Make your strengths like Playdough...Take your passion into your work. The more you grow in passion, the more you grow in creativity.
Garden City, NY (PRWEB) August 14, 2013
Members and guests of the NAPW Bakersfield, CA Local Chapter gathered on July 10th for a professional networking meeting at The Padre.
Guest speaker Nicole Dickey, certified in Gallup’s Strengths Finder program, talked to members about how they could discover and develop their strengths and talents.
Members and guests also discussed the Chapter’s involvement with the July Vendor Fair at the May Theatre that raised money for the Children’s Miracle Network, as well as participation in the upcoming American Heart Association Heart and Stroke Walk in October.
Janelle Capra, Chapter President opened the meeting, warmly welcoming all attendees.
She then made an exciting announcement.
“I’m so pleased to tell you that Star Jones, National Spokesperson and Chief Development Officer of NAPW, will be attending our Chapter meeting next month!” President Capra told members and guests. “Let’s proudly represent our Chapter and be the best we can for Star Jones’ visit.”
Christina Blanton, Bakersfield Local Chapter Vice President of Public Relations and Social Media read the organization's Mission and Brand Promise.
After members and guests introduced themselves, Ms. Blanton invited the guest speaker to take the floor.
Nicole Dickey, Valley Bible Fellowship, is certified in Gallup’s Strengths Finder program.
She told the group of women that Strengths Finder changed her life. She is passionate about helping people discover and develop their strengths and talents.
“We all want to be something better,” Ms. Dickey said. “Accomplishment is defined by you!”
The guest speaker cited a survey of CEO’s that identified three major commonalities: 1) the CEO’s could identify their strengths; 2) they could delegate their weaknesses and 3) they could take their strengths in a new arena.
She shared ways for how members and guests could identify their strengths including listing past and greatest accomplishments, noting when they feel strong and when they feel drained, and asking others about their strengths.
The CEOs surveyed always did things with a team.
"Bring people with you," she said, "and give them a say in where you want to go. We have core strengths but they need to be molded."
“Make your strengths like Playdough!” Ms. Dickey told the group of professional women. “Take your passion into your work. The more you grow in passion, the more you grow in creativity.”
Ms. Dickey also cautioned members and guests they will fail, but offered this advice: “When you fail, fail gloriously!” The hurricane winds will come, she said, but encouraged each attendee to “bend with the winds so that you don’t break.”
The speaker closed by challenging the group of professional women with a number of questions: What is one area they wish someone would challenge them in? What do they feel like they have to offer the world? How can they leave the world better than the way they found it? What are their answers, and how do they trade them in for sales?
She invited any attendees interested to attend an upcoming Strengths Finder class.
After the presentation, Ms. Blanton reported on the Christmas in July Vendor Fair at the Maya Theatre on July 13th. The Chapter’s goal was to have ten vendor booths.
Proceeds went to the Children’s Miracle Network.
Claudia Holderness reported on the American Heart Association Heart and Stroke Walk.
The event will be October 19th at CSU Bakersfield. Walkers are needed to join the Chapter’s team and donations are encouraged. Walkers can register, and donations can be made, on the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk website.
Brag-for a-Buck donations were collected and will be held for the American Heart Association Heart Walk.
A short board meeting was held after the Chapter meeting.
Kelly Brown offered to sponsor the August Chapter meeting and gift bags will be provided for attendees. A mixer and networking will precede the meeting from 11:30am to 12:00pm.
Star Jones will be taking Janelle’s place in the meeting agenda.
The idea of having a laptop at meetings was also discussed so potential new members could go onto the site.
The composition of the board was also discussed.
Janelle closed the meeting by encouraging everyone to attend next month’s meeting, saying, “We would love to fill the room for Star Jones’ visit!”
The next Bakersfield Local Chapter meeting is August 14th.
The National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) provides a forum where women can interact, exchange ideas, educate, network and empower. NAPW Local Chapters allow members to maximize their experience through meetings, networking opportunities, and professional events.
For additional information regarding the NAPW Bakersfield, CA Local Chapter and/or NAPW, please visit http://www.napw.com
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