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
Location: RWN office
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.
This group meets as needed throughout the year.
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
Location: The King & I Restaurant, 1455 E. Henrietta Road
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
Chair: Michelle Wescott
michelle.l.wescott@gmail.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)
Location: RWN office
Chair: 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
Location: varies each month