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The Women’s International Network of Utility Professionals' 2022 Summer Connection

MISSION STATEMENT

The Women's International Network of Utility Professionals is an organization providing a link for developing and recognizing professionals involved with utility business trends, issues, products, and services.

OBJECTIVES

  • Opportunities for professional development of members.
  • Network and mentoring among members.
  • Recognition and visibility for members and business partners.

VALUES

  • Well-connected members
  • Inclusion, equity and diversity
  • Networking
  • Uplifting
  • Philanthropic

Message From The President

Kristen Thompson - 2022 WiNUP International President

Dear WiNUP Members and Friends,

Welcome to the summer season and thank you to all our members for making the first half of the year a successful one.

With so much going on, we need to make sure we do not lose sight of what is happening today. Author Bil Keane wrote: “Research indicates that the human mind produces over 60,000 thoughts a day and most of these thoughts are repetitive in nature. In most cases, your mind is either ruminating about the past or worrying about the future. But when you are lost in thoughts about the past or future, you miss out being present which is where life actually happens.”

How did you spend your winter months this year? Were you wishing them away and dreaming of warmer days? It can be healthy to reflect on good times and to build up excitement looking forward to something that’s yet to come. But, as Keane reminds us, do not allow yourself to lose sight of the present day--- live in the moment!

Speaking of exciting things coming up, the 2022 conference registration is now open! I hope to see you all this fall in Little Rock. Arkansas. I am excited to see that so many members have taken advantage of WiNUP's mentoring committee and have been paired with mentors to work on their goals over the next 12 months.

WiNUP has so many opportunities for things like mentorship, professional development, personal development, and networking. Make the most of your membership and take advantage of as many of them as you can.

Vice President's Professional Development Corner

My first article discussed why I feel incorporating personal development opportunities into any professional development plan is important. I also mentioned two of my personal development opportunities – a stained-glass workshop and a Milky Way photography workshop – scheduled early this year. Both workshops presented challenges, pushed my skills, and inspired me.

The stained-glass workshop was more challenging than I expected. The steps include picking a pattern, numbering the pattern, cutting out the pattern with special scissors, picking glass for each piece, cutting the glass, grinding the glass, wrapping each piece with a copper foil, double checking each piece will still fit into the pattern, applying flux, and finally soldering and cleaning the finished art piece. My biggest challenge, besides time, was cutting the pieces of glass I chose for my pattern. There were several pieces I had to cut out more than once because they kept breaking in the wrong spot. I also learned that safety gear is important as I walked away from the first few classes with bandages on my fingers. I am excited to work with stained glass again but am not ready to make the investment for a personal set of tools.

I am fresh off the excitement and exhaustion of the Milky Way workshop. While I signed up for the workshop to accomplish a bucket list item – capturing a photo of the Milky Way – Mother Nature had another plan in mind. The weekend had very early mornings, clouds, and rain. It also had an opportunity for new techniques, wildflowers, and new friends. I was reacquainted with some of the basics I had forgotten, introduced to night sky light painting, and learned about the importance of post processing. I learned I have so much more to learn about my favorite hobby. I could have left the weekend disappointed but left inspired with some new tools and more confidence in my ability.

If you are a West Virginian, would like to explore the beauty of the Wild and Wonderful state, or just appreciate fine art, I recommend you peek at Jesse Thornton’s (@reflectioninapool) artwork. His nightscapes inspired me to sign up for this workshop and I am already signed up for another next year.

So how are these results beneficial to both personal and professional development?

First, the phrase “patience is a virtue” holds true in any situation. Both workshops demanded patience, whether it was grinding a piece of glass many times to allow it to fit into the whole work or waiting for the clouds to pass or the sun to rise. I am faced with many opportunities daily requiring the practice of patience, whether is it working with a customer that has a concern or with a colleague that is planning a project.

Second, many of us have heard the phrase “E+R=O” (Event plus Response equals the Outcome). I recently heard to focus on responding and not reacting. Your response captures your thoughts. Your reaction captures your emotions. An outside force changed the plans for the Milky Way workshop and a pivot was required. I could have reacted negatively to this change as it wasn’t what I signed up for. But my response was that it was a weekend filled with growth and fun. Being self-aware of my response vs. react nature allows me to realize I need to think through certain situations before responding.

What personal development opportunities did you add to your professional development plan? Are you on track to complete these opportunities? Can you correlate what you learned from your experiences into your professional life?

