WDM Leadership Academy: Not your average leadership organization

In the event you are not familiar with the West Des Moines Leadership Academy, I want to share with you information about this one-of-a-kind organization. 

 I am sure you may be thinking…one-of-a-kind?  What could make this leadership program so different from the myriad of other leadership opportunities offered throughout the area?   Well, let me explain.   

The West Des Moines Leadership Academy is a unique nine-month course which not only offers on-site touring of various aspects of West Des Moines, such as city government, economic development, non-profit and charitable needs, cultural and civic opportunities, health care and more,  but each class also addresses a specific high-level leadership skill, presented by an expert on the topic. 

Some of the leadership sessions have dealt with conflict management, performance coaching, crisis management, handling the media, team building, etc.   These types of leadership skill development sessions offer you a “street value” well beyond the class fee, with skills you can take back to your work and implement the very next day.  

Next month we will graduate our third class of the WDMLA.  Hard to believe.  With classes limited to just 30 people, this will give us an alumni count of almost 100 people.  As I reflect back on these last few years, one of the best things about the WDMLA is the opportunity to build new alliances, create new friendships and enjoy some of the finest food samplings offered throughout West Des Moines. 

As a class member, you will have the opportunity to meet many past and current leaders of our community.   If you would like to get involved and actively participate on boards, committees, city government, etc., you will have countless opportunities to connect and build relationships through the WDMLA.

The WDMLA is now accepting applications for the Class of 2012.  If you are interested and would like more information, visit the website at www.wdmleaders.org.   You can also register online, but please hurry as the deadline is June 30, 2011.  

Leadership makes things happen.   The West Des Moines Leadership Academy will provide leaders at all levels with an opportunity to learn about our community as well as hone leadership skills.  Apply today…it is the best value in town!

Rose Breuss

Director of Marketing, McGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith, P.C.

rbreuss@mhcscpa.com

Past – Chair of the WDMLA

The fuzzy line between social and professional networking

Most of us know (or quickly figured out); Facebook and business do not mix.  An electronic diary of sorts, Facebook is probably sharing more than you are aware of. 
If you’re in search of career opportunities, having your personal and social lives blaring about to the entire world can muddy the waters of landing your dream job. 

A majority of us witnessed the viral up-rising of Facebook while in college; we latched on and never looked back. We wake up in the morning, grab a cup of coffee, and connect to the world-wide web.  Facebook, email, instant messengers, and other social networking sites keep us connected twenty-four hours a day. 

When was the last time you did not connect to the web? I bet you can’t remember. Nearly 266 million people access the internet in North America alone (as cited in “Internet Usage,” 2010). That’s nearly 78% of the entire population [North America]. 

Depending on your career aspirations or your business’s vertical, Facebook can be an effective way to network professionally.  According to Neal Schaffer (2010), companies are spending almost 20% of their total marketing budgets on social media.  

What does this mean for you as a career professional? It means there is an increased likelihood of potential employers and businesses seeing your social networking profiles.

Unless you want your future boss to see a photo of the night you decided to moonlight as a karaoke professional after one-too-many margaritas, I’d keep the social networking for your eyes (and your friend’s) only. 

Tips for maintaining a “clean” social networking profile:

·         Use social sites such as Facebook only to build relationships with your friends

·         Limit the amount of images/photos you and your friends post

·         Examine your profile carefully and decide what you want potential employers  and  business contacts to see

If you need assistance and information on up-and-coming professional networking sites, SmallBizBee.com (2010) recommends the following 40 top social networking sites for small businesses and career professionals (here’s the top 5):

1.    LinkedIn

2.    Meet the Boss

3.    PartnerUp

4.    Qupacity

5.    Ryze

Internet usage statistics; the internet big picture. (2010, June 30). Retrieved on May 18, 2011, from http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm

Schaffer, Neal. (2010, December 14). LinkedIn vs. Facebook for business in 2011-The battle begins. Retrieved on May 18, 2011, from http://socialmediatoday.com/nealschaffer/252062/linkedin-vs-facebook-business-2011-battle-begins

The ultimate list: 40 social networking sites specifically for small business, entrepreneurs, and startups. (2010, February 2). Retrieved on May 18, 2011, from http://smallbizbee.com/index/2010/02/02/ultimate-list-40-social-networking/

Kari Ratkovich

Freelance Social Media/Writing Consultant

Kari.Ratkovich@gmail.com

Doors Open. Doors Close.

