by Adriana Dakin, Advisory Board Member
In early January, the YWSE-SF board met in a sunny recreation room at an Oakland country club to plan 2010. We took pictures to share with you ...
From left, back row: Lindsey, Emily, Angela, Han, Adriana, Laura (facilitator), and Toni. From left, in front row: Jacqueline, Koy, and Teresa. (Not in photo: Liz.)
YWSE board meetings are often a good excuse for our own professional and personal development. Many of us enjoy the check-ins at the beginning of the meeting, when we share what's going on for each of us, most of all!
At the retreat, we launched an Advisory Board for board members who have served at least one year. The Advisory Board, led by Emily, Adriana, and Toni, is taking on some fun projects such as an online directory of the network to connect needs and resources and a digital story about the organization.
Koy said afterward, "There was a moment during our 'break' when I
looked up and realized that amidst the munching on hummus, crackers and
finger-fruit, catching up with each other, and bathroom runs, we had
all spontaneously broken up into intense brainstorming pods. I could
see and hear that the next big ideas — for our community, for
ourselves, for us — were being born at that very moment! Our meetings
consistently feel like awesome events in and of themselves — full of
energy and inspiration! I am so grateful for YWSE, a supportive
community where one can cultivate and share their gifts, desires,
passion and skills."
To prepare for the meeting, we had all read members' descriptions of their fields of expertise and what they're looking for in YWSE — such as collaboration, potential partners and colleagues, mentors, inspiration, leadership skills, entrepreneurial tools, awareness of issues in the social sector, like-minded others, and effective business practices. (See image below at left.)
We also put ourselves in our shoes next December, with 2010 behind us, to say what we had accomplished. (See image above at right.) These included: we streamlined systems, we had a 100% membership renewal rate, we got to know members deeply and worked on big paid projects together, every event has a volunteer handling logistics, we have been able to create impact with ease, we have ignited YWSE in new circles with a digital story, and we have ways to track YWSE's impact.
Thanks to everyone who helped make our January board retreat a great success. Special thanks to Laura Peck from Claros Consulting, and to Emily for introducing us to Laura.
We are looking forward to a great year!
