We have just concluded our annual election process, and we have a new Board.  President:  Michelle Boytim, Vice-President:  Fong-Yih Bih, Secretary:  Nancy Jennerjohn, Treasurer:  Erin Cline, Member-At-Large:  Annette Lewis.

     We'd like to initiate the practice of training the next generation of leaders. For continuity in the chapter, it's great to have experienced people on the board. Anyone who is interested in a particular chapter duty may write to the current officer and ask how to learn the ropes.

 

Contributed by Marina Gelman

NCC Winter Workshop “How to Successfully Manage Performance” took place on Saturday, March 9 at the Genentech facility. Laura Browne, from WOMEN (Women’s Organization for Mentoring Education and Networking) Unlimited, Inc. led the workshop. She gave a set of practical suggestions on how build the right skills for becoming an effective manager. According to her definition, management means getting work done through other people, while helping others succeed. Laura suggested that there are significant differences between men and women in their approach to managing other people.  Men learn about hierarchy early on.  For example, while playing team sports they learn that a coach will manage their performance but will not be an equal player on the team. In contrast, women are taught to be always even-handed, to share and to be nice to everyone. Therefore, women often have difficulties when put in a position of managing others and need to consciously learn important management skills. 

Helen Wang in attendance, also reported that Laura stressed that the secret to good management is to have clear and measurable yet attainable goals communicated to employees and with regular checkups and feedback planned, with suitable congratulations and rewards at the end of the project.  Historically, when bosses and employees were asked what were the most important activities of their day, there was only a 30% correlation- a result of busy schedules and multiple projects.  Fuzzy expectations lead to fuzzy results.  The manager and employee need first to agree on the measurable goals.  People leave organizations more often because they dislike their manager than leave because of the organization per se. Laura acknowledged that good managers are rare and this is because people take management positions to earn more money and possibly because they were good at the subject they are managing but not because they are born successful managers.  Good managers lead their employees to answer their own questions as opposed to trying to micromanage.  This allows creative solutions to occur that otherwise would not if the manager were to micromanage an employee.

The first of these skill is to set clear expectations to employees. Clear expectations lead to clear results. When giving a task to someone, it is important to verify that you are understood correctly. If you are not clear about what is the expected outcome yourself, think what would be the criteria for success of the project if you were to do it yourself. While scientific endeavors are often unpredictable and can lead to unexpected results, it is still possible to set criteria for what needs to be accomplished (for example, these could be criteria set by the customer). It can also be stated at the outset that expectations might change during the project depending on findings.

Secondly, plan checkpoints - these could be weekly (or however frequent) meetings to discuss the project. Let the employees choose the form of communication that is comfortable for them, but make sure that the chosen format is maintained. While talking about the project, ask open-ended questions, do not close any avenues of discussion.

Next, give feedback to employees on how they are doing. Keep in mind that feedback can refer only to someone’s behavior, not their personality, must be specific and focused. Feedback should not be used for the purpose of getting something of your chest, but to encourage employees to do better. Praising someone is a great way to encourage better performance, however, one has to be careful not to use praise indiscriminately, since it can ultimately undermine the value of praise.

     Finally, when the project is finished, it is important to close and congratulate those who contributed to its completion. This could take a form of a small party, a gift certificate or some other way to show that you appreciate the work well done and that everyone benefits as a result.

     Laura recommended several books for those who are interested in further reading on the subject: 1) Deborah Tannen “ Talking from 9 to 5 : Women and Men in the Workplace : Language, Sex, and Power”; 2) Pat Heim, Ph.D. “Hardball for Women : Winning at the Game of Business” and 3) Gail Evans “Play like a man, win like a woman: Play Like a Man, Win Like a Woman : What Men Know About Success That Women Need to Learn”.

by Kam Dahlquist

     Our February chapter meeting boasted a double-header:  long-time member, Cherrill Spencer reported on her trip to the AWIS 30^th Anniversary Leadership Conference, followed by the lively participation of audience members in a structured networking game.  The text of Cherrill’s excellent report appears in the January/February issue of the chapter newsletter.  In addition to hearing the report, we enjoyed seeing the pictures Cherrill took at the conference.  Afterwards, the buzz of conversation filled the auditorium as we networked.  The group divided into pairs for 5 minutes of practicing our “introductions” on each other, before switching partners and doing it again.  Common interests were found, cards were exchanged, and some conversations were so interesting that pairs were reluctant to switch!  If you missed out on this opportunity to network with other chapter members, plan on attending our July Networking and Ice Cream social (see flyer this issue).

