Women's Leadership Council is a collaboration
of women committed to significantly improving
the quality of life in the Twin Cities through focused
philanthropic giving, advocacy and volunteering.

Members support the program with an annual
financial gift of $2,500 or more.

View our spring 2008 newsletter (PDF).

Steering Committee
First row (left to right): Mary Wawro, Susan Seltzer, Michele Janin, Janel Goff
Second Row: Megan Mourning, Terri Ferrise
Third row: Ann Burns, Jeri Meola, Mary Merrill
Not pictured: Lori Helmer

Page Index:
Vision / Objectives / Results
Upcoming Events
Membership Levels
Program Support
Council in Action
Committee Opportunities
Volunteering

Vision / Objectives / Results

Vision

Women's Leadership Council strives to ensure our community's children enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school.

By making investments to ensure all children are fully ready for school, the Council is helping give children the tools they need to succeed.

Our efforts are closely aligned with United Way's early childhood initiative, a comprehensive community plan for addressing school readiness.

Mary Merrill
2008 Women's Leadership Council Chair

2008 Objectives

• Increase Council membership by raising awareness of the critical importance of early childhood education.
• Identify and invest in programs that work with the Council's mission.
• Demonstrate measurable results through Council investments.

Results to date

• Members: 96
• Funds raised: Over $850,000 through membership, one-time gifts and board matches.

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Upcoming Events

Program Bus Tour and Summer Social—Thursday, July 24
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Tour begins and ends at Jeremiah Program, 1510 Laurel Ave., Minneapolis
Lunch to follow at Jeremiah Program.

Educational Seminar—Wednesday, September 10
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Greater Twin Cities United Way, 404 South Eighth Street, Minneapolis
Speaker: State Representative Nora Slawik

Annual Membership Luncheon—Tuesday, October 28
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location TBD


For more information, please e-mail Shari Mathewson or call 612-340-7465.

• View photos from past events.

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Membership Levels

Circle Member ($2,500-$4,999)
President's Circle Member ($5,000+)

• Membership benefits include special council events, service opportunities on council committees and recognition opportunities.
• The Council was created to raise additional funds to address critical issues in the community. A contribution to the Women's Leadership Council in addition to an annual United Way campaign gift is desired.
• Donors contributing $10,000 and more annually to United Way are considered members of the Tocqueville Society and are recognized locally and nationally.

More info.

• View current member listing.
• View our 2008 brochure (PDF).
• For more information on Women's Leadership Council or to become a member, e-mail Shari Mathewson or call 612-340-7465.

Member Profile: Jeri Meola, Women's Leadership Council founding member

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Program Support

The Council was founded in 2005 and is in its third successful year of funding important programs that support both children and their parents.

• 2007 details
• 2006 details
• 2005 details

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Council in Action

Watch this short video to learn more about getting involved.

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Committee Opportunities

We are always looking for volunteers to serve on one of the working committees:

• Building the Circle—Identify strategies and events to engage new members and retain current members.
• Volunteer Opportunities—Identify volunteer activities/opportunities that provide meaningful engagement.  This committee works hand-in-hand with the Program Funding and Education and Awareness committees.
• Education and Awareness—Develop strategies and identify opportunities to build awareness among women in our community,  Members review the impact of the United Way focus areas and the Council's community goals.
• Program Funding—Identify strategies and investment opportunities to achieve the Council's objectives.
• Steering Committee—Responsible for the overall development and implementation of the Council's strategic plan as well as provide support and direction of Council committees.  This committee is led by the chair, chair-elect, immediate past chair, Council committee chairs and designated United Way staff.
• Nominating Committee—Responsible for annually identifying and recommending the new chair-elect. This committee is led by the immediate past chair, current chair, chair-elect, co-chairs of the Building the Circle Committee, two Council members at-large (to be appointed by the Steering Committee) and the Women's Leadership Council donor consultant.

For more information, please e-mail Shari Mathewson or call 612-340-7465.

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Volunteering

Interested in volunteering with one of our supported programs?

Check out United Way Caring Connection where you can search for Women's Leadership Council volunteer opportunities within the programs we support. The Council provides multiple volunteer opportunities throughout the year that typically involve a social/networking opportunity as well (lunch/dinner). Check out our Upcoming Events for more details.

View past volunteer opportunities.

If you have any questions and/or are interested in volunteering, please e-mail Terri Ferrise.

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