The WiNUP Professional Development committee has been hard at work this year planning several virtual offerings for members and nonmembers. Keep an eye on your email and the WiNUP website to find out more and register for these offerings. These opportunities are open to anyone, so please extend a personal invitation to any friends or colleagues to join us.

Submitted by Karen Gilmer

2022 WiNUP International Conference is Just a Few Months Away

Please plan to join us at the 2022 WiNUP International Conference, The Vision in You in 2022, in Little Rock, AR from September 11-14. Conference registration is now open and, if you register by July 1, you will be entered into a drawing for this Kate Spade bag!

Take a look at the action-packed agenda for more information about speakers, tours, networking opportunities, the awards banquet and more! The conference committee has been hard at work planning a wonderful conference for you. Hope to see you in Little Rock!

The conference committee made a trip to Little Rock for planning purposes. Starting at left back row: Dawn Compton, Laura Havis Middle row: Bridget McNeill, Julie Jumper Morris, Kristin Duggins, Debbie Schroeder Front row: Deanna Hallmark Elliott, Lynn Thieneman, Vivian Andrews

Submitted by: Lynn Adamson

ACTIVITY CENTER

Substations and Transmission Lines
Click to enlarge the puzzle.

NO PEEKING - ANSWERS AT THE END OF THE NEWSLETTER

Submitted by: LaRhonda Julien

10 Summer Safety Tips

Summer is just around the corner with its promise of BBQs, pool parties, and relaxing times with friends and family. You can help prevent injury and sickness from ruining your good time by following the summer safety tips below.

1. Use sunscreen. Purchase a sunscreen with a high enough SPF for your needs – preferably waterproof – and make sure you apply it thoroughly, making sure to cover every exposed part of your skin.

2. Avoid heat stroke. Staying hydrated and in the shade helps keep you cool and one step ahead of the sun’s unforgiving rays.

3. Wear loose, breathable fabrics. Part of staying cool is dressing appropriately, so wear light, breathable fabrics (like cotton) when in the sun.

4. Use bug spray. Mosquitos carry dangerous diseases like ZIKA , Lyme, and Malaria. Use bug spray with DEET to help repel mosquitos and other insects and help keep you and your family safe.

5. Be smart about your food. Bacteria grow more rapidly in warmer temperatures. When grilling in the summer, help prevent food borne illness by leaving raw meats in the fridge until right before they’re ready to be cooked.

6. Check playgrounds for damage. Rusty materials and faulty parts could be a recipe for disaster when it comes to playground equipment. Don’t let your children access playgrounds – yours or public – until you’ve checked them for potential damage.

7. Be militant about using helmets and knee pads. We know to use helmets and knee pads, but sometimes kids forget. Reinforce the importance of helmet safety with your children so that they know wearing them is an absolute must.

8. Remember pool safety. Don’t run near a pool, and make sure children are never left unattended.

9. Avoid poisonous plants. Poison ivy is no fun and extremely contagious. Learn to spot it and other dangerous plants in your area, and teach your children to avoid them.

10. Avoid trampolines. They’re fun but they’re also incredibly dangerous. Even with additional netting, the chances of someone getting badly injured using a trampoline are so high that most insurance companies require you to buy additional coverage or won’t insure your home at all!

Summertime is such a wonderful time of the year and an opportunity to bond with your loved ones in the outdoors. Follow the simple summer safety tips above to help prevent unnecessary issues from putting a damper on your good times!

For additional information, visit Homesite.

Submitted by: Staci Spencer

Utility Affairs

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Read the article below, or click on the link above to read on the website.

If the links don't work for you, copy and paste them into your browser (right click and select copy.)

With the CIA Triad, confidentiality commands much of the attention. Organizations fret over the unauthorized disclosure of their data, so they try to reduce the risks of that type of an incident. In so doing, however, enterprises commonly overlook the other two, integrity in particular.

Ron Ross, a fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), thinks it’s a mistake for organizations to forget about integrity. He feels that way because of how an integrity-related security event can undermine the entire CIA triad.

“If you have a compromise of integrity, it can affect both availability and confidentiality,” he explained. “The malicious code can wreck confidentiality by getting access to things it shouldn’t have access to and seeing things it shouldn’t. Alternatively, compromising key components of a system through an integrity violation can make the system crash and the capability go away. That’s an availability issue. With that said, I don’t think we spend enough time talking about integrity. We’re focused on unauthorized disclosure when in reality integrity is right up there at the top and maybe one of the most important components.”

