Special Interest Groups, or SIGs, are a hallmark of the RWN experience, and a unique opportunity for RWN members to meet and discuss a shared career focus or personal interest. These member-driven, member-facilitated groups meet regularly to form strong connections and support one another, while gaining insight into professional development, expanding business networks, and having fun.
With a wide variety of topics and times to meet, you can pick what interests you and what works best with your schedule. Don’t see a group that interests you? Have an idea for a new Special Interest Group other members might enjoy? Work with us to start a new group by completing a New SIG Suggestion Form. Our SIG Support Committee Chair will contact you to assist with the details.
Special Interest Groups are a member-only benefit. Before attending a SIG meeting for the first time, members should contact the SIG Chair. Read more about each of our current Special Interest Groups:
Chair: Dawn Hampsey
Dawn@HampseyCPA.com
The Board of Advisors SIG is a group for small business owners. BOA SIG members act as a confidential advisory board for each other. We meet monthly to discuss our goals, track our progress, and talk through any business question a group member needs advice or input on.
Membership is open to individuals who are business owners working full-time at their business. Attendance at meetings is required, with two absences a year allowed. Members can call in for a meeting if they are unable to attend in person.
Date: first Wednesday of each month
Time: 3 PM to 5 PM
Chairs: Teresa Delibert, Miranda Wilcox
teresa@delibertemployment.com
miranda@thrivepotential.com
Is a change in your future? Exploring new professional opportunities? Find new paths with us! Discuss how to take advantage of current opportunities and move forward in a way that honors you and your skills. Share, learn, and listen to make the most of this time for professional growth, realizing opportunities, and reaching goals. This SIG will be facilitated by Teresa Delibert, Certified Personnel Consultant & Miranda Wilcox, Professional Certified Coach.
Date: second Wednesday of each month
Time: 5:30 PM to 7 PM
Chair: Brigid Ryan
brigidsryan@gmail.com
This SIG provides volunteer assistance to women's organizations or organizations that support women's issues in the Rochester community as a way to give back and make a positive difference. Together as a SIG we identify events and coordinate volunteers.
Date: first Monday of each month
Time: 5:45 PM
Chair: Holly Hewins
hollish@frontiernet.net
This SIG is for women with careers that deal with some aspect of finance. We are all about networking and sharing information pertinent to our profession. The world of finance is rapidly changing and we help keep each other current.
Date: third Wednesday of the month
Time: Noon to 1 PM
Chair: Terra Osterling
terra@suddenwriteturn.com
Do you have action figures on display in your workspace? Can you easily shift between a 'galaxy far, far away' and 'Platform 9 and 3/4'? Is your other car a Tardis? Then you might fit in with the Geek Squad SIG.
This is a social group that meets quarterly at the pleasure of the members, who share a love for the sci-fi, fantasy, and super hero worlds of books, movies, tv shows, comics, and video games. Meetups have occurred at POP ROC Cereal Bar; future meetups might include movies at theaters or in-home screenings.
Please contact Terra Osterling to be included on the next meetup discussion. Introverts welcome!
Date: Quarterly, as determined by the group
Time: Saturday mornings
Chairs: Cynthia Ely, Michelle Wescott
MissCynthia@therefinementstudio.com
mwescott@gillespieassociates.com
We are an interactive group. We provide peer support, conscious leadership development, and problem-solving. Members are encouraged to request help and/or encouragement, share leadership or management challenges, be open to receiving thoughts, ideas, and suggestions from members. Our purpose is to help each member become conscious of her/his leadership skills, provide support and peer guidance, provide a forum for problem-solving, and share best practices.
*Members are required to maintain confidentiality.
Date: third Friday of the month
Time: 7:30 AM to 9 AM (Networking 7:30 AM to 8 AM, meeting 8 AM to 9 AM)
Contact: Joanne Madonia
jmmral@rit.edu
Conquering Rochester one restaurant at a time! Interested in great food, great company, and a chance to try new restaurants? Then join us! We enjoy a different restaurant each month while getting to know each other. Everyone pays for their own food and drink.
Date: second Wednesday of the month
Time: 6 PM
Location: location changes each month
Chairs: Lauren Goetz
Lauren@everydayhandshelp.com
April Wiesner
April@roccitypopalock.com
RWN's Referral SIG is for women business owners who want to foster relationships, build their business, and become brand advocates for their fellow members. One representative from each industry is welcome. Attendance is required, with an occasional sub when you can’t make it to ensure that the group stays robust and interactive.
Date: second & fourth Fridays of the month
Time: 12 to 1:30 PM
Chairs: Meg Leonard, Erin Garrett
coachmegleonard@gmail.com
erin.garrett@northwest.com
The RWN Rochester Women Refer group was so popular, we've created a second group to accommodate more of our members. As with the other Refer SIG, one member per industry is welcome.
Date: second & fourth Thursdays of the month
Time: 12-1:30 PM
Chair: Jackie Johnson
jackie@offsiteaccounting.co
The RWN Sales and Marketing SIG is for anyone who would like to learn about marketing, sales, and how to grow their business. We provide you with tips on branding, marketing, prospecting, converting calls into appointments, how to close more deals, how to use social media, website management, SEOs, and more. We also share ideas and develop our own best practices. All you need are a notebook, pen, and a winning attitude. The “sky is the limit.”
Date: third Thursday of the month
Time: 11:45 AM
Chair: Lori Sussle Bonanni
lori@elssus.com
Part referral group, part peer support, and part professional development, the SIG SIG provides a forum and inspiration for RWN members to contribute to each other’s success by sharing referrals, best practices, and strategic connections in a safe and supportive environment. Members who naturally give to others—without compromising their own success—will be the best fit for this group. A group of people who want to give help and receive contacts and information to achieve their professional goals will fulfill the SIG’s purpose.
Date: first and third Thursdays of the month
Time: networking 8 to 8:30 AM and the formal agenda 8:30 to 9:30 AM
Chair: Carol Kennedy
carol@carolkennedylmt.com
The more wines people taste, the better they become at recognizing the characteristics of the wines they enjoy. SIG members have the opportunity to taste several wines a month. We study wine regions around the world, grape varietals, food and wine pairings, reading wine labels, and the wine making process.
Chair: Katie Rudow
kar4333@gmail.com
We’re a drinking group with a networking problem. Due to popular demand, Rochester Women's Network has started a second Wine SIG! We learn about wine, food, and each other as we sip around the wine bars and restaurants of Rochester.
Date: third Thursday of the month
Time: 5 PM
Location: varies each month
Chairs: Victoria Frankiewich, Taylor Garlock
victoria@waterstonefinancialservices.com
taylor@rochra.com
Networking dedicated to the personal and professional growth of today’s modern young professional woman. Because YP’s of today are heavily focused on a work/life balance, we decided we plan to hold two meetings a month: one will focus on professional growth and one will be more of a fun, networking opportunity. Our goal is to create a variety of events for young professional women to grow and network, opportunities that move beyond traditional bar “meet-ups.”
Date/time: 2nd Tuesday of the Month – Noon to 1pm
Date/time: 4th Thursday of the Month - Evening meeting