Volunteers needed to support Women Aware

Plans for the Women Aware Conference Sept. 21 in Poplar Bluff are well on the way, but there still is time for volunteers to become involved.

“We’ve already begun planning for the 2023 conference, and we are so excited about some changes and fresh ideas this year,” said conference director Cindy-Lou Morgan of Legacy Marketing.

Morgan explained, “As my first year as conference director, I have some big shoes to fill. Meredith Rhines, the previous director, has done an amazing job growing the conference the last few years.”

The last thing Morgan wants to do is rewrite everything the previous committees have put so much time and work into creating.

“I really want to utilize those members of the Women Aware organization who have been involved since its inception and created this amazing organization, and mix their insights with some new, young committee members who are bringing some fresh ideas to the table,” Morgan said.

The committee spends countless hours of their personal time planning and organizing for the conference each year.

“We really try to have as many hands on deck as we can to lighten the workload for everyone, but every single committee member ends up doing more than their share of work to prepare for the conference,” Morgan said.

Morgan attended the conference for years prior to getting involved in the organization.

“As a local business owner, I love the idea of bringing businesswomen together, especially on a local level,” Morgan said. “I think it’s so wonderful we have something like this in our area, and I know for me as a young businesswoman, I have learned so much from being around other businesswomen that have years of experience. It has helped me tremendously in my business growth and personal growth. I continue to be involved with Women Aware because I truly feel that it will continue to help new and young businesswomen in the future.”

The goal for the conference committee is to bring something new, fresh and exciting to this year’s conference.

“The committee is currently in the process of looking at some updated branding, themes and ideas for this year‘s conference,” Morgan said.

The conference committee meets once a month, and the board meets additionally each quarter.

Morgan believes the conference has continued “to be such a success over so many years because there’s nothing else like it in our area. I think there’s a huge need for networking and connection between businesswomen, and this is the one organization and event in our area that makes that happen.

“So many women in the past have laid the foundation for the Women Aware organization and have made it possible for today’s businesswomen to have the opportunities that we do, and I think now it’s our duty to carry that torch.”

While the committees are working on a variety of activities, Productive Staffing district manager Tracy Tarpley is searching a variety of resources for the keynote speaker.

Tarpley is “involved because I love the camaraderie and working with the women in our community to help put on an event that empowers all women. I’ve made a lot of new friends and met some amazing people over the years.”

Tarpley’s goals are to put on a great conference and have more community involvement.

“I think we service a need in our community,” Tarpley said. “Women need to feel seen and feel like they are important. They aren’t just wives and mothers but businesswomen with goals and dreams. It’s important to highlight that and the strong female leaders in our area.

“Women usually put themselves on the back burner so having the authority to just say ‘okay, I’m taking a day to learn and grow’ is important in all of our lives.”

Tarpley said, “We need more volunteers and fresh eyes for the committees. We have the same few women running things. We are great but we need more ladies of different ages, backgrounds, cultures to make us a better organization and help us grow.”

Those interested in volunteering a few hours or more should be able to find a place to put their skills to work.

Whatever one’s talents, there is a place to help, agreed committee members.

Anyone interested in helping with the conference may contact cindy@legacymarketingpb.com and tracy.l.tarpley@gmail.com.