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Letter from the Editor

Sheri Burdette
International
Marketing Chair
(Carolinas Chapter)

I was the one you would call "the reluctant member". I resisted joining a "women's organization" and became a member only because one of my managers specifically asked me to join as a means of getting another employee involved and introduced around. I've been in the metals industry most of my working career - fabrication, steel service center, scrap and mill levels – yes, more than a few years.

Immediately after joining I was invited to serve on the Portland Chapter board. They seemed like a nice bunch of ladies and one of the positions available was editor of the Chapter newsletter. Editing a newsletter is a fun job and would keep me abreast of what is happening in our local market. So, I said, "Sure", but I made it crystal clear that editing the newsletter was all that I wanted to do and there was NO interest in moving into other board positions, nada, zippo, been there, done that, and I’ve got other things on my mind! I didn’t know the Portland chapter board had a secret weapon.

The Portland chapter has been successful since its inception in 1991. Serving on the board, I realized this success is due to the dynamic group of progressive, talented board members who have served on the board – several since the group’s inception. The benefit of having some long-time board members is learning what works and what doesn’t work for sure, as well as tweaking the new ideas to make them even more successful. I’ve been in awe of the creativity that comes out of our brainstorming sessions. Since I’ve been on board, we determined to move our golf venue to a private club. I nearly had a heart attack when we talked about the expense and risk (I’m a credit manager by profession and most of our board members are in marketing). There was so much enthusiasm that I kept my feelings to myself, ol’ party pooper. For our chapter, the move to private clubs has been hugely successful! We’ve also learned to "work" our chapter meetings too, promote the chapter, encourage networking, and make the extra effort to see that everyone has a good time. One of my biggest giggles came when I saw board members double team some unwitting first-time attendee, tell him we’d give him the member rate if he signed up that night, and so added him to our member count! It was obvious he thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it too. So, I learn and watch and grow - old dogs can learn new tricks. Did I say that we have a secret weapon too?

Next thing I knew, we’re at our annual planning retreat and I’m accepting the position of Vice President of our chapter. I’m not sure how it all happened – all a blur to me now – but I will tell you that I’m hooked and having way too much fun. I’m also focused on learning from our secret weapon as much as I can – she has this talent of moving everyone to a smiling "yes", even me. I’d give you her name, but ambushing is clearly part of the technique’s success and we’re looking for a new Membership Chair for next year...
 

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The Class of 2011 recently started its journey towards graduation. That also means that the carefree days of summer are behind us and our lives will return to the busy schedule that is known as the school year. Autumn also signifies the beginning of AWMI’s meeting and event calendar. Vacation is over and we get back to the task of juggling our busy schedule of family demands, work, board meetings, and AWMI dinners. It is also a time when you can make a difference in someone’s life by mentoring an AMWI current or prospective member.

What does it take to be an AWMI mentor? It takes the same level of interest, commitment, and confidence in your own abilities that it takes to mentor a student or young person. It also requires that you be sincerely interested in someone else’s growth. Your reward will be the satisfaction you will receive for having done an important job.

Did you know that your AWMI experiences in learning and working with others qualifies you to be a mentor? The best mentors are people whose own enthusiasm for AWMI is so contagious that they inspire others just by doing what they enjoy most. Sharing your own experiences in AWMI with a new member is the beginning of mentoring. The object of mentoring is to encourage the growth of a less experienced person within the organization. Are you a role model?

If you are already a mentor, keep up the good work. If you want to start mentoring someone you know, contact your chapter president and she will get you started. If you are a new member or if you are thinking about joining AWMI, know that it is our desire, with Mentoring, to help you every step of the way to Grow, Network, and Learn in AWMI!

As our lives become busier and busier with our work, families, and volunteer activities we must all ask ourselves, "Is our crazy schedule worth it!?" I would say yes for most of us women. Women always find time to do it all. However, we must also remember to be good to ourselves.

One of the ways to be good to yourself is by attending AWMI meetings and Leadership Conferences. Attending the meetings and the conferences allows you to network, make new contacts, learn what others do in the metal industries, share information from the meeting with others, learn to improve skills and techniques, and gain inspiration. Most importantly, meeting/conference attendance gives you a renewed perspective by taking you away from your daily routine.

My favorite meeting benefit from the above list is networking. Everyone knows networking is a good idea but why is it so important to our careers? Some of us are better at it than others. For those of us who have a hard time networking, remember that the benefits of networking far outweigh your fears. Just think what networking does for your self esteem when you get more comfortable meeting new people. When you come to AWMI meetings/conferences year after year, you become a family with your fellow members and we all know and love what that means! We are part of a wonderful community. You also learn current information about your industry, often from people from whom you would never expect to learn it.

Never wait to network until you are unemployed or unhappy in your job. Network all the time and make sure you network personally not just professionally. You will notice the difference at home and at work and I am sure your boss will notice too. I never thought I would be good at it, but I have come to love it over the years. I know a wide range of people in my industry. When I was looking for a new job, my industry contacts found me a new job almost immediately. Now I have the most wonderful job in the world. It's always exciting; sometimes frustrating (but that builds character) and most of all it has brought balance to my life.

So get out there and network, it will pay off both professionally and personally. Call me or any of your Executive Board and we will be glad to give you pointers and even show you how to get started at the next AWMI conference. It is a wonderful benefit that we sometimes forget.

I trust I will see everyone in Palm Springs during the Leadership Conference, in October!

Meet Christine Flowers, Executive Assistant
Christine Flowers, Executive Assistant for AWMI, is usually the first person you speak with when calling headquarters or send an e-mail inquiry. She has been a Talley employee for the last two years as the Executive Assistant to Gregg Talley, CEO of TMG. Christine also supports a couple of smaller clients of her own.

She has two college-age children, Katie and Brian, as well as an assortment of pets. In her spare time, Christine is an avid knitter and reader. Last year she started a knitting group with TMG co-workers that meets once a month working on individual and charity projects.

Michelle Forsythe (Tennessee Chapter President) has accepted a position in Outside Sales for Union Corrugating Company. Her territory includes Tennessee and Northern Alabama.

Sarah Moran (Chicago Chapter) has been promoted to Plate Product Control Manager at Mittal Steel USA.

Mary Murphy (Minnesota Chapter & International Programs Chair) has recently been named Regional Outside Sales Manager for Olympic Steel.

Karen Smith (Minnesota Chapter) is now Outside Sales Manager of Checker Machine.

Way to go, ladies! We wish you the very best as you continue to move up!

Rosemary Schmidt
It is with great sorrow that we report the passing of Rosemary Schmidt, AWMI Wisconsin’s first chapter president.

Rosemary was born on November 23, 1937, in Milwaukee where she was raised and graduated from Mercy High School. She was married to the late Richard Schmidt for 49 years. They made their home in Wauwatosa and moved to West Bend in 1990. Rosemary worked for Chicago Tube & Iron and Marquette University Dental School prior to a medical disability in 1989.

AWMI Wisconsin recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. It is because of the leadership efforts of Rosemary and the women who suceeded her that we are a strong and vibrant organization today.

Rosemary died on July 11, and she will certainly be missed. Our heartfelt condolences are extended to her family and friends.