Wow, can you believe it’s April already? The fourth month of the year is a great time to check how you are tracking with your 2010 goals (or New Year’s resolutions). Where are you up to with your plans for the year? How much has slipped into the ‘too hard’ or ‘do it later’ basket?

If you haven’t progressed very far, don’t beat yourself up about it, instead, set some short term achievable goals and plan how you will celebrate when they are completed.

April AGM

A sense of achievement is exactly what your committee felt as we reviewed the last 12 months at the AGM this month.  We set ourselves quite a number of goals including creating more variety in our monthly events, greater exposure of the network in the community, and growing member’s benefits. We have certainly been successful in all of these areas.

We have an exciting year ahead and an enthusiastic new committee more...A huge thank you must go to our retiring committee members; Anne Kinnear from Kinnear & Company Lawyers, Kristen Perry from Perry Legal, and Clare Monkley from Love Finance. These wonderful women have each made a considerable contribution to HBWN over the years and they continue to be advocates for our organisation

2010 Committee                                                  2009 Committee

Member’s Networking Tips for Surviving Networking!
At our April meeting we had table discussions about the challenges and benefits of networking. We then had a representative from each table present their tips and ideas.

Here are our member’s tips:

• Ask other's advice to break the ice
• Show an interest in the other person - its not all about you!
• Show up!   Go back again!   Participate!
• Look for opportunities to help others
• Be genuine in all things
• Be a connector – introduce people to others
• Say thank you – have a sense of gratitude
• Look for lonely hearts – make a difference to their day
• Feel the fear and do it anyway – remember your not the only nervous one
• A great ice breaker is to offer food or drink, be the ‘host’
• Don’t judge others
• Remember to listen – don’t be the ‘chatterbox’
• Breathe – be there in the moment
• Enjoy meeting new people
• Find the right group that feels good for you
• Have a point of interest about what you do – not just your title
• Be authentic…….Be YOU………..Be Honest
• Don’t assume others are all cool, calm and collected
• Try Rescue Remedy!
• Mobile phones off
• Don’t carry an over-heavy handbag or wear uncomfortable shoes to a stand up event Don’t be afraid to ask for business or intros but build relationships first – don’t go for the hard sell
• Food proof lipstick is good

May Event – Wednesday 12th May, Noahs on the Beach
Westfield Winter Fashion Preview
Do you hate shopping for clothes because you are unsure of what suits you?

Alternatively do you love shopping for clothes then get home and wonder ‘what was I thinking’ in relation to your purchases?

Do you find shopping a challenge because you don’t have the time to see what’s out there?

Do you feel like you could do with a bit of pampering???

If you answered Yes to any of these questions, OR if you just want to see what’s around this coming season, our May event is a must for you!

The Westfield Winter Fashion Preview is a special opportunity to see the latest fashions in a fashion parade with a difference. Enjoy cocktail food and get some tips from Westfield’s stylist Kristy on how to wear the latest looks to suit you and your body shape.

You can also enjoy some pampering by members of our network on the night.

Book NOW

For information on Westfield’s styling workshops and special fashion offers available over the next 3 months click here



‘What Women Want’ - Women’s Conference  July 2010

Mark the date in your diaries now for the Inaugural Regional Women’s Conference to be held at Newcastle Jockey Club 16th & 17th July.

The conference is the initiative of Hunter Business Women’s Network and the Hunter Business Centre.

Our Purpose To Provide Inspiration, Motivation and Information to the women of the Hunter and surrounding areas

Who should attend? Small business owners as well as Managers and employees from both the public and private sectors.

Survey – over 120 women completed our survey. The input has been extremely valuable and we are basing the program and timing of the conference on the results. The top 3 topics asked for were around leadership, stories and tips from successful women, and work/life balance. We will be covering these and many more.

Program – in order to meet the needs of the majority, we have invited a range of speakers to inspire and educate. Throughout the day we will be running two streams of workshops and activities – one to suit women in small business, the other targeted at managers and employees from a broad range of industries.

Exhibitors – There will be opportunities for promotion of your business or services through a mini expo at the conference. Please contact us if you are interested in being involved email Kellie Mills on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Narelle McClelland on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Note: there is limited space for expo sites so it will be a case of first in best dressed!

Sponsors – We would like to thank our current sponsors for their offer of support:
 TAFE
 Uniting Bookkeepers
 Silveradoh Promotional Products
 Who Printing and Presentation
 Mary Kay Cosmetics

Tickets – are on sale book now www.stickytickets.com.au/3517

Stay Tuned – we will update you as we confirm our speakers and additional sponsors. 
The planning committee is Kellie Mills, Narelle McClelland, Jenny Lankshear, Lenore Miller, Janette Dempsey and Debra Hoitink.

Community Support Event – Wesley Mission High Tea

Quote for the Month…

Dare to be yourself; what others think of you is none of your business…

Have a fabulous month, see you in May!

Kellie Mills
President
HBWN