Month: August 2010

Anticipating NFPW Conference in Chicago

 The NFPW conference is later this week in Chicago. I have eagerly anticipated this conference from the moment the Illinois Woman’s Press Association presented at the Texas Conference.

I’ve always loved Chicago. Combine that with getting to see old friends and new friends, the networking, the seminars and yes, staying at the number one city club in the United States, it was hard to contain my enthusiasm.

I actually started tiny piles of items to bring with me more than a month out. If you know me, I’m the type to pack the evening before or evening the morning of so clearly I couldn’t wait!

What’s really fun about preparing for NFPW conferences is that members are quick with tips. I’ve received plenty in the past few weeks so I thought I’d share a few:

1)     Chicago-area artists have turned old refrigerators into sculptures that now line the city’s popular Michigan Avenue, a.k.a. the Magnificent Mile. Why? For one reason, to help promote local efforts to recycle unneeded refrigerators and freezers. For another reason, Chicago has a history of loving offbeat art projects. For a sneak peek before you get the chance to see the funky fridges, take a look at Time Out Chicago’s Fine Art Fridges photo gallery.

2)       During our time in Chicago there will be 20 historic ships from around the world coming to Navy Pier.  Visitors can view the ships, board them or take short sails (tickets required).  During the 1880s, Chicago was the busiest port in America. To find out more visit www.navypier.com/tallshipschicago.

3)      Bring comfortable shoes with you. The Union League Club is located in the heart of what is known as “The Loop” and within walking distance of many of Chicago’s architectural treasures, including Millennium Park and Lake Michigan.

4)      Bring business cards. This is your opportunity to network. If you don’t have business cards, make the small investment to print your own. You will want to share your contact information, I guarantee it. Remember to follow up with those business cards you receive in return. Check LinkedIn.com for the NFPW group and be sure to add it to your profile.

5)     Ask questions. The NFPW board as well as members of the Illinois Woman’s Press Association will be in attendance.

6)     Don’t wear your badge outside the conference facility. People outside of the conference don’t need to know you’re business.

Most of all, have fun! 

See you in Chicago!

Answering the Offbeat Interview Questions

Barbara Walters once asked Katherine Hepburn, “If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?”

Suddenly everyone was asking the question.

To be fair, Hepburn brought it up, when she said, “Oh, sometimes I think I’m just an old tree,” and so Walters asked the infamous question.

I was asked that question during a job interview.  I answered and even explained my answer.

And that’s the point of such questions. The interviewer is trying to gain some insight into the person. These questions provide the interviewee with an opportunity to show a different side of his personality.

Yet according to a June 15 Forbes.com article, many candidates are unprepared when they they’re asked such questions.

When I worked as the chief spokesperson for a police department, I always gave my candidates five index cards, each with a word written on it. They were told to select one and consider the word for about 15-seconds. They then had one minute to talk about that word.

The words, of course, were inane. There was toenail and teacup and any other word that came to mind just before the interview.

The point was to see how quickly the person could think on their feet. Some simply made “hmm” noises and didn’t say much of anything. Others managed to form a quick summary and clearly present it.

Guess which candidate I hired?

Are you ready for the offbeat questions?

What Are You Doing to Give Back?

Work and life balance is important, but I think there is a third element that needs to be considered and that is community.

When I first started my career, I didn’t make much money. Paying my bills was a struggle. I became quite adept at floating funds to keep checks from bouncing. There was no point in asking me to give to a charitable cause.

What I could contribute was time. And I did. In high school I volunteered at a local museum as a tour guide. I was helping the community, and I was developing my public speaking skills and my confidence grew. Later, I delivered meals for Meals on Wheels. I loved chatting with the people I met along my route. We brightened each other’s day. I also coordinated a volleyball team for inner city girls. It wasn’t about winning; it was about self-esteem and self confidence.

Now, I find I have less time, and a bit more money so I contribute to causes that touch me. They’re focused on literacy, children and seniors. I also support the arts and botanical gardens because they are passions of mine.

I still give of my time. I serve on a mentoring board and chair the PR committee. And I’m on the board of NFPW.

I’ve been blessed and it feels good to give back whether it is with a gift of time or a financial gift.

What are you doing to give back?

Travel Tips to Make the Journey Smoother

Are your bags packed yet for Chicago?

NFPW's conference will be held Aug. 26-28 in Chicago.

If you’re headed there for the 2010 NFPW conference or anywhere else, for that matter, here are some travel tips to make the journey smoother.

Meg Hunt, who travels overseas for Teleios Ministry and is a member of Media Women of South Carolina, says that because of the increasing frequency of delayed and cancelled flights she now always –

  • Carries snack items (granola bars, crackers, trail mix, raisins, fruit snacks, etc.)
  • Carries an extra pair of underwear in a carry-on bag
  • Carries paper and pen as a backup “for those really great ideas you don’t want to forget.” Meg says that electronic devices are great, but says many airports don’t have enough outlets for recharging laptops, BlackBerries and phones.

Teri Ehresman of Media Network Idaho travels frequently for her job with Idaho National Laboratories. “I try to always get early morning flights to my destination,” she says. “This is really important if you have several stops to the destination. If there are travel delays they impact late afternoon travel more than morning travel. If the airlines need to reschedule you because of a cancelled flight this also gives the airlines more options to work with.”

She also recommends that if you need something within 24 hours of arrival, to carry it onboard with you. She shared how delayed luggage left one woman in tears at an airport in Vienna. “Her wedding dress did not make it and they could not guarantee it would arrive in time for her scheduled wedding.”

Although you can’t take fluids through the security checkpoint, you can take an empty plastic water bottle. Then when you get to the other side, you can fill it from a water fountain.

Teri also suggests that if there is a chance of rain placing a plastic garbage bag on the bottom and top of your suitcase to cover your clothing. If your bag is left outside in the rain, the plastic bags will help protect your clothing.

She also treats herself to a Delta Sky Club membership. “I travel a great deal and can buy a year’s membership for 40,000 miles.” The membership gets her access to the Sky Club where lines are significantly shorter if there are flight problems. Other perks include complimentary snacks/beverages, clean restrooms and free wireless.

Ann Lockhart of Colorado Press Women enjoys traveling because it “offers good thinking time.” She likes to make To Do lists so she carries paper and pens. She also always has reading material. “I couldn’t live with that,” she says. “I’m not as wired as some of you.”

If you need more tips, check out Inc., which created a list of 50 top picks for the best of business travel in 2010.