About AWC

The national Association for Women in Communications (AWC) champions the advancement of women across all communication disciplines by recognizing excellence, promoting leadership, and positioning its members at the forefront of the evolving communications era. Benefits of national membership include:

• Networking and learning opportunities, such as AWC’s online member directory, annual conference, and online publications and links
• Clarion and other national awards for communications excellence
• Low-rate credit card and discounts on travel and professional products

The AWC-Madison Chapter represents communications professionals in and around Madison, Wisconsin. Join the local chapter to 

• Advance your career
• Broaden your social circles
• Take advantage of monthly programming and networking opportunities
• Find a new job in your chosen field of communications
• Network with other independent communicators, if you’re in business for yourself
• Connect with students at the UW-Madison
• Host one guest without charge for one professional meeting annually

The Madison Professional chapter meets on the third Wednesday of each month, September through May, in the private dining room at The Great Dane, Fitchburg, Wisconsin.

Networking & Registration 11:30 a.m.
Luncheon 11:45 a.m. SHARP!
Program noon – 1:00 p.m.

Learn more and join AWC or renew your membership. New members can take advantage of our Membership Drive incentives (the local and national applications fees are waived, as are the first year local chapter dues) from September 15, 2011 through November 15, 2011.

The UW-Madison Student Chapter is a resource for the next generation of communications professionals and those considering communications-related careers. The Student Chapter meets every other Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at 5055 Vilas Hall.

To connect students and professionals, the AWC-Madison chapter sponsors an annual event that brings students in various fields of communications in direct contact with local experts in their areas of study. The AWC-Madison chapter also makes an impact on the future of student chapter members by sponsoring travel for the chapter.

PEOPLE and COMMITTEES

The AWC-Madison Chapter is an all-volunteer organization. We thank all of the members of the Board and committees for sharing their time and talents.

Volunteers on the Membership Committee recruit new members; answer questions about membership; send renewal reminders; track contact information about members and prospects; and work the registration table at each monthly meeting.

Serving on the Program Committee involves recruiting and coordinating details with speakers for monthly meetings; managing meeting logistics; and tracking registrations.

Public Relations Committee members prepare announcements for monthly meetings; write and send press releases; and ensure that current information is posted on the website.

Interested in joining the Board? We have several open positions to fill for 2011-2012! To find out more or to volunteer, contact any Board member listed below by clicking their name.

2011 ~ 2012 BOARD of DIRECTORS

Jennifer Beranek, Public Relations
Jennifer Beranek is a professional communicator with experience in public relations management and the hospitality industry. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin — Stevens Point and has been active with the Madison Professional Chapter since 2009. Jennifer is focusing her efforts on communicating with the media and promoting the Madison chapter and our events.

Linda Blair, Secretary, Event Coordination
Linda Blair is a Senior Technical Writer at Thermo Fisher Scientific in Madison, Wisconsin. Prior to relocating to Madison she was the proprietor of “PRN Transcription,” based in Rochester, New York. She brought with her over 15 years of experience in writing, editing, legal and medical transcription. Linda has been active with our chapter since 2008.
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Christina Harris, Social Media
A graduate of UW-Madison, Christina Harris now serves as Public Relations Manager for Special Olympics. She was active with the UW-Madison Student Chapter of AWC before joining us in 2011.

Renee Kalvestrand, Treasurer
Renee Kalvestrand is a marketing professional with more than ten years of experience creating and implementing communication and marketing strategies for nonprofits and corporations. She holds an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and an MA in International Affairs from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. Renee joined AWC-Madison in 2009.

Shayna Miller, Vice President, Student Chapter Liaison
Shayna Miller is associate and style editor for Madison Magazine. She writes a monthly retail column, authors a weekly blog at madisonmagazine.com, styles and plans fashion spreads and photo shoots and serves as an authoritative source on local style and retail. Miller has also freelanced in the Milwaukee area for newspapers, magazines and Web sites. An AWC member since 2008, Miller assists in speaker recruitment and coordination and maintains relations with the student chapter.

Mary Ellen Schutz, President, Web, and Member Communications
Mary Ellen Schutz is a freelance writer and editor with more than 25 years of experience in the computer, scientific instrument, and publishing industries. She holds degrees in Urban Planning and Electrical Engineering. She is the owner of Gentle Editing, LLC. Mary Ellen has been active in our chapter since 2007. You can visit her on the Web at www.GentleEditing.net

CONTACT US

By mail:
AWC-Madison Chapter
PO Box 45011
Madison, WI 53744

By email:
awcmadison@gmail.com

Through social media:
twitter: @MadisonAWC
LinkedIn Group: AWC-Madison, Wisconsin (Women in Communications)
Facebook Group: AWC-Madison, Wisconsin