Promote! Exceeding Expectations – 2nd Annual Conference Preview
Stephanie Menning, MEA

“It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey!” Just one of many mantras we Harley riders use to describe our passion. I believe it applies to life and Energetic Women as well. It hardly seems like a year since we were closing in on our inaugural Conference. And what a journey and destination that was! For those that attended, the incredible vibe of connecting and learning together, as well as being part of a unique event was inspiring. Like the rumble of the engines underneath, the sun on your face and the wind in your hair, you could feel the passion in this group embarking on a great journey together.

As we approach our 2nd Annual Energetic Women’s Conference, we are honored by the interest you’ve shown in continuing to participate and are ready to exceed your expectations! We designed this conference based on your feedback and are confident in the value offered. Here’s a few of the highlights:
Tours! Join your peers on these exciting excursions into operations best practices.

• Southwest Gas is showcasing one of the finest facilities in the nation as they take us through their Emergency Response Training Center. This unique live-gas facility is built specifically for scenario-based training for natural gas emergency responders.
• Arizona Public Service will take us through their innovative Northwind Facility. This is a centralized cooling and heating system that utilizes an extensive underground network of pipes to deliver hot and cold water, steam or electricity from a central plant.

Breakout Sessions! You specifically requested we have fewer breakouts and we designate them for emerging and experienced leaders. We’ve heard you!

• Emerging Leaders will discover The Chemistry of Influence: the Art of Persuading Up!, from Sage Presence. Your most important asset to influence at the higher levels is your presence! Per your request, we also have a valuable session on Negotiating Skills, led by Kris Emaus, manager of training at NiSource.
• Experienced Leaders will discuss Social Networks and Organizational Success with Janet Prevost and examine how it’s not just about hierarchy anymore. Also, in this age of transparency with customers, regulators and shareholders, we’ll hear Larry Johnson talk about Absolute Honesty – Building a Corporate Culture That Values Straight Talk and Rewards Integrity.
  Panel Discussions! Back by popular demand, we’ll have another Women in Energy Leadership Panel with a superb lineup including, Anita Romero, Southwest Gas; Sue McLain, Puget Sound Energy, and Patti Richards, Atmos Energy. We’ll also host a Best Practice panel discussion on Employee Resource Groups with Torri Johnson, Xcel Energy; Cindy Norlin, DTE Energy and Amy Dlugokecki, Duke Energy, moderated by our keynote speaker Rayona Sharpnack, founder and CEO of the Institute for Women’s Leadership. If you’re organization currently doesn’t have an internal Employee Resource group, this would be a great opportunity to explore the benefits.

So although Scottsdale, Arizona rocks – it’s not about the destination, it IS about the journey!

Join Energetic Women on our continuing path forward, as we add more value to our organizations and share our passion for the road ahead.

Support! Keynote Preview: Trade up and allow yourself to think in ways you would have never thought before!

Rayona Sharpnack, founder and CEO of the Institute for Women’s Leadership, believes that each of us is the author of our own life. The “contexts” of our past are merely conclusions that define our present and by redefining context we can author a new future. Rayona is the keynote presenter for the 2nd Annual Energetic Women Conference where she will help us to find fun and delightful ways to move forward.

Context is the gestalt of our life experience, our inherited beliefs and the conclusions we have defined as a result. It’s those little statements we make while unaware that we even make them. “I will survive if I do everything right.” “If I work hard I will succeed.” Becoming aware of these contexts allows us to start the path of redefining them. Reading Rayona’s book “Trade Up! Five Steps for Redesigning Your Leadership and Life from the Inside Out” and discussing the steps with others is one way to start the process.

To begin exploring your context join the Energetic Women leadership team in the member’s forum as we discuss the 5 steps to trading up prior to the conference. The first 10 participants on the web forum discussion will receive a complimentary copy of Rayona’s book prior to the conference. (Books will be for sale at the conference too!)

• March 16-31 Step 1: Reveal your context.
• April 1-15 Step 2: Own your context.
• April 16-30 Step 3: Design a new context that gets you what you want.
• May 1-15 Step 4: Sustain your new context.
• May 16-31 Step 5: Activate your context and engage with the world.

Know that having the life you have always wanted is possible and begin taking the steps with us. Come and get energized. We’re here to support you – DO IT!

Support! How Do I Get THAT Job? Webinar Feedback

Energetic Women held another FREE webinar called “How Do I Get THAT Job?” which explored techniques, actions and opportunities in gaining necessary skills and experience to stand out for the next promotion. We had a record number of 127 attendees from across the U.S. and 44 respondents to our evaluation questions (35% response rate!). Here’s what you told us:

93% said it was worth their time!

86% rated the topic as above average or excellent!

86% rated the panelists as above average or excellent!

We look forward to continuing to offer these valuable services and as always, welcome your input into how we may serve you better!

Connect! Network Teams Finding Value

We thought it was time to check in with those who decided to participate in the Energetic Women Network Teams and see how the connections are working. We asked how the process was going and what could Energetic Women do to help in strengthening the relationships. Here are just a few of the responses we received:

“It has been a great experience so far. I think a meeting at the 2nd Annual Conference for mentor and mentees (both currently participating and interested parties) would be a great idea.”

“We’ve exchanged a few emails and are definitely in the “bouncing idea” or sharing knowledge categories. I have more LDC operational experience and knowledge I can share with her and she can share her knowledge on the legal and regulatory side.”

“We talk for an hour on a regular basis – usually every few weeks. I believe we are both getting a lot out of our conversations. I will encourage her to come to the conference. We would plan on getting together during the conference.”

“I have enjoyed getting to know my (Network Team partner). We have had several phone calls and are now sharing goals”

We currently have 17 teams (34 people) connected. If you’re interested in participating, review the Network Teams connection on the Energetic Women website and send Stephanie Menning an email to get connected!

Recognize! MAVERICK AWARD!

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS! Submissions Due April 1st!

The 2nd Annual Energetic Women’s Conference will feature the first-ever Maverick Award. This special recognition will be awarded to any leader (male or female) who has set the standard in promoting, connecting and strengthening female leaders in energy operations and engineering. To nominate your candidate, submit a 500 word document outlining their contributions in leadership, mentoring and advocacy on behalf of women specifically in energy operations and engineering. Complete details on how to submit your candidate can be found on the Energetic Women website or click here for a .pdf submission form.

Energetic Women and Social Responsibility
We specifically chose the FireSky Resort by Kimpton as they support Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that helps low income women entering the job market, Trust for Public Land to ensure every child enjoys access to a park or playground, Red Ribbon Campaign supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS and Kimpton Earthcare as they use eco-friendly products and services.