Women’s Forum Update•March 27, 2010•Whitney Taylor•Karen Wilson

Forum Update

• Issuing survey to understand level of interest and needs of women in NCMA

• Offering San Diego Women’s Forum Breakfast on how WID started, major accomplishments, personal experiences, learnings & advice for NCMA by Margaret DiVergilio, Susan Ebner

• Recognizing WID for 25 Years in San Diego opening session

• Offering speed networking session at World Congress• Developing Guidelines to assist Chapters in providing

compelling programs for women (see remaining slides) – authors are Penny White, Melisa Reyna

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Guidelines for Chapters to Implement a Women’s Forum (Overview of Contents)

Purpose of Guidelines

•Provide assistance to chapter leaders in structuring an effective Women’s Forum

•Define the purpose of the Forum•Demonstrate ways to easily incorporate into

your Chapter Programs• Identify resources to support the program •Suggest ways to communicate to

membership•And, meet the objectives of the Women’s

Forum 4

Schedule For Development

•Mid May 2010 – Draft Guidelines with Content Developed and submitted to National for review– Incorporate any suggestions received from the

NCMA Survey on the Women’s Forum (March 2010)

•Mid June 2010 – Guidelines Approved• July 17, 2010 – Provide Guidelines to

Chapter Leaders at Leadership Summit

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What is the purpose of the Women’s Forum?

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Mission Statement/Charter

– Ensure visibility and accessibility of women leaders

– Drive networking and collaboration opportunities– Provide accessibility to mentoring and

development for women– Advise Board of Directors on industry best

practices

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Goals • Build Confidence• Networking• Personal Development• Leadership Opportunities• Mentoring and Guidance• Work and Life Balance• Training and Professional Development Opportunities• Leveraging Knowledge, Experiences and Strength• Have Fun!

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Objectives

•To bring together anyone interested in how to enable women in contracting to become more effective in the business world, improve skill sets, stimulate personal and professional growth and promote the image of women in contracting

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Key Topics of Discussion

•Leadership•Career Progression•Mentorship•Generational Perspectives•Work/Life Balance

•Professionalism

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Venue

•National Level– NCMA World Congress– Government Contracts Management Conference– Aerospace & Defense Conference– Leadership Summit and Mid Year Leadership

Conference

•Chapter Level

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How do you Incorporate into Chapter Programs

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Luncheon/Dinner Programs•Format

– Program Speaker• Interactive• Lecture

– Panel Discussion– Speed Networking

•Suggested Topics – Key Topics of Discussion•Suggested Speakers

– NCMA Roster of Speakers– National Speakers Bureaus– Local Speakers (Women’s Business Associations,

University Women’s Studies Program, etc.)

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Chapter All Day Workshops

•Workshop Topics•Women’s Forum Track

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Mentoring Programs

•Formal •Informal•Speed Mentoring

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Social (Networking) Events

•After Hours Events – Happy Hours– Sports Events – Ask a local company with a Skybox

to allow NCMA to use for Women’s Networking Event

– Holiday Socials

•Lunch and Discuss (informal) – Just meet a favorite local restaurant for lunch and talk away

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Other Events

•Dress for Success•Women Owned Business Enterprise

conferences•Leadership Conferences•Diversity Conferences

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What are some recommended resources to utilize to develop

forum?

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Resource Material

•Books•Periodical•Articles•Research Papers and Reports

– White House Project Report by Marie Wilson, President and Founder, The White House Project

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Organizations

•Leadership America•Women in Aerospace

•Women in Defense

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College/University Women’s Studies Program

•Boston College•Wellesley College

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How to Communicate to Membership?

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Newsletter

•Suggested Topics– Women’s History Month (March)– Women in Contracting– The Role of Women in the Chapter History– Gender Diversity– Women Fellows

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Social Networking Sites

•Facebook•Twitter•LinkedIn•Chapter Web Site Blog

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Other topics to be addressed

•How to generate interest?•How to keep momentum?•How to measure success of the program as

well as need for the program?

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Comments

•Feedback is welcomed!!!

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Schedule For Development

•Mid May 2010 – Draft Guidelines with Content Developed and submitted to National for review– Incorporate any suggestions received from the

NCMA Survey on the Women’s Forum (March 2010)

•Mid June 2010 – Guidelines Approved• July 17, 2010 – Provide Guidelines to

Chapter Leaders at Leadership Summit

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