And sometimes in life, you really don’t know which one to open or which threshold to venture through. In the past three and a half years, I have had many doors opening and a few closing, which has led to tremendous change in my life.

In 2008, I closed a door. At age 33, I went through a divorce, moved away from my home town (population 15,000) and lived, for the first time in my life, alone in a “big” city of West Des Moines. The following three years have been a blur of doors opening and me either sprinting or hesitantly tiptoeing across the thresholds.

Door #1: I had been working with the WDM Chamber on their accreditation submission. When we completed the project, the Board had me join them at a Board Meeting so they could acknowledge the efforts of the project. At this meeting, they discussed the upcoming inaugural class of the West Des Moines Leadership Academy. Nomination sheets were handed out, and luckily, my boss was there. I leaned over and said, “I want to do this.” Graciously, he nominated me and door #2 opened.

Door #2: Class of 2009 – Inaugural West Des Moines Leadership Academy.  I truly believe that being a part of the Leadership Academy has led to very amazing, and very positive, changes in my life. At a time in my life when I wasn’t sure which end was up, whether or not I truly could belong anywhere, and was lacking in self-confidence, this door opened up a world of belonging, confidence and dear friendships. Through the relationships I was able to develop through WDMLA, my confidence continues to soar, and I am doing so much that just feels “right”.

Door #3: Board Member – West Des Moines Leadership Academy – At graduation, Rose Breuss, the chair of the program at that time, stopped me and asked if I’d be interested in being on the Board of Directors for WDMLA. I was shocked, thrilled, nervous, excited and scared all at the same time. This was one threshold that I wasn’t sure I wanted to cross. Everything was happening so quickly. I had never been on a Board. I had no idea what that would entail. And, still having a little bit of self-doubt, I wondered if I would be able to make Rose proud as she had so much faith and confidence in me and my abilities. I accepted the offer and, you guessed it, more doors opened.

Door #4: WDMLA Chair-Elect – Diving over one threshold to the next, I found myself being asked to be the chair-elect for the program. Once again, I hesitantly accepted but am so happy I did. I continue to make amazing friends and now have a chance to give back to the program that helped to alter the course of my life. It is as chair-elect that I would like to offer you the same chance I was offered… Apply to be a part of the Class of 2012. 

You do not have to be nominated. 

You do not have to be a certain age. 

The requirement is that you have to live, work, play or have an interest in West Des Moines.

Please visit http://www.wdmleaders.org/ and read more about the specifics of the program.

 It’s a fantastic opportunity, and I challenge you to look into it more and see if it might be for you!

And if you are curious… other doors that have opened for me based on my connection with the Leadership Academy include:

Animal Control Community Committee Member for West Des Moines, Urbandale and Clive and then co-chairing the building committee for a new facility.

Graphic design for Animal Lifeline of Iowa

A Zoo Ambassador for Blank Park Zoo

Board Member of the West Des Moines Chamber

         Multiple additional committees 

Remember… this has all happened in the last three years and helped me to rebuild something I thought I had lost. It opened doors to friendships and opportunities I was convinced were locked. The door is open for the Leadership Academy, and I invite you in.

Classes are limited, so if you do not get in this year, PLEASE try again!

Tina Gray

West Des Moines Leadership Academy Chair-Elect

June 3rd – Networking on the Green @ the Principal Charity Classic

I’ve never been on a golf course.  

I’ve been near them, but never on one. 

I’ve been to the driving range a couple of times.  

It didn’t go well.  I dug a hole about 4 inches deep with the golf club.  Not on purpose.  It’s not as if I was literally digging with a golf club.  But that’s funny…if you’re 6 years old, not 26.

All that being said, I’m still really excited for the June 3^rd Networking on the Green event.  New View is partnering with the Principal Charity Classic to provide a unique venue for a networking event.  Not to mention, there will be CEO’s participating in a panel discussion – that means prepare your questions, everyone!  (By the way, I nearly typed ‘y’all’ instead of ‘everyone’ just now, but then I realized I can’t get away with it).