 

by Kam Dahlquist

     At the March meeting Katherine Nielsen from UC San Francisco’s Science and Health Education Partnership (SEP) was joined by a panel of scientist volunteers, Maria Gallegos, Steve Ribisi, and Mallika Singh, to tell us about their efforts to promote gender equity in science education.  SEP was created fifteen years as a partnership between UCSF and the San Francisco Unified School District to promote high quality education for K-12 students.  Scientists from UCSF participate in a variety of programs administered by SEP, among which is the Triad program that was specifically created to address gender equity in science education.  The Triad program consists of after school science clubs for middle school girls.  This age was targeted because that is the age at which gender differences in science and math performance begins to arise.  Ms. Nielsen summarized years of research that has shown that girls and boys are treated differently in the classroom.  For example, teachers are more likely to coach boys to get the answer themselves while giving girls the answers directly; teachers will tell boys how to do something and are more likely just to do it for a girl.  Boys raise their hands more quickly, while girls take longer to raise their hands.  To remedy this situation, scientist and teacher partners are given specific strategies to use in the classroom to achieve certain science goals, teaching goals and student goals.  Strategies that adults may use to promote equity in the classroom include keeping their hands in their pockets so that they can resist the urge to do something for a student.  Adults can use “wait-time” when asking a question of the class so that slow-responders have a chance to think and raise their hands.  Through the Triad program, students meet real live people in the science and health professions and see science as relevant to themselves and their futures.  The students get to engage in science and health-related activities and experiments.

The scientist volunteers on the panel told us that they also got a lot out of the Triad program.  Steve Ribisi described how he got to interact with his colleagues in new ways and renew his enthusiasm for science:  science is fun!  He has learned about science and health teaching and practices those skills in the program.  Maria Gallegos, a three-year Triad participant, said that she was getting better at practicing equity in the classroom.  She also said that it helps that the SEP staff models that behavior in their meetings and workshops.  Mallika Singh said that she loves working with the kids and that where she grew up in India, girls didn’t do science.

     SEP is collecting data on the students that go through their programs, although it is sometimes difficult for them to track where students end up.  Throughout their various programs they touch students at all of San Francisco Unified’s schools.  For more information about SEP, see their web site at: http://www.ucsf.edu/sep/.  To find out how you can volunteer for AWIS-Palo Alto’s outreach efforts, contact the Outreach Committee Chair, Katy Kuo Korsmeyer at kuokaty@scientist.com.

 

Staff Correspondant

     Over 100 people packed the Conference Center at Genentech on April 24th to enjoy each other's company, good food and celebrate 30 years of AWIS.  This is always a fabulous party.  By the end of the evening we had applauded a stage full of great women who took home awards and scholarships. The Palo Alto scholarship winner was Janice Chan (DeAnza College).  Science education and mentorship were highlighted with the selection of the 2002 award winners:  Elise Brownell (Bayer), Kimberly Tanner (UCSF) and Sheila McCormick (USDA/ARS - UCB).  With Ellen Weaver and Mary Alice Yund as program coordinators, the Banquet provided an opportunity for us to review some AWIS history, learn about one of the Founders, Dr Judith Pool, and recognize how far women scientists have progressed towards salary equity and diversity in the workplace.  Our work is not done: articles in May 2002 'Popular Science' and April 2002 'Time' magazines spell out the continuing struggles women face in the workplace.

