I am thrilled to participate in a new initiative sponsored by Otterbein University, the Otterbein Women and Leadership Mentoring Program.  It's a year-long program that matches Otterbein female students with women in the surrounding community who share common interests. There are over 70 participants in the program.

I have been matched with a wonderful young woman, Alexandra Shaffer, who has interests in writing, editing and publishing. (A perfect match for me!)

During a recent gathering where other mentors and I met our mentee matches for the first time, program staff gave everyone time to brainstorm important aspects of effective mentoring relationships.  Alexandra and I discussed our shared goal of experiencing new things as a way to grow together this year. In addition to helping Alex experience the world of publishing, she and I will do things that we have collectively or individually never experienced.  I am very excited to start building our lists.

It doesn’t take a formal program to become a mentor or a mentee, but I am thrilled that Otterbein has launched this program to help connect its students with women in the community. It's going to be a great year that promises to expand Alex's and my horizons.

Did you know that January is National Mentoring Month?  Check out these resource and news links:

(NPR) Why Do So Few Women Have Mentors? http://www.npr.org/2011/12/14/143707496/why-do-so-few-women-have-mentors

(Harvard Business Review) Know Which Kind of Mentor You Need  http://links.mkt3142.com/servlet/MailView?ms=MzA4MDA0NAS2&r=Mzc4ODk4NDk2S0&j=MzczNjM0NzES1&mt=1&rt=0 

National Mentoring Partnership, National Mentoring Month Organization http://www.nationalmentoringmonth.org/

Corporation for National & Community Service http://www.serve.gov/mentor.asp

(SBA) Steps to Finding a [Small Business] Mentor http://www.sba.gov/content/steps-finding-mentor 

TaKeysha Sheppard Cheney is the founder of The Women's Book, a publishing company that shares inspiration and resources.  Learn more at www.thewomensbook.com

On July 5th, Kaira Rouda took her national book tour to the home of Sheila Elsbrock in Cincinnati.  Guests enjoyed wine, a summer inspired spread of delicious food and the opportunity to buy books and connect directly with Kaira.

Kaira's new novel, Here, Home, Hope, tells the story of a mother's journey from midlife crisis to reinvention. The book has won the prestigious National Indie Excellence Award and is endorsed by New York Times bestselling authors including Jenna Blum, Jacquelyn Mitchard, Beth Hoffman and Claire Cook, among others.  Read more, watch the promotional video and buy the book here. 

Learn more about Kaira Rouda.

Check out pics from the gathering:

On July 14^th HandsOn Central Ohio (formerly First Link) hosted a HandsOn Women Happy Hour event.  The organization mobilizes volunteers and connects people to critical community resources.

The happy hour introduced women in the community to HandsOn Central Ohio’s services including volunteer opportunities and its dynamic new website, www.handsoncentralohio.org.  Guests enjoyed wine, light refreshments and a special presentation by one of the organization's community partners, the Women’s Respite Program www.womenaffirmingwomen.org, that serves low-income women through education and other support services.  Guests brought new or gently used items for the Women’s Respite retreat boutique.

HandsOn Central Ohio plans to hold additional gatherings for women to help connect them to the services it provides and community partners.

Click here to learn about HandsOn Central Ohio’s Volunteer Project Leader positions. 

The United Way of Central Ohio (UWCO) Women's Leadership Council held it's annual induction of new members in partnership with DSW on Monday, June 20, 2011.  The Council combines the financial power and the collective talents of philanthropic women to address unmet needs in the community.  

The Stepping Up for Women event included testimonials from Council members and mentees, shoe give-aways, and special remarks by UWCO's President and CEO, Janet Jackson and Kelly Cook, Vice President of Customer Strategy & Engagement for DSW.  Council Mentee Brit Zaragoza gave inspirational remarks about the positive impact  of the program on her life and the inspiration and support the Council has given her in growing and starting her business, MENU by Britt (www.facebook.com/menubybritt)

To learn more about the Women's Leadership Council and how to get involved visit this link: http://www.liveunitedcentralohio.org/wlc 

View more pictures of the event here.