Integrity-Based Threats on the Rise

Integrity-related threats such as the ones described by Ross aren’t theoretical in nature. Attackers are already targeting organizations to compromise the integrity of their data and systems.

Take ransomware. In its Cost of a Data Breach Study, IBM found that ransomware attacks cost an average of $4.62 million in 2021—more than the typical data breach price tag of $4.24 million. Security researchers detected 623 million ransomware attacks during that same period, noted PRWeb, constituting a 105% year-over-year increase.

The effects of a ransomware infection or another integrity-related attack on an enterprise’s IT environment can be devastating. It can be even more serious for organizations that maintain the nation’s critical infrastructure. Such an incident can undermine the host country’s national security, weaken the global economy, and threaten public safety.

Organizations need to defend themselves against integrity-related threats. To do so, they should consider turning to NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework.

The Gist of NIST

Published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2014, the Cybsersecurity Framework (CSF) is designed to help critical infrastructure organizations address security challenges in their Operational Technology (OT) environments. Even so, its common language makes the Framework accessible to organizations in every sector. Companies can therefore use the Framework to confront ransomware and other threats facing their industry.

NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework constitutes a risk-based approach by which organizations can accelerate their efforts to create a digital security strategy, reduce miscommunication among security staff, and heighten awareness of threats across the organization.

That includes building awareness within the Board of Directors, as Ross rightly notes.

“A key piece of security is integrity,” he explained. “That needs to be an important consideration at the Board level. Once they say integrity is important to this company because they want to protect the company’s intellectual property or want to make sure that intellectual property is not changed or have integrity in the things the company is producing for its customers, those things get conveyed down to the people who are in the operational chain below or the development chain. So, if you’re developing a system or a product, that development work has to have high integrity, too, because management wants to make sure that what they’re producing is what the customer gets and they can be trusted to be giving customers what they expect.”

The NIST Framework to the Rescue!

Enterprises can use the NIST CSF to protect against integrity-themed threats. They can do so by pairing it with NIST 800-53, the Center for Internet Security’s (CIS) Critical Security Controls (CSCs), and other control sets that enable integrity management including security configuration management (SCM) and file integrity monitoring (FIM). They can also use the Framework to triage their systems based on how an integrity-related attack could affect the business.

The Framework facilitates protective strategies via the following five core functions:

1. Identify: Understand the business context and resources that support critical functions as well as their associated security risks.

2. Protect: Enforce safeguards to ensure the delivery of a given service.

3. Detect: Create activities that can assist in the discovery of a security incident.

4. Respond: Develop procedures that can help contain the impact of a security event.

5. Recover: Implement measures that can facilitate the organization’s transition back to normal operations after a security incident.

Each of those features allow organizations to strategize against integrity-based threats. They can essentially lay out the foundations for where they want to go. With that groundwork in place, enterprises can then create a security program in pursuit of that goal.

For more information on how organizations can use NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework to defend against integrity-based attacks, download this whitepaper.

Submitted by Teresa Turner

How to Start

A HEALTHY LIFE

Submitted by Melody Lynch

2023 Conference

A Hundred by Our Hundredth

We all have our unique stories on why we joined WiNUP and why we stay engaged in the organization. I joined because from my first meeting, I felt “at home,” like I had found my tribe. I stay active because of the relationships I’ve been able to form through my membership and because I continue to grow as a professional — and person — through WiNUP.

What’s your WiNUP story? As you recount it, you may realize that you want to play an active role in WiNUP’s history and celebration of its 100th anniversary in Niagara Falls, New York, Sept. 24-27, 2023. You can through WiNUP’s Century Club.

By making a $100 donation to WiNUP, Century Club members can show their support for the organization and do their part to ensure WiNUP’s centennial celebration is a success.

Century Club members will receive commemorative charms for their WiNUP charm bracelets as a thank you for their membership. Other exclusive benefits include express check-in at the 2022 and 2023 conferences as well as formal acknowledgement at the upcoming conferences. Other membership perks will be announced in the near future. Stay tuned!

Currently, there are 54 members in the Century Club, including 10 “in memoriam” memberships. Consider purchasing a Century Club membership for yourself and an additional membership to honor mentors (either WiNUP members or non-members) who have impacted your life. Our goal is to reach 100 Century Club memberships by the 2023 Conference (#HundredByOurHundredth).

Learn more about the Century Club at winup.org and share your WiNUP story (#ShareYourStory) on WiNUP’s social media channels.

Submitted by: Emily Schilling

Speaking of Social Media...

