WOB eNews: February 2009

 

2nd Diversity on Boards Conference, 1-3 September 2009, Sydney NSW.
Featuring subscriber only Boardroom Readiness Workshop & lunch at UBS, mentoring dinner, free childcare, massages and healthy breaks. Speakers: Arni Hole, Director General Ministry of Children and Equality Norway, Katie Lahey, Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia, David Gonski, Chair ASX and a host of other influential leaders in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors.
Sponsored by AFR BOSS Magazine.

1. WOB success on well connected board

Recent success on the newly formed Melanoma Institute of Australia board is another great case study of how WOB promotes well credentialled women to achieve directorships. Two WOBers, Helen Wiseman and Jenny Reynolds, have been appointed to the MIA board and will be active in the building and development of this multi-million research institute for Australia. Congratulations to them both.

Click here to read the case study...

2. New resources for WOB network

WOB is launching its new Fact Sheets service for the WOB network. Located behind the Resources link on the website, Facts Sheets are topic specific to assist women present a case for diversity on boards to their company or at an AGM or similar. Keep an eye on this section as it will continue to grow. You can also find links to WOB endorsed services, such as CV maestro, Kerry Chater, relevant research and education organisations and the State registers for women.

Go to: www.womenonboards.org.au/resources/index.htm

3. Maximise your WOB membership

Tip 34 Speaker's Corner

The 11 February edition of WOB vacancies advertised for WOB subscribers interested in joining our formative Speaker's Corner. This will become a permanent feature of our website shortly. In the meantime, if you missed the posting, it is ID503

Tip 33 WOB website

Progressive changes are being made to the WOB website to improve the look and feel, make it easier to change your information and introduce new features such as Speakers Corner, Find a Mentor etc .  So if the page layout looks a bit different take a moment to see if there is more on the screen or the page needs scrolling down to see everything.  

Tip 32 Review Your My Resume

You should review your My Resume entry on the website regularly.  What has changed in the past few months? Do you now have a better summary? Do you have a more targeted list of boards?

4. Help us help you!

Take the opportunity to email a friend and encourage then to join Women on Boards. A suggested email to your address book is:

Invitation to Register with Women on Boards
I have been a member of Women on Boards for (xx) years and strongly recommend you to become part of this dynamic and influential network. Women on Boards exists to improve the numbers of women on not for profit, private, government and public sector boards and committees. It is pragmatic, pro-active and very refreshing and honest in its approach.

Board work is really rewarding and something more women should be considering in their career. WOB gives you the confidence and know-how to apply for board positions and negotiate your way around the politics! Board vacancies you may not have heard of or considered are posted on the website and a lot of work is done behind the scenes on 'off the radar' companies.

The network has around 6,500 women and is run almost exclusively from its website - www.womenonboards.org.au. Have a look and at least register (which is free) before taking the next step of joining.

5. Publications this month

One of the attendees at the latest WOB Online program is Annalisa  Haskell, GM AIM. Many of you will know that they have a good bookshop.  So Annalisa has put together some suggested reading on corporate governance and financial analysis. Her suggestions are at: www.womenonboards.org.au/resources/reading/index.htm

6. Director Vacancies

In February, more than 15 organisations posted vacancies with WOB, some with multiple positions.  There has been a strong push from Victoria, which has always been very active in promoting women. Congratulations in particular to the Victorian Government which has a transparent process for advertising vacancies. Those of you in other states are encouraged to spread  the word about our free service and the exceptional women on our database. There is now lots of information about these services on the website at: www.womenonboards.org.au/search/ and www.womenonboards.org.au/vacancy/ 

7. The Boardroom

Case studies of successful women are at The Boardroom.

Vivienne Corcoran is a successful SME owner who has recently launched "Growing your Professional Practice". Vivienne's profile is at http://www.womenonboards.org.au/subscribe/profiles/index.htm 

8. Supported Events

Entries under Supported Events are activities that we think will be of interest to WOBers. All of these events are booked directly with the organisation involved. For a range of current events see www.womenonboards.org.au/events/external/index.htm

8.1 Be informed about the impact of the tax system on women

On 13 May 2008 the Australian Government announced the Henry Review of 'Australia's Future Tax System'.  The National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) has been commissioned to develop a submission about women and the tax system and to include the views of as many women as possible. Click www.womenonboards.org.au/events/external/index.htm to find out more.