 

 

Written by Michelle Boytim

     I would like to thank all of the current board members for continuing for a second term, with some keeping the same positions and others changing to new opportunities.  Your efforts in the past year have helped to make this a successful chapter.  I want to give special thanks to Annette for doing such a great job as president of the chapter, and I hope that I can serve the chapter as well as she did.

     I would like to remind all of you that we are a volunteer organization, which can be a fragile entitity.  This became quite clear to me when I heard the sad news that the Monterey chapter has had to close due to lack of support to run the chapter. Having a successful chpater depends on volunteerparticipation, and as the saying goes: "many hands make light work".  As we have changed our by-laws so that our officers serve one-year terms, with a maximum of two consecutive terms, we want to start early to prepare for the changing of the guard next year.  We will be looking for people interested in "interning" for positions.  We think of it as a way to learn about the position and help out the chapter during the year. 

     I would like to encourage all of you to become involved with the chapter.  Pick something that interests you and fits the amount of time that you feel comfortable committing.  Whether it is finding a speaker, volunteering to help at a chapter meeting, being a mentor, judging a science fair, writing an article for the newsletter, or any of the other of the many activities of our chapter, we need you.   Please feel free to contact any of the board members if you would like to find out more about our positions or the chapter activites.  Without you, the chapter simply would not and will not exist.  We look forward to hearing from you!

 

By Lesley Murray-Cunningham

     Janice Chan and her father came to the US after she graduated from high school. Janice is a hard-working student interested in both biology and  chemistry, who intends to major in Biochemistry. To fulfil her educational goal she has applied to transfer to a major UC campus after 2 years at De Anza College. Her chemistry teacher describes her as 'one of the most structured and highly motivated students he's had in his class, with highly detailed notebooks' (Biotech will love her!!).

     She lives with and is supported by her single parent father in West San Jose and has worked in the Chemistry lab to supplement her father's income,  as well as volunteering as a zoology teaching assistant. Janice is delighted to be receiving this AWIS scholarship which will help towards her tuition fee, and help her fulfil her goal of pursuing a career in the Biotech industry.

 

²      NEWS and INVITATIONS

By Kam Dahlquist

     The Programs Committee is responsible for putting on the monthly chapter meetings.  This includes reserving the meeting space, inviting the speaker, bringing the food, and facilitating the meeting.  It is time to say thanks to this year’s committee, Susan Bernhard, Fong Yi Bih, Marina Gelman, Babette Heyer, Anna Jaklitsch, Christine Jesser, Virginia Kalogeraki, Tina Mah, Angele Maki, Cindy Schultz, Lynne Sopchak, and Silke Thode, for all of their hard work planning the programs we have all enjoyed.  And thanks to our PARC representative, Kateri Paul, for hosting us at such a great facility each month.  Although we take a break from chapter meetings in August, it is never too early to plan programs for the Fall.  I invite new and returning members of the Programs Committee to join me for a planning meeting one Saturday afternoon in July.  If you have an idea or speaker in mind for a future program and would like to be more involved in our chapter, please join us.  Contact Kam Dahlquist at kdahlquist@gladstone.ucsf.edu to be notified of the exact date of the meeting.  With your help, the 2002-03 year will be packed with more exciting programs!

 

By Susan Bernhard

 

     Join these and other “After-work hikers” on June 6, Thursday at 6:30pm.  Hike the "Dish" loop near Stanford and you'll get a breezy view of the Bay and the East Bay Hills. Meadowlarks and bluebirds can be seen at this time of year.  We'll meet at the Alpine Road entrance, east of Hwy 280, at the Piers Lane Bridge. Hike starts at 6:30p and is over by 8:30p.  For future (hopefully, weekly) hikes, we’d like to try alternating hikes at the Baylands and at the Dish, so one week you’ll have hawks and hills, and the next week you’ll have seabreezes and shorebirds to scope out. Both walks are beautiful, and this is a great way to unwind, and do informal networking. Contact Susan B at susan.bernhard@baxter.com for more info or 510 723-2094 (W).  Pictured are Nevada Blair, Ron Mischak, Lyle Rice and Annette Lewis from left to right.

