Network News

Robbie Motter [photo – right], NAFE Western & Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator, has a mantra – and it’s SHOWING UP. Robbie shows up everywhere to get the word out about NAFE. She recently attended a street fair in Pasadena to promote NAFE, where she met Alyson Roth [photo – left], the current Ms Wheelchair California, who was there to sign autographs and meet the attendees. At the end of the month, Alyson will head to South Dakota and the Ms Wheelchair USA Pageant that brings together professional women from around the country.

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.

Paula Constantino is preparing to depart for Iraq for six months as a contractor, working with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Personnel Support Service as part of the reconstruction process. Paula learned about the opportunity through networking: Robbie Motter to Linda Bolliger to Marti Tirinnanzi to Renee Gifford… see how it works?

5 Tips...
For More Effective Face-to-Face Communications
Book review by Paula Damiano, Editor – NAFE News & Notes and nafe.com

Face to face communication – remember when we used it all the time? In a world of text messages, voicemails and emails, it’s easy to overlook the traditional approach. Authors Stacey Hanke and Mary Steinberg have published Yes You Can! Everything You Need From A to Z to Influence Others to Take Action (AuthorHouse: 2008).

Stacey was a regional trainer for a major retailer until she discovered her true calling and founded 1st Impression Inc. to help people develop their speaking skills. Mary is a communications expert with more than 30 years of experience. The book’s aim is to help you identify signs of ineffectiveness and revamp your own professional communications skills so you can achieve what you really want. Practice exercises are provided for each topic. Here are some tips from the authors:

1. Get to the point. Stay focused; eliminate irrelevant information. “The more you say that is unnecessary, the greater the risk people will either miss or misinterpret the point.”
2. Use gestures. They grab the audience’s attention and add emphasis to your words. Hint: Avoid pointing at people with your index finger (may be viewed as threatening or accusatory). Use an open palm instead.
3. Use body movement wisely. Public speakers often exhibit nervous habits like rocking back and forth or pacing for no reason – or they stand frozen in place. A combination of natural movement and non-movement is more effective.
4. Purposeful pauses. Pausing from time to time gives you the chance to breathe, relax, and collect your thoughts. It also allows your audience time to digest your words.
5. Take questions! Some speakers dread the Q&A after their presentation, fearing a hostile questioner or afraid they’ll be asked something they don’t know. But questions create participation, enhance relationships, enable you to clarify and/or prevent miscommunication, and increase your own knowledge.

For a complete list of events, see our online Calendar!

Bellevue, WA
September 10, 2009
The Work Smarter Forum will present a program titled “Get Noticed and Be Remembered,” focusing on business branding. The event runs from 8:15 AM to 10:15 AM. You can get more information here.

Philadelphia, PA
September 23, 2009
NAFE Philadelphia invites you to a breakfast meeting on “What You Need to Succeed” at The Rittenhouse Hotel. NAFE member Annmarie Kelly is the presenter. More details can be obtained here.

New York, NY
October 27-29, 2009
Working Mother magazine will once again honor the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers. The list – and the annual Working Mother WorkLife Congress– promote best practices and family friendly policies as healthy concepts for business bottom lines. Plan to attend!


• 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

“In the Bible it says they asked Jesus how many times you should forgive, and he said 70 times 7. Well, I want you all to know that I'm keeping a chart.”

-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton