Glance Back, Leap Forward in 2011!

YWSE presents an evening to Celebrate Successes of 2010 & Evaluate Challenges in 2011

 

January 26th, 2011

6:30PM-9:30PM

The Hub @ Berkeley

David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way Suite 400, Berkeley, CA

 

Register: http://bit.ly/ywsesf2011

 

Facilitated small group Solution Salon will leave us with advice, connections and support to embrace the coming year with intention.  The evening will culminate with an open mixer to continue conversations over a glass of wine or two!

Meet the 2011 YWSE-SF Board!

Fresh off a board retreat, where the creative juices were flowing, the 2011 Board wants to get to know its members! We want to provide the YWSE community with compassionate & compelling events that bring you closer to your goals!

We look forward to seeing you there!

YWSE's Take On... An Evening with Louise W. Knight

YWSE’s night with Louise W. Knight and Jane Addams

guest post by Darcie Polzien

    Monday evening, October 18th, at the SOMA office of Tech Soup, a group of about 10 women gather for another splendid YWSE event.  Louise W. Knight is in town, on a book tour, celebrating the publication of her new book, Jane Addams:  Spirit in Action.   After getting acquainted over hors d’oeuvres, we took our seats in a circle of couches and stuffed chairs.  YWSE chair Liz Zirk introduced us to Louise Knight, and Louise introduced us to Jane Addams. 

    Jane Addams was one of the nation’s first grassroots organizers and a founder of the fields of social work and sociology.  She was the co-founder of Hull House in Chicago, the nation’s first Settlement House, and co-founder of the first national women’s trade union organization.  She was a leader in the suffrage movement, international peace and women’s rights movements.  In 1931 she was the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.  At her core, she was a humanitarian, connecting people together as humans.  She was a consensus builder who brought people together across class lines.  She could certainly be called a social entrepreneur of her time.

    So would Jane Addams’ leadership style work today?  What would she think about the social and political issues of today?  Louise Knight helped us to explore these questions and more.  Addams’ thinking was responsibility-based, not rights based.  She saw rights as absolutes, thus not allowing for compromise.  We asked, so is that why we’ve seen such little movement in the abortion debate, with the right of women’s choice being countered with the right to life of the fetus?  Even in her argument for women’s suffrage, she advocated that it was women’s responsibility to their families, through voting, to elect the government that would best protect and care for her family.

    Addams led with an “intentional light touch;” she listened without judgment.  She served as a strong example, but she did not dominate.  She believed in the 19th century theory of cooperation where by she asked what she could do with you to help your cause.  She was mindful of other people.  At Hull House she brought residents together to live and socialize across class lines; to get to know each other on a social basis, beyond that of employer and employee.  She ran Hull House as a complete democracy, which gave the residents a lot of freedom.  This led to decisions she did not agree with and those that spurred controversy.  But she saw this as part of the learning process; the process of democracy being as important as the end results.  Addams was a patient woman; she had to be, as her methods were admittedly slow, yet effective.  So would Addams’ approach work today?  It’s a tough question; what do you think?

    Concluding the evening, Louise graciously signed personalized copies of her book for those who purchased it.

Join us for a Celebration of 10 Years of YWSE!

YWSE's mission is to promote young women social entrepreneurs by providing training and development, access to resources, networking opportunities, and general support. We practice full authenticity and honesty with one another and ourselves. We are accountable and responsible for our contributions, strengths, and weaknesses as individuals. We work in collaboration and consensus, valuing each woman's wisdom. We act with integrity, aligning this work with our deepest values.

Sound good?

 

Join us on October 27th, 2010 to celebrate YWSE and its core mission and values.

REGISTER TODAY

This will be a fun, all-inclusive night created just for you - both members and non-members alike! Whether this will be your first event with YWSE, or you've been involved with us for years, we invite you to engage, re-engage, and celebrate our warm community of amazing leaders.

Featured speakers include

Sara Ellis Conant and Michelle Lapinski, co-founders of YWSE

Kami Griffiths, YWSE member-at-large

Elizabeth Zirk, Chair of San Francisco chapter

Delicious, seasonal, and locally grown hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served courtesy of the Roots Restaurant at the Orchard Garden Hotel. Did you know the Orchard Garden Hotel is also run by a woman entrepreneur?! And it's location is easily accessible by BART or Muni.

Every year, YWSE holds a weekend retreat. This year's retreat was full of brilliant women, ready to assert their power (whatever that might be) and follow through on their goals with actions that will sustain their dreams! Not only was it remarkable, going through energizing and enlightening workshops with like-minded women; it was a whole lot of fun!

