May 2010 Insider
The month of May means one main thing to WINners -- spring Week of WIN!! Get out and enjoy the sunshine by attending some of the many exciting programs and events we have scheduled!!
Note from the Chair...
Hi WINners!
On May 16th, we kick off the 2010 Spring Week of WIN. Week of WIN is a time to celebrate and showcase all the different types of programming we offer throughout the year. This year's Week of WIN will feature Network, Political, and Professional Development events, a Linking Leaders dinner -- and the first ever WIN Dance Party. I hope to see you next week at these events!
After Week of WIN, tickets for WIN's premiere event of the year, Women Opening Doors for Women, will go on sale. As you probably already know, hundreds of WIN members and friends will join us at the AFL-CIO for a networking reception before dispersing to 35 dinners around the city held in people's homes and offices. Definitely mark your calendar for June 17th -- and be sure to buy your ticket early. (The most popular dinner parties will sell out fast!)
At the end of the month, I have the privilege of hosting the Leadership Interest Meeting on May 24th. If you're considering a leadership position in WIN, this is the time to learn about WIN EC positions and how to run, as well as how to become a member of one of our many WIN leadership teams.
Speaking from my own experience, I served as Membership Director and Book Club Group Network Chair before serving as Chair. In each of these positions, I have had the opportunity to not only learn new skills, but put them into practice. I have gotten to meet so many great people and friends - and have truly loved serving. If you're looking for a way to get more involved with WIN, I encourage you to join us at the end of May to learn more.
Thank you,
Alayna Buckner, 2009 - 2010 Chair
It's
that time of year again -- you'll definitely need to mark you calendar
to keep up with all the wonderful events we have planned for Week of WIN, Sunday, May 16th - Saturday, May 22nd!!
This spring's Week of WIN is packed full of unique opportunities to:
- take a bike ride with the Queer network
- learn how to talk about choice effectively with the Campaign and Communications networks
- learn how Wall Street reform impacts you, AND
- dance the night away at WIN's first-ever dance party at eyebar!!
Week of WIN is the time to showcase WIN's programming and events to potential members. Recruit new members to join WIN and you could receive awesome prizes; like a one-on-one dinner with WIN AC member Traci Siegel, a year-long Netflix subscription, WODW tickets, WIN T-shirts and totes, and more!
Keep watching the WINList for more details, and we'll see you during Week of WIN!!
PDS WINning Financially Hosts
Homebuying 101 Workshop
PDS
hosted a productive workshop on the homebuying process. Three
informative panelists shared tips and resources on buying your first
home; which included Susan Eldridge, Mortgage Loan Associate with Bank of America Home Loans, April Brown, Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams, and our own WIN Chair and recent first-time home buyer Alayna Buckner. The panel gave the following points of advice:
FIRST -- Visit a mortgage loan officer and get pre-approved for a loan. If you are serious about buying a home, you will only build credibility in the eyes of the seller and your agent if you are approved for financing. As the process can be arduous, it is best to begin as early as possible. You don't want to lose your dream house while you wait for the bank to grant you a loan, noted panelist Susan Eldridge.
SECOND -- Explore varying options in order to finance your first home. Adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) may be a good option if your income varies; however, if you have a stable income, a fixed rate mortgage may be the best option. Additionally, there are government-supported FHA loans available which require only 3.5% down payment versus the normal 20% down payment.
Another resource, the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA), can also provide financial assistance; however the program requires quite a bit of paperwork, so its recommended that you find an agent that's familiar with the program.
Alayna Buckner also mentioned a program especially for District residents, the DC Housing Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP), which offers $40,000 interest-free down payment assistance towards a 20% down payment.
THIRD --
Find a real estate agent you trust. It's important that you have a good
relationship with your agent, so feel free to interview several before
picking the right one for you. Ask several questions, such as if
they're familiar with the area where you're interested in purchasing
and if they have an exclusivity clause.
By following the above tips, WINners can be well on their way to having a happy homebuying experience!
TEAM WIN Volunteers for Servathon 2010
A team of more than 30 WIN members and friends participated in Greater DC Cares' Servathon 2010. Wearing their custom Servathon T-shirts, TEAM WIN members bonded together to beautify the YMCA Capitol View in Southeast Washington. The team painted a mural and railings, built benches, and gardened; working alongside Capitol View kids, parents and staff. Along with their service, WIN also contributed double the amount of its initial fundraising goal, raising $1,340 for Servathon projects!!
Each year, Servathon brings together teams of more than 7,000 volunteers to complete service projects at schools and non-profits around the DC metropolitan area. Check out an article on Servathon in the Washington Post. Special thanks to all who volunteered with TEAM WIN, raised money, and especially to project coordinator, Carla Reed, who led the effort.
FCS Talks About Sex
Network Spotlight: Labor
The Labor network. From training opportunities to networking and social events, the Labor network promotes women while also having fun. For more information on Labor network programs and events, contact Chairs Valerie Bachelor, Anne Bailey and Lexi Spencer Notabartolo at labor@winonline.org.
Member Spotlight: Melissa Kleder 
WINner
Melissa Kleder originally joined WIN 2 years ago as a means of
recruiting pro-choice supporters for her work as Reproductive Health
Program Coordinator with NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland. She recently became
more active with WIN by joining the WIN Ambassadors.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Melissa received her Bachelor's in Sociology with a Minor in Women's Studies from Ohio State University; and her Master's in Gender, Culture and Society from the University of Essex. When she's away from WIN, Melissa enjoys live theatrical performances, compilation CDs and dropping bombs of knowledge.