Click on the buttons below and join us there too!

Ohio WiNUP Member Professional Development Event Grant

The Ohio Chapter of WiNUP featured Susan Alexander, keynote speaker of 2022. Susan Alexander of Rosebud Coaching & Consulting led us through an inspiring talk about Building Connection & Resilience in Times of Uncertainty. Taking from experience in coaching both individuals and organizations, along with the idea of Conscious Leadership, Susan took us through how your mindset and communication are key to shifting how we approach both our professional and personal environments.

The past 2-3 years have dramatically impacted how we work and live. The workplace is experiencing the “great resignation” and knowing how to navigate your mindset of staying above the line and communication skills of “yes, and” can help set you up for success. During the event, Susan discussed these techniques with the group along with how our brain processes information. Throughout the event attendees were able to practice the techniques during breakout sessions in the smaller groups.

This virtual event was open to both WiNUP members (all chapters) and non-WiNUP members. This event was recorded for anyone who was unable to attend the event. Three registrants were selected at random to receive a professional development book.

Submitted by: Cindy Owen

ARKLATEX

The Women's International Network of Utility Professionals is an organization providing a link for developing and recognizing professionals involved with utility business trends, issues, products and services.

ArkLaTex Chapter Virtual Coffee Break 5 Recap

April 14, 2022

Chair: Denise Battle and Co-Chair: Pa Vang

Jasmine and Vivian shared conference planning committee meeting topics/updates: Conference dates September 11-14, 2022; Registration is open!

Jasmine reviewed upcoming International events - see the Events Page for more info.

Member Spotlight

Becky Whitenack - Sr Admin, Pirkey Plant

  • Originates from Ft. Worth, TX
  • Husband Brian Whitenack
  • Background in Banking, administration, some retail experience
  • Hired with RSO in 2013
  • Hired full time with AEP in 2014
  • Participates in HPI meetings, Plant Safety meetings, SHAC team, and PAC member
  • Since Pirkey is retiring, she is actively looking for a position within AEP to remain with the company
  • Avid reader, loves crime shows, DIY crafter
  • Daughter Casey, 21, in college
  • Dog, Maggie
  • Joined Lions Club 33 years ago when women were finally allowed to be members
  • Very active in the Lions club all these years and was inducted into the LIONS CLUB HALL of FAME for service to the community! Giant honor!!!

ATLANTA

Atlanta Chapter at Mary Mac’s Tea Room (Pictured from left: Cindy Owen, LaRhonda Julien, Mechelle Stanton, Katheryn Ferrall-Graff, and Katherine Kosalko)

The Atlanta Chapter kicked off 2022 with a virtual meeting in February where we continued our efforts to assist in the 2023 national conference planning. In March, after months of meeting remotely due to the pandemic, the Atlanta Chapter was excited to once again have the opportunity to meet in person. To celebrate the occasion, we met for lunch at the historic Mary Mac’s Tea Room, where we welcomed two new members to our chapter, discussed chapter business, and posed with our chapter quilt square which represents the various types of energy supplied in Georgia. We are thrilled to have already increased our membership by more than 10%, winning us the coveted award for one free membership for 2023. Although our chapter is small in numbers, we remain diligent in supporting the mission of WiNUP through serving on the 2023 national conference committee as well as the awards committee, Century Club committee, newsletter committee, nominating committee, professional development committee, social justice committee, and STEM committee…and we are just getting started!

KENTUCKY

Domestic Violence Shelter- Outreach Project

During the month of March, the Kentucky Chapter of WINUP organized a statewide drive to donate items to shelters that cater to domestic violence victims.

Chapter Vice Chair, Vanessa Phillips donated items to “Tug Valley Recovery Center” in Williamson WV. Donated items include toothpaste & toothbrushes, deodorant, sanitizing wipes, sanitizing sprays, toys, and more.
Chapter Vice Chair, Vanessa Phillips donated items to “Tug Valley Recovery Center” in Williamson WV. Donated items include toothpaste & toothbrushes, deodorant, sanitizing wipes, sanitizing sprays, toys, and more.
Brittany Grimm in Hazard is seen donating items that Misty Baker & she collected to give to domestic violence shelters in Whitesburg, Ky.
Brittany Grimm in Hazard is seen donating items that Misty Baker & she collected to give to domestic violence shelters in Whitesburg, Ky.
Donations received in the Ashland area was given to “Safe Harbor of Northeast Kentucky” whose mission statement is: Safe Harbor is dedicated to eliminating domestic violence through prevention, education, and intervention.
Pictured above are Denise Foster Cronin and Andrea Murray ready to deliver the donated items to the Beacon of Hope on March 16, 2022.

