By Janice Payne

 

Equal numbers of AWIS members and non-members filled the conference center at Avanir Pharmaceuticals for the annual AWIS-San Diego Open House held on October 13. Incoming AWIS-San Diego president, Karin Zeh, greeted the standing-room-only crowd with a summary of what AWIS is all about and the benefits of membership. She encouraged attendees to take advantage of information available at committee and sponsor tables around the room.

AWIS National Councilor, Sonya Clemmons, then introduced Phoebe Leboy, AWIS National Secretary, who had flown to San Diego to attend the Open House. Leboy, the fifth woman in the country to become a professor of biochemistry and the first to be tenured, feels that "our job is not over" in promoting women scientists in the workplace.

AWIS members were then honored with awards for their service and contribution to the organization. Awards were given in the following categories:

• Rookie of the Year: Awarded to a new Chapter member who has jumped into the organization with both feet. Recipient: Jenafer Evans

• Achievements in Outreach or Community Service: Awarded to the Chapter member who, while acting on behalf of AWIS, has made a contribution to the San Diego community. Recipient: Annika Montag

• Outstanding Volunteer: Awarded to a Chapter member who actively and enthusiastically participates in an AWIS committee. Recipient: Janice Payne

• Achievement in Innovation Awarded to the Chapter member or committee who has initiated the best new idea to advance and enhance Chapter events. Recipient:Website Committee

• Leadership Service: Awarded to the Chapter member whose leadership role has advanced the goals and visibility of the San Diego Chapter. Recipient: Holly Heaslet

• President's Award: Awarded to a Chapter member who has demonstrated continued service and enthusiasm over many years. Lynne Friedmann

Our Open House speaker for the evening was Peggy Wallace of Making Conversation, LLC. Wallace led attendees in the "DiSC Demystified" workshop that described four different communication styles based on personality type. Understanding these styles may improve communication in the workplace or home environment.

Dominance: This individual is a driver and is results and action-oriented. He/she can be identified by a confident and fast-paced tone of voice.

Influencing: This person is expressive and reaction-oriented. He/she is friendly and very animated.

Steadiness: This individual is amiable and process-oriented and often speaks at a slower, methodical pace.

Compliance: This individual can be identified by his/her slow, precise tone and is analytical and rules-oriented.

Everyone is made up of a combination of these styles, but one style is usually prominent. The goal of the workshop was to identify our own styles and to try to improve communication with those around us.

Many thanks to the Membership Committee and our five generous sponsors:

Nanogen

Friedmann Communications

UCSD Rady School of Management

UCSD Extension

Southern CA Biotechnology Center at Miramar College

AWIS Newsletter Volume 13, Issue 1 Jan/Feb 2005

updated 4/9/06