Amazing Women Make A Difference

I confess: I’ve become so disgusted with the current level of political (nonsense) discourse in Congress that I’ve largely tuned out. But I’m changing my ways. In this election year the stakes are high. Author Nancy Poling writes eloquently about Why Young Women Need to Pay Attention. Well, 65 is not young any more byRead the Rest…

Thank you so much for helping my gals with appropriate clothing for interviewing and “on the job” clothing. You are a complete inspiration to me in all that you give and do to help women have confidence in themselves. With the fact that they know they look “the part,” they are able to feel lessRead the Rest…

We hear it all the time: the key to fundraising and membership success is communications. But just what does that mean? And how on earth do you do it? This wonderful toolkit from the United Way Women’s Leadership Council sets out best practices for running a solid and coordinated communications campaign. Even better, it offersRead the Rest…

A recent article by contributor Kerry Hannon in forbes.com reported a LinkedIn survey of nearly 1,000 female professionals in the U.S. They found that most American women feel that it’s important to have a mentor. Unfortunately, one woman in five lacks a mentor, and the deck is stacked against women over 44. Nearly two-thirds ofRead the Rest…

86% of the purchasing power in the U.S. is in the pockets of women! Two weeks ago MissRepresentation launched a campaign to get our help in calling out sexist and degrading advertisements and products during this holiday shopping season. Use hashtag #NotBuyingIt on Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail With the hashtag #NotBuyingIt on Twitter, Facebook, andRead the Rest…

Looking for examples of a promotional brochure, welcome letter and new member packet for your fundraising initiative? Look no farther. Other successful women are eager to share. If you haven’t already joined, check out the United Way Women’s Leadership Council on Linked In. After you join you’ll find the group very welcoming. Glenda Abbot ofRead the Rest…

Love this email from the folks at MissRepresentation.org! *** Black Friday has passed, but we know the shopping madness in America is only beginning. Over the next few weeks, millions of people in this country (and in places all around the world) will spend many millions of dollars on gifts for family, friends and lovedRead the Rest…

I wish everyone was happy and safe this holiday season, but sadly many are not. Our associate Shirley Osborne asks us to send positive energy and thoughts to one group of women. ~Dr. Nancy Native American Women – Highest Rates of Abuse and Sexual Violence Native American women suffer the highest rates of domestic abuseRead the Rest…

Just returned from a screening of the indie documentary MissRepresentation and Oh boy, what wonderful discussions and conversations followed as the audience mingled after the film. Think how women are portrayed in the media these days.   Tired of the heavily made-up stereotypes displaying their DD bust lines on emaciated bodies. Tired of the bimboRead the Rest…

War Redefined is the capstone of a 5-part series on public television. Many interviews are available on the PBS website as transcripts or podcasts. Interviews with female Secretaries of State and others “reveal how the post-Cold War proliferation of small arms has changed the landscape of war, with women becoming primary targets and suffering unprecedentedRead the Rest…

What kind of Halloween costumes will you put on your kids this year? Post photos of your creative Halloween costumes and counteract gender stereotypes. What will you wear yourself? What messages will these costumes say about girls and women’s roles, and about men’s relationships to women? It’s worth thinking about! Missrepresentation.org is a growing movementRead the Rest…

How to Recruit New Board Members Before you begin some bizarre recruitment ritual, realize you are facing a common problem. You’re having trouble filling your board positions, a few people are doing most of the work, and the steady workers are in danger of burning out. We often hear this statement in organization meetings, usuallyRead the Rest…

I recently spoke to health and life quality guru Nancy Deville. She is an amazing woman in the height of her powers and beauty. She offered a simple blueprint any woman can follow to achieve better health and happiness. Say something good to yourself. Too often we are masters at putting ourselves down, and NancyRead the Rest…

How can I use my power to change women’s image in the media? Our media denigrate even the most powerful women in our country such as Hilary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Sarah Palin and Nancy Pelosi. Commentators focus on whether they had plastic surgery, what they wear, and how old they look. What chance does anRead the Rest…

I would  like to  get members excited about my chapter or organization Cynthia D’Amour, founder of the Chapter Leaders Playground, posted a webinar 10-7-2011. During the webinar she polled listeners and found that 93% wanted some help increasing enthusiasm for their group. Only 7% said that all their members are totally excited about their group.Read the Rest…

OSLO, Norway (AP) — The 2011 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded  today to three women: Africa’s first democratically elected female president, a Liberian campaigner against rape and a woman who stood up to Yemen’s autocratic regime. The award recognizes the importance of women’s rights in the spread of global peace. The Nobel website says theRead the Rest…

Dr. Nancy: My own volunteer efforts lead me recently to hear a truly amazing woman speak about how each of us can help. Kathy LeMay uses her gifts to raise, not just money, but a global community to make the world a better place. She founded an organization called, Raising Change in 2005 to helpRead the Rest…

