| History
In 2001, MPI created a “Women’s Leadership Initiative” (WLI) to begin to research, plan and implement programs and services to help women advance in their careers. This was done because women are the great majority in MPI (static at 75% since 2001) but determined to be a minority in leadership positions in their workplaces. (11% of our 15,000 women members as opposed to 30% of our 5,000 men in 2002) This initiative was determined to be a “start up” – and eventually be considered to be integrated into MPI. In 2005, the International Board of Directors of MPI directed that the principles and work of the initiative be woven into the fabric of MPI. In July, 2006, MPI moved forward with this mandate integrating the WLI into the fabric of MPI – part of the standard operating procedures. The “Women’s Leadership Initiative” was discontinued as a separate project at that time and the fact women are our primary member, our primary market, our primary learner, our primary attendee was embraced by the organization and “women centric” terminology was adopted. Chapter Implementation
Since 2002, the grassroots of MPI, our chapters, have been planning and offering educational, informational, and networking opportunities for women as part of what was the Women’s Leadership Initiative. All of these offerings have one purpose: to help women members develop their knowledge and skill-sets so as to advance their careers. When the WLI was integrated in the spring of 2006 – fifty seven of MPI’s then sixty eight chapters had named a contact and were implementing women centric programming to a greater or lesser degree. Men as well have taken part in these experiences – and report new knowledge of benefit to them as well - since women are their primary customer, their primary supplier, their colleagues, boss, direct reports and/or friends and family members! But also, some men have reported the education and resources have helped them personally – as they seek to advance and/or develop their own skill-sets and knowledge. Continuing Chapter Resources
As part of MPI’s commitment to our chapters, MPI will continue to offer the collection of resources gleaned from the experience of many chapters over the four years of WLI Chapter Implementation (2002-2006). The primary reason for this is to support the chapters who have successfully implemented the “WLI” as a sub-brand and/or choose to implement/start such a grassroots initiative. In addition, these resources may help any chapter wanting resources for “women centric” programming. The Resources
Included in this collection of chapter-related information are samples of only some of the events, planning, and outcomes offered by chapters during 2002-2005. Many chapters do similar things to the examples given here. Also, we constantly found out that WLI programming was happening that we did not even know about. The selections posted here are offered with the hope that they will give you ideas, provide insight and generate new ideas for your own (WLI) chapter implementation/women centric programming. Offered is a wealth of possibilities, successes and challenges to assist you in helping your typical member move forward in her career. |  | Women Centric Programming
Chapter-to-Chapter (WLI)Resources How to Use This Collection - Window-shop the categories below – and click on those of interest.
- Study the overall “Wisdom of Many” summary in each category
- Look through the titles - review whatever is important to you
- Choose your takeaways and make it happen!
Women Centric (WLI) Resources * Refers to WLI Chapter Liaisons who are women appointed lead the Initiative at the chapter level ** Refers to sponsorship of WLI-related chapter events
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