History
By Linda Rosenthal
The genesis of this idea was a presentation I heard at a meeting several years ago. I listened intently as a group of women from Midland College, Texas, described their women's leadership development program begun at their institution using internal folks and costing very little money. The program topics and training areas were similar to the "Institute" program initiated by our own Mildred Bulpitt and Carolyn Desjardins who have presented it all over the USA. After hearing about a local low-cost effort, I was determined to try and bring something like it to MCCCD. I discussed it with Dr. Elsner who said he'd look into it.
The Women's Leadership Group was launched in February 1991 when Dr. Elsner invited all women managers to a district-wide meeting. I'm not certain that either he or Dr. Waechter, who also attended, knew what would evolve any more than the women who were invited to the meeting and didn't know what the agenda (either open or hidden) was.
At the district-wide meeting, women indicated they did indeed have needs and concerns as managers despite the fact that there were so many of them employed by the district and sheer numbers wasn't an issue. Some of these concerns were articulated and it was determined that a group would meet to formalize "something" which became an advisory board. Some time was spent that afternoon getting acquainted which proved to be a great benefit as voices across telephone lines now had faces.
As a result of that first general meeting, a self-selected group of twenty-three volunteers met together several times. The group determined that a survey was needed to get some data to help us formulate precisely what was wanted by the women managers. This was done and the results after being tabulated and discussed by the advisory board, were taken to each college/ district office and shared with the women. The survey results were also shared with Drs. Elsner and Waechter who pledged their support of the WLG's efforts and mission and goals which had been established.
The mission of the Maricopa Community Colleges Women's Leadership Group is to provide for the continuous development of a strong and supportive work environment for the women of the Maricopa Community Colleges.
Some of these goals are: provide support to women, and build community; provide mentoring opportunities; increase networking; meet the professional growth needs of the Maricopa women; increase awareness of women's issues through workshops, seminars, and special events; and support and effect organizational and individual development. In addition, Dr. Elsner indicated that the WLG would henceforth be recognized as an MCCCD "interest" group so that a representative would be part of the membership of committees where ethic and gender representation were important.
For the first year or so, the WLG functioned with a self-selected board which was enlarged by inviting other women managers to serve to assure that each college was represented and asking a representative of the Faculty, MAT, and PSA to join to facilitate communication among all Maricopa women. The workings of the group evolved in that each college and district organized themselves to carry out their specific goals. In addition, two special events were planned and carried out by the "steering" committee, or self-selected board. Also, a brochure was developed and distributed which described the organization and its mission and goals. This splendid volunteer group has accomplished a great deal.
Now, Fall 1992, a new "governing" plan has been developed and will be implemented in the coming months. Briefly, the new organization is to be made up of elected campus/district representatives and alternates plus the Faculty, MAT, and PSA representatives selected by their group members or president. This group will then be the steering committee (working board) to plan events and facilitate communication. In addition to our elected governing board, we are seeking names of women in government, business, education, etc. who would be invited to become a part of an "advisory" committee to asset us in mentoring, etc. The campus/district groups are continuing to do "their" thing and their representatives will be asked to keep the larger group informed of the events at the individual locations.
The WLG Board has developed a multi-year theme and plans to carry out special events to coincide with that theme each year. The overall theme is "Equal Partners in the Maricopa World." The year is designated as "The Year of Discovery." Next year will be "Diversity-Diversity-Diversity" (relationship) and the following year, "Leadership, Followship and Fellowship." The end result could and should mean a better informed, educated, and satisfied workforce which will result in benefits for the students we serve.
Fast forward to 2005 where we now find WLG formally established as an MCCCD interest group with an adopted set of bylaws and a strong program in place with representatives from each campus and the District Office and some employee group representatives serving on the district council. These representatives are either appointed or elected in late spring for the following year which begins July 1st. The officers are elected from these representatives.
WLG has an adopted set of goals which are advocacy, communication, networking, partnership, personal, professional development and recognition.
In addition, WLG has for the last five years, sponsored an employee mentoring program in conjunction with the legal department which has an organized monthly program. A volunteer committee oversees it, establishing the curriculum, choosing the mentees from their applications and assigning the mentors for each participant. A special graduation each spring celebrates the conclusion of the year-long program which has received very favorable reviews from all those who have been involved.
WLG Board has sponsored some events each year which help to achieve their goals. It has had several networking events and occasional speakers. It has also welcomed new women campus presidents and V'C's at receptions to introduce them to WLG. A new project which has been established is the Gina Kranitz Scholarship Fund which will enable WLG to assist members to obtain further education. Each Spring a luncheon is held to recognize outstanding women at our colleges and district office.
As each campus and district office WLG Group forms and meets, it helps women to become connected and engaged in actual activities. Singley and together, women play a significant role in the Maricopa family to assist in achieving its mission.