Emerging Leaders

The EL women kicked-off 2009 at Shuze in South Bethlehem!

2009-03-04T23:16:00.007-05:00

First, please allow me to apologize for absent EL communications over the past several months.

As we all are experiencing either first-hand or through a family member or friend, the difficult economy, the recent election, the holidays and beginning of the New Year has changed - seemingly overnight - from normal to anything but.

In addition, the EL group has taken off faster than any of us could have imagined. We are so grateful to each of you for your support and belief in helping our community and each other. We have reached a turning point in our program and are working to make the EL activities align with your personal, professional, and philanthropic goals - so thanks to all for your feedback and enthusiasm as we do just that!

So, in getting back to what I love to do more than anything - connecting with each of you - I wanted to send the first update about our first EL kickoff event held at Jennifer Mann's styling new store in South Bethlehem, Shuze.

The night began with the mixing and mingling of young women who want to make a difference in our community. The event would not have been as successful without the assistance of three of our newest members: Candi Staurinos, Maureen Connolley, and Jennifer Mann. Candi brought exquisite greek food from her parent's diner on Broad Street in Bethlehem, The Mayflower Diner, while Maureen strolled in with a variety of wine for guests to enjoy.

Jennifer has done a beautiful job setting up Shuze for its grand opening celebration in April of 2009. Make sure to subscribe to updates on her homepage which you can access by clicking here.

**NEW MEMBER UPDATE!**
As of today, March 4, 2009, the Emerging Leaders program has 26 members and has raised over $6,900! Thanks to each of you for helping us make a difference in the Lehigh Valley!

Stay tuned for a list of upcoming events - I will get that posted by next week. Also, for those of you on Facebook, remember to become a member of our cause and invite your friends to join us!

Sarah

P.S. I am working to integrate our various communication efforts in to one place and will have a solution for us soon. In the meantime, continue to invite your friends to subscribe to the blog (http://uwemergingleaders.blogspot.com) and, again, look for us on Facebook!

Emerging Leaders: This is YOUR Program

2008-11-10T17:31:00.007-05:00

To all who filled out our most recent survey on Polldaddy, thank you!

This past Saturday, November 8, 2008, the Emerging Leaders steering committee met to discuss the future direction of your program. Your input was crucial as we discussed issues and program elements that are going to move our agenda forward.

What is the agenda, you may be asking? The agenda is to create a program that allows each of us to grow and develop as young leaders; to make a contribution to United Way through the Women's Leadership Initiative and realize the benefits of supporting an organization dedicated to improving our community; to build a bridge between our generation and generations above us who want to assist in the development of a better community.

We're ready to go and we hope you are, too. The next meeting of the Emerging Leaders is December 11th at 7:00 a.m. at Panera Bread on Route 512. At that time, we will meet to discuss future plans, events, and communications, and hope you will join us!

Please let us know if you'll be able to attend by sending an email to Sarah at sarahb@unitedwayglv.org or call 484-550-2502. You can also join the group of Emerging Leaders through Facebook Causes and LinkedIn Groups!

TTYL! :)

Articles Worth Reading....

2008-09-30T17:08:00.004-04:00

$5 Billion Battle of the Sexes....

When it comes to philanthropic giving, as many of us already know, women surpass men in their charitable gifts. Read The NonProfit Times' latest article on the differences in charitable giving between men and women by clicking here. Now that's what we call "power of the purse!"

More and More, She's the Boss....

Time.com's article on "More and More, She's the Boss" highlights the growth and acceleration of women in the workforce in the 21st Century. While trying to balance their careers along with home life, many women are taking the reigns and storming the corporate ladder, rising to the top, and creating a new standard of respectable career paths that young females are aspiring to. Click here to read the full article.

Upcoming Events

2008-09-25T10:38:00.006-04:00

For those of you who joined us at Loopers Bar and Grille on Tuesday, we hope you had a great time! We'll be posting a link to pictures from the event soon.

In the meantime, please check out the following upcoming events:

Bethlehem Brew Works Charity Cask Night
Thursday, October 2nd 5:00 p.m. - ?

A craft brewery draws its character and strength from its community, but it can also give back to the community and help create positive change. That’s the idea behind the series of benefit events taking place at the Bethlehem Brew Works every month. Each Thursday, beginning at 5 p.m., Bethlehem Brew Works head brewer Beau Baden offers a hand pumped, cask-conditioned ale from a ten-gallon barrel called a firkin. The cask is always a special, one-of-a-kind beer connoisseur’s treat. It is available only until it runs dry, which could be just hours (or less) after it’s tapped.

