• December 22

    Our Next Meeting - That's Woman's Work!

    Posted on: 12/22/2009 10:52:13 AM | Comments (0)

    We're excited to announce our next event - "That's Woman's Work".  Come join our first event of 2010 and listen to our special guests from the Radio Boise program, “That’s Woman’s Work”, share their experiences of working on a live radio program. 

    That’s Woman’s Work, is an insight into humor, lessons, and frustrations of women and their families.

    Our speakers will tell us about the program, the topics they cover, and give us a chance to find out more about what it is like to host a radio program locally.  

    Meeting agenda:

    5:45-6:00 - Announcements and Networking

    6:00-7:00 - Speaker - Stephanie from Radio Boise

    **Please bring your beverage of choice and some light snacks to share.

    Click Here to RSVP

  • December 09

    Fishbowl Event Tonight!

    Posted on: 12/9/2009 10:38:45 AM | Comments (0)

    We are so excited about our event tonight, "Fishbowl Roundtables".  You won't want to miss our lively discussions as we chat and collaborate about topics related to technology and business.  There will be snacks, prizes, fun, and great conversation!  It is not too late to RSVP!  

    We guarantee that you'll learn a little bit, and be able to share with others about your experiences working in the industry.  Boise has such a fantastic and vibrant tech community and we're excited to be a part of it.  Join us tonight as we inspire each other to enhance our careers in technology and encourage each other!

    Here is a sneak peak at the topics we'll be discussing...

    1.       Describe a time when you were frustrated with technology.

    2.       What is the most valuable technology tool you work with and why?

    3.       Why do you think that there are fewer women in technology and what can we do about it?

    4.       Do you use social media and do you find it useful?

    5.       What is “Web 2.0”?

    6.       What is SEO and SEM?

    7.       Define CMS.

    8.       What is the one skill you wish that you had?

    9.       Tell us more about what you do and how you became a fan of technology.

    10.   What is the one website that you use every day? 

    11.   What is a WIKI?  Have you ever contributed to one?

    12.   What have you given up to have more time for X?

    13.   After LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, the next three most important social media networks are…?

    14.   Do you have any book recommendations related to technology?

    15.   Are there any email tricks you use?  Or any technology tips/tricks you could share with the group?

    16.   What is Google Wave?  Have you used it?  Is it useful?

    17.   Tell us about a recent tough decision that you’ve had to make.

    18.   What is your hardest ongoing task?

    19.   What is a general rule or principle that you don’t follow and why?

    20.   What technology gadget do you use most frequently?

    21.   Why did you choose a career in technology?

    22.   What hot technology is at the top of your Christmas list?

    23.   Does your company make the best use of technology?  What would you change/advise?

    24.   How do you balance your use of social media with other day to day activities so that it doesn’t rule your life?

    25.   If you could sit down over lunch/dinner with someone in the technology world, who would it be and why?

    26.   How do you stay current on technology trends?

  • December 07

    Ready, Set, Discuss!

    Posted on: 12/7/2009 11:23:00 AM | Comments (0)

    Girls in Tech Boise hopes you left room in your busy Holiday schedule to join us Wednesday, December 9th from 5:45 to 7:00 pm for FishBowl Roundtables at the WaterCooler (1401 W Idaho, Boise).

    Did we mention you should bring a friend (or two or ten or...)? We are having a 'Bring a Friend' contest, so bring a friend and win fabulous holiday prizes.

    What's a FishBowl Roundtable you ask? Topics are placed in a fishbowl in the center of the table. Each person at the table will select a topic and start a discussion. Once that topic is thoroughly (or not so thoroughly) discussed, the next topic is presented to the group.

    Come prepared for treats, networking and fabulous discussion.

     

    But wait, there’s more!

     

    We’ve heard from many that you are interested in volunteer and mentor activities. We have been busy learning about some of the opportunities available in the Boise Valley – eGirls, Discover Engineering, INL Scholastic Tournament, lunches at Meridian Technical Charter High School, just to name a few. A few of the representatives will be on hand Wednesday to talk about how you can help them, so get ready to cross ‘volunteer more’ off your 2010 New Year’s Resolutions list.