HillBilly Days

Hillbilly Days 2022- WINUP members assist with community engagement

Top Row, Middle: Vickie Stone / Top Row, Right: Jess Adkins - Bottom Row, Left: Lisa Syck / Bottom Row, Right: Vanessa Phillips
Top Row, Middle: Vickie Stone / Top Row, Right: Jess Adkins - Bottom Row, Left: Lisa Syck / Bottom Row, Right: Vanessa Phillips

Submitted by: Bre McCoy & Jess Adkins

MID-ATLANTIC

Mid-Atlantic Chapter Making Positive Impacts

The Mid-Atlantic Chapter has been working on two great initiatives throughout the Spring. The first is our Chapter’s scholarship. Spearheaded by our STEM Chair Amanda Martin, WiNUP Mid-Atlantic has offered a scholarship for high school seniors that will be perusing STEM studies. We have selected a winner for this cycle and the winner is currently being notified.

In addition, our Charity Chair, Michelle Farhat, has been organizing events including a hybrid Fun Run Walk and the continuation of our Book Club to raise funds for the local charities we support. Already this year, the chapter has raised nearly $200 and made a silent auction donation to support our charities.

OHIO

The Ohio Chapter of WiNUP would like to feature a few of our awesome members that keep the STEM Committee going strong. Kayce Grimm, Lauren Etzwiler, and Heidi DeBenedictis are the team that plans STEM events. As you can imagine, planning STEM events in a virtual world takes some creativity. These ladies have done an amazing job of not only continuing to plan STEM events, but also coming up with unique ideas.

This year, to celebrate Pi day and give back locally, they organized a 3.14 mile virtual walk/run for those who registered to complete anytime from 2/14/22 through 3/12/22. The fastest times submitted were celebrated on Pi Day.

Meet the women behind WiNUP Ohio STEM

Kayce Grimm

Kayce was originally a high school math teacher after earning a Masters in math education. While she now works as a transmission dispatcher at AEP, you can understand how she is a perfect fit for WiNUP Ohio’s STEM committee. She is a self-proclaimed “nerd” for all things STEM. Other than the STEM Committee being a no brainer for her, she also really enjoys working with Heidi and Lauren.

Heidi DeBenedictis

Heidi is currently an Electrical Engineer at AEP. Outside of work she believes in putting the EE in Geek. She is a part-time Dungeon Master in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, which she loves to encourage women to play to help banish the stereotype that it’s “just for the boys”. She enjoys encouraging women to go into STEM fields, and when she isn’t doing that, she enjoys trail running – so much so that she is currently training for a 50K trail race taking place later this year.

Lauren Etzwiler

Lauren is a proud member of the AEP NERC Compliance Organization. She earned a degree is Environmental Engineering from The Ohio State University and is a huge advocate of all things outdoors. When she isn’t working or enjoying the outdoors, she also loves to paint. She has found that being a WiNUP member is a perfect culmination of all her interests and has found great reward in being a part of the STEM committee and its movement of promoting STEM in creative and impactful ways.

SOUTH TEXAS

Cynthia Marie Salinas Snyder

Cynthia Marie Salinas Snyder, age 73 years, peacefully met her heavenly Father following an eight-year battle with multiple myeloma on November 29th, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas.

Cynthia grew up in Hebbronville, Texas and fondly remembered her childhood in a small town, where everyone seems related. She enjoyed sharing stories of "mom and dad," her family and lifelong friends, the station, and the simple joys that shaped her to be the loving and caring person so many have known her to be. She attended Southwest Texas State University, where she majored in Home Economics. Upon graduation, she went on to work for Central Power and Light which is now owned by American Electric Power. She was recognized as the customer service role model, a position she held for several decades. She resided in Laredo, Texas for the past 23 years.

Cynthia was a founding member of the South Texas Chapter of Electrical Women's Round Table (EWRT) before the name changed to WiNUP in 1999. She served as EWRT International President in 1986, International Membership chair, and South Texas International Board representative. She also served as South Texas Chapter host to three international conferences and was a mentor to many utility members in her chapter. In her more than 45 years as a WiNUP member she shared that she learned, "There is no better network for professional development and leadership skill building than WiNUP; Women have always been the ones to handle multiple tasks and succeed with them; and It's possible to give birth to your first child and be a national president in the same year."

