UPDATED Deadline for Board Opportunity - July 29th

Engaged Idaho Women:  As previously posted, the Community Council of Idaho has an opportunity for new board members.  The Community Council of Idaho was previously known as the Idaho Migrant Council.  Although the name has changed, the Community Council of Idaho is still dedicated to providing families with resources and opportunities for success – uniting people to work together locally, regionally and nationally to bring social service programs to Idaho families in need.  It is a great organization with more than 450 full-time and seasonal employees dedicated to fulfilling its mission and serving its community (OUR community!).

If you are interested in serving as a member of the Board of Trustees for this nonprofit organization, please contract Irma Morin, Executive Director at 454-1652 or imorin@ccimail.org.  The DEADLINE for application is Friday, July 29th.   I hope this piques a talented woman’s interest! 

Anne Wilde

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Anne B. Wilde, JD
Principal

P 208.424.8704 
E anne@TheHRandBenefitsAdvisor.com
www.TheHRandBenefitsAdvisor.com

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Go Lead Idaho Participant Takes the Next Step

We have some great news to share from our Go Lead Idaho community!

One of the participants of the Go Lead Idaho event in May was so empowered by her experience that when the first opportunity to apply for an appointment to a board presented itself, she jumped at the chance.  

Whitney HausskeWhitney Hausske, Career Services Outreach Coordinator at Stevens Henager College, has received her letter from Governor Otter appointing her to the Idaho State Board of Nursing as consumer advocate. 

 

Whitney was very proactive when she heard about the Nursing Board “advocate” opening and jumped at the opportunity and applied to the board.  She contributes her confidence in taking this step to the Go Lead Idaho event’s speakers and contributors.

 

Congratulations Whitney – we are very proud of you!

Board Opportunity Due June 30

The Community Council of Idaho has a board opening.  Details at communitycouncilofidaho.org.  The deadline to apply is June 30th.  Questions may be directed to Irma Morin, Executive Director at 208-454-1652.  

 

Congratulations

Congratulations to Go Lead planning committee member, Christine Salmi, attorney at Perkins Coie (Go Lead sponsor).  She had a successful interview with the Judicial Council and is one of the four finalists whose names were submitted to Governor Otter for appointment to the 4th Judicial District judge position! 

Seizing Opportunities to Go Lead

In the week since Go Lead Idaho, attendees have been busy seizing on the opportunity to get involved and go lead! Going forward, this website will serve to inspire, inform, connect and shed light on great ideas and opportunities.

Statewide Board Opening

Thanks to Idaho Representative Phylis King, Go Lead attendee, who shared the below information with the group about an opportunity on a statewide board

The Executive Director of the Board of Nursing told me recently that she has an opening on her board for a "consumer" advocate.   If you remember, Julie Pipal mentioned at the Go Lead conference that many boards have a "consumer" position.  The nursing board deals with all things nursing--scope of practice, hospital standards, etc.  The board is made up of mostly nurses and hospital personnel.  To serve on the board you need to be willing to learn about nursing and health care, plus your job is to bring the consumer's point of view to the board.  This is a very important position on any board. This is a commitment of one day every quarter plus some reading material that will be provided before hand. For more information and to apply, call Sandy Evans at 577-2482.

 

Taking A Stance

Energized Go Lead attendee Liz Amason took the inspiration from Go Lead to get more involved in a cause she cares passionately about - the issue of 'fracking' in Idaho. Liz has started a Facebook Group focused on the issue and is reaching out to Idahoans with similar concerns.
Join the Group  https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_156166501116713&ap=1
Contact Liz for more informationliz@sowing4health.com


Get Active

For those Go Lead attendees interested in engaging in the public policy process as an activist - there is a training coming to Boise you might be interested in.

The Boise Activist Training is a one-day workshop designed to be a place where activists from around Idaho can come together to strategize and learn skills in order to grow and strengthen efforts to effectively resist and take action against a broad range of issues locally, in Idaho, across our nation, and around the globe.

As a guiding principle of the workshop we understand that all our struggles are inherently local, but that to be effective we must work together, combine our efforts, share resources, and grow our movements collectively. 

The training will be given by organizers experienced in national and international direct action. Topics include: campaign development; creative resistance and messaging; non-violent civil disobedience; affinity groups – how to take action safely and effectively; know your rights; blockades; and more. 

