William Paterson University
THE WPU chapter has taken an aggressive approach to identifying the women who can grow from this network (now 51 members), developing the means to grow in our careers, encouraging us to reach for higher ground and overcome obstacles in the way, advancing our cause at every opportunity, linking us with our fellow women in trusting, meaningful relationships that help us along our career paths, and supporting us in our efforts to become more than we ever thought we could.
Since its inception in Summer 2004, three representatives from William Paterson attended the NJ ACE-NET Institutional Representatives Fall 2004 meeting and training session.
-Information about ACE-NET and an invitation to attend an inaugural meeting was distributed electronically to the mid- and senior level administrators, and a brief informational session was presented at our Directors Council, the University's organization of mid-level administrators.
-The Inaugural meeting of the WPUNJ Chapter was held, with an encouraging introduction by WPUNJ president, Dr. Arnold Speert. A positive energy and sense of trust was generated that day when we gathered together to form a large circle. Needless to say, it wasn't the circle that held us together; nor was it the silly little ball of string that we started tossing around from woman to woman. Each woman had to tell another woman how she had positively affected her, and then throw the ball to that person. This resulted in a huge network of string criss-crossing over and over again as people threw the ball back and forth reaffirming how much each had done to help one another at our institution. This little "game" was not just fun, it was incredibly meaningful, symbolic, and heartwarming. , Spring 2005, and we were on a roll.
-The next event was a Brown Bag lunch to discuss relevant topics that might determine our direction. We organized an exercise in which we placed a sheet of paper on the table for each one of the ACE-NET goals (Identifying, Encouraging, Advancing, Linking, and Support) so ideas could be captured as they bubbled forth. The beauty of this meeting was that it was the first time we gathered formally as colleagues to actually state out loud what our aspirations were and to talk about how we could help each other grow. Attached to this document is the list of topics generated at this meeting.
-In an effort to join forces with other northern New Jersey ACE-NET chapters, we organized and hosted an Institutional Representative training event, where we were able to network with IRs and others from nearby institutions. In reaching out to these other chapters, we explored creating a regional NJ ACE-NET that did indeed result from our efforts.
-As a result of our developing enthusiasm, sixteen WPUNJ women drove to Brookdale Community College to participate in the Spring New Jersey State ACE-NET Conference.
We created our Advisory Board consisting of 3 Administrators, 1 Dean, 3 Faculty and 2 Professional Staff as well as one ex officio member (Associate VP for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies). Together, we brainstormed ways to reach our colleagues, to present programs and activities that they would enjoy, learn and grow from, and to identify other ways that the chapter could be helpful and meaningful to our University women.
On September 22nd, 2005, Dr. Marlene Springer, President of Staten Island University spoke about "The Yin and Yang of Being a Woman Administrator." Her presentation profoundly affected many of us, as she spoke candidly and passionately about her experiences. Next, on November 11th, Dr. Elizabeth Haines of William Paterson University of New Jersey spoke about the "Chilly Climate" of our institution for female students. She reported the results of a survey and several focus groups whose data she had analyzed for the Women's Center, and the feedback was extremely enlightening.
Connecting people with one another at critical moments is what counts. We sought ways to do that through technology. First, we created a "Group" in WPConnect, our institution's Portal. This gave everyone in our chapter a way to communicate with each via email and chat as well as to keep current with pertinent events. From this group, we forward job openings, articles, news of state and national gatherings and any upcoming events that may be of interest. We created our own logo that incorporates a portion of the national logo, but maintains our chapter's identity as well. We're working hard on building up our identity so every member will proudly state, "Yes, I'm a WPUNJ ACE-NET member."
Our three scheduled programs for Spring 2006 demonstrate the growing support of our chapter. They include:
-a networking/fundraising breakfast for women's leadership scholarships at the home of our University President, hosted by Myrna Speert, the President's spouse, on March 2 (please note that donations have already begun pouring in from women who can't even make the breakfast yet still want to contribute)
-a presentation by Paula Rothenberg, Director of the New Jersey Project and editor of Transformations, on "Is the Personal Still Political? Reflections of a (Rapidly) Aging Feminist or Oops They Did It Again" scheduled on March 23rd
-an interactive workshop entitled, "Leading Through Coaching and Mentoring" to be given by Dr. Charline S. Russo, NJ ACE-NET Board member and Organizational Development specialist, on April 6th.