Announcements and Opportunities

New NAFE Group in Westchester! Dahlia Benaroya and Ann Jelito report a successful kickoff meeting for the newly-formed NAFE Westchester (New York) local network. According to Dahlia, “We had a wonderful turnout and great dialogue and feedback.” At the meeting, the group’s mission was clarified: networking PLUS a focus on growing professionally and personally. To that end, an Advisory Board will be formed to support the sharing of business experiences and ideas, and to offer guidance where possible. Click here for more information on the organization.

Health and Networking in Washington DC. The Greater Washington Women’s Network (a NAFE local affiliate) partnered with HealthyWomen to host “Women Wellness Matters: Cervical Health and You” on November 4. The event was held at the Stewart Center in Washington DC. From left to right, the people in the photo are: Dr. Marie Savard, ABC News Medical Contributor (the speaker at the event); Mary Greene, Executive Director, NAFE/GWWN; and Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, HealthyWomen Executive Director. For information on GWWN’s future happenings, visit www.gwwn.org.

YOUR Local Network. Interested in the activities of the NAFE group in your area? You can find a list of local organizations by clicking on the Networks tab on nafe.com. The list is arranged by state, and includes contact info and website links for each group. Interested in forming a new network? Contact Roxanne Natale, NAFE Member Services Coordinator.

Save the Date. On March 25th, NAFE will honor the new year’s Top Companies for Executive Women at a Gala Awards Luncheon. The event will be held at Cipriani’s in New York City. A Roundtable (by invitation only) for senior-level women from the winning companies will precede the awards luncheon. Click here for more details.

NAFE Awards. Interested in nominating an incredible woman for next year’s awards? Click here for more information on the 2010 Women of Excellence program. And be inspired by the 2009 winners here.

NafeCafe. Meet me at NafeCafé where we can meet via our profiles, connect, and create groups that can work together in regions or across the country.  It’s a secure place for us to share as much information as we want by filing shared materials in drawers, rather than emailing large files. Check it out.  Come enter your profile and connect through NafeCafé. Read more about NafeCafe here or email nafecafe@nafe.com with your questions.

NAFE Discount on Whirlpool Products. Through a special arrangement with Whirlpool, NAFE members can reap big savings on Whirlpool appliances, accessories and other items. You and your family can purchase up to 12 products a year under the VIPLINK program. Sign up for the discount program – just click on the Whirlpool banner at the top of nafe.com.

Want to promote your business? A square display ad (120x120 pixels) in one issue of NAFE News & Notes is just $75.00. Larger skyscraper ads (600x120 pix) are a bargain at $175. Contact newsletter editor Paula Damiano to place your ad.

5 Tips on How to Manifest Your 2010 Goals

As you consider your goals for 2010, are you poised to do something different this year that really supports your success? This issue’s 5 Tips come from Visionary Expressions President Jacqueline Cherry, whose company focuses on the relationship between women’s empowerment and the development of an invaluable sisterhood. Jacqueline hosts a program on Blog Talk Radio. She and her colleague Noelle Elia are also authoring a series of Sister to Sister, Let's Talk books.

1. Identify your goals with clarity
This requires that we stop long enough to really think about what we specifically want to achieve. It is helpful to write down your goals and put them in a place where you will see them daily. The clearer you are about exactly what you desire, the more likely it is that you will manifest your desire.

2. Create attainable goals
If your marriage is on the rocks and you set your goal as “getting my marriage back on track,” you might continue to think about how to do that for several weeks or even months – because that goal is so broad. But if you set your goal as “I am going to find a counselor and invite my husband to join me in counseling,” that is a step you can take immediately. If you want to get in shape, e.g., make your goal specific: go to the gym 3 days a week for one month or pack a healthy lunch for work 3 days a week for 90 days.

3. Look at what might get in your way
What are you allowing to stop you? Take stock of your environment and know that you can choose to be in control of what influences you on a daily basis. Get support from people who are positive and believe in you. Choose not to engage in toxic dynamics with those who try to negate your goals.

4. Ask for help when you need it
Identify and ask a sister/friend for help, someone who is already where you want to be. If your goal is “to have less conflict with my teenage son,” think about who can help you. You may decide to call your cousin who has a great relationship with her children who are in their 20s, and ask for her input on how best to handle your relationship with your son. She has already weathered some of these storms and may have some great advice.

5. Keep your vision high
While it is important to set realistic goals, it is just as important not to underestimate what you are capable of. Surround yourself with those who see greatness in you. You will grow into their belief in you. Use all of your gifts when goal-setting and do not be afraid to dream big. The more you believe in yourself, the more that will become possible for your life.

• Go to nafe.com to view our ever-expanding Calendar of Events for opportunities around the country. The new Search function makes the Calendar even more useful and accessible.
• Use the Event Submission Form online to let us know about events in your area. Events submitted for the website will also be considered for the NAFE News & Notes– twice the exposure for one listing!

Check the NAFE Calendar of Events for network meetings, workshops and other happenings around the country.

WORDS TO WORK BY

“Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”

-Julia Child