Living the past 23 years in Laredo, Cynthia was an active community member. She was a proud member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, organized local blood drives, was a member of the St. Augustine School Board, and participated in numerous community groups. She was a devoted member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, selflessly giving countless hours to the growth of her faith community. She particularly enjoyed St. Ignatian theology and actively supported those around her to reflect/journal on his spiritual practices.

She enjoyed theater, religious pilgrimages, wine, charcuterie, "table scaping," Notre Dame, and entertaining friends with her delightful cooking and baking.

Cynthia is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Hortencia Salinas, siblings, Frank Salinas, Nelda Palacios (Pere Palacios) brother-in-law Ruben Resendez and husband, David Alan Snyder. She is survived by her two children, Jon-David Snyder, expecting daughter, Angelique Snyder and husband, Kenneth Nugent and siblings Veronica Salinas (Jesus Salinas) and Margot Resendez and sister-in-law, Lupita Salinas and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cynthia was almost always at the WiNUP conferences and chapter meetings. South Texas will miss her and remember the grace and strength she brought as a WiNUP member.

WEST VIRGINIA

As the Covid-19 protocols loosened up, the ladies of the West Virginia Chapter were eager to get out and about.

On April 23rd the ladies supported the YWCA’s Walk to End Racism in Charleston, WV. The event, a 5K run or mile-long walk, raises funds for the Charleston YWCA's Racial Equity and Inclusion programs. Appalachian Power was a proud sponsor of the event, and is the employer of all ladies that participated from WiNUP WV.

Appalachian Power also sponsored the Golden Girls Group Home Derby Brunch at the Guyan Country Club on April 30th. Ladies from Appalachian Power and Revolt Energy were in attendance. Golden Girl is a group home for teenage girls who have been abused, neglected, orphaned or for another reason can’t live in their natural home. WiNUP WV has been a long supporter of Golden Girls, and believes in their mission. If you are interested in learning more visit https://www.gggh.org/about.

On May 19th WiNUP WV will be hosting a co-working space for the day at Area 34 in Putnam County offering ladies the opportunity to network and share space for the day alongside with the chapter meeting.

Submitted by: Christina Massey

INTERNATIONAL FUNDRAISER

Have you been looking for the right piece of jewelry for your service award charms or charms purchased at conferences?

The WiNUP International Ways and Means Committee is selling Bangle bracelets with a WiNUP charm for $20.00 (includes shipping). The bangles are made of stainless steel and include a nickel-plated charm. If you already purchased a bracelet or necklace and want to purchase just the charms, the charms can be purchased for $10.00 (includes shipping). To purchase the bracelet with charm or just the charm, click here.

Member Spotlight

Lynn White

Submitted by: Melody Lynch

Professional Development Committee

Are you looking for professional or personal development resources? Look no further! A list of recommended books and podcasts is available for the entire WiNUP membership covering a variety of relevant topics. It is located under Member Section>Documents>Pro/Pers Devlpment Docs/Events>Books and Podcasts List WiNUP Prof and Pers development 07.01.21

As you use this resource, feel free to let Cindy Owen know of others that can be added to the list. Email: cowen@meagpower.org

International Mentoring Committee

The International Mentoring Committee held our their kick-off meeting on May 10th. In line with the 2022 International Conference, the program adopted the name 'The Vision in You in 2022'. There are an incredible group of 18 mentees who will soon learn their mentor's identity!

Each mentee had an opportunity to share a little about themselves, their WiNUP involvement and what they hoped to gain from the mentoring program. This was after a pre-session Bingo Icebreaker that got everyone energized and engaged. In attendance was Keri Forney, who will be leading 3 sessions and a Clifton Strengths Assessment with the mentees during the year. The Committee appreciated getting the positive feedback and enthusiastic comments throughout the session.

The History of WiNUP

Part 6

This is the sixth article in our series exploring the almost 100-year history of WiNUP. Information, quotes, and context are from “From Acorns to Oaks: The story of the Women’s International Network of Utility Professionals and the Electrical Women’s Round Table” Version 3, © 2015 by Women’s International Network of Utility Professionals, Inc.

Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee and just as hard to sleep after. ~ Anne Morrow Lindburgh

With the new millennium on the horizon, the Electrical Women’s Round Table (EWRT) entered the final decade of the 20th century with achievements to build on, and a platform that was already leagues ahead of most American business culture. ERWT was ahead of its peers in embracing the concepts of globalization and nascent ideas about diversity, equity, and inclusion. EWRT was already a leader and champion of promoting women’s workplace equality and highlighting the incredible value of a including women at the table to a world becoming ever more interconnected and technologically advanced.

