If you are attending the CanWEA 2008 Conference and Trade Show in Vancouver, British Columbia, please join other women attendees for a networking event.

• WoWE Tea at Can WEA Conference
• Tuesday, October 21, 2008 from 9:45am to 11:00am
• Vancouver Convention Centre - Room 8 (2nd floor)
• Hosted by the WoWE Canadian Chapter
• Contact Rebecca Black for more information or to help volunteer

We will be welcoming the following guest speakers:

• Joyce Maclean - CanWEA and Toronto Hydro
• Teresa Howland - Bullfrog Power
• Linda Munro - Vestas
• Monique Stevenson - Sea Breeze Power
• Rebecca Black - Black Current Marketing 

Many thanks to our sponsors for making this event possible.

We hope you can join us!

Thanks to everyone who completed the on-line survey for WoWE. Your suggestions will be used to update the WoWE website, help craft a 2009 agenda for our group and give the individual Chapters a starting point for developing their own programs. Please click on the link below to view the complete results, including comments.

Calling all Mentors and Mentees!

Women of Wind Energy (WoWE) is excited to introduce our new Mentoring Program. The original idea was suggested at a past WoWE Luncheon, and we are happy to roll it out in 2008.

(The first session is now underway. Registrations for the second session will be accepted after the first of the year. Please check back for specific dates.)

WoWE would like to thank the following corporate sponsors for their generous financial support of this program.

Why create a mentoring program for women in the wind energy industry?
We hope to encourage more women to become involved in all aspects of the wind energy industry, to improve career options for women already in the field, to provide a path for developing future female leaders, and to provide a networking tool for women in the wind energy industry.

Who can participate?
We are encouraging both women and men of all backgrounds to participate. Although the program was designed with women in mind, WoWE recognizes the important role of men in supporting WoWE’s mission and the unique perspectives men can bring to a mentoring relationship. Men are welcome to participate in the as Mentors and/or Mentees.

How will the WoWE Mentoring Program work?
WoWE will be using an online mentoring program that provides the overall structure for designing and maintaining each mentoring relationship. We are joining with The Mentoring Connection website (TMC) to offer this program to you. All participation in the WoWE Mentoring Program is voluntary, and there are no fees or charges associated with being either a Mentor or Mentee. The initial session begins in August 2008 and will run for 12 months. Additional session will follow based on interest.

Registration Forms for Mentor and Mentee are filled out directly on line. (Further instructions are below.) Those interested in being a Mentee can review the information provided by the potential Mentors and contact the individual they feel would make the best match. The Mentor then can accept, decline or refer the mentoring request, depending on their availability. Each mentoring relationship will have its own customized mentoring plan, and the WoWE Program Coordinate will provide training and guidance throughout the process. Participants may communicate by email, phone or in-person meetings.

The WoWE Program Coordinator will administer the Mentoring Program and provide you with initial and ongoing training, helpful topics and information throughout the 12-month period, mid-point and final program evaluations to assess the progress of each mentoring relationship, and be your primary contact for program questions and information.

How will WoWE ensure confidentiality?
WoWE understands that with a program of this nature, confidentiality is a key concern. Each mentoring relationship will define for itself what the nature of confidentially will be within it. From an overall program standpoint, the WoWE Program Coordinator will ensure that the information on-line via TMC and any other materials related to the program remain confidential.

What are the Mentor/Mentee roles?
Each mentoring relationship is as unique as the individuals involved in it. However, no matter who the individuals are or what shape the relationship takes, helping candidates understand the program and what the expectations are for their roles and responsibilities creates a stronger and more productive relationship. Below are points Mentors and Mentees should consider.

Why be a Mentee?
Being a Mentee allows you the opportunity to tap into the experience and learning of professionals already in the wind energy industry. Other benefits include:

• Learning new things about you, your strengths and hidden talents
• Contributing to the success of your company/organization and the wind energy industry
• Career growth and satisfaction
• Expanding networking opportunities

Mentee role and responsibilities:
WoWE expects Mentee candidates will exhibit these characteristics to help facilitate a productive mentoring relationship.

Qualities in a Mentee

• Passion for learning and a desire to live up to their potential
• Ability to follow through on commitments
• Receptive to feedback
• Trustworthiness, ability to keep confidences

Responsibilities of a Mentee

• Willingness to commit time and energy to the mentoring process
• Assist in the development of Mentoring Agreement and Mentoring Action Plan
• Proactive in carrying out the specifics of the mentoring action plan and periodic evaluations and follow-up
• Provide constructive feedback to WoWE

Why be a Mentor?
While Mentees usually participate in mentoring for one or two basic reasons, the reasons for Mentors wanting to do so are more numerous and varied. They may include:

• Opportunity to affect the future of those working in the wind energy industry
• Benefit of giving back to the industry and professional community
• Continued personal and professional growth
• Personal satisfaction

Mentor role and responsibilities:
As with Mentees, WoWE expects Mentor candidates also will exhibit these specific characteristics to help facilitate a productive mentoring relationship.