AC Member Spotlight: Crystal Plati
Firmly
committed to social justice, grassroots movements, and progressive
politics since the beginning of her career, AC member Crystal Plati is
a dynamic national leader who has helped give voice to thousands of
young people, progressives and women through her experience as an
executive and leadership consultant.
Before
joining 21st Century Democrats as Executive Director, Crystal ran her
own consulting business where she supported clients with leadership
development and capacity building programs, executive coaching, and
organizational planning. She built her considerable experience at
Choice USA where, as Executive Director, she helped transform the group
into the vibrant, inter-generational, sustainable, effective
organization it is today. She also has extensive experience building
partnerships and networks.
Crystal is the Board Chair of Generations Ahead and the Board Fundraising Chair of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC). She also serves on the Board of the General Service Foundation and is a 2006 Fellow with the Rockwood Leadership Institute. As a role model, mentor, and inspiration to today's progressive community, Crystal continues to tour the nation serving on panel discussions for events, conferences, and debates. She has been interviewed for articles appearing in a number of publications including The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Nation and Salon.com. Crystal will be our featured AC member for the Week of WIN Linking Leaders event on Thursday, May 20th; RSVP to ac@winonline.org.
About WIN
WIN is Washington's premier professional, political, and social network dedicated to empowering young, Democratic, pro-choice women.
Upcoming Events
5/05 - WIN 101: Making the Most of Your WIN Membership
5/06 - WIN Writing Group
5/08 - WIN Fundraising Training
Week of WIN
May 16th - 22nd
5/16 - Bike Ride (Queer network)
5/17 - How to Talk Choice (Campaign and Communications network)
5/18 - Brown Bag Lunch with WEAVE (Nonprofit network)
5/18 - Personal and Political: How Wall Street Reform Impacts America and You (Political Team)
5/19 - Messaging Workshop (PDS)
5/20 - Linking Leaders with AC Member Crystal Plati
5/20 - New Member/Sustainer Dinner
5/22 - Kick-off to Summer (Travel network)
5/22 - Spring Clothing Swap
5/22 - WIN Dance Party @ eyebar
5/24 - WIN Leadership Interest Meeting
5/28 - Jazz in the Garden (Advanced-Level Professionals network)
6/3 - WIN Writing Group
Want an easy way to keep up with WIN events??
Link the WIN Google calendar with your own personal calendar.
Announcements
WIN Launches
New Web Site!!!
WIN's home on the Web is new and improved!! Our new site, designed by Radical Designs, will feature a membership portal that allows WINners to create their own profiles and connect with other WINners that share similar professional and personal interests.
Watch the WINList for details on the launch of our new site in the coming weeks!
New WINners in Washington Dinner
WIN Sustainer Lindsay Marsh will be hosting a mentoring dinner especially for new WINners during Week of WIN on Thursday, May 20th. For more details, contact Membership Director Nancy McMurray at membership@winonline.org.
WIN Dance Party
WIN's Looking
for New Leadership
Are you ready to lead WIN into the next 20 years? If so, join us for the WIN Leadership Interest Meeting on Monday, May 24th at 6:30 p.m. in the WIN office. You'll have the opportunity to learn about each Exeuctive Committee position and running for the EC, as well as each of WIN's other leadership opportunities; including Network Council, Professional Development Series, Feminist Conversation Series, WIN Ambassadors and Event Planning Teams. You'll also get to talk to current WIN leaders about their experiences, and find out which position is best for you. We look forward to seeing you there!
Take Your Seat
at the Table
The WODW Leaderhip Team is hard at work behind the scenes making sure that WODW 2010 is an event to remember! This year's theme, 'Take Your Seat at the Table', honors women that have created their own space in the world -- be it corporate, political or otherwise -- and encourages other women as they do the same.
Celebrating its 21st year,
WODW will take place on Thursday, June 17th at 6:00 p.m. with a reception at the AFLO-CIO
building, followed by a series of dinners hosted in the homes and
businesses of DC's most prominent women, planned by WIN's most
enthusiastic members, and featuring D.C.'s most dynamic speakers on
topics ranging from economic mobility to career advancement to running
for public office to international policy and immigration reform.
Also, it's not too late to plan or host a dinner! If you're interested in planning a dinner, please submit a proposal here ASAP.
If you're interested in hosting a dinner at your home or office, please complete a host application here.
Tickets go on sale this month, stay tuned!
The WINners Circle
Congratulations to our Vice Chair Lindsay Wolff, who recently took a new position as Deputy Production Manager and Assistant Account Executive with Mission Control,
a top Democratic mail firm. Lindsay will be working on direct mail
campaigns for progressive candidates and organizations through the
remainder of the 2010 election cycle.
Congratulations to WINner Kris Cox, who will begin the Master's in Public Policy program at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government this fall, after spending this coming summer traveling through India. Kris will be concluding her time at the Center for Budget and Policy Studies, where she worked on the intersection of low-income issues and budget and tax policy for the past three years. She would love to connect with any WINners who are currently living in or moving to Boston, email her at krisycox@gmail.com.
Have you recently gotten a new position or promotion, been accepted to graduate school, or achieved some other milestone? We want to highlight your accomplishments! Send them to communications@winonline.org.