Because of its inception in 1920, EWRT had not only witnessed, but actively participated in the changes to science, technology, and cultural upheavals for over 70 years by the 1990s, and so was well-positioned to attract and support the most empowered and progressive generation of women to date, but a changing industry and the changing needs of its members would have major effects on EWRT as it moved into the 1990s.

Restructuring of the electric industry surfaced as the 1990s began. Ever tightening environmental regulations on coalfired power plants continued to challenge electric utilities to keep plants operating. Electric generating companies began building plants fueled by natural gas, and EWRT began gaining members from the natural gas industry.

The 1992 Energy Policy Act, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission mandates affected electric transmission. Electric utilities scrambled to adjust to these new regulations and markets. Corporate reorganization became the norm, and professionals in the utility industry pondered the effects “restructuring” and “rightsizing” would have on their careers. Company mergers also would affect EWRT membership.

Two chapters — Ohio and West Virginia joined the fold in 1990 and 1998, respectively, but several more disbanded. The lost chapters included Iowa, Memphis, Atlanta Southeastern and Pittsburgh. By 1998, EWRT had only thirteen chapters and it was clear EWRT needed a recovery plan.

The organization had functioned in essentially the same way for more than 70 years, despite many challenges and changes but was on the cusp of another threat. It had been 50 years since the New York Chapter acted to, not only expand, but save EWRT. It was time to take a good, hard look at the organization, its mission, and its objectives.

The 1997-98 EWRT Executive Committee and Board of Directors recognized that to survive the organization must evolve along with the electric industry. They acted, proposing a new mission, new objectives, and the most notable change of all — a new name!

The first change was a $10 increase in national membership dues in 1997 — the first increase in 17 years. The second change affected all elected leaders across the organization. Effective in 1998, the board approved the switch from a fiscal operating year to a calendar operating year, which resulted in a one-time extension of the terms of 1997-1998 national and chapter elected officers and board members, who had to serve an additional six months. The changes also included a challenge to expand EWRT’s membership base across all facets of the utility industry and its allied fields.

In February 1998, under the leadership of then President Donna Kowalenko, a customer services manager with American Electric Power, the national board met in a two-day strategic planning session to amend the mission statement and discuss an organizational name change. Bluegrass Chapter member Margaret Jeffiers facilitated the session. The board wanted a new name and mission that would represent both past and existing members who contributed to EWRT’s success and would also set the stage for continued evolution and success going forward.

Board members agreed the term "electrical" was too limiting and no longer accurately represented the industry or the organization’s membership. They also rejected the word “energy" as limiting. Ultimately, the board agreed "utility" was inclusive of electric, gas, telecommunications, water, and associated / allied businesses.

Board officers and the general membership alike hotly debated whether “women” should be a part of the new name. When taken to a membership vote, seventy-four favored “International Women's Network of Utility Professionals” and sixty-three voted for International Network of Utility Professionals; nineteen voted for neither. The board tweaked the favored name and presented it at the annual business meeting at the 1998 annual conference in Indianapolis.

Members voted to adopt a new name and new mission. EWRT would become the Women's International Network of Utility Professionals, Inc., or WINUP. On February 21, 1999, New York Chapter and International Board Member Seema Goldstein filed documents with the New York Secretary of State to amend EWRT’s 1927 Certificate of Incorporation to reflect the organization’s new name and set the stage for the new “WiN” logo.

While not immediate, growth would happen as the new century dawned, and in keeping with its tradition of being ahead of the curve, these new memberships would be groundbreaking.

In the fall of 1999, WiNUP welcomed its first international member, Judith Beets of Bangladesh, formerly of East Tennessee Chapter. WiNUP now had international reach and would continue to build on this ever-expanding influence in the years to come.

Another unprecedented, and slightly unorthodox membership change – a possible underlying cause for the debate around the word “women” - was that men became members of several chapters during this period.

The origin story of EWRT arose from the founders’ vision to organize a network specifically to assist women in their jobs and with professional and leadership development, so, as expected, for more than 65 years since its incorporation, EWRT members were exclusively women. The ninety’s saw growing interest by men already familiar with EWRT’s mission and who wanted to contribute. Not only was this a sign of EWRT’s influence, with the addition of men, WiNUP was building a durable foundation for inclusive membership that was ahead of its time.