At every signature YWSE event, the emphasis is on community. Our community of leaders grows stronger - and you can be part of it!

REGISTER TODAY 

 

By joining us at our 10 Year Celebration on October 27th, you are contributing to the YWSE community!

Specific contributions that you can make to help out the YWSE community include

Become a Video Blogger

Develop a Leadership Workshop Series

Apply to be the Retreat Director

Launch a Social Entrepreneurship Discussion/Workshop Series

Become an Event Director

Donate an event venue located near BART

Implement a Mentorship Program

Lead a project to "green" our internal and external practices

Invite at least 3 friends to come with you to the October 27th event

REGISTER NOW

 

Louise K. Knight Talks Social Entrepreneurship in History!

Social entrepreneurship is something totally new, right? 

Not so, according to Louise K. Knight's book "Jane Addams: Spirit in Action"! And you have the chance to meet Louise K. Knight in person AND have her sign a copy of her book! On October 18th, YWSE hosts an interactive talk and book signing with the author herself. A talk about the spirit of Jane Addams, the first American woman to earn the Nobel Peace Prize!

Who is Jane Addams anyway...?

Like young women leaders today, Jane Addams -- the first American woman to earn the Nobel Peace Prize-- struggled to grow purposefully, collaboratively, and with integrity. Louise (Lucy) W. Knight, the author of the just-published Jane Addams: Spirit in Action, will discuss how Addams found mentors and mentored others and the kind of a consensus-building leader she became. Knight will also share Addams’s theory of leadership, which included the power of leading by example and the need to cooperate, not dominate. This interactive talk will offer women working in non-profit and for-profit companies in the Bay Area both some remarkable history and insights into modern day work and life dilemmas.

Read the live blog of this event!

 

YWSE First-Ever Webinar: Branding & Messaging!

It's lunchtime on a Thursday.

Are you sitting at your desk going through emails? Are you catching up on your daytime soaps? Maybe you're adding a new movie to your Netflix queue?

You should save time on Thursday, September 30th from 12:30pm - 1:30pm for YWSE's first-ever webinar with messaging guru Minal Bopaiah!

Harness the power of media to help you change the world!

Need help fundraising? Looking to drive more traffic to your website and blog? Or simply trying to change the world one mind at a time? Minal Bopaiah, media specialist for social change, founder of Brevity & Wit, and former Sesame Street researcher, gives you the inside scoop on how to use psychology to "sell" your ideas and change people's minds. Follow Minal on Facebook!

In this 60 minute Webinar, you'll learn the basic principles of social learning theory and some basic techniques to improve your content and use of multi-media tools, as well as get time to ask Minal specific questions you may be facing in communicating your mission.

Register Now

YWSE supports the QS World MBA Tour!

YWSE members get free entry!

QS World MBA Tour is working with YWSE to help you find the answer to the lingering question “is Business School right for me?”

Why an MBA?

With a few years of work experience under your belt, are you thinking of pursuing an MBA? An MBA builds on your work experience by providing you the skills and knowledge to transition to a higher level of responsibility.  You will finesse your teamwork skills, understanding of human relations in organizations and will be far better able to understand and respond effectively to the uncertainty and complexity that is a feature of organisational life in times of rapid change.

The lingering questions remain: which school, program, location is the ideal one for you?

The QS World MBA Tour is here to help you. The QS World MBA Tour offers prospective students the opportunity to meet admissions officers from top tier universities worldwide at a multitude of venues across the globe.

The QS World MBA Tour offers prospective students the opportunity to meet admissions officers of international and national top tier universities at a multitude of venues across the globe.

So, why not jump start your career and gain a competitive advantage?

Join us at the QS World MBA Tour 2010 this fall!
To learn more and to find a fair near you: www.topmba.com

YWSE will be at Craigslist Boot Camp 2010!

This year's Boot Camp is all about strategies for effective community building. The one-day conference brings together professional non-profits, social entrepreneurs, and engaged citizens of all stripes with expert speakers, workshop sessions, and social time to share strategies. There are also opportunities for private coaching sessions, break-out sessions, and camaraderie with other passionate change-makers - not to mention pre- and post-event meetups.

Koy Hardy, current Events VP, will be hosting the YWSE community partner booth!

Elizabeth Zirk, current Communications VP, will be facilitating an Idea Bazaar workshop: Effective Group Brainstorming!

