Banquet, Roses for Mentors and the Women’s Network Holiday Party.

The Special Events Committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month at noon.
Additionally, the Women's Network Special Events Committee wants to let everyone know that the Spring Mixer will be pushed to be a "Late Spring" Mixer this year, but we are still hoping to see everyone! We encourage everyone to keep an eye on our channels to make sure you don't miss any updates and announcements about our upcoming events.
While Women's Network has postponed the delivery date for their Roses for Mentors fundraiser, we are still accepting orders until delivery is possible!

This is a great way to express appreciation to a mentor, a coworker, or a friend for their role in your life. When possible, your rose will be hand delivered by the Women’s Network Special Events Committee to your designated individual with a personalized note from you.

All profits benefit the Women’s Network Mentoring Committee.
Women's Network Membership Survey

Hello Women's Network members!

If you haven't already, please help us by participating in the following short survey. This information will help us to grow Women's Network and evaluate where we are in our current strategic plan, as well as how we can improve as an organization.

Thank you for your continued support of Women's Network and the Columbia Chamber of Commerce!
If you have any questions, please contact Director of Women's Network Deena Kahn at dkahn@ColumbiaMOChamber.com .

If you have any issues accessing the survey through the button above, please copy and paste the following link into your internet browser: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07eh13wz1wk8x78y1q/start  
Member Profile: Justina Dial
Meet Justina Dial, one of your Women's Network Marketing and Communications Committee Co-Chairs!

Justina is a Consumer Banking Officer and Branch Manager for Central Bank of Boone County, and has been a Women's Network member for about five years.

Professional Development Resource
Working from home because of COVID-19? Here are 10 ways...

Here are some great tips if you're looking for productive ways to spend your time while working from home or work at the office is slow. These are new and uncharted waters that we are all facing so mix it up and try something different!

Read more
womensnetworkcomo.com
Your newsletter contributors include:

Justina Dial , Co-Chair (Marketing Committee), Central Bank of Boone County
Kammie Teter , Co-Chair (Marketing Committee), White Dog Promotions, LLC
Laura Kogut , Steering Liaison (Marketing Committee), Providence Bank
Teresa Snow , Steering Liaison (Marketing Committee), MU Health Care
Sara Humm , Co-Chair (Monthly Program Committee), City of Columbia
Bryana Larimer , Missouri Training Institute
Deena Kahn , Columbia Chamber of Commerce
Women's Network
A Division of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce

300 S Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203

(573) 874-1132