I had attended AWC program meetings off and on for many years before I decided to join. I was introduced to the organization by colleagues who were members and involved on the Board. I never thought I would join, until I realized I was crazy for not joining.
I think we as professional women sometimes believe we don’t need a ‘tribe’ to build us up and help us navigate life, personally as well as professionally. When I did finally join AWC, I realized that I needed these women as much as they needed me. I knew I had skills that were needed, I just needed to figure out how to plug myself in and what better way than to join the Board immediately after joining as a member.
I will say, we have an incredible group of women in Tulsa that are good at asking, and I mean that because sometimes we just need to be asked in order to make the jump to get involved. They asked me to join the Board as a member at large my first year and I happily agreed. It was during that time that I realized they needed my skills to help them navigate and understand how to use QuickBooks for Chapter financials.
My husband and I use QuickBooks in our small business, so it was a natural fit for me to help. I have a unique background in finance, non-profit and small business, yep you guessed it I literally am a “jack of all trades” and communications and marketing are not my sole job responsibilities, but most definitely a part of my day to day work. This Board responsibility allowed me the opportunity to get to know the organization more genuinely. From there I went on to be treasurer-elect and then Treasurer, now I am slated as President-elect. I’ve also attended the past two AWC National Conferences, I always take away nuggets of information that I can apply to my personal and professional life. Honestly, if you had told me how my trajectory would have gone after joining AWC, I wouldn’t have believed you. I mean who would have thought I would get so much out of a membership with a professional group of women? Not me, but I certainly am reaping the benefits.
I maintain my membership each year as I believe it’s important to keep my skills sharp and surround myself with smart women. It also gets me out of my comfort zone. I made a career change three years ago. I went from working for a National non-profit to working with my husband in our small business. I enjoy being in a leadership role, but I can also be content as an observer. Staying active with the Tulsa Chapter keeps me sharp and it’s the perfect fit for me to continue to develop my professional network and keep a pulse on what is happening in our community and fulfill the need I have for polishing my leadership skills.
I really couldn’t ask for a better group of women to spend time with each month. Whether we are planning our annual Newsmakers program or brainstorming a new speaker for a monthly program, these ladies are undeniably the best in their fields and are always willing to give guidance and direction.
Not only have they helped me grow as a professional, but many are also friends that I would have never met had it not been for joining and getting involved in this group.
About the Author
Sharleen Dupee is a Board Member of the AWC professional chapter in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is Vice President of Freedom Electrical Services, Inc., a small business she owns and manages with her husband. She has fifteen years of experience in non-profit management, enjoys event planning, spending time with her girls and loves to run.
