Speed Networking Tips

As we had a Speed Networking at Crimson C on April 3,09, it turned out great! We had recruited a few new members and there were about 33 attendees. They enjoyed the event and gave us good feedback!


We summarize and combine the art of networking tips from our speakers that night: Elaine Kitamura, Director of Public Affairs from Clear Channel, and Mark Okazaki, Executive Director of Neighborhood House. Hope this will help you make a good impression in a short time!


Courtesy information of Eliane Kiramura and Mark Okazaki

• Everyone matters because everyone can help


• People's minds can be changed in seconds: If you can impact a piece of information about your organization that changes someone's mind, then you have accomplished something , or they walk away and thinking "I didn't know that".
  
• Always carry a lot of business cards


• Arrive early and stay late because there are hidden opportunities everywhere


• You have to show up: The world is full of opportunities and you never know, now can you ever predict, when a unique opportunity or something comes your way. Show up and you might learn somehting new.


• Have a gold/objective when you attend the events


• Write notes about things you talked or learned about the people you met


• Have a firm handshake, smile and look at them in the eyes


• Do thank you follow up immediately


• Listen when you are talking to people


• Dress appropriately


• Do more of this and it will comes easy for you


• Ask for help from your networking: Don't hesitate to ask for assistance or get an introduction done. If you are looking for a job, get the word out! you will be surprised when the opporutnity comes.
  

from left to right: Mark Okazaki Executive Director of Neighborhood House, Elaine Kitamura, Director of Public Affairs from Clear Channel, and Hang Chan Professional Development Chair of NAAAP-Seattle

Volunteering Can Transform Your Life

I Just wanted to share the interesting story of how volunteering can impact your life and I found this on which I think it can be a good encouragement for people to rethink about volunteering.

Source: Have Fun: Do Good Eblog by Britt Bravo, Oakland, California, United States
Wedsnesday, April 08, 2009
Volunteering Can Transform Your Life
About 12 years ago my life hit a rough patch. I was in a job that wasn't using my skills, and wasn't going anywhere. My boyfriend had broken up with me. Turning 30 wasn't far away. I wasn't feeling so hot.I started volunteering at a San Francisco based arts education organization, Streetside Stories. The program teaches autobiographical writing in Bay Area public schools using storytelling (oral, written, digital).One or two mornings per week I would ride the bus to a public middle school and help students write a story about their life. It was the highlight of my week. Not only did hearing their stories help me put mine in a different perspective, it was fun!After volunteering for about 6 months, Streetside asked me if I could do some subbing for their instructors; after about a year they offered me a job. I ended up working there for six years. Many of the friendships I made with staff members then I still have today. I met my husband during that time as well.I think my experience at Streetside is why I'm such a big proponent of volunteering. I believe that it can bring magical changes into your life. The changes might not be as dramatic as mine, but volunteering will transform you in some way.Next week, April 19-25, is National Volunteer Week. What better time to start looking for a volunteer opportunity? Sites like VolunteerMatch, Volunteer Solutions, Servenet.org, Social Actions, Transitions Abroad, One Brick, Network for Good, Idealist, HandsOn Network, GuideStar, Global Vounteers and 1-800 Volunteer.org are great places to look for opportunities.You might think you don't have time to volunteer, but volunteering can take many forms: in person, virtual, long-term, one-time, during a vacation, etc. You can also volunteer in your own community, rather than with an organization, by doing things like taking care of a friend's child once a week, or running errands for an elderly neighbor.