569 Main St., Bethlehem http://www.thebrewworks.com/

All proceeds during the evening will benefit
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley

Please RSVP to Sarah Blum at sarahb@unitedwayglv.org or (610) 807-5704

Girls Night Out 2008
Thursday, October 2nd 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Did You Know...

One & a half million women are abused in this country annually.
Every day 4 women will die as a result of domestic violence.
Children are hurt by hearing or seeing domestic abuse in their home.

This epidemic needs to end! Girl’s night out of the Lehigh valley was launched in 2006 & is an evening of beauty, shopping, food & entertainment hosted by TC Salon Spa. The event raises funds & awareness for Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley, the Beginning over Foundation & the Crime Victims’ Council of the Lehigh Valley.

The Third Annual Girls Night Out, at TC Salon-Spa will be a night of fun and revelry with headline blues musicians Bev Conklin, the LehighValley Idols, emcee and anchorwoman Eve Tannery, delightful menu items from more than 25 fine Lehigh Valley, spa and salon services, and a fabulous line up of auction items donated by area business.

Contributions to this year's event will benefit The Beginning Over Foundation of Easton, Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley, and Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley.

Tickets begin at $25, and are available online
at http://www.girlsnightoutlv.org/, by calling TC Salon
at 610-865-9811, or at the door.
TC Salon Spa 61 W Walnut St., Bethlehem

With two great events on the same evening and within a block of each other, you can easily stop by the Brew Works for a drink on your way over to TC Salon where you'll get pampered for a good cause. All the while, you'll be making a substantial contribution towards our community!

Please let me know if you will be joining us for these exciting events. Send an email to sarahb@unitedwayglv.org or call 610-807-5704.

United Way Needs Your Help!

2008-09-10T16:28:00.005-04:00

For many people in our community, making ends meet is simply wishful thinking.

There are many families in our neighborhoods - families who you may know well and not even realize are struggling - whose bread-winners work full-time, only to leave at the end of the day and head over to our local food banks... or may work full-time and frequent homeless shelters as a place to rest for the night... or have to make a choice between paying bills and putting food on their family's table.

The staff and volunteers at United Way are headed for a tough campaign this fall, hoping for the best for thousands of Lehigh Valley residents most in need. We know, through the generosity of people like you, we can continue to meet the needs of our children and families throughout the Lehigh Valley. However, we are learning every day that the needs are drastically increasing.

Consider these statistics over the last 12 months:

Since 2007, requests for housing assistance through Valley Wide Help have increased a whopping 30% (almost 500 more calls!);
Energy assistance calls have increased 64%;
Food assistance calls have increased by 11%;
Transportation assistance calls have increased over 33%;
Financial assistance calls have increased by 17%.

Your support of United Way this year is critical to making sure programs are available for local families when they need it most. Through an Emerging Leader membership gift of $250 to the United Way's Women's Leadership Initiative, you help play a role in the health and vitality of our community... a health and vitality that is at risk for many of our neighbors, friends, and relatives.

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley officially kicks-off its 2008 campaign tomorrow, September 11th, with its annual Day of Caring event - the Lehigh Valley’s annual event that raises awareness of our community’s needs. Because volunteers work on various activities for local nonprofit agencies that would otherwise need to be paid for, over 1,000 volunteers saved these agencies over $80,000 last year!

It's easy to make a contribution through your organization's fall United Way Campaign. If your company does not currently run a campaign, please let us know who we should talk to to get a campaign started!

For more information on how you can help or get involved, questions or concerns, please email sarahb@unitedwayglv.org.

Commit Yourself as a Lehigh Valley Young Professional!

2008-09-06T10:42:00.004-04:00

The Network of Young Professionals has asked members of the Emerging Leaders, along with other local young professional groups, to sign a pledge committing themselves to the Lehigh Valley region.

The NET will be hosting a NO COVER media event and announcement this coming Thursday, September 11th, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. on the Mezzanine Level of the Allentown Brewworks, 814 W. Hamilton St, Allentown. If you are interested in attending, please email Sarah Blum at sarahb@unitedwayglv.org

Details

Come together for an evening to celebrate your commitment to the LehighValley with young professionals throughout the region. This is a uniqueopportunity to get involved in area young professional organizations.

Drink specials and $5 food specials will be available. AND special half-price appetizers and burgers. *Free* appetizers will be provided by the NET.

Special announcement at 5 p.m. by young Allentown City Council Member PeterSchweyer. Remarks by Vanessa Williams, NET president, and Matthew Tuerk of Allentown Economic Development Corp.

