2021 is here! We have all been ready for 2020 to end. I have so much hope for the upcoming year. While we all know that it will take some time for things to get back to “normal,” I have no doubt that 2021 will be better. But, for some of our member firms and representatives, the economic realities of today are very challenging. Now, more than ever, we need to live out our EWI mission of bringing together key individuals from diverse businesses for the purpose of: promoting member firms, enhancing personal and professional development, and encouraging community involvement.
How can we help promote our member firms? The most direct way is to utilize member firms whenever possible. If you can’t use a member’s services, please think of any referrals you can send their way. Additionally, it is free and easy to follow firms on social media and to make positive comments on their pages or on their social media posts. It is time for us to go out of our way to help our member firms. Remember, representatives are able to promote their firms on our internal Facebook page. If there is something that you or your firm needs or is offering, please don’t hesitate to post to the internal group. Feel free to post what a good referral for your firm would be. EWI is a national organization, so consider using the EWI national database to search for potential new clients or vendors. Let’s utilize our resources to their fullest.
Community involvement is more important than ever. Our Philanthropy Committee has planned various projects and events for us to support. Their proposed event calendar is published in the latest Connect. Please review and reach out to Lindsay Greenstone, Engie Impact, if you have any questions or suggestions. We will vote on the proposed schedule of events during our January Chapter Meeting. As with 2020, plans are subject to change based on restrictions.
Regarding the personal and professional development portion of our mission statement, our Programs Committee has been hard at work planning for excellent speakers for the year. We’ll start off strong with Brooke Kiener and her presentation on “Fine-tuning your inner compass: using your values and strengths to lead with purpose.” Our Programs Committee will also share their proposed schedule of programs at our January meeting.
Personal and professional development is always top-of-mind with a new year and there are many ways to be inspired to improve. Here are some inspiring quotes that resonated with me. I hope they resonate with you, too.
Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start— Nido Qubein
To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.— Winston Churchill
Celebrate what you want to see more of.— Tom Peters
What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet.— Anne Frank
As we look forward to 2021 being better, we know it will not be without challenges. What year is free of challenges? But, we are leaders. Together, we can accomplish so much for ourselves, our firms and our community.
Happy New Year,
Jane