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Lunchbag session connects women to area resources by Cindy Abole Public Relations Connecting people is the aim of the July 15 Women Scholars Midday Networking Series, the third in a monthly brown bag lunchtime series designed to inform, teach and provide  information for campus newcomers or anyone interested in obtaining information.   The session, Community Resources for Women: A guide for new and existing faculty, connects people with community speakers and information in the areas of activities, resources, and politics and activism. The informal, hour-long event is free to faculty, staff, students and the public. It begins at noon, College of Nursing, Room 116.      Established through MUSC’s Women Scholars Initiative, July's program provides participants with useful information from guests Laurie Yarbrough, City of Charleston Recreation Department; Jennet Robinson Alterman, Center for Women; and Nancy Finch, League of Women Voters of the Charleston Area.   “This is a wonderful opportunity for people on campus to tap into local resources around the Charleston area,” said Sheila Smith, Ph.D., College of Nursing and a member of the networking series subcommittee. Smith and Tamara Nowling, Ph.D., a researcher with the Division of Rheumatology in the Department of Medicine, collaborated to coordinate the session. Both drew on their own personal experiences as newcomers to the Lowcountry area since 2003.      “It’s important to communicate that all midday networking series sessions are open to women and all people on campus,” Smith said.      MUSC already shares a partnership with the Center for Women, according to Alterman who is the program’s executive director. Opened in 1990, the center is considered the state’s only women’s development center focused on helping women succeed by providing them with tools and information to help them make sound decisions regarding their family and careers, according to Alterman.     “Our focus is to offer women what they need across the board in terms of issues of balance with career and family, transition, creativeness, and other areas,” said Alterman, who collaborated with the institution on Women’s History Month activities. “We want to help people, especially women, by providing them with the tools and resources they need to network and succeed.”      “The next two Women Scholars Networking Series sessions will provide practical information to women professionals and faculty who are interested in increasing their involvement in the Charleston community or maximizing what Charleston has to offer them and their families,” said Ashli J. Sheidow, Ph.D., chairperson of the networking series subcommittee. “The sessions will be of particular interest to women who are new to Charleston. In addition, women use the time after the sessions to network with other professionals who share their interests and goals.”      The next workshop on volunteerism will be held at noon, Aug. 19 at Room 116, College of Nursing. Upcoming topics for fall include health benefits choices, Institutional Review Board pointers, financial planning and