Chapter Meetings
• February
• March

WITI Opportunities

WITI's Global Expansion
As the world continues to shrink, and companies globalize, WITI's unique position as a global leader for women in technology becomes more significant. WITI Europe started as one chapter, less than 2 years ago, led by Pat Nathan, Executive at Dell Computer Corporation, who was on assignment in Europe and knew building WITI in UK not only reflected her core values of helping other women advance, but was a strategic win for Dell and WITI. As Pat built the U.K. chapter, she found women driving 3 hours one way to attend a WITI meeting, and has been contacted by women throughout Europe wanting to start WITI chapters. By the time Pat left for a new assignment at Dell Austin, women from more than 80 companies in UK had participated in WITI meetings.

WITI just launched its first chapter in Ireland and in Mexico, and is currently planning additional chapters throughout Europe and Asia.

Pat is back in Austin with an exciting new assignment at Dell. She will be speaking at WITI's Silicon Valley Conference where she will be honored to acknowledge her wonderful work in launching WITI in Europe.

To find out more about WITI's Silicon Valley Conference, go to:
http://www.witi.com/center/conferences/santaclara

To find out more about global partnering opportunities, contact [email protected].

Leveraging your Membership in Professional Associations
Since as long as associations have been around, men in business and professions have considered it pretty standard practice to join at least one professional association, both as an effective way of building a strong network among their colleagues, as well as being part of the "club". When you think about it, it's a terrific way of continuing a feeling of community after you leave the built in community of college. To my regret, because I had this independent "I am not a joiner" attitude when I was young, I never appreciated the power and benefits of a professional association until, ironically, I started WITI. Since then, I have grown to understand and appreciate the value a professional association can have personally and professionally, for now and for the future.

Over the years I have observed interesting differences with which women approach their participation in WITI, with significant results. Here is a checklist of possibilities for those of you who may want to optimize your membership in WITI or some other association, and never really considered all of the options:

1. Attending meetings and conferences - this may sound very basic, but many associations have members who join for years and rarely attend a meeting. Why attend when your plate is already so full? The opportunity to stay updated about what's happening with your colleagues, to build relationships, to let others know what you're doing and what you're looking for - invaluable!

2. Get active in your local chapter - as a board member, on a committee, etc. What better way to build relationships than to actively work with other professionals? I am convinced that building relationships with your colleagues is not only personally satisfying but the best investment you can make in your future.

3. No Chapter in your region? Then work with your association to start one or generate interest among your peers in starting one. Most associations are always looking for new places to start communities or chapters.

4. Utilize your association's web site. For example, as a WITI member, you have special access to the member control panel: www.witi.com/members. Here you can access the member directory to network with other professionals, find research and statistical data for reports, and join Special Interest Group (SIG) listserves for more networking.

5. Submit a speaker's application - Most associations, like WITI, are continuously seeking speakers for their national and regional events.

6. Nominate someone for an award - such as nominating a woman for the WITI Hall of Fame

Radical Sabbaticals/Careers

WITI's 2003 conference theme is Women Leading Reinvention and Innovation for Technology, Themselves, Their Companies. The Silicon Valley Conference will include at least one session about women who have made major changes in their careers and chosen very unusual sabbaticals. If that applies to you or you know a woman in technology who has chosen an entirely different path for their sabbatical or careers, please send the following information to [email protected]:

Name
E-mail
Phone
Very brief description (such as from aerospace engineer to stand up comic; from lawyer to corporate marketing, etc)

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