A Letter from CWC President
Cindi Bates
September 2020
Dear Members:
Hello to all the wonderful women of the Connecticut Women’s Council! We have made it to fall and school, hopefully enjoying a bit of summer along the way. It continues to be a long strange, often stressful year, for many of us at work, at home, in the country and world, and often in our own heads. Staying connected with supportive friends is key and we all have such a rich network of supportive friends through CWC!
The Board of Directors took a moment at our annual (this year virtual) retreat to take stock on the past few months of CWC activities. So many of you have stayed engaged through our Zoom social hours and First Thursday conversations, and have in fact found that we get to know each other in new ways in the virtual format. We had great turnout for our virtual programs on the changing media landscape and with Secretary of the State Denise Merrill. And more recently small group gatherings at a local brewery and vineyard have worked for many of you. Mother Nature pushed the August Book Club back onto Zoom.
Survey results (and thanks to all who responded) tell us that as we navigate the fall, a mix of virtual and carefully planned small group in person events (while the weather allows) will keep us talking, interested and enjoying each other’s company. Zoom fatigue is a real thing, guidance will evolve and everyone’s schedules, risk tolerance and stressors are different – and so we will aim for variety, flexibility and programs that are engaging. We will focus in particular on programs that speak to surviving and even thriving in this strange time – beginning with distanced yoga in Elizabeth Park. We are also working on programs which help us better understand issues related to justice and equality, possibly working with other organizations such as the Stowe Center. And finally we will make sure we provide opportunities to just be together, relax and have some fun – at our member lunch in multiple small groups and in ongoing virtual conversations and social hours. Thank you so much to Mary Zeman and to our Program Committee Chairs Amy Miller and Sally Weisman (and their committee) for really great work.
Bottom line – we all know that large CWC in-person events are wonderful, but now we also know that CWC gathered virtually is terrific as well. And that is because CWC is not just events, it is women. Professional women looking for a great group of peers who become friends, inspiration and supports. The time will come when we are all able to be together again in person but in the meantime we hope you will stick with us. Join in where you can, pay your dues and let us know what types of CWC activities you’d like to see. Continue to share the CWC opportunity with other women and invite guests even to virtual programs.
I hope to see many of you online or maybe even in person.
Best,
Cindi