CWIP Looks Back at 2011 Accomplishments
2011 was a year of growth for Chicago Women in Philanthropy, and Board Co-Chairs Elaine Waterhouse Wilson and Edith Njuguna spoke about some exciting new changes and accomplishments.
“One of our biggest changes this year has been the new website,” Wilson said. “We put a lot of work into it, and it has been great to see it come to fruition and witness the dramatic change it’s already made in what we’re doing and how we’re operating.”
The website is part of a rebranding process that also included a new logo and a greater focus on communications to build the organization.
“The rebranding process has really improved our communications ability,” Njuguna said. “Since we unveiled the website in August, we’ve had more inquiries than we’ve ever had from people wanting to join the organization.”
In addition to a new website, CWIP also debuted a new event. This year members volunteered at the Girls on the Run – Chicago 5K as part of Volunteer Day.
“We’re going to try to highlight a member a quarter and volunteer for their philanthropy of choice,” Wilson said. “A bunch of us went out and volunteered for the Girls on the Run 5K, and it was great to support all the runners and meet fellow CWIP members.”
CWIP experienced similar success with its annual events and programs. The annual members’ meeting in August, where the board reports back to the members and welcomes new board members, saw the largest number of participants in its history. In addition to great turnout at member events, the Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program has a more diverse group of members than ever before, Njuguna said.
“Networking is incredibly important, especially in a tough economy,” she said. “CWIP really helps women extend their professional and personal networks, as well as providing an opportunity to learn about how others think about their work and how they might think about their own work differently.”
Remember to renew your membership with CWIP for this year to enjoy full networking and programming benefits, and enter for a chance to win a CWIP tote bag.
“It’s a tough economy, which really hurts non-profits,” Wilson said. “Our hope is that everyone will keep doing the great job they do to support their communities, and hopefully CWIP can help in that endeavor. Thanks for a great year, everyone!”
- by Sarah Blau, Northwestern University student and CWIP volunteer