Roadmap Report: Comments from the Chair, Paula Marshall WFF Embarks on Groundbreaking Diversity Research

As the Foodservice industry's premier leadership development organization, the Women's Foodservice Forum is partnering with DiversityInc to conduct industry ground-breaking research that will help the industry develop a roadmap for future gender diversity planning.

Industry leaders in all sectors have been invited to participate in the WFF 2007 Diversity Benchmarking Survey. The study will capture the diversity composition of the industry as a whole and will provide companies with up-to-date, salient data to strengthen their strategic efforts aimed at advancing gender balanced leadership. more

What's Up? Conference Early Bird Savings Ends January 31, 2007

Save $200 with an "early bird discount" on your Conference registration now by registering before January 31, 2007! Please keep in mind that registration and payment must be postmarked by January 31, 2007 to receive the early bird discount. Also, you must be a paid member through 12/31/07 to receive the member rate.

There's no better time to register. It's fast and easy when you register online.

Don't forget to register for your hotel room as soon as possible, too. Go to the WFF website for the latest status of available conference hotel information.

Nearly 1,000 attendees have already registered. Remember, space is limited and registration officially closes March 31, 2007.

Plan to attend and register today!

Committee Connection: Volunteer Development

WFF is priviledged to have nearly 400 volunteers donating their time to help us accomplish our mission. As a volunteer organization supported by a full-time staff, we need the talent and expertise of committed women and men to drive each committee's initiatives.

But what about the committee actually committed to our volunteers?

We look at the work done by our committees as potential development opportunities for the volunteers who have chosen to serve on that team. When you volunteer for a committee, you have the opportunity to hone skills and reinforce areas in your leadership development plan.

Volunteer Development Committee Members (L to R): Debra Houtz, Sheila Bennett, Kat Cole, Charles Aeh, Sharon Scanlan, Katherine Dunlop, Beryl Kemp, Krystena Sterling, Caroline Bell. Not pictured: Sheila Jones, Michelle Bently, Gloria Reynolds, Melissa Papale. 

Volunteer Development is the committee that is responsible for shaping the volunteer experience with WFF. Led by Committee Chair, Kat Cole and Vice Chair, Charles Aeh along with an engaged group of volunteers, the Volunteer Development Committee has been working on new, important initiatives to make volunteering for WFF the best it can be. more

WFF in the News

Read more about WFF in the news! We've been busy promoting WFF and all current events and activities that have been taking place over the last few months.

Click on the story headlines below to get the full story on WFF's recent appearances in the news.

• Wall Street Journal: How Executives Are Pushed to Foster Diversity
• FoodService Director Online: WFF Regional Connects
• QSR Magazine: Best of 2006 - WFF's JBT Award
• Food Management: Minier Takes the Leadership Helm at SFM

We want your story!

The news is great -- nearly 20% of conference registrants to date have been promoted within the past year!  Each of you noted your promotion on your conference registration and you have either been contacted or will be contacted shortly so we can learn more about you.

These "Real Stories" represent the heart of our success -- the true elevation of our members. 

Let us celebrate you!  

The New and Improved WFF Mentor Program Needs YOU! January is National Mentoring Month!

Music impresario Quincy Jones will be honored as the first-ever “Mentor of the Year” as a highlight of the 6th Annual National Mentoring Month campaign running throughout January 2007. The campaign’s goal is to recruit volunteer mentors to help others achieve their full potential. Jones, along with Maya Angelou, Clint Eastwood and Sting are all taking part in promoting just how powerful a mentoring relationship can be.

The Women's Foodservice Forum has done extensive research confirming the power of mentoring in advancing women in our industry. Successful winning pairs have moved careers forward and helped women thrive (both as mentors and as proteges.)

Now it's your turn!

The Mentor Committee has been hard at work throughout the fall and winter, getting the new WFF Mentor Program up to speed for its February 2007 launch. We’ve partnered with Triple Creek Associates, pioneers in web-based Open Mentoring, to manage the online program, and have recruited dozens of mentors to pair with eager protégés. But we still need more mentor volunteers to make this year’s program the success it’s destined to be. Why not sign up right now? All it takes is a quick e-mail to mentors@womensfoodserviceforum.com.

Who Makes a Good Mentor?

All WFF members—both female and male—with foodservice experience qualify as mentors. Your job function can range from brand manager to vice president and no special skills are necessary—the main qualification is a desire to give back! more