 

 

Staff Correspondent

     Exponent is sponsoring a series of free medical device/biotechnology lectures.  Exponent is a multi-disciplinary science, health and engineering consulting firm located in more than 20 offices across the country. Exponent's Medical Device and Biotechnology Seminar Series, started in 1999, is back by popular demand. Experts in industry address issues critical to device and drug development, materials selection, clinical and regulatory issues, and pricing strategies in an informal setting with complimentary continental breakfast. See old colleagues and meet new ones at Exponent's Menlo Park, CA office. Limited national broadcast via WebEx.

Interested in attending or being a speaker? The series is ongoing through January 2003. Contact Christine Jesser, MS at 650-688-1977, cjesser@exponent.com or Daniel Cher,MD at 650-688-7262, dcher@exponent.com.

By Susan Bernhard and Fong-Yih Bih, Mentoring co-Chairs

     There will be an informal wine-and-cheese reception for Mentors (past and present) at Susan B’s house in Menlo Park on Thursday, May 23^rd, from 6:30 to 8:30p. This party is a little extra-perk for mentors, a chance for us to get together, get to know each other and network, as well as to share ideas about the mentoring program. In the past the crowd has been lively and the ideas have flown about like doves. Come and share. Please email to RSVP and get directions. Write to susan_bernhard@baxter.com.

 

Submitted by the Mentoring Committee

     The 2001-2002 Mentoring Program will have a final meeting for all mentors and protegees on the Stanford campus in June. An email will go out to everyone on our mailing list, and will be posted on the chapter webpage as soon as the date and speaker are finalized.

 

     The Senate is currently closely tied on whether or not to ban Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT or Therapeutic Cloning) and will vote on legislation in the next few weeks. Senators are now calling for personal stories discussing support for SCNT.

      In response to the proposed cloning legislation that is currently polarizing the nation, AWIS has joined the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR).  Visit http://www.awis.org/endorse.html

     Opponents of somatic cell nuclear transfer technology, and the hope it offers, have drowned out our voice on Capitol Hill.  We need to be heard, and your email can help.  Please take a moment to draft a personalized email, and send it to act@curesnow.org.  Urge your friends and family to write too.

     As you may know, the Senate has already held hearings on S. 1899, a bill by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) that would ban all cloning including SCNT; put researchers in prison; and deny patients the benefit of any therapies developed from therapeutic cloning outside the United States. The latest word we have is that the Senate vote is due in early May.

     If you would like to view potential discussion points for your email, please see the endorsements page of the AWIS website at http://www.awis.org/endorse.html.

 

           

     Kathleen Logan, former Sister and Dean of Enrollment at Notre Dame de Namur University, passed away on January 10, 2002 of cancer at her San Carlos home.  Kathleen was an active member of AWIS and is survived by her husband, Robert Adams and stepchildren Elizabeth Dinnsen and Robert Adams.

 

Staff Correspondant

     This is an invitation to write for your newsletter. Do you like to write? You can share your experience, and do some mentoring – two good deeds rolled into one. Anyone who has recently completed a successful job search is in an ideal position to share a distillate of tips that worked.  Members who have changed jobs within an industry have acquired some special skills too. There are many skills a professional/scientist needs, and no one knows it all. Everything from how to build a network, how to use your network, how to ask open-ended questions to get information about a career. Feel inspired? Have an idea? Contact the Editor at mbucci@stanford.edu or Susan at susan.bernhard@baxter.com.

 

Staff Correspondent

     AWIS-PA holds annual elections for chapter officers.  We encourage anyone who is interested in running for office in the future to volunteer as a back-up.  Board meetings are open to all members, and attending is one way to learn how decisions are made and what officers do.  Committee chairs are appointed, and members are welcome to join any and all.  You must be a member in good standing to hold Committee Chair or Board positions.  Refer to the back page of the newsletter and contact any one of the present Board members.