Here’s hoping no one at the Networking on the Green event gets judged on their golf skills, otherwise I’m done for. 

It’s only $30 (only 100 available tickets) and here’s what that gets you:

* Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Gino’s West Glen (includes FREE lunch) – Free food = I’m in.

* Shuttle from Gino’s to the Glen Oaks Clubhouse and back

* 1 VIP Parking Pass – if you don’t take the Gino’s shuttle

* 1 Networking on the Green Admission

            - 2:00pm Arrive – lower level Glen Oaks Club House

            -2:30pm Keynote Speaker

            -3:00pm Introduction of Executives

            -3:10pm Panel Discussion with Executives

            -4:15pm Open Networking

            -5:00pm Concert (See  below)

The Envy Corps - http://www.theenvycorps.com/ 

Hanwell - http://hanwelltheband.com/

Canby - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Canby/220903687923?sk=info

* 2 drink tickets.

You can check out more here:  Networking on the Green 

See you then!

Lindsey Mathews

New View Outreach Chair

outreach@wdmnewview.org

Cinco De Mayo! Okay, so it was last Thursday but the excitement lives on!

Oh, but I do have a great Cinco de Mayo story to share:

Last Thursday morning, at approximately 10am, my Cinco de Mayo got started off with a drive-by.  A drive-by Cinco de Mayo-ing.  The sales team from Fairfield Inn & Suites and SpringHill Suites came by.  All were wearing sombreros (because when aren’t those in style?), all were shaking maracas like there was no tomorrow, and one guy was even wearing a fake mustache.  It. Was. Awesome.

Out of the back of their van, they had a radio playing Mariachi band music, they served us virgin margs AND nachos! 

My only complaint is that there was only one Baja hoodie in the group.  Let’s bring those back, people.

Last Thursday night was also the New View Cinco De Mayo After-Hours Event.

Can we talk about the salsa for a second?  Because it was delicious!  So were the margaritas. I mean, is there a better food/beverage combo?  And don’t say milk and Oreos.  That’s different, and you know it.

Monday Question:  Do you have a favorite food/beverage combo?  Obviously mine is margs/chips n salsa.  I have a soft spot in my heart for Mexican food.

Anyway, back to the event.  It was sponsored by and held at Greater Iowa Credit Union.  See below for a picture of Erica Andersen (Veridian) and Morgan Voga (GICU) clearly having the time of their lives. 

In hindsight, I probably should have asked them to throw their hands up in a fit of joy for the picture.  The smiles will have to do…for now.

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This event was really great.  It was just informal networking.  Of course, you weren’t required to talk about work or what you do, but let’s face it; it’s a good ice breaker.  It was a really great mix of people in attendance too.  I ran into many people who knew my co-workers or former co-workers.  But then I also met some people who were new to the area, just wanting to meet people and see what New View is all about.

I really appreciate everyone who made it out before they went to their official Cinco de Mayo festivities.  Too bad next year it won’t be on a Thursday again.  I’d insist we have a piñata at the event!

Want to check out more pictures from the event? 

Click here: New View page on Facebook and “like” it!***

Lindsey Mathews

New View Outreach Chair

Project Coordinator at Shive-Hattery

outreach@wdmnewview.org

To Blog or Not to Blog

Blogging.  It’s been my New Year’s resolution for the last two years. Why two years, you ask? Because I haven’t started one yet, even though I really want to. It’s not that I don’t have the desire, the ideas or the funny things going on in my life to write about- because believe me, I could write several times a day it seems. What’s holding me up is that I can’t decide what I want the focus of my blog to be. How am I going to stand out and what would people want to tune in every day to read? Is it my passion for young professionals and getting them involved in the community, my love for comfort food cooking, finding new restaurants and businesses opening around the Des Moines metro- or maybe my love for extreme couponing (yes, I’m one of those crazy coupon ladies!).  
 

Whatever I chose to blog about I’ll be sure to let you know. I guess there’s always next year… 

Here are some of my daily blog reads:  

Iowa Girl Eats

Des Moines Register’s New in the Neighborhood

The Simple Dollar

Des Moines is Not Boring

 

What blogs do you tune in to? 

Where do you find your inspiration to blog?

Erica A. Andersen

New View President

Business Development at Veridian Credit Union