United Way of Greater Cincinnati - LIVE UNITED

WINGs: Women Investing in the Next Generation

In This Issue:

• Early Childhood Initiatives at Work in Our Community
• Meet Heidi B. Jark, JD, WINGs Member
• WINGS Women's Education Series Presented by HORAN
• Impact Team 4C Update
• Upcoming Events

Early Childhood Initiatives at Work in Our Community

The WINGs quarterly luncheon was held at the Hilton on September 8 and featured a program designed to update members on what is really happening in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky to improve early childhood education.  Three women active in United Way’s women’s programs, all shared their passion for their work in producing stronger, smarter and healthier children, families and communities.

Guest speakers included WINGs member Barb Terry (Vice President for Community Impact, United Way of Greater Cincinnati) and United Way board member/WINGs member Sallie Westheimer (Executive Director, 4C), along with WLC member Kay Geiger (President, PNC Bank-Cincinnati).

The presenters all agreed that because today’s children are our future business, civic and educational leaders, access to quality early childhood programming is key to success throughout their lives – as well as our future success as a region, state, and nation. Support of early learning programs for the youngest of Ohio’s citizens is one of the most economically wise investments we can make.

Kay Geiger spoke of a survey of PNC’s key stakeholders that revealed their employees, customers, and shareholders shared an overwhelming concern for education, and most importantly, in the birth to age five arena.  Thus, PNC Grow Up Great was founded and is now the most comprehensive corporate-based school readiness program in the country.

Barb Terry commented that it is through the promotion of quality home visitation and high-quality early care and education that we will increase the amount of positive interaction between the adult and child and we will, in turn, increase the number of children who are developmentally on target.

Our little “performers” hailed from Children, Inc., an agency committed to helping children begin their elementary school education with the tools and skills they need to excel. Members were treated by a very special post-program musical performance by the preschool class from Children, Inc. in Covington, led by Children Inc.’s own music specialist, David Kisor.

WINGs Women's Education Series Presented by HORAN

On September 24, WINGs held its first session in our "WINGs Education Series" at HORAN in Kenwood. Julie Bauke, a career coach and consultant with Congruity, spoke on building key relationships for career, business and life success. It was a wonderful opportunity for WINGs members to come together and learn something new - to help them both professionaly and personally. This series will continue with a range of topics, including career advancement, finance & budgeting, preparing for retirement and more. If you have a suggestion for a future session, please contact wings@uwgc.org.

(Pictured Above, from left to right: Melissa Mumper, Ingrid Nobiletti, Barbara Stefl, Cindi Bedinghaus)

"Build Your Network, Build Your Career"

Networking is defined as “the building of a mutually beneficial relationship to support your goals.” The ‘mutually beneficial’ piece, according to Julie, is often what is missing.  “To network without goals is pointless,” she says.

“People typically don’t network correctly, “Julie added. “Consider the term ‘working a room.’ Who is usually being worked here? You are. The expression implies insincerity, and people are very quick to pick up on that artificiality when it’s being played out. Also, learning how to remember people’s names in a crowded room is a party trick – instead, look for 2-3 people to build into and invest your time in.”

“Most people understand that the best job opportunities are found through networking, through relationships. However, once they do get a job, people usually stop networking. To only network as a job search strategy is short-sited. What if your company goes away tomorrow?  We all like to stick our heads in the sand – but that’s not an option anymore, in today’s economy.”

The expansion and enhancement of your resources and contacts now is a professional career-development strategy, Julie added. Either you’re continually building your internal network, or you’re not.

The importance of building those relationships is a critical professional skill.

“Have goals not only for your career, but wherever you go,” she says. “You begin to identify those goals with a few simple questions: What am I struggling with at work, what do I need to know, what do I have to share? Think about connections not only outside your job, but inside your organization too. Do you have the network you need to reach your goals? You can’t get there alone.”

The good news is, you probably have a lot of connections already that you’re not leveraging.  Julie compared us all to the infamous Verizon guy; like his own personal “network,” always shown standing right behind him, we all know approximately 250 people. 

Relationships come in different stages. Acquaintances for example, start on the outside. If you want that relationship to grow, you have to get focused. Then there are your associates – you belong in something together. The people you work with for example – we all have both. The ability to build on any existing relationship, regardless of its stage, is what matters. “It’s imperative to demonstrate your competence and character everywhere you go,” she says.  “Watch, see and demonstrate.”

Then there are our advocates. i.e., our allies or board of directors. Allies know your strengths, goals and what you’re trying to accomplish.  Allies tell you the truth, whether you like it or not. These are the most rewarding relationships, but they also require the most work. We’re invested in their success and they’re invested in ours.  “And remember,” she says, “as our goals change, our networks change. It’s about being thoughtful and intentional.”

“And finally,” Julie says, “It is who you know. It is what you know. It’s who knows you and it’s what they say about you. Don’t forget that a big part of your success lies in not just showing up, but what you do when you get there.”

Meet Heidi B. Jark, JD, WINGs member

Heidi B. Jark, JD, a Vice President at Fifth Third Bank, is responsible for The Foundation Office, overseeing the administration of corporate and family foundations throughout the Bankcorp. She has been with Fifth Third since 1999 and served previously as its Planned Giving Manager.