 

     A by-law revision approved in 2001 says that Palo Alto Chapter officers are now voted in annually, and can serve only two consecutive terms, so we rely on a continuous succession of new people for our leaders. The Chapter ‘Board’ is composed of both elected officers and appointed committee chairs, although only elected officers can vote. Want to see yourself in a Board position in a year or two? How does one learn what’s required? Job descriptions are on our webpage and any member in good standing can attend a Board meeting to see how chapter business is conducted. An even more grounded way to learn the ropes is to get involved unofficially – talk to your Board, help us behind-the-scenes with an event. Contact information is listed on the back page of every newsletter and in the Directory. We welcome your interest, your questions, and your help!

 

²      RESOURCES

Staff Correspondant

     PA-AWIS will have a Networking Social this summer, but you can use every AWIS chapter meeting to practice your 30-second shpiel and build your network – before you need one.  Practice your introduction on our Membership greeters, or the person standing in the food-line with you.  Bring business cards, and exchange them with the person sitting next to you as the Meeting begins. I f you don't have business cards, make some.  Use an address label, let your creativity show!   Date business cards others give to you, and jot down a few words about what that person's interests are.  If you share a common interest, try staying in touch by email.

 

UNESCO – L’OREAL fellowships.  2002 award winners were announced on March 6^th.  Ten female scientists were honored for their distinction and commitment.  Please visit http://www.loreal.com/fr/groupe/index.asp?/loreal-women-in-science/index.asp

 

Visit jobscience.com for job openings and career tools.  In addition, BioView (our new corporate sponsor!) and BioSpace host sites providing great career tools.  BioView.com is interested in creating a “channel” for women in science, with articles of special interest, books and interesting links.

Chemist postion at LifeScan, Inc., Milpitas, CA.  This position will have primary Commodity Management responsibility for Control Solutions. These Control Solutions are utilized in conjunction with the LifeScan meters and strips for diabetes management.  Duties include: determining which suppliers will be utilized to supply the assigned commodity and negotiate supply agreements where appropriate; initiating and working on cost reduction projects; optimizing the quality, compliance and reliability of the supply chain; and preparing requests for proposals.  BS in Chemistry or technical field required. Minimum of 5 years' in the commodity management of supplier relationships or the equivalent Purchasing/Supply Chain background required.

Silicon Genetics  is advertising to fill a position as an Inside Sales Representative to initiate a telemarketing program from company headquarters in Redwood City.  Visit the chapter web site for more details and send resumes to hr@sigenetics.com 

Be sure to continue monitoring the latest news and announcements affecting women in science in the Washington Wire at www.awis.org/wire.html

While visiting the AWIS web site, be sure to access the Science Next Wave articles.  AWIS has a society-wide subscription to Science’s Next Wave.

Please visit the Breast Cancer Site.  With just a few clicks, you can direct a corporate sponsor or advertiser to donate mammograms for women in historically underserved groups (i.e. women of color, poor women).  www.thebreastcancersite.com

Staff Correspondant

     During the past year, AWIS Palo Alto has given away copies of books at chapter and mentoring meetings. Some of these might be good summertime reading – or at least good browsing at your local bookstore. Check ‘em out- and if you write a book review for the newsletter you might get yourself a swell prize!

* First, Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman

* Play Like A Man, Win Like A Woman by Gail Evans

*The Leadership Moment by Michael Usheem

*108 Skills of Natural Born Leaders by Warren Blank

* From Alchemy to IPO by Cynthia Robbins-Roth

* Now, Discover All Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman

* Trust and Betrayal In The Workplace Dennis and Michelle Reina

* The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

* In the Company of Women by Pat Heim and Susan Murphy

* Help! Was That A Career-Limiting Move? by Marjorie Brody and Pamela Holland

* Be Your Own Mentor by Sheila Wellington

* New Success Rules for Women by Susan L Abrams

* In Code, A Mathematical Journey by Sarah Flannery with David Flannery