We have some amazing sessions being led by women social entrepreneurs. To name just a few:

Lily Kanter, Serena & Lily Foundation - World Repair Through Local Actions — How Kids and Families Can Get Involved

Camille Busette, EARN | Julie Castro Abrams, Women’s Initiative - Economic Prosperity for All

Cindy Gallop, IfWeRanTheWorld.com - How Microactions Could Help You Build Better Communities

Craigslist Foundation Annual Boot Camp - Saturday August 14, at UC Berkeley

Craigslist Foundation believes that strong communities and neighborhoods are the cornerstone of our society. The focus is simple: to connect, motivate and inspire greater community impact.

Through a series of inspiring panels, interactive workshops, collaborative programs and networking opportunities, Boot Camp cultivates conversation and empowers people to affect a positive impact in their neighborhoods and communities . Boot Camp programs span all sectors — nonprofit, government, philanthropy and business — and are within three tracks — Elements of Vital Communities, Community Building Fundamentals, and Leadership and Impact.

Lots more information here:

Boot Camp website: http://craigslistfoundation.org/boot-camp/the-experience/

You can connect to us on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/craigslistfoundation

Updates are on our blog: http://craigslistfoundation.org/blog/

Tickets are available here: http://clfbc2010.eventbrite.com/

Help Save our Bay! A Morning of Restoration for our Wetlands

**This event is currently full on the Save SF Bay website**

**Please use this link to register if you have not already registered on the Save SF Bay site. We will contact you with more information!**

Interested in joining YWSE in helping to protect our shores?

Save the Bay on July 24th!

You're invited to join fellow YWSEs this July for our Community & Consciousness event helping Save the Bay give some loving back to our neighboring wildlife and flora! We'll be removing non-native weeds and helping with shoreline clean-up. For more info please visit www.savesfbay.org.

No experience necessary. Gloves, tools and instruction provided. Each event is led by Save The Bay staff certified in CPR and Wilderness First Aid and all site projects have been planned to ensure safety.

Date and Time: July 24, 2010 @ 9am-noon

Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline (Oakland, CA)

Specific meeting location TBA

Program Scholarship Opportunity for YWSE Members!

Do you know an outstanding YWSE Woman who is a budding Entrepreneur? 

Are you one yourself?

YWSE is proud to present the 2010 Summer Entrepreneur Program Scholarship for YWSE Women sponsored by Fearless Women Entrepreneurs and Wells Fargo!

The recipient of this Scholarship will attend 3 months of personalized Entrepreneurship Training and be featured in the Fearless Women Entrepreneur Network / Wells Fargo media presence.

Click here to nominate a standout YWSE woman you know for this 2010 Scholarship and/or nominate yourself by 11:59 PM on 12 July 2010. YWSE Finalists will be announced on 13 July 2010 at the Fearless Entrepreneur Pitch Night in San Francisco at The Hub!

About the Fearless Women Entrepreneur Network

Fearless Women Entrepreneur Network is dedicated to fostering emerging women entrepreneurs through education and community-building. Our mission is to provide programs, tools, resources and connections that enable women to reach their full economic potential through entrepreneurship.

Events you should come to...!

June 30th @ The Hub SoMa, 6:30-8:30pm :: Making The Leap - Stories of Successful Women Entrepreneurs

July 13th @ The Hub SoMa, 6:30-8:30pm :: Fearless Scholarship Pitch Night in SF

Play and Win at the Money Game

Want to channel your inner financial guru and take control of your finances?

Come learn about the psychology of wealth, goal setting, creating a sustainable budget/spending plan, understanding passive vs earned income by playing The Money Game! This workshop, No. 2 in our Smart Money Workshop series will be led by Jessica Johnson.

Thursday, July 1st, 2010 @ 6-8pm

525 Brannan St. Ste 300 (TechSoup)

Jessica Johnson, President of Johnson Education Solutions, was a Management Technology Consultant for Kerry Consulting Group for seven years prior to spending ten years as a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service. Along with coordinating protective missions around the world, Jessica investigated various financial crimes and now enjoys the education side of finance.

Jessica graduated from Claremont McKenna College and earned an MBA from Cal Poly in Pomona.  She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Empowerment Today, a 501(c)3 with a mission to empower low income families through financial and health education.

Space is limited, so register today!

Hear about Jessica's story:

I am often asked, “How did you get into this? Do you have a degree in finance or something?”  No. I took the “easy” way out in college, taking courses that would allow me to work Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and only have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Thus, after several semesters as an 'undecided,' I became a government major at Claremont McKenna College.  My Masters Degree from Cal Poly Pomona was little more than my attempt to reconnect with the academic environment and give myself some “more time” before figuring out what I wanted to be when I grew up.