The event is FREE and lunch and morning snacks are provided at the site. REGISTER NOW to reserve your spot online at www.snakeriveralliance.org

- Jess

Closing Out the Day & Inviting to Lead

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Wendy Olson, US Attorney for Idaho wrapping up a great day with an Invitation to Lead, and weaving fantastic sports anecdotes and metaphors throughout. Of course, sung to the tune of "Anything you can do I can do better..."

Among her key points for success
  • Take chances
  • Perseverance
  • The law is a powerful force
  • Justice sometimes take patience
  • You do need a great support network

The lessons that you learn from sports are extremely valuable for women - instilling skills like goal-setting, strategic thinking and confidence. 

Sports help women develop the strength, agility and sense of teamwork needed for success. We learn how to compete, and that competing against our friends is OK.

The best competitor with the best team will win on every given day. To produce great women leaders we need to learn to compete with one another. 

Women competing against other women for leadership opportunities is a good thing - it shows we have arrived in significant numbers.

Idaho needs you to listen today - we need solutions, we need leaders, and I"m confident the women in this room can become those leaders and help us find other potential women leaders. Think critically and creatively about the leadership roles they and you can play in our communities. 

We will place no limits on achievement - Wendy Olson ends by channelling Geraldine Ferraro 

So where do we go from here?
Connect with us and help us decide.
Find us on Facebook
Find us on LinkedIn
Send an email to jessicaflynn@redskypr.com if you want to submit a guest blog post for this blog to share your thoughts from our inaugural event!

Leadership on Boards & Commissions

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Lee Flinn of Conservation Voters for Idaho moderating the panel of experts speaking on how to seize leadership opportunities on Boards & Commissions:

Robin Sandy, Chair of the Idaho Board of Corrections
Maryanne Jordan, Boise City Council President
Julie Pipal, Chair of the Meridian Development Corporation, Former Mgr. Office of Budget, Policy & Intergovernmental Relations at Idaho Transportation Department

  • When you serve on a state commission or board, you are partisan, you declare your party affiliation but the membership is mixed
  • When you want to be on a state commission you should have some background in the industry or area of focus.
  • To get appointed to a statewide board or commission, be active enough in your area of focus that you have the opportunity to meet the Governor. He needs to know you exist.
  • If you are and activist for a single issue you probably won't be an asset to a state board or commission because they need to know you'll be able to address and focus on a variety of issues.
  • Maryanne Jordan running through the list of Boards & Commissions within the City of Boise To apply submit a resume and letter of interest tied to a specific board or commission to the Mayor's Office
  • At the city, they don't wait until there is an opening to reach out. If you have interest in any area submit your resume to the city ahead of time to let them know to call you when opportunity arises.
  • Think about what you see where you think 'Something needs to be done." And then point the finger back to yourself and realize that it could, and should, be you to do it.
  • Many cities have youth positions on various boards and commissions open for high school students. One year commitment and unlimited opportunity.
  • Reputation and networking are key to getting appointed to Boards & Commissions. You need to be known as thoughtful, level-headed, and not obsessed with just one single issue.
  • Other factors for success: Ability to listen, willingness to learn, understand rules of procedure ala Robert's Rules of Order, public speaking experience.

 (Most other cities and counties post the openings on the main page of their website, or under the newsroom as a news release)

Dressing Up Your Message: Delivering to Diverse Audiences

Rochelle DeLong of Consilio, Gemma Gaudette of KIVI and Jessica Flynn of Red Sky PR engaged the audience in a series of interactive exercises focused on three areas...

Perspective on your Natural Presence
The dialogue kicked off with a somewhat controversial article and video from Forbes Women talking about the 'Ten Body Language Mistakes Women Leaders Make'
  1. Too many head tilts
  2. Physically condense
  3. Acting girlish
  4. Excessive smiling
  5. Nodding too much
  6. Speaking Up
  7. Waiting Your Turn
  8. Being Overly Expressive
  9. Using a Delicate Handshake
  10. Flirting
Some fascinating points made in the open discussion about owning your personality and your femininity, 

 

Communicating Your Value
When introducing yourself or making connections, don't just 'do the namebadge, title & company' introduction. Frame your introduction by highlighting your value, your expertise.