Qualities in a Mentor

• Possesses a positive outlook
• Exhibits good communication skills
• Capable of working with a diverse groups and individuals
• Trustworthiness, ability to keep confidences
  

Responsibilities of a Mentor

• Willingness to commit time and energy to the mentoring process
• Assist in the development of Mentoring Agreement and Mentoring Action Plan
• Commitment to carrying out the specifics of the Mentoring Action Plan and periodic evaluations and follow-up
• Take a leadership role (rather than managerial) and model the characteristics and behaviors of a leader
• Provide constructive feedback to the mentee, and to WoWE
• Be open to feedback and suggestions for improving the effectiveness as a mentor

What do I do if I’m interested?
If you are interested in learning more about the program, please follow these simple steps:

• Go to the TMC website
• Click on the “Sign-Up Here” link and enter the Group ID: WOWE
• Complete and submit the User Profile
• When the notification appears, click OK and complete the Registration Form

FAQs

How do I join?
Go to the TMC website
Click on the “Sign-Up Here” link and enter the Group ID: WOWE.
Complete and submit the User Profile
When the notification appears, click OK and complete the Registration Form

Can I be both a Mentor and Mentee?
Yes. There are separate Registration Forms to complete for both Mentor and Mentee. We encourage anyone interested in serving in both capacities to do so, however, please make sure that you can commit to the suggested time commitments (four to six hours per month.)

What is the time commitment?
Past experiences have shown that most Mentors devote four to six hours a month working with the Mentee. The time commitment varies for Mentees based on what goals and activities they are pursuing.

Is there a cost to join?
No. There are no fees associated with signing up for this program. We ask only that you donate your time and energy!

How long will I be in the program?
The formal mentoring relationship is designed to last 12 months. In other mentoring programs it is quite common for the relationship to continue after the formal mentoring timeframe is completed.

Can I join this program as a way to find a job in the wind energy industry?
The purpose of this program is not an employment or job-posting venue. We are offering this program to those who are interesting in working in some sector of the wind energy industry. The Mentoring Action Plan that is developed by the Mentor and Mentee will cover many components, and job-hunting advice may be one.

Do Mentors and Mentees need to be in the same city/state?
No. Our program is designed for long-distance mentoring relationships. We know that it most likely is not feasible to match each Mentee with a Mentor in their geographic area; although you can search on that for a match if it is an important aspect for you. The program is carried out via the TMC website, so you can be in any state or country to participate.

How do you match people up?
Once Mentors and Mentees sign up, the Mentees can view the Registration Forms of the Mentors on-line, and can reach out to potential Mentors with whom they feel they would be able to build a strong mentoring relationship. The final decision on a match is made between the Mentor and Mentee.

How often do you get together with your Mentor?
The specific number of mentoring sessions, the time involved, and the communication method can vary from one mentoring relationship to another. This is one part of the Mentoring Agreement developed by the Mentor and Mentee.

How many mentoring relationship are you scheduling?
We are not setting a limit on the number of mentoring relationships. We will work to find an appropriate Mentor for all interested Mentees.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Contact Louise Nemmers Mageli, the WoWE Program Coordinator.

If you are interested in networking with other wind energy professionals in your area, join one of our WoWE Chapters.  Click on the link below to contact the chairperson for your area. 

• Boston: Julie Arnold       
• Boulder/Denver: Hillary Browning
• Canada:  Rebecca Black or Valerie Kitchell   
• Chicago: Hope Whitfield   
• Minneapolis: Melissa Peterson or Katherine Roek
• New York/New Jersey: Amy McGinty or Kris Ohleth   
• Portland: Michelle Montague 
• San Diego:  Rose Snow
• San Francisco:  Andrea Taber  
• Seattle: Kristin Larson
• Texas:  Susan Murray       
• Vermont: Suzanna Brown 

Interested in a chapter in your area?  Click on the documents below or contact Louise Nemmers Mageli, the WoWE Program Coordinator. 

You can help support WoWE too!

Women of Wind Energy depends on the support of corporations, organizations, foundations and individuals who value our goals and intentions. If you would like to make a tax-deductible individual contribution to WoWE, please download the form at the bottom of this page, complete and return to Women of Wind Energy. Checks should be made payable to "Windustry" with "Women of Wind Energy" on the memo line.

If you would like more information or would like to make a corporate contribution, please contact Louise Nemmers Mageli, or call 612.870.3467. We appreciate your interest in our work to create opportunities for women in the wind energy field. Thank you for your support.

Click here to return to the WoWE home page.

Click below to see a list of our past corporate sponsors.

