Greetings, ladies.

A quick note of 'thank you' to all who showed up yesterday afternoon and participated in the discussion around the great potential that WomanShare is for our Region! From the conversation and feedback given, through the course of the afternoon and with the signup sheets and skillset lists, it is safe to say we have a strong interest and a diverse mix of women who are ready and willing to commence the journey of creating this unique co-operative organization here in our area.

Here is a quick wrap-up of yesterday's discussions:

It’s amazing what this small group has generated already! The lists below are not complete, it simply shows us some of the skills we already have in WomanShare. Actual workshops will begin in April.

First off: We have 28 charter members! ($25 annual membership fee, sliding scale - this fee will cover expenses like web site hosting, nominal expenses like paper/printing, etc.) An exceptional start, bigger than anticipated! A big thank you to all of you... your collective skills and desire to participate in exchange will be the foundation upon which we build!

We will run another information session Saturday April 14th, 2012 for anyone who couldn't make yesterday's event or is interested in learning more (and hasn't yet heard about it!). Time and place to be determined and will be announced on the blog and in email. By all means, share this email forward with any women you know who could/should/would be part of this co-operative group!

Our next meeting, slated for Tuesday March 20th, 2012 (in the evening), is specifically for any woman who is interested in participating on one of the key committees: Executive, Special Events, Marketing, Communications, IT and Membership/Recruitment. Time and place to be confirmed in the next few days.

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In summation of yesterday's discussion, here is a sampling of some of the conversational points shared over the afternoon:

What’s appealing?

- The networking aspect is appealing, but what really resonates is the idea of building a ‘community’ that shares with one another, not just skills, but also interests.
- Our professional selves overlap with our personal lives, and it’s oftentimes within our personal life skill sets that we actually shine.
- The cooperative is owned by ALL of the members.
- Workshops that cover off professional interests and personal interests from business marketing to creative writing.
- Affinity groups, natural interest groups, which will splinter off to meet on their own.
- The awesome wide-ranging life knowledge of the group: holistic eating and cooking, hiking, health and personal training, integration of step-families, arts, and so much more.

Comments from Sign Up Sheet:

- “Love the idea of WomanShare.”

- “Hard skills are great, soft skills are wonderful too! The trading of skills will come naturally, as bonds are established.”

- “I am so excited about sharing, learning and building community with other women. Just think of the Power we will generate!”

- “Looking forward to working with anyone and everyone in our Chapter!”

- “Love the concept. Very excited to see it being developed here in the region.”

- “Having been involved with various cooperative groups, I found this concept very interesting (esp barnraising.)"

Future Workshop Possibilities:

Floral Design
Shopping for Healthy Food
Value of Social Media
How to ....? Set up Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, etc
How to de-clutter and organize your home
Writing haiku as a spiritual practice
Spanish
Latin American Cooking
Tactical Marketing Plans
Personal Finance
Dating (Starting Over)
Public Speaking
Event Planning
Creative Writing
Digital Photography—New Perspectives
Getting Started on Your Garden

Finally, here is a sampling of the resident skill sets and wish lists found in the circle of our charter members - this is the heart (and exciting part!) of what will build the co-operative and forge the relationships we're all looking to cultivate and benefit from:

Professional Skills	Life Skills	Wish Lists
Event Planning	Travel Planner	Writing Skills
Professional Organizing	Digital Photography	Herbal Healing
Career Planning	Childcare	Software Training
Social Media	Gardening	Social Media for Business
Marketing	Parenting Advisor	Healthy Lifestyle Training
Proposal Writing	Driving Stick Shift	Carpentry Skills
Focus Groups/Surveys	Scrapbooking	Massages
Health Care Planner	Excel Training	Conversational Spanish
Spanish Teacher	Therapeutic Touch	Self-publishing
Music Teacher	Budgeting	Scuba Diving
Tutor	Cooking/Baking	Home Canning
Landscape Design	Manicures	Sports Psychology
Editor	Drywall Repair	General House Repair
Journalist	House painting	Urban Beekeeping
Business Coach	Wallpapering	Website Design
Brand Specialist	Urban Foraging	Business Planning
Certified Interior Decorator	Camping	Cooking
Facilitator	Canoeing	Legal Advice
Conflict Management	Running	Basic Plumbing
Accountant	Macintosh Computers	Watercolor/Oils Painting
Adult Educator	Knitting
Income Tax Specialist	Dancing
Bookkeeper	Patient Advocacy
Lean SixSigma Black Belts	Dogwalking/Dogsitting
	Catgrooming
	Physical Fitness
	Housecleaning

Our thanks to you all for wading through the afternoon with us and for recognizing that not all answers are yet known. We look forward to watching the development of the executive, in both memberhip and creation of vision, and to watching the organization of such incredible diversity and skill come together to create something unique, fresh and empowering for the women of our community!

In the meantime, share this forward to all you think would be interested.

You can find our temporary blog/website at:
www.waterlooregionwoman.blogspot.com

You can reach us at our temporary email:
waterlooregionwomanshare@gmail.com

Looking forward to the building of new synergies and relationships, all - let's do this thing!