Instead of, "I'm Jane Smith, I am a director at a tech company." think about  "I'm Jane, I empower companies to engage with their customers through technology."

Delivering Your Message
Through role playing and Q&A, Gemma and Jessica ran through highlights of media training seminars as detailed below.
Deliveringyourmessage

Power Panel of Women Who Matter

Great lunchtime panel featuring women in leadership at all levels in Idaho:

Celia Gould, Director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, Former Idaho State Representative

Lauren McLean, Boise City Councilwoman

Nancy Merrill, Director of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Former Eagle Mayor

Cathy Silak, Dean of the Concordia Law School, Former Idaho Supreme Court Justice

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The panel shared anecdotes about their life journey, obstacles, challenges and opportunities.  Among the key takeaways for the steps it took to get where they are today from a policy leadership perspective:

  • We need more women on city councils and planning & zoning to guide our communities. Women think differently, their perspective is invaluable to the dialogue. We need the balance.
  • It doesn't matter if you are Republican, a Democrat or Independent - women get people elected.
  • Get over the fear of failure. Get over the concern of being recognized. Get over the guilt you are not spending more time with your family.
  • Find an area you care passionately about and you bring added value and get involved. The passion will carry you over the bumps, the bumps are not roadblocks.
  • Approach running a campaign like a real business proposition and be hard nosed about it. 
  • Take the steps to figure out how you can channel the energy and time you spend on volunteer involvement into board appointment and leadership.
  • Stop saying you are 'lucky' to have certain opportunities - you deserve them through your expertise, passion and energy.
  • Embrace the opportunities that internships provide. Any time you get an opportunity to be an intern, or give someone an internship it is invaluable.

Inspirational Moments with Go Lead Idaho Keynote Cherie Buckner-Webb

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"Women Rock!"....the collective learning in this room is powerful stuff - by the virtue of who you are! We are here to look forward with enthusiasm for the challenges of the future. "

A jolt of enthusiasm and inspiration for our Keynote Speaker Idaho State Representative Cherie Buckner-Webb. Some of her other gems....
  • We are about the business of changing the look and sensibilities of the political landscape.
  • A vision of efficacy, efficiency and excellence.
  • We are here to advocate, educate, stimulate and positively impact the lives of those in your community.
  • You must, you are compelled to disturb the peace.
  • Being a peacekeeper doesn't always mean you have to keep the peace. What is a greater value, peace over truth or truth over peace?
  • Powerful women know how to keep the peace, but know that truth is not always achieved through peaceful means.
  • "A leader takes people where they want to go, a great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go but need to be" - Rosalyn Carter
  • "The American dream is not dead, it's just gasping for breath" - Barbara Jordan
  • "I'm not afraid to shake up the system, and the government needs more shaking up than any system I know." - Ann Richards
  • Remember that Intuition, innovation and inspiration are invaluable to your leadership toolkit

Cherie Buckner-Webb's Key Points on What Makes a Great Leader
  • Acting with Courage: You must know your values that you hold true and speak the truth and take action to take change
  • Integrating heavy heart: There is nothing that says emotion takes away your ability to think.  When you see a woman about to cry in the workplace know she's trying to save your life. If she didn't cry she'd hurt you.  
  • Listening:
  • Balancing paradoxes: Successful leadership means balancing of different goals. When you are in a situation that is confrontational, pause, and try to better understand the context.
  • Managing difficult conversations:  Try try try to assume good intent. Don't collude with your own stereotypes. We all have biases. Stop, reflect, and check your own filters
  • Seeing & thinking systemically: 
  • Being an agent of change: 

4 Kinds of Courage
  • The courage to see and speak the truth
  • The courage to create and champion a vision
  • The courage to persevere and hold the course
  • The couraage to collaborate and rely on others

Cheri's 6 Ups 
Show Up - be there, be involved
Speak Up - find your voice and use it effectively, authentically and consistently 
Shut Up - know when to be still and listen
Make Up - concillation will be necessary
Re-Up - take time to review the mission
Look Up - look to the power that is greater than yourself

"Women, ladies, sisters - acknowledge your power and use it!"

Thanks Cherie for bringing the fire and the passion to the day

- Jess