All Individuals Have The Right To A Life Free From Abuse Please join Harmony House for the following events in October 2011 Night of Unity Date: Monday, October 3rd Time: 7 pm Location: The Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central East Speaker, Survivor Stories & Roundtable  6:30 pm Reception & book signing with Rebecca Adams(Board MembersRead the Rest…

Learn from association expert Cynthia D’Amour how to succeed as a lazy leader. Invite others in Make it fun Accept new ideas Don’t try to do it all yourself Dump the martyr tiara Toot horn for others N: We are fortunate indeed when our careers intertwine with our passion and our purpose and our needRead the Rest…

 Remembering The Twin Towers Click on image below to view news story. I am a crisis responder. On September 10, 2001 I began training with the National Organization of Victim Assistance (NOVA). Our second day of training fell on September 11. We sat spellbound and shocked as we saw the Twin Towers hit one-by-one byRead the Rest…

In its first annual Evening in Paris event, Female Leaders in Philanthropy netted more than $26,000 to fund the group’s three service projects in Springfield, Missouri. FLiP is a United Way Women’s Initiative. The funds will go to support: Formally Yours, which provides prom dresses for needy teens Suit Yourself Boutique, which outfits women inRead the Rest…

Social-profit organization guru Cynthia D’Amour offers specific tips for recruiting new members, which is essential if you want to boost volunteers and fundraising power. In a recent podcast she urges us to have EAGER Fall Meetings. 1. Everyone in the group buys into the idea of growth. 2. All are inviting guests to your meetings.Read the Rest…

A hot controversy emerged on Forbes.com this summer that will not be resolved anytime soon. National Women’s Health Network Raises Alarm About Lead in Lipstick In its September/October 2011 issue, NWHN  suggests that the Society for Women’s health Research and the Personal Care Products Council are industry dominated and concealing or at least disregarding threatsRead the Rest…

Speaking of helping women advance in the world of science and technology, blogger Mary Hodder offers a fascinating discussion of male-female differences and how they play out in the workplace. Men as risk takers, women as the ones who think ahead to prevent problems they KNOW they will be left to clean up……..hmmmm, that soundsRead the Rest…

These ten amazing women have all been appointed to their United Nations’ posts since 2006. They’re working on the status of women, peace building, management of the whole operation, legal counsel, children’s welfare, and more. Never heard of them?  Get ready — you will! Things really are getting better (of course there’s still a longRead the Rest…

Vulnerability An Inescapable Human Trait – Make it a Strength When we have worked so hard to achieve credibility and position and influence and power it can feel deeply threatening to reveal our human vulnerabilities. It’s necessary, though, and can actually put us in a much stronger position than trying to pretend we’re never wrong,Read the Rest…

Let’s Stop Calling Them Not-for-Profit Organizations The term “not-for-profit” suggests financial gain is the only worthwhile value. I much prefer to describe our important community groups as “social-profit organizations.” I believe these vital groups provide our path to changing the world. Think about the many social profit organizations that help our communities each day: TheRead the Rest…

Unnecessary Meetings Waste Time and Erode Support You’ve heard the dreaded: “Let’s meet.” If you are like me, you are one busy woman! More than anything, you want to use your limited time and energy effectively. I appreciate the consideration others show me when: The meeting is well organized. The agenda is clearly stated andRead the Rest…

Calling Women’s Initiatives: Let’s Share What We’ve Learned We often hear, “Do not reinvent the wheel.” I agree: there’s no time for that. It’s better to share what we have learned with other women so we can make positive changes more quickly. That has always been the mission of the WomenSpeak Project. It continues toRead the Rest…

ENCORE by popular request: Dr. Birute Regine World leadership is undergoing a quiet revolution You won’t find out about it in the headlines or on the chatter of morning talk. But it’s there and it’s happening in waves among women who are slowly recognizing their power and how they can work together to find theRead the Rest…

Successful fundraising is always a group effort, usually involving lots of people. You know you can’t do it alone, so follow these nine excellent tips for maximizing your volunteer resources and keeping people engaged in your process. 1. Swap Out Leadership Prepare well ahead of time and assign co-chairs, especially for key positions. This willRead the Rest…

By learning from each other, women can become more effective working for good in their communities. Read the Toledo Women’s Initiative Survey Report here. The Women’s Initiative (WI) Membership Survey was developed in October and November,2010, via the Executive Committee of Women’s Initiative of United Way, Lisa Fink, Women’sInitiative Coordinator, and Sara Best of AlyRead the Rest…

FLiP Mentoring Program Introduction:            <your committee person> & <your committee person> Overview:             What to expect from the Mentoring program Defining the “mentor’s role” – the goal is to help the mentees find a job, but the mentor’s role is to share experiences, suggestions, and provide support to assist mentee and help them gain moreRead the Rest…

