• 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.