Leadership event to focus on community

Women will get an opportunity to learn how to become more involved in civic life today at the event “Having Power in Your Community,” which is being sponsored by the City of Bloomington’s Commission on the Status of Women. \n“I think there are a lot of people out there that want to get involved but aren’t quite sure how,” said Dorothy Granger, a commissioner for the group.\nThe event will include three different workshops that will educate participants on ways to get involved in the community, Granger said.\nThe workshops are titled “Taking A Personal Inventory,” which deals with reflecting on personal strengths; “Philanthropy: Giving of Time or Money,” which will discuss ways to support communities; and “Community Activism/Women in the Arts,” which will discuss influential women in the arts, said Cathi Crabtree, the event’s co-chair.\nSue Owens, program specialist for the Community and Family Resources Department of Bloomington, said attendees can select any one of the three programs.\nSeveral speakers will also present at the event.\nCrabtree explained that all women are welcome to attend, no matter how involved they are or how involved they want to be in their community.\n“We welcome women no matter where they are on the spectrum,” Crabtree said. \nCrabtree said IU alumni were involved on the planning committee this year and stressed that IU students are strongly encouraged to attend.\n“This is a first, because we’ve never included actual IU students on the planning committee,” said Owens, who is an IU alumna.\nThe Emerging Leader Award will also be presented by the commission at this event to Jillian Kinzie. \nThis event is a good way to network and also a way to learn about which commissions, boards and organizations have vacancies, Crabtree said.\n“Our primary goal is to get more women physically engaged,” she added.\nCity of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department, City of Bloomington Office of the Clerk and IU Women’s Student Association are serving as co-sponsors.\nThe event will be held from 5 to 7:15 p.m. today at City Hall. It is free of charge.