It has been such a pleasure to participate in our Track meetings over the last 2 months–and I feel like we are just at the beginning. 52 women have now officially joined our Network, and many of them have become regulars at our weekly gatherings.
When we did our surveys with the women who were attending GGN semi-annual gatherings, the one thing they asked for more than anything else was more time with each other. It was great to connect at the big events, but they wanted to learn more about each other, and get actual help with the issues they were facing.
We started with the 4 Tracks, Foundations, Growth, Transitions and Give Back, and each group has had a unique flavor to it. In our Foundations group, we have explored how difficult it is to reach out and ask for help–or even know where to do it! Age wasn’t really a factor, as we have had women of a variety of ages and circumstances attend. To be able to let down our guard and just tell the truth about how we feel has been amazing.
With Growth, we are challenging each other to move forward both personally and professionally. In the two sessions so far we have seen women return and report of their progress–the changes they are making and the positive effect the mentoring from the other women has helped them.
In Transitions, we are helping women feel positive about that “itch” they feel to make changes in their lives, and explore avenues to do it. Our participants have a wealth of knowledge and experience to offer each other. I love watching the younger ones mentor the older ones in realizing the new ways they can go about things–and then have the tables turn and the more experienced women pass on their wisdom to the young women who sometimes try so hard to succeed that they sabotage themselves.
And in Give Back, we are experiencing the joy of offering each other ways to more fully participate in our communities, to make a difference and be able to offer our talents in myriad ways. Once again, so much wisdom is being passed back and forth!
I’m so grateful that this is working, and I really look forward to seeing where it goes!
Thanks to all of the Great Girls who are Amazing Women!
Margery Miller