“Before my involvement with the campaign,” says Heidi, “I knew of the good works of United Way because of my donations, but I hadn't personally experienced the energy and momentum of change occuring in our city. By volunteering with organizations and causes that are near and dear to us – our neighborhood of North Avondale for example - we give our lives more meaning. We go to bed at night knowing that we made a difference.”

Heidi is in her second year as the Chair of the Foundations and Trusts division of the United Way Campaign.  In the past two years she has successfully led United Way’s efforts to increase giving from local foundations by more than 10 percent.

Heidi is very involved in other community activities as well, having served in the past as President of the Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council, the American Cancer Society Board of Directors for Hamilton County and the WAVE Foundation. She recently joined the Greater Cincinnati YWCA Board of Directors where she serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee.

Prior to joining Fifth Third Bank, Heidi served as the Planned Giving Director for Valparaiso University, assisting donors in estate and charitable gift planning. She also practiced law in Valparaiso, Indiana with the firm of Hoeppner, Wagner & Evans concentrating her work in the areas of litigation and appellate brief writing.

Heidi grew up on a farm near Stratford, South Dakota and now lives in Cincinnati with her husband, Steve Kenat, a partner at GBBN Architects and daughter, Catarina. She is a frequent speaker to not-for-profit organizations on the topics of philanthropy, ethics, grantmaking, and planned giving.

“Women have the ability and the opportunity to be leaders in change,” says Heidi. “WINGs allows us to come together to be a more powerful force for change in our community.”

Impact Team Update

WINGs has formed a new partnership with 4C, the region’s early childhood development resource for training and information.  4C is the perfect agency partner for WINGs not only because of their massive reach in our community – they work with childcare agencies from all over Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati;  but because they partner with United Way to help ensure children are prepared for kindergarten. Just think of the impact we can have!

WINGs’ work in partnership with 4C has continued by way of several successful interactions with the agency.  We have chosen a topic for our first training session with the 4C staff – Communication & Listening to Effect Change.  We want to help them better work with child care agencies and really make the directors and teachers understand the importance of their position while also remaining sensitive to the reality of the work.

If you have an interest in helping with this project in any way, please email wings@uwgc.org.  You can help in a variety of ways:

• providing materials from trainings and workshops you’ve participated in or led within your company
• volunteering to help determine the most important details to be included in the training
• facilitating the training with 2 other women
• and much more. 

After this initial workshop, we will re-group and try to streamline the process to provide a training workshop for the staff on an ongoing basis.

On October 2^nd, the WINGs Impact Team is meeting to begin development of this first training.  We will schedule the workshop at this time also.  If you’re interested in attending, please let Rachel know by emailing wings@uwgc.org.

Watch for more exciting news about our work with 4C in upcoming issues of the WINGs E-Newsletter!

Upcoming Events

Friday, October 10 - WINGs UWGC Agenda Overview & Legislative Training
8-9:30 a.m., United Way of Greater Cincinnati, 2400 Reading Road, Cincinnati 45236

In preparation for the October 17 Legislative Luncheon, this training will give you the knowledge you need to speak with our elected officials regarding important issues facing Ohio and a better understanding of the United Way Agenda for Community Impact.

Friday, October 17 - UWGC Legislative Luncheon
12:30 - 1:45 p.m., Marriott Kingsgate, 151 Goodman Drive, Cincinnati 45219 - Grand Ballroom, Salons A & B
Annually, United Way hosts our legislators for a meeting to discuss issues important to United Way's work and the Agenda for Community Impact. This will be our first year to host this in a "luncheon" setting with an elected official at each table ready to talk to you about important issues. Training is not required to attend luncheon, however, we need participants to make a reservation. There is no charge for the event.

Wednesday, October 29 - Rejuvenate Your Sole
6-8 p.m., Morrison & Me, 1979 Madison Road, Cincinnati 45208
WINGs are invited to come to an exclusive shopping experience at the only haute couture shoe store in Cincinnati. Everyone will receive 10% off their purchase and 10% of the total proceeds will be given back to United Way! What a great way to shop for a good cause!

Click here for a reservation to attend any of the above events.

Friday, November 14 - Leadership Giving Theater Event
The Wizard of Oz
Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati 45202
Pre-reception with hors d'oeuvres and drinks at 6:30 p.m., show begins at 8 p.m., coffee and dessert at intermission.
Ticket prices: Orchestra & Loge Levels - $60.50. Lower Balcony - $39.50. Families and friends are welcome.

Click here for more information, payment options, and to reserve your seats at the theater event

Wednesday, December 3 - Quarterly Event "Parenting in the 21st Century"
7:45 - 9:15 a.m., Kenwood Country Club
Jim Mason is president and CEO of Beech Acres Parenting Center and a frequent speaker on parenting. He has led Beech Acres, a United Way agency partner, through a significant change from a traditional social services agency to a 21st century parenting resource for all parents. Jim will discuss the changes that have shaped parenting and how to cope. There will also be time for questions. More details to come!

For more information about any upcoming event, please call 513-762-7194 or email wings@uwgc.org.

Get Involved

If you have an interest in getting involved—from a little bit to a lot—check out the links below and let us know. Contact Rachel Fausz at 513-762-7194 or email wings@uwgc.org.

Impact Team

Networking Team

Ambassador Team