As long as I’ve been blogging, I just realized that I have not shared the writing, blogging and speaking organizations to which I belong that are boosting my personal and professional growth. Allow me to introduce Chicago Writers Association, Windy City Bloggers and Toastmasters.
I’ve been a member of Chicago Writers Association (CWA) for three or four years. CWA is celebrating 10 years of serving writers in all genres in Chicago and surrounding suburbs.
They offer several benefits to their members and are currently working on ways to offer more. I want to vouch for CWA speaker’s bureau. I joined last year at the advice of Alijah Villian and has been hired to present Chicago Roller Skating History by three organizations.
It’s a virtual writing group with in-person events to meet fellow writers. CWA has a Facebook group and an exclusive Yahoo group. You can also find them on Twitter @ChicagoWrites.
Recently, I joined their Board of Directors and volunteered to write their newsletters and develop a survey which will help us determine how to better serve our members. We are also planning more in-person events.
I’m new Windy City Bloggers but it’s a very active group. They just updated their website to make it more of a community, which is cool. Another cool perk is the promotion of member events, in-person events and trainings to help members on their blogging journey.
WCB’s founders are very responsive to emails. I really enjoy their Monday evening Twitter chats @WindyCityBlogCo #WCBCChat. The people are so cool!
So far, I’m enjoying my experience. I think this was a good investment.
With 332,000 members in 15,400 clubs in 135 countries, Toastmasters is the largest speaking and leadership organization in the world. They have a speaking track and a leadership track with designations levels.
So far, I have earned my Advanced Communicator Bronze (ACB) and Competent Leadership (CL) designations. I’m one educational module away from my Advanced Communicator Silver (ACS) designation.
As a member of this organization, I have overcome my fear of speaking; improved my speech writing skills; and have become a more willing leader. And the people are amazing. You get to meet people from other clubs at conferences, leadership trainings and club visits.
I joined MJM Speakers’ Circle in 2005 and I really enjoy this group. I would like to say that we are the friendliest club in Chicago. Come see for yourself. We meet from 9:30 to 11 a.m. every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month at Thurgood Marshall Library, 7506 S. Racine.
I just wanted to share these three organizations – Chicago Writers Association, Windy City Bloggers and Toastmasters – that are boosting my personal and professional growth. If you are not in Chicago, conduct a web search for virtual or local writing and blogging organizations. To find a club near you, visit www.toastmasters.org.
What about you?
What organizations do you belong to that are boosting your personal and professional growth?