Come for the celebration, stay for LIVE entertainment at 8 p.m.

www.netyp.org

Save the Date!

2008-09-03T20:34:00.003-04:00

Get CONNECTED with the Emerging Leaders at the 2nd Annual Women's Leadership Initiative event on the patio at Loopers Grille and Bar!

Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $10 (includes drink coupon and hors d'oeuvres)

Looper's is located at 313 East Third Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015

RSVP by September 17th to Roxanne Strohl at roxannes@unitedwayglv.org or (610) 807-5736

Woodhull Institute Workshop for Young Women

2008-08-25T10:52:00.007-04:00

Young Women's Ethical Leadership Training

New York Retreat Center

(Approximate Age of Participants 21- 35)

Date: Friday, October 10 - Sunday, October 12
Cost: $395

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Woodhull Institute Young Women's Ethical Leadership Core Training program has been developed to educate young women who exhibit leadership potential in their careers, community or family life. This core training program is designed to educate a small group of women in the practical skill sets that are so necessary to succeed in today's businesses, political and community environments. Participants in this program will be presented with the concepts of ethical leadership; taught professional development skills; and be directed to networks, mentors and resources that can channel their leadership aspirations into practical and attainable achievements.

Participants must complete an Application Form. Participants are also required to send an updated resume and a letter of recommendation to attend.

Click here to read more about the workshop

The Woodhull Institute, a not-for-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian educational organization, provides ethical leadership training and professional development for women. The Institute has developed a community that encourages women to lead with honesty, respect, courage and compassion; to strive for the common ground in decision- making; and to share in community service.

According to The Institute, "Too often, success has been measured in terms of the accumulation of power and wealth, with almost no consideration of how these accomplishments have been achieved." Ethical leadership is concerned with the means as well as the ends to personal and professional achievements.

Click here to learn more about the Woodhull Institute

An Opportunity of a Lifetime

2008-07-24T21:35:00.012-04:00

Once in great while, an opportunity presents itself that can take your entire career to an exciting new level. These opportunities are priceless; the information invaluable.

For the Emerging Leaders of the Women's Leadership Initiative, such an opportunity came last evening as the group sat down with Mark Schwab, president and CEO of Crayola, to discuss leadership, personal development, and the many different paths available in career advancement.

The setting: A comfortable living room full of young women filled with eager, smiling faces. Their attention was focused on an amazingly down-to-earth, well-respected leader of a company and a community...

The evening began with group introductions and Mark's candid recollection of the events that have shaped his career. Beginning with his family and his mother's strong influence in his life, Mark touched on his time spent with the Navy where he began to develop his management skills and realized his passion for leading others, his educational background, and his first career at Hallmark.

The upfront advice and direction Mark shared with the Emerging Leaders group was personally and professionally fulfilling. The setting was relaxed and easy, and made for an ambiance that inspired question after question from the group. Each question was answered honestly and without reservation...

Some of the key points Mark emphasized with the group:

Align yourself with a company that mirrors your personal and professional values.

Do what you really want to do and follow your passions.

Figure out what drives you... ask yourself, "if I didn't need the money, what would I do?"

Do your job to the best of your ability and deliver results. Consistently.

Be social and approachable.

Success can change - be flexible, yet keep your eye on your goals.

Be someone that others want to follow.

Never, never burn a bridge.

Do not make the mistake of feeling entitlement because of your work or seniority at a company.

Dress the way you expect to be treated and respect yourself.

Let people hear you... otherwise, why do you have a job??

If additional education is required for your career, go for it. No one can ever take your education away from you.

As a "taste of what's to come," the Emerging Leaders plan to offer similar visits with Lehigh Valley's community leaders and local CEOs. Membership in the program begins with a $250 contribution to the Women's Leadership Initiative of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

I'm a "Millenial...." Well, that explains a lot!

2008-07-24T17:48:00.003-04:00

If you've ever wondered why the person you report to - or, quite possibly, reports to you - seems far off base in terms of work and life styles, you may want to read the recent opinion article from Virginia Business on Multiple Generations at Work.

It is quite possible that at any one workplace, a company could employ four separate - and very different - generations that have different values, characteristics, styles and priorities into the workplace. Managers should take the time to learn about their employees' generation characteristics, what defines them, and what inspires and motivates them to do their best.

Diversity Isn't Rocket Science... Is It?

2008-07-24T17:27:00.002-04:00

In the male-dominated science, engineering and technology industries (SET professions), women still struggle to level the playing field and be treated as equals.

