Spring Into Promoting Business and Professional Women Throughout Maine

Maine Business and Professional Women Hold Spring 2012 Meeting and Professional Development Workshop

(April 21, 2012)--Seventeen women from throughout the state converged in Caribou, Maine for the state fedration's spring meeting held at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. I was happily one of them, representing my shining Star City...Presque Isle. The meeting opened like every with our official collect, the pledge of allegiance and an official call to order my Maine BPW State Co President Susan Tardie who is also from the Fort Kent club/local. Some of the agenda items included plans for the exciting upcoming state convention this June at Hollywood Slots in Bangor. Also the great news and announcement that we have a full slate of new state officers that will be installed at that very convention. I'll be attending the event and taking lot's of pics so keep reading my blog for more on that. June's right around the corner and will be here before any of us can say summer fun!

Although the work part of the meeting got done fairly early, the meeting was far from over as we had the tremendous opportunity to participate in two professional development seminars following the business meeting. They were facilitated by BPW Maine Co President Ronda Crosson and BPW Downeast President Rayann Vander Zanden. The workshops were: "Standing Up and Speaking Out" and "Define and Shine Networking". They were interactive, informative and well presented workshops that engaged us the participants including an impromptu speech we each had to deliver on a question Rayann asked us. Mine was: "If I were traveling on a road which road would I take...the right one or left one and why?" 

I really had to think about that one, but as I answered in the speech, it reminds me of one of my favorite poets, Mr. Robert Frost and his famous poem "The Road Less Traveled By." We all know that one. My answer was I pretty much go by feelings and never plan the road I wanna take that day, just kind of go where it leads me, always optimistic to learn something from the journey and willing to take the journey regardless. Sometimes the road has twists and turns and even bumps...but you're better off for just taking it. That's my take, if you will! Then we had another fun exercise of speed networking, where we had to fill out a questionnaire signed by everyone in the room. I think I came away learning a lot more about my BPW sisters...I at least know which ones own a red car, and which one read the newspaper that day. I was the only that did that by the way. LOL. 

 Afterwards, we all enjoyed a lovely lunch poolside. And look forward to seeing one another again at state convention in June. Here are the pics from this past weekend. Enjoy!   

March and April Busy Promoting Platform "The Business of Service"

All Around the County Community With Speaking Engagements

March and April have been extremely busy months for me as far as appearances.

On March 21^st I had the honor of being a distinguished speaker for the DFAS March Women’s History and Leadership Event in Limestone, Maine. The auditorium was packed to nearly standing room only capacity. More than a hundred people came out to see little ole’ me speak about leadership, career success and achieving one’s life and career goals. I’m so thankful to DFAS Administrator and event organizer Wendy Riopelle for inviting me to speak. It was a lively conversation and I think people came away with a more personal idea of who I am and how I approach my life. I was glad to impart some funny stories of my life and career journeys. Including the story of how I fought CNN News Anchor Wolf Blitzer for a seat in the White House press room. He won! But also my experience as a White House intern during the Monica Years, working in Florida covering the infamous recount debacle, returning home to witness and cover September 11^th, and so much more….Here’s some pictures from the event.

Then the following day I had the honor of being a workshop facilitator for the 2nd annual All for Women Conference sponsored by Women, Work and Community and held at Northern Maine Community College. The workshop I facilitated was "Finding Your Voice" where I led a discussion with more than twenty local women leaders on the issues of confidence, self esteem  and support. It was an uplifting hour that asked some important questions in helping women launch themselves, move to the next level and define who they want to be. I was told that immediately after, workshop participants rated my workshop as one of the most successful, engaging and popular at the daylong conference. And the day after, the organizers have already signed me up to host that workshop once again next year as well as another upcoming event THIS year. Stay tuned.

New 2012 Ms. and Mrs. Corporate America Queens Crowned

Congrats go to the new 2012 Ms. and Mrs. Corporate America winners.

Congrats go to Ms. Corporate America 2012 Dorothea Wilson and Mrs. Corporate America 2012 Di-Anne Di Re. The 2012 Pageant weekend was held in Orlando, Florida with sixteen contestants overall vying for the two respective titles. These women are outstanding representatives of their careers, communities and commitment to personal excellence. Over the next year Ms. Corporate America Dorothea Wilson and Mrs. Corporate America Di-Anne Di Re will be representing this dynamic system that promotes the professional woman and her endeavors in achieving success in career, community and family…as well as promoting a service platform that seeks to empower America.

 

I’m so inspired by all these women as I, myself are in pursuit of the crown over the next year. Its been an exciting year already and hard to believe that its nearly halfway gone. But I’m making the most of every hour, minute and second. Not wasting any time in my determination to make a difference in living my own platform of “The Business of Service”. As for the women who competed at nationals this year…you are all winners because you sought to compete. Although two walked away with the titles, you all walk away and remain lifelong role models to women like me…who seek to follow in your footsteps.

 

thank you Anissa King, for creating and launching this dynamic arena for professional women to compete and showcase all they have to offer.

 

Take a look at these pictures from what undoubtedly was an exciting pageant weekend.