How do you ask?
Learn more at the next AWIS/WEST Joint program!

WEDNESDAY - Dec. 10^th

"Negotiation and Gender in the Workplace"

Harvard Kennedy School Professor Hannah Riley Bowles presents her current research on negotiation and gender in the workplace, and discusses implications for working women.  Join over 50 people who have already registered for the event! 

The evening includes refreshments and plenty of time for the audience to ask questions, and meet other members of WEST as well as members of the Association for Women in Science (AWIS), which is co-sponsoring the event. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Wednesday, Dec. 10th
Where: Wyeth Research, 200 Cambridgepark Dr, Cambridge MA
(One block from red-line Alewife T stop, and parking is available)
Time: 6:00-9:00pm
Preregistration (until 6pm Tues. Dec. 9th): $15 PostDocs & Students, $25 WEST & AWIS Members, $40 Non-Members. At the door: $10 more

REGISTER NOW at www.westorg.org

WEST and AWIS thank Wyeth Research for its sponsorship and support of this event.

***********************************************************
OTHER NEWS AND EVENTS OF INTEREST

Check out this month’s AWIS magazine!  The article below about the MASS AWIS mentoring program is in the chapter’s section!

MASS AWIS launches its Mentoring Circle Program

Over 50 women are to be involved in the first MASS (Boston Area) AWIS chapter Mentoring Circle Program.   A Mentoring Circle is a new paradigm on the mentoring scene.  A Mentoring Circle is a small group of women scientists committed to meeting regularly and supporting one another with advice, support and information.  Each AWIS mentoring circle consists of 3-5 peers and is coordinated and supported by one mentor.  The time commitment is expected to be 2-6 hours per month over an 8 month period (September to April) at which time the 11 Mentoring Circles will come together for a celebratory concluding party.  We hope that the relationships built will lead to circles that will want to continue meeting after the conclusion of the formal program.

As a support for women in scientific fields, this type of mentoring format has many advantages.  One issue addressed is the fact that there just aren’t enough women scientists available to serve as mentors.  This format allows one mentor to work with a number of mentees on a regular basis.  In addition, there are distinct advantages to the peer mentoring aspects of this program.  Many women in scientific careers find themselves isolated from other woman scientists with whom they can share experiences.  This structure brings together a group of women, encourages them to meet regularly to develop a close and trusting relationship which can blossom into an atmosphere of sharing and support.

To help the AWIS Mentoring Circles succeed, an organized program and infrastructure have been set up by the MASS AWIS Mentoring Committee.  Committee members Masha Hareli, Dayse Sena, Carol Manahan, Joanne Kamens and Janet Buhlman have tapped information from other organizations (such as the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association of Boston),  incorporated these ideas with their knowledge of the AWIS chapter members  to create a structure that will lead to a successful program.   Participants were recruited with emails to our MASS AWIS listserv.  Mentor and mentee Candidates were asked to fill out a survey online.  The survey results were collected, analyzed and used to match women with like concerns into mentoring groups.   Geography (work and home locations) was also a key factor as the ability to assemble at a convenient, central location might serve as a key factor for success.

We are excited to see the fruits of our labor as the year progresses.   If you want to read more about mentoring circles we recommend the book “Every Other Thursday:  Stories and Strategies from Successful Women Scientists” by Ellen Daniell.  For more information on how to implement a Mentoring Circle program in your chapter, contact Joanne Kamens (jkamens@...).