Register Now for the 2016 Annual Conference
Annnnoooounncement! Early Bird Registration for the 2016 NFWL Annual Conference is officially open! Join us in Orlando, Florida, November 16-20 at the Loew’s Portofino Hotel.
A limited number of travel and lodging scholarships are available for currently elected women, so register today!
Register Now
Take a look back at the 2015 Annual Conference
Women in the News
“The Rest is History”
NFWL got the chance to sit down with Wisconsin Representative Kathy Bernier to take a closer look at her perspective on leadership.
“I think the best leader is the one who will step in and help out whenever needed,” said Rep. Bernier, “and that way other people are always more willing to follow because they know they’ve set the example for them.”
Read more about Rep. Bernier’s leadership story, including how she first came to think of herself as a leader and how that experience has led to the NFWL Spring Symposium.
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A Legacy on the Mountain
Montana Representative Kimberly Dudik is a dedicated NFWL State Director, and an innovative leader in this organization.
In keeping with the theme of “leadership” this month, we had the opportunity to learn more about learn more about the catalyst for New Leadership™ Montana. The Center for American Women and Politics partners with the University of Montana for a program designed to mentor the next generation of women leaders.
Through this interview, we gained an insight into not only Representative Dudik’s roots in leadership, but her experience with the barriers women face when entering politics.
“I first ran for office when I ran for Vice President of the Student Council when I was in high school,” said Rep. Dudik, “I ran with a guy who ran as President, because I did not think a woman could win as President. I was already aware of gender constraints at that point in time.”
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As an organization dedicated to our members, NFWL highlights our women in each and every newsletter through our new interview series. Contact Meghan at meghan@womenlegislators.org to schedule an interview today
What’s Happening?
Bringing Resources, Programs, and Presentations Right to Your Fingertips
Do you need talking points on Fiscal Policy, or presentation materials for Women in Politics?
Or perhaps you want to connect with constituents on Emergency Preparedness Drills or Children & Family Issues.
NFWL’s Grab ‘n Go Center has just what you need!
We are continuously adding new materials to this resource center. Be sure to check out the latest additions we’ve launched this past week!
Visit the Grab ‘n Go Center now!
NFWL Human Trafficking Summit
“This summit will open your eyes to the atrocities of human trafficking. It will expose the immediacy of the human trafficking crisis in America: hiding in plain sight in the pews at church, in the grocery stores, and even in our own neighborhoods.”–Senator Judy Emmons
Upcoming Events
Wisconsin Spring Symposium
April 22- 23, 2016
Clarion Hotel and Convention Center
2703 Craig Road
Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701
Hosts: WI Representative Kathy Bernier, State Director Representative Melissa Sargent, NFWL Board Members, and Special Guest WI Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch
Sponsored by: Wal-Mart and Xcel Energy
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Arkansas Dome Tour
April 27, 2016
Next Level Events
Genesis Room 2
1400 W Markham St.
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Hosts: NFWL State Director Senator Linda Collins Smith with NFWL Chair Representative Helene Keeley
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Human Trafficking Summit
Renaissance Capital View Hotel
2800 South Potomac Avenue
Arlington, VA 22202
Co-Chairs: Michigan Senator Judy Emmons and Montana Representative Kimberly Dudik
Women’s History Month 2016
A Look Back at How NFWL Celebrated
This year, the theme for Women’s History Month was “Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government.”
NFWL launched the Share Your Story Video Project, asking elected women to send in video interviews so we could honor these trailblazers and their stories.
Click below to check out a few of the videos we received!
Interested in submitting a video?
Contact Meghan at meghan@womenlegislators.org
Leadership Development
Essential vs. Important:
The Life Changing Power of Less
Ever feel like there are not enough hours in the day? Do you feel like your life is slipping away from you at the expense of other people’s agendas?
In her latest article, Lisa McLeod urges readers to refocus on what we believe is essential, instead of trying to do everything that is thrown at us. According to Greg McKeown, author of Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, by focusing on what is most essential, you can “make the highest possible contribution towards the things that really matter”. This is an effective alternative to throwing bits and pieces of yourself at different projects and ultimately no being able to give those tasks your all.
“Essentialism is not about prioritizing what’s important, it is about discerning what is essential,” argues McLeod. “The nuanced difference in language represents a quantum difference in thinking.”
McLeod gives a helpful example of achieving such essentialism. She describes how she spends 10 minutes before and after meetings to ask “deep questions about why we’re here, and then process what happened.” As a result, McLeod argues she has less meetings, and that they are more effective.
Success comes with responsibility, but ultimate success comes with passion. If you dedicate yourself to one task, instead of spreading yourself too thin, your impact will be much greater.
Click here to read the full article
Lisa McLeod is the creator of the popular business concept Noble Purpose and author of the bestseller, Selling with Noble Purpose. She is a sales leadership consultant and keynote speaker. Organizations like Genentech, Google, and Kaiser hire her to help them grow revenue.