Belle Plaine will be the site of one of two Women to Leadership Conferfences in September. The conference will be held Sept. 18, with registration from 9-9:30 a.m. and the conference scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Belle Plaine Community Center. A second conference will be held at the Muscatine Hotel Ballroom on Oct. 16.

Rep. Dawn Pettengill (R-Mount Auburn) was challenged last year during debate on the gender balance bill.  “Mandates aren’t the way to go.  Skill development, mentoring and networking are the real solutions and I will do something to address the need that way.” says Pettengill.

In 2009, Pettengill and her Steering Committee hosted the first W2L Women to Leadership Conference.  The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

Conference topics include leadership development, media relations, image, balance and social networking.  Numerous speakers, panels and skill presentations are on the agenda, with women leaders from all areas of the state confirmed to attend.  There will be many opportunities to network.

Participants are encouraged to bring materials for their particular business or interest to share at those times.

Sponsors of the events are the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women and multiple businesses and organizations, who are participating and donating to door prizes and gift bags.  “The events have received great support from the community and amazingly, this year, we are taking it on the road all the way to the Mississippi,” said Pettengill.  “I am committed to helping all people be engaged and successful, not only women. This is a commitment everyone can get behind.”

The conference fee is $25.00 and includes the conference materials and a gourmet lunch provided by Divine Decadents, Shellsburg.  For conference registration, you can send your name, address, phone, email, number of participants and conference fee to W2L, PO Box A, Mount Auburn, IA 52313 by September 10, 2010.  If you have questions, you can contact Dawn at 319-610-3412 or dawnpettengill@gmail.com.