     

    Food, fun, discussion, volunteering – what more could you ask for? See you Wednesday!

  • December 01

    Calling all Girls in Tech Lego-istas

    Posted on: 12/1/2009 1:03:10 PM | Comments (0)

    First Lego League Calling all Girls in Tech Boise Lego-istas!  WE NEED YOUR HELP!

    FIRST Lego League competition is in need of volunteers for their competition to be held on December 12th, 2009 at Mountain View High School.

    They are anticipating 500 participants and coaches, so it will be a hopping event!

    What is the FIRST Lego League (FLL) you ask?  It is a program that is designed to introduce younger students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface.  FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities and, through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society.

    Students get to:

    1. Design, build and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology
    2. Apply real-world math and science concepts
    3. Research challenges facing today's scientists
    4. Learn critical thinking, team-building and presentation skills
    5. Participate in tournaments and celebrations

    Not only is this a fantastic opportunity, the number of FLL Robotics teams has TRIPLED from last year!  They had 17 teams at last year's competition and they are expecting to have 50 teams sign up this year.  So they are really going to need an army of volunteers this year!  This is where all of you Girls in Tech Boise gals come in...

    Volunteer Spots Needed:

    1. 14 Technical Judges time commitment 8-4 (an Engineering or Science background is helpful, but not required)
    2. 14 Referees time commitment 8-4 (need to be able to stand most of the day and some refereeing knowledge is helpful, but not required)
    3. 14 Presentation Judges time commitment 8-4 (no special skills needed, but presentation experience is helpful)
    4. 14 Teamwork Judges time commitment 8-4 (no special skills needed)
    5. 30 Registration, Runners and other support staff will be needed through out the day

    If you are interested in helping out and being a part of this truly great opportunity, please contact Candace Sweigart at candace@girlsintech.net.  Let's band together and show these young impressional students what Women who work with and love technology can do for our community!

    Oh - and the wonderful folks at TechBoise are also looking to recruit volunteers as well.  Let's parter with our techie buddies at TechBoise and make this event a huge success. 

  • December 01

    TechBoise Event - Tech Kids' Christmas

    Posted on: 12/1/2009 12:40:23 PM | Comments (0)

    TechBoise Tech Kids' ChristmasCome join our techie friends at TechBoise for their Tech Kids' Christmas event, on December 2, 5:30pm, at the Watercooler. . (Link to map)

    There will be things to occupy your hands and minds: LED ornament light kits from Reuseum. There will be Show and Tell: We want to know what YOUR favorite gift is for the Tech Kid in your life. There will be an opportunity to share: TechBoise will be accepting toy donations on behalf of St. Luke's.

    To continue the spirit of giving: Ryan, Mark, Trent and the crew at MetaGeek will be bringing pizza and drinks. (Check out the Wi-Spy 2.4i for a sweet gadget gift!)

    Fun with LEDs: Reuseum, plus various other materials donors, will have LED "throwies" for you to create and turn into glowing holiday treasures (see picture above). We'll have LEDs, batteries, and some other various materials on hand, or you can bring an existing ornament for "enhancement."

    Show and Tell: "Kids," you say? "I thought TechBoise was an organization for adults?" It is! When we say "kids," we only refer to those curious, inquisitive minds...the kind that make up TechBoise! So if you bought your spouse some awesome little gadget (PG, please) for the holiday, we want you to share that, too. The whole idea came from TechBoisean Jason Christiansen, who mused that after the holidays are over, his kids ask, "Dad? Why didn't I get ____ cool techie thing for Christmas?" Jason's frustration: he didn't know about said cool gadget until his child's classmate got it for Christmas. Our answer: if we can share what we think to be the coolest technology-related gift for kids of any age, people like Jason won't experience this frustration. It takes participation to make this work though, so be ready to share!