A recent article published by the New York Times paints a much different picture of an industry cloaked in "macho culture" that leaves little room for women's advancement to the top of their fields. Even with highly respected degrees and squeaky-clean performance reviews, the dismissal from men and lack of mentors show that women in these jobs have yet to be viewed as equals to their male coworkers.

For those of you in SET professions in the Lehigh Valley, do you feel this is an accurate report of some of challenges you peronally face (or have faced)? Click "comments" below to share your thoughts!

"What You Don't Know Can Hurt Your Career"

2008-07-20T10:53:00.003-04:00

When thinking of advancing your career, how often do you think of the rules - both written and unwritten - that go along with career advancement? As a woman advancing her career in today's workplace, are you cognizant of barriers that may accompany your dreams of stepping up to the next level?

Catalyst is the leading nonprofit organization that works to build inclusive workplaces and expand opportunities for women in business.

Click here to download and print Catalyst's report titled "What You Don't Know Can Hurt Your Career." After you read the report, return to our site and let us know your thoughts by clicking on the "comments" link below the story!

Study: Women who run nonprofits earn less than men

2008-06-24T14:18:00.003-04:00

According to the Pittsburgh Business Times, "A study released Tuesday found that salaries of female leaders of western Pennsylvania nonprofits are lower than their male counterparts."

This study, sponsored by the United Way of Allegheny County and the Bayer Center of Nonprofit Management at Robert Morris University, showed that women leaders earned an average of $64,830 last year, or $27,861 less than the $92,691 male leaders were paid.

Also, the study, which looked at 181 nonprofit groups in western Pennsylvania, also found that black leaders earned slightly more -- $76,956 -- than white leaders -- $75,850.

Retrieved June 24, 2008 from "http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2005/01/17/daily17.html"

Report: Women's Philanthropy in the United States

2008-06-24T14:08:00.004-04:00

"Today, the very definition of women's philanthropy is rapidly changing in response to global and domestic circumstances."
-Elsa M. Davidson, Ph.D. candidate in Anthropology, GC, CUNY

Click here to read Elsa's entire report from the Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society on women's philanthropy in the United States.

The Girl Effect -

2008-06-17T10:23:00.001-04:00

What's Your Defining Moment?

2008-06-13T14:01:00.005-04:00

Earlier this year, the Emerging Leaders steering committee traveled to New York City to meet with Frances Hesselbein, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Leader to Leader Institute in New York City. As the group sat around the table and listened, Frances recalled a fond story told to her by her grandmother about a gentleman named, "Mr. Yi." Through this moving story, Frances and Mr. Yi teach that compassion and kindness are leadership qualities and leave an impression on other people's lives.

Frances then posed the question to our group of Emerging Leaders, "What is the defining moment of your life? What made you the leader you are today?"

We often get caught in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, but we should take some time to know that about ourselves... WHAT has been the defining moment for you?

Did You Know?

2008-05-30T20:32:00.000-04:00

According to a study released by Catalyst, a New York-based consulting firm, companies with more women on their boards perform better than those with very few women.

Growing CEOs from the Inside

2008-05-30T11:47:00.000-04:00

At their detriment, too many companies don't plan for the succession of the organization. Click here to read an article from Sean Silverthorne of the Harvard Business School on "Growing CEOs from the Inside."

Original publish date: November 14, 2007

Get Involved With Emerging Leaders!

2008-05-16T17:46:00.002-04:00

In 2007, the Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) council of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley broadened its focus of empowering women through the creation of a new program, the Emerging Leaders (EL). This group of young women, target ages 21-45, is committed to making a measurable impact in the Lehigh Valley community with the help and assistance of the WLI council.

The WLI's EL program began with a pilot group of women from the following organizations in the Lehigh Valley:

Air Products

Crayola

Just Born

Mack Trucks, Inc.

Northampton Community College

United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley

Wachovia

Meeting monthly, the group of women works together to advise the WLI council on issues and perspectives of young professional women in our community.

Become a Member!

2008-05-15T23:17:00.007-04:00

Membership in the Emerging Leaders is $250 and should be designated to the Women's Leadership Initiative of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

If you are between the ages of 21 and 45 and are interested in becoming a member of this program, please ask your company's United Way Campaign Coordinator to show you where to indicate the WLI on your paper pledge form or through the electronic system.

For individual donors who do not donate through a company campaign, please click here to pledge now.

If you encounter problems, please don't hesitate to call Sarah Blum at (610) 807-5704 or Vickie Nisbet (610) 807-5708.