During both academic endeavors, I worked for Kerry Consulting Group and became a Junior Management Technology Consultant.  We helped public sector clients plan for and acquire technology in a time when taking care of the customers needs was not an industry standard.  Developing an interest in reengineering at Cal Poly, I took on client projects to help them manage their workflow and paper flow more efficiently.  I enjoyed it but I knew it was not my calling.

Oddly enough, I was “recruited” into the Secret Service by one of my professors who was married to a Special Agent.  For those of you who watched “Alias” on TV, this was a much less adventurous recruitment process.  At that time, the Secret Service didn’t have a web presence and information was scarce.  But I suffered through the 18 month hiring process and endured another 6 months of training to become one of only about 35 African American female Special Agents in the world. Yes, I am proud.

My 10 year career with the Service took me from Los Angeles to New York and back again.  I investigated financial crimes such as bank fraud, check fraud, counterfeit currency and identity theft.  The World Traveler became my nickname in the office because as a new agent I was often on the travel rotation and our President was quite the globe trotter.  I performed protective assignments in numerous foreign countries and all over the U.S.  In phase 2 of my career I was assigned to President Clinton’s Former Presidential Detail in Chappaqua, NY.  Besides freezing during the NY winters I became a shift leader and managed “special projects” like training coordination for the detail and overseeing residential and office security.

While still in NY I was assigned to coordinate security at a venue for the Utah Olympic Oval during the 2002 Winter Olympics.  18-hour planning days were typical making 12-hour game-time shifts feel like a vacation.  Despite the long hours I really enjoyed a different side of protection - securing an entire venue and protecting everyone inside, not just one person, with over 400 federal assets at my disposal. The other aspect of the job I greatly enjoyed was conducting overseas advances to coordinate protection.  This was both challenging and rewarding as it drew on a wide array of skills I didn’t even know I had, like negotiating, that I hadn’t had to use much in the U.S. because of the “power” of the badge here at home.  Having all the responsibility yet no real jurisdiction overseas was an interesting experience.

Returning to the warmth of Los Angeles, it slowly sank in that while I had a very prestigious and important career, I was not as passionate about it as I should be.  So after 10 years, I left the Secret Service to be an entrepreneur.  Starting out in real estate, I soon realized that it and I were also not a good match.  But in coaching my clients on getting their finances ready for homeownership I discovered a love for sharing knowledge and was shocked by how much the average American didn't know.  Despite having an MBA I knew there was also much more for me to learn in the world of personal finance, so I searched for some extraordinary programs.  A handful of books and workshops on wealth, taught by some industry leaders, gave me both hope for future success and royally pissed me off at the same time.  If only I had known these simple financial principles 20 years ago, how different life would be!  Looking forward I wanted to share what I knew with those who would likely have less of a chance of getting the education on their own.  So I did what any ambitious do-gooder does, I started a nonprofit organization.

Empowerment Today was born from a dual desire to 1) irritate “those” who have kept real useful financial education out of the education system and out of the reach of the general population and to 2) empower people with knowledge that would give them hope and more choices in life.

Determined to be different than most other “out of touch” financial education services that people can’t relate to or understand, I carefully crafted a plan involving organization partnerships and trained volunteers.  This plan included training volunteers, which reduces expenses, and to deliver materials that are engaging, dynamic and easily understood. Moving to Santa Cruz after almost a year of traveling around South America, I finally found a curriculum that met my high standards.  But as many nonprofits have found, it is not an easy endeavor embarking on a such an undertaking without resources.  So with the sage advice of the caring woman who created our dynamic curriculum and who was also 10 years ahead of my blood, sweat and tears process,  I created Johnson Education Solutions (JES).

Empowerment Today is still slowly moving forward, always looking for partnerships with organization that want to bring financial education to those who need it most -- low income families.  This summer we are conducting 2-day Camp MillionaireTM Day Camps for kids at the San Francisco Mint and will continue to provide our adult financial workshops for Habitat for Humanity of Santa Cruz County.

Johnson Education Solutions’ business model thrives through strategic partnerships that promote interactive in-person workshops to everyday people.  Our motto - Real Financial Education for Real People - is what keeps me focused on unbiased education that can be easily comprehended and utilized in people’s lives.  I enjoy our adult Wealth Camps as much as our Camp Millionaire youth camps because I can see the difference the education can make in people’s lives.  Teaching people “how to fish vs feeding them fish,” has been a goal of mine since I was in high school. But it was 2 decades later before I found my passion and a way to make it a reality.