How May I Help You?
by Val Ensalaco, President

I'm committed to the idea that we owe each other.

Certainly we can interpret that sweeping statement however it best fits our own approach to sharing as well as our experiences in both giving and receiving. But let's qualify that statement by suggesting as writers, women, and members of the Illinois Woman's Press Association and the National Federation of Press Women, there is some expectation of sharing among us. Generous is the talented person who asks a colleague, "How may I help you?"

Though not an all-inclusive list, I believe we owe each other . . .

• Informal mentoring, the how-to of specific tools-of-the-trade and tasks, which can be especially meaningful to those new to the field and those with experience in only one communication arena
• Information to link us to resources and contacts that would help advance our careers and/or improve our skills
• Assistance, when possible, when a colleague is seeking employment or writing opportunities when we're aware we can be a link to help them meet their needs
• Support of the work of the professional organizations to which we belong including board and committee service as well as attending programs and events each sponsor
• Providing, when asked, feedback and critiques of writings of colleagues
• Congratulating colleagues when they've reached a milestone or an achievement
• Acknowledging the talent of writer friends with notes or calls. "I read your article (or book or whatever) and found it to be very informative and inspiring."

Last week an IWPA member sent me an e-mail just to say hello and in it she mentioned she found a Web site (www.webopedia.com) which is an on-line dictionary of Internet and other computer terms. She said by going to that site, she learned the difference between the World Wide Web and the Internet. Guess where I was heading after expressing my thanks! What a great lead for those of us challenged by stuff like "What's your URL?" What the heck is that? Do you want to be a blogger? Check it out.

Recently a colleague who attended writing workshops I facilitated some 10 years ago spoke of the value she received from the series and how important learning effective writing skills has been to her career. As part of the program, I prepared thorough workbooks for each participant. My colleague mentioned she still uses the workbooks even though in a decade we've advanced considerably technologically. She considers the printed materials "value added" to the workshop training sessions. How nice to hear that the effort of preparing well is appreciated so many years later. So let's add one more point to this list . . .

• The courtesy of acknowledging significant gifts of time and talent, especially those you might consider important contributions in advancing your personal or professional skill set and knowledge.

This now becomes the perfect place to say thanks to our IWPA board members as I complete my two-year commitment as president of our NFPW affiliate. Group dynamics have always been an interesting "study" for me and so without a bit of blush in my cheeks, I'm going to give you an inside view of how the current leadership works. As you probably know, one can often tell where alliances exist by where people seat themselves and how they respond to each other's ideas and actions. I think if we closed our eyes and pictured this group, we'd see arms linked together, a shoulder-to-shoulder commitment to stand by each other.

Keeping in mind we're an all-volunteer board, it's been a pleasure to work with people who play musical chairs at board meetings (so I can't track affiliations) and support each other, especially when the programs or projects become too much for one person. One small idea presented at a board meeting can and has become an awesome venture, such as the March 19th "A Jury of Her Peers."

In a heartbeat, board members have stepped in to fill a void … and while I'm saying "thank you, thank you, thank you" there has been no expectation of kudos by our heroines; these acts are the epitome of being a team player. No one on the team appears to want to be known as a super star. You can be proud of the leadership of IWPA … and I gratefully acknowledge the tremendous contributions of each team player. It's been my privilege to serve our membership and to be part of this admirable team.

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