Greetings Mentors! Yes, it does ‘take a village’ and FLiP’s first mentoring project is no different. You as mentors are the infrastructure in this evolving process, facilitating another woman’s work and life skills preparation. We thank you for attending a training session last week. Your commitment to share with, listen to and support our mentees,Read the Rest…

FLiP Establishes Mentoring Program for Women in Transition Springfield’s Female Leaders in Philanthropy has for several years helped women in transition. The Suit Yourself Boutique, by appointment, has provided each woman referred in by community agencies with several complete outfits of appropriate, gently used, work-ready clothing. The membership decided to undertake a further mentoring programRead the Rest…

Success doesn’t just happen. You need a plan, motivated volunteers and great implementation. Work through these 15 tips from fundraising experts. Female Leaders in Philanthropy Raised $25,000 for United Way. 1. Learn from your history What has worked before? How can you improve upon the past? Repeat the successful campaigns and jazz up the fadingRead the Rest…

You won’t raise much if no one knows about your fundraiser, so get smart about spreading the word. Persistence and determination are crucial. It takes a lot of repetitions to break through communication clutter, so try them all. 1. Maximize your website Use it to share your goals, recruit volunteers, thank sponsors, feature new offerings,Read the Rest…

It’s not brain surgery, but if it is to succeed, fundraising requires special attention to certain basics. Review these top 10 tips to give your fundraiser better results. 1. Provide as much value as possible More value means more prospects, more buyers or donors, and more money for your cause. 2. Articulate your value propositionRead the Rest…

A recent blog post by attorney and nonprofit fundraising expert Ilona Bray reviewed the tips offered by two seminars presented in the Bay Area. One was presented by Kivi Leroux Miller, an expert on nonprofit communications; and one by Ted Hart, ACFRE, an expert in online as well as traditional fundraising. Great ideas to helpRead the Rest…

Volunteers rarely get thanked enough for what they do. Read these 5 quick tips on how to encourage them. 1. Say Yes When They Ask for Your Help. We have all been taught that a key to time management is learning how to say NO. However, when it comes to serving our volunteers, we needRead the Rest…

Do some of the birds in your flock feel more important than others? “It seems like our volunteer meetings are times for the “in” gals to have fun with all of their favorites. I feel left out and don’t want to be a part of it anymore.” Chances are you have never received feedback likeRead the Rest…

Have these volunteer-busters happened to you? • Reply-all-email overload?• Showing up and not being needed?• Wanting to volunteer and not getting a call back? The Case Foundation interviewed Karen Bantuveris, the founder of VolunteerSpot <http://www.volunteerspot.com/>, a volunteer management platform whose basic service level is free. You’re not alone and it doesn’t have to bring youRead the Rest…

Work hard to keep your volunteers in the flock. Volunteers are the lifeblood of your cause. They keep you going in the face of budget cuts and small staffs. Nonprofits work hard to bring in volunteers and train them, but all too often the training and retaining ends there. One woman volunteered for years atRead the Rest…

Volunteers often quit if they do not think their contribution is noticed or important. Finding creative ways to recognize volunteers can help you retain them. If you’re wracking your brains for ways to do that, read on. Make them feel appreciated Skip the dinner. Who needs another overcooked chicken breast with cardboard veggies? Take theRead the Rest…

You’re the straw boss but you can’t use force. Coordinating volunteers is one of the most important jobs in any social-profit organization. But it’s no easy task. Here are some tips for success. 1. Go ahead: ask. Making a pretty website, brochure or facebook page isn’t as effective as directly asking people to volunteer. MakeRead the Rest…

By Dr. Nancy D. O’Reilly I talk often about the importance of mentoring younger women. After I spoke with Dr. Janet Rose about her Seven Secrets of Parenting Girls, I realized these ideas applied equally well to working with other women in the workplace and community. Use these guidelines, adapted from Dr. Rose’s advice, toRead the Rest…

By Dr. Nancy D. O’Reilly, Psy.D. As a mother of three daughters, I did my best to raise my girls to be strong women who are capable of doing anything they want. Dr. Janet Rose is an educator and speaks nationally about women leaders and the importance of independence, hardiness and self-reliance. She has writtenRead the Rest…

By Dr. Nancy D. O’Reilly, Psy.D. If you are waiting for something to happen before you can be happy and feel good about your life, you need to stop waiting and be happy now.  Get out of the doldrums and “Carpe Diem!” That’s Latin for Seize the Day! That’s the philosophy of Dr. Elaine Dembe,Read the Rest…

Have You Found Your Tribe? What is your work style? Are you a doer, happiest when leaping tall buildings and achieving the impossible? What do you do when you’re finished? Do you feel let down and empty? If you immediately try to fill the void with another impossible challenge then you are probably a WanderRead the Rest…

In Springfield to speak at a Boys and Girls Club fundraising dinner, cycling great Lance Armstrong presented an award to the O’Reillys for assistance they provided to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Lance was raised by a single mother who gave birth to him when she was 17 years old. “This is a great example ofRead the Rest…