1) Alumni Profile
 Chris Parker, Wind River Systems
.I am grateful I decided to share my state of mind with Loretta Huff, IWL coach. She got me to focus on my context. In that process she helped me realize that I was so focused on learning all I could be that I lost sight of being the best I could be.
This discovery brought tears to my eyes because I am so passionate about 'living' God's plan and I realized I didn't like who I was BEING . I wasn't giving the best of me. This context shift has been huge for me as I am spending a lot more time getting in tune with the me I want to be, not the intellect I am storing. More
2) Coach's Column- When in Doubt, Breathe In and Out
by Victoria Castle
"I was in the midst of this heated conversation. And you know what I did? I actually took a breath, felt my feet on the floor, and unclenched my jaw. No one noticed except me. But I sure noticed the difference it made."
More.
3) Coaching Success - Chris Parker and IWL Coach, Victoria Castle
"Chris Parker personifies what IWL imparts in Women Leading Change," shared Victoria Castle, IWL coach. "She's generous, open to learning and has a big vision. She was in great shape when we began working together. Everything was working. The focus of OUR work together was to take Chris to the next level - to 'scale up' Chris and empower her to transfer her successful way of being to others." More
4) IWL Community Update
We're glad you're enjoying the alumni updates! Update us and share what's new with you!
5) Resources
A. Leading through Influence Workshop
Alliance of Technology and Women (ATW) and IWL are presenting Leading through Influence workshops in three San Francisco Bay Area locations for those of you who desire to strengthen your ability to influence and persuade others. In the workshop you will discover your 'automatic' approach to influencing others and assess how that approach determines behavior and impacts success in accomplishing goals. After fully exploring the 'automatic approach' you will learn new ways to think and communicate for greater impact.
Through a series of conversations and relevant 'hands-on' practice sessions you will experience greater freedom and leadership success by influencing people in your business and personal life. This workshop is for managers, directors and entrepreneurs desiring to enhance leadership and influencing skills across organizational boundaries. More.
B. Freecycle.org
The Freecycle Network is a grassroots movement of people who are giving and receiving stuff for free in their own towns. Each local group is run by a local volunteer moderator and membership is free.
Freecycle is a project of RISE, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission includes reducing waste, generating employment training, and fostering cooperation between other nonprofit organizations and the public.
RISE started the Freecycle Network in May 2003 to promote waste reduction in Tucson 's downtown and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. There are now over 543,369 people in 1546 cities who are 'freecycling.' Talk about putting vision into action - this is a great example.
I recently discovered Freecyle.org and successfully used it to locate a table I needed. I simply posted my request on the email list and a person who owned the table and didn't want it anymore contacted me. We set up a time, I picked it up and had a pleasant exchange with the table's owner. Try it. It works!
C. Be Informed and Vote!
US alumni: regardless of your point of view, please vote on November 2! Here's some information that may be helpful to you:
Women Voters Key in 2004 Presidential Election "The women's vote will decide the next [ US ] election, as it has since 1980," stated political psychologist Dr. Martha Burke. "Candidates have an opportunity to showcase their views on the issues women care most about - violence, the pay gap, education, and economic security. Those who address women's concerns directly are likely to strike a chord." More
American Voice 2004
The American Voice 2004 is a non-partisan resource for those who want to know both sides of the issues. It's worthy of a few minutes of your time to check it out.
FactCheck.org
FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, 'consumer advocate' for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.
6) Upcoming Events
IWL 2004 Programs:
We invite you to attend, visit, review, or send a friend or colleague to our public programs.
Women Leading Change (WLC) 2005
Executives Leading Sustainable Change (ELSC) 2005*
Prerequisite: Women Leading Change Program or one-day Contextual Leadership Intensive Course
Spring Program
Fall Program
* Six-months of executive coaching included.
Programs Calendar
Online Registration
Other Events:
7) A Note from Rayona
As the cool nip of Autumn is in the air and the frenzy of the American presidential debates rattles in the background I am grateful to be celebrating my 53rd birthday with a healthy body, a safe and peaceful neighborhood and the gift of doing meaningful work in the world. We're also quickly approaching the US Thanksgiving holiday when it is time to reflect on the enormous privileges and luxuries that we have here in America (and Canada and Australia ). I thank God for all this abundance! More
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