In 1991, a bylaws amendment made the membership classifications gender neutral, opening the door for welcoming male members. Atlanta Southeastern, Bluegrass, Indiana, Members-at-Large and National Capital chapters all had male members in the 1990s.

Bluegrass Chapter member Jim Orr was the chapter’s first male member and the first EWRT male chapter chair. An excerpt from his tribute resolution written in 2001 shows the admiration and appreciation of his contributions:

“The Women’s International Network of Utility Professionals hereby recognizes the late Jim Orr of the Bluegrass Chapter for his unwavering support of the organization as the chapter’s first male member and as the first male chapter president in the nation. Because of his strong belief in the viability of WiNUP, and before that, Electrical Women’s Round Table, Inc., he worked tirelessly to help build the Bluegrass Chapter. He was a mentor and resource for advice and information, with a wealth of knowledge cultivated from over 28 years with the Kentucky Utilities company. Most importantly, he will always be remembered as friend to all.

Bluegrass Chapter had two other male members in the 1990s – Paul Wesslund, editor of Kentucky Living, the Kentucky electric cooperative consumer publication, and Bill Abner, who was with East Kentucky Power Company.

Andy Dietrick joined Indiana Chapter in 1992. Dietrick was director of communications at Indiana Statewide Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (now Indiana Electric Cooperatives). Past President Emily Schilling worked for Dietrick at one time. Another Indiana Chapter member was Mark Underhill with Waterfurnace.

Atlanta Southeastern also had a male member, David Schrage, a university professor, who joined in 1993, catching the chapter members’ enthusiasm to build a house for a homeless family. He became the chapter’s first male member. It was not, however, Schrage’s first introduction to EWRT. His wife, Joy, was a member, and he had attended meetings as her guest.

The Member-at-Large Chapter had Kevin Fitzmaurice, a 1998-99 Julie Kiene Fellowship recipient and the first male to receive the Kiene Fellowship. Fitzmaurice worked for Southern Company and helped plan the 2000 conference in Savanah, Georgia. He was a member for approximately three years.

The late Arthur Hagen was a member of the National Capital Chapter. Hagen was married to the late Louisan Mamer, a founding member and chair of the National Capital Chapter and the namesake for the WiNUP educational fellowship established in 2000.

Louise Mamer during a farm show – from 2002 Connection

Another change that occurred in this decade was a significant expansion of WiNUP’s communications. EWRT grew, it quickly became apparent the national organization needed to improve communication with members. In 1958, EWRT published its first national newsletter and mailed it to all members of record. The Connection newsletter began with three issues a year. The number of issues eventually became four, and with the growth of modern technology, distribution transitioned to email.

Under the guidance of 1989-90 President Linda Johnson, the organization launched its “Energy Update,” a monthly summary of the latest industry news. Over time, individual chapters began to launch newsletters to share chapter news with their members. Chapters often distribute their newsletters to other chapters.

Although not a time of expansive growth, the final decade of the 20th century was a time of foundational changes for an organization with a 75-year history of incandescent achievements, once again showing both the power of adaptability and the untarnished value of the original vision.

Despite the new set of changes and challenges, the valuable lessons learned in the lean times of war and economic hardship in the previous decades were priceless tools leaders used to strengthen WiNUP in preparation for the uncertain future in the new millennium.

Click on image to enlarge.

Submitted by: Molly Long

WiNUP.org

Please remember to visit the WiNUP website to learn about upcoming events and other WiNUP activities.

The Member Section is also a great resource to find WiNUP documents. Check out the Lunch-N-Learn recordings that provide a how to on accessing member profiles, making changes to your profile, etc.

Check out the Calendar of Events!

DATES AND DEADLINES TO KEEP IN MIND

August 15

  • Chapter Achievement Award Application Due
  • Chapter Newsletter Award Application Due
  • Professional Development Grant Event for January 1-July 31 2022 Funding Request Due
  • Chapter Event Funding for 2022 Request due

Executive Officers 2022

President

Kristen Thompson

Immediate Past President

Vivian Andrews

Vice President

Karen Gilmer

Secretary

Trishia Swayne

Treasurer

Debra Jackson

Executive Director

Lisa Morinini

Substations and Transmission Lines Puzzle - Answer Key

Click to enlarge the answer key.

Summer Connection 2022

Produced by the WiNUP International Member Publication Committee: Molly Long/Melenda Meazle (Co-Chairs), Lynn Adamson, LaRhonda Julien, Melody Lynch, Staci Spencer

Created By
International Member Publication Committee
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