• 2008 Luncheon Sponsors
• 2007 Luncheon Sponsors

Luncheons

Women of Wind Energy hosts an annual networking luncheon at AWEA's WINDPOWER to present the recipients of the Rudd Mayer Memorial Sponsorship, award the Woman of the Year Award and the Rising Star Award, and to build networks and contacts in the industry.

For a copy of Dr. Jan Hamriin's keynote address, please click on the document below.

More information on the 2009 Luncheon will be available in January, 2009.

Meet-Ups

Women of Wind Energy also gather less formally at various wind and other renewable energy conferences and events. Anyone is welcome to host these gatherings, which can be as formal or informal as you like. Just be sure to contact the WoWE Program Coordinator and post an announcement on the Yahoo listserv so we can invite other supporters.

Past Meet-Ups

• October 21, 2008 at the CanWEA Conference in Vancouver 
• October 6, 2008 at the AWEA Finance & Investment Workshop
• September 25, 2008 at the AWEA Wind Resource & Project Energy Assessment Workshop
• September 9, 2008 at the AWEA Offshore Wind Power Workshop

Local WoWE Chapters

Click here to learn more about local WoWE Chapters. 

Click here to return to the WoWE home page.

All women and men who support the increased participation of professional women in the wind energy industry are invited to participate in WoWE.

You can join Women of Wind Energy by signing-up on the Women of Wind Energy listserv, which is administered through a Yahoo Group. After joining the WoWE listserv, you will be able to browse the list of WoWE participants, send an announcement to the whole group, view messages that have been posted to the group or sign up to receive these messages via email. Please note that all registrations for the list serv are approved by the WoWE Program Administrator, which may take a few days. This is not to discourage anyone from participating, but rather to prevent spammers from joining.

Although participation in the listserv is free, donations are encouraged and appreciated to help cover administrative costs.

Click here to go to the WoWE list serv web page.

Click here to return to the WoWE home page.

• Rudd Mayer Memorial Sponsorship
• Woman of the Year Award
• Rising Star Award
• Networking Events and Chapters
• E-mail listserv
• WoWE Mentoring Program

Click on the above links to learn more!

Click here to return to the WoWE home page.

The Rudd Mayer Memorial Sponsorship

Each year, Women of Wind Energy gives a number of sponsorships to female college students or recent graduates to attend the annual American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) WINDPOWER conference. The sponsorship is a memorial to Rudd Mayer who was a pioneer in the wind energy industry.

The goal of the Rudd Mayer Memorial Sponsorship is to encourage the participation of women, particularly students or recent graduates, at the WINDPOWER Conferences. The conference offers the selected candidate(s) the opportunity to attend seminars on current wind energy issues, see exhibits on state of the art technology, meet distinguished women professionals, and talk with leading employers offering internships or permanent positions.

The Rudd Mayer Memorial Sponsorship is available to any woman interested in a career in the wind energy industry. Students or recent graduates majoring in the fields of engineering, mathematics, physics or science are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are selected based on demonstrated interest in renewable energy technologies, academic achievement, and the applicant’s potential for future contributions to the wind energy community. Although women who currently work in the wind energy industry may apply, preference is given to current students or recent graduates.

Applications are generally accepted early in the year prior to the WINDPOWER conference. More information will be posted on the WoWE home page when the application window is open.

2008 Sponsorees

Five women were given full sponsorships to WINDPOWER 2008

• Katherine Dykes
• Amanda Hering
• Rosalie Kelly
• Laura Pagliarulo
• Jean Romersheuser

2007 Sponsorees
Ten women were given full sponsorships to WINDPOWER 2007:

• Ramune Auzelyte 
• Ghita Carroll
• Sasha Kemmet
• Tammy Leatherbury
• Susan Massey
• Jenna Pollock
• Nikki Rezvani
• Siriya Skolthanarat
• Heather Stone
• Susan Thompson

2006 Sponsorees
Five women were given full sponsorship to WINDPOWER 2006:

• Elizabeth Baker
• Magdalena Sta. Maria
• Tanya Martinez
• Kellye Rose
• Melissa Ray

2005 Sponsorees
Six women received the 2005 sponsorships:

• Devon Veronica Yates
• Kendra Tupper
• Cole McVey
• Alice Orrell
• Nubia Perez
• Stephanie Tebo

Click here to return to the WoWE home page.

WoWE has grown into a nationwide organization that promotes greater involvement and employment of women in the wind energy industry, and provides a unique professional networking forum. Established in 2005, WoWE has blossomed into a network of more than 500 people who have attended our annual luncheons or event Meet Ups and chapter meetings held across the country. We are guided by a Steering Committee of women from across the industry who volunteer their time, and are supported by a Program Administrator based in Minneapolis.

Click on the link below to download the PDF document.

Click here to return to the WoWE home page.