    Toy Drive: Help make another Tech (or analog) Kid's Christmas bright! We will be accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys and books to fill "Santa's Toy Box" at St. Luke's. Nipper will deliver the toys to St. Luke's, and they'll be made available to families who would otherwise be unable to surprise their offspring on Christmas. The hospital is currently looking for the following items:

    • Board books in English and Spanish
    • Lift the flap board books
    • I Spy or Look and Find Books
    • Movies on DVD (rated G, PG, or PG-13)
    • Infant rattles, stacking cups, shape sorters, balls, musical toys
    • Little people
    • Craft kits
    • All plastic dolls
    • Playing cards
    • Card games
    • Coloring books
    • Cars, trucks
    • Lego or Bionicle kits
    • New or slightly used PS2 games (rated E for everybody)
    • New or slightly used Wii games (rated E for everybody)
    • Wii controllers / accessories
    • $10 -$20 gift cards to places like Bath and Body Works, Old Navy, Walmart, Target, etc. (preferably on general print cards rather than Christmas, so they can be used year round.)

    Events are free, open to everyone and gifts aren't required to attend. Food and drinks will be provided, so please come down and bring a friend! And please RSVP here so we know how much food to get.

  • November 24

    And the winner is...

    Posted on: 11/24/2009 3:40:47 PM | Comments (0)

    Tina Funkhouser - Group One RealtorNot only is Tina Funkhouser the coolest, hippest, tech-loving real estate agent we know, she is also the winner of our first ever Girls in Tech Boise contest! 

    In September, we asked our members to submit their best event idea suggestions to us and Tina rose to the challenge with a great idea, "Fishbowl Roundtables".  We loved her idea so much, that we're featuring this great event on December 9th. 

    Thank you Tina for the great idea and for being a member of our group.  Tina proves that you don't have to be a "hardcore" techie to be welcomed by Girls in Tech Boise.  Tina loves technology and works as a realtor for Group One.  We love that she loves tech and she's a perfect fit for our group.  Next time we see ya Tina, we'll be presenting your new pink babydoll Girls in Tech t-shirt.  Congrats and we hope to see everyone at Tina's event next month.  We've got lots of great announcements and things to share with you about what Girls in Tech Boise is planning for 2010! 

    Click here to RSVP and see who is attending.

  • November 23

    Girls in Tech Presents: Catalyst Conference

    Posted on: 11/23/2009 12:33:40 PM | Comments (0)

    9am – 6pm, January 26th, 2010
    Commonwealth Club
    595 Market Street, 2nd Floor
    San Francisco, California

    “Catalyst Conference” catalyzes the career development of women working in high-tech. By offering high-level keynotes and discussions from successful women at the top of their game alongside workshops led by experts in innovation and collaboration, the Catalyst Conference enables & propels women to take the next step, whether they’re launching a venture, making waves in the corporate world, looking to join an innovative startup, or building their online and digital-media media brand.

    Catalyst Conference will bring over 250 passionate, creative women together to fuel new relationships and ideas. Come prepared to share concrete technology and business tools and tactics, meet energetic leaders and entrepreneurs, and develop your own business ventures. This conference is for women at the top of their industries as well as those leading their first ventures, and will guide them all in discussions of strategy and success.

    Please note: This event is for WOMEN ONLY.

    Join the conversation on:
    Twitter with #GITcc
    Facebook Group

    Agenda | Speakers | Sponsors | Register Here

    GIT_03_DWS_Catalyst_Launch_Flyer

  • September 18

    October Event Details

    Posted on: 9/18/2009 3:42:08 PM | Comments (0)

    Mark the date!  Girls in Tech Boise is hosting another great event on Wednesday, October 21st.  Come join us for an evening of inspiration and mentoring as Dianne Sonderhouse - HP Global Development IT Manager, shares her career secrets and success stories. Girls in Tech Boise has prepared 10 questions to ask Dianne and we'll be ready for a round table discussion with her. This will be a very informal event with lots of time to chat and network with other Boise women in technology.

    Event: Q&A with Dianne Sonderhouse
    Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
    Time: 5:45pm - 7:00pm
    Location: Boise Watercooler
    RSVP: http://gitboiseoct09.eventbrite.com/

    Meeting agenda:

    5:45-6:15 Networking - Network and chat with other women working with technology. This will be an informal meet and greet. You'll get an opportunity to learn what other women are currently working on and be inspired by the diverse group of women working in technology in the Boise area.

    6:15-7:00 Q&A with Dianne Sonderhouse - Dianne will answer our pre-prepared questions and share her great career story with us. There will be time for you to ask questions of Dianne as well.

     Dianne has been with HP Boise over the last 12 years in multiple roles most recently as Global Development IT Manager for the Managed Print Business Segment. Prior to this role Dianne has been able to enjoy roles as a Section Manager for Support and Operations, Global Platform IT Manager for Assisted and Analytics, IPG Americas Call Center Technology Group Manager, Program Manager, Global Program Manager (HP Services), Project Technical Lead/IT Consultant/IT Engineer. For the past 12 years Dianne’s focus has been in leading IT solutions development or support operation teams in the area of Web, Chat, E-mail, Telecom, Customer Integrated Solutions, Revenue Generation, Computer Telephony, Consumer Support Extended Pack solutions, Agent Case Tracking, DC IT Transformation Activities, Enterprise Portal Development and Analytics to support the operations of HP.

    Before joining HP, Dianne had 8 years in the R&D and Quality for Boston Technology, Kronos, Teloquent, Tranti, Advanced Micro Technology in the Boston, Massachusetts area acting in a variety of roles from training, development, test, project leadership and engineering.

    Dianne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration & Marketing at Regis College (Weston, Mass) with Advanced Education in CIS/Development at U-Mass, Lowell. In her spare time she spends time with her four wonderful children ages 4 – 21 and traveling.

  • September 11

    Life Coaching Event Recap

    Posted on: 9/11/2009 5:03:00 PM | Comments (0)

    Life Coaching with LoreneLast Wednesday night, Girls in Tech Boise hosted a great event with Life Coach and Mrs. Western Idaho International, Lorene Rasmussen.

    Lorene brought chocolate, door prizes, and lots of inspiration for living intentional lives and goal setting. Along with providing us with useful guidance on reaching for our goals, she shared her very personal story of growing up "without a coach" and what a difference it made in her life to have people who believed in her and pushed her to become who she is today.

    We were challenged by Lorene to be purposeful about the story we are creating in our own life and to make sure that our goals match our personal values.  She gave us the tools and analysis needed to properly assess our value system and to use that as a guide for personal decision making.  Lorene also shared her personal journey as Mrs. Western Idaho International and some of the many goals/pursuits she has had over the past years.  

    The event was interactive, lots of fun, and very helpful as well as we reflect on where we are in our careers in 2009 and what we hope to achieve for the remainder of this year.  Girls in Tech Boise members shared their personal strengths, weaknesses, and goals and it was a great time to connect with our fellow women in technology.   

    Thank you Lorene and The Leadership Advisors Group for so generously donating your time to Girls in Tech Boise!  It was quite a treat to get to spend an evening with a Life Coach and we appreciate you! 

    Life Coach Workshop

    If you were unable to attend the event, you can find the PowerPoint slides from the presentation posted here.  You can also follow Lorene's journey as Mrs. Western Idaho International here.  

  • September 02

    Girls in Tech Boise featured in the Boise Weekly

    Posted on: 9/2/2009 6:43:12 PM | Comments (0)

    In its newest issue, the Boise weekly featured an article highlighting the High Tech industry here in Boise.  Girls in Tech Boise was interviewed and quoted in this article which attempts to explain why Boise still tops the list of places innovators do and should live.  Here is a small excerpt from the article:

    For tech people who are already in Boise, grass-roots groups like TechConnect, Girls In Tech and Jelly may play a large part what they consider the "vibrant and healthy" aspects of their environment. They are part of a community that fosters the kind of high-tech development they trained for, sometimes in a low-key way.

    We're so happy to be featured and interviewed for this article and hope that our group can continue to foster the great tech community that we are so proud to be a part of.  We believe that grass-roots efforts such as Girls in Tech Boise are what make the City of Trees a fantastic place to live and work in technology.  Join us in our effort to continue to thrive as women in technology!  

    The entire Boise Weekly Girls in Tech Boise feature can be found here:  High-Tech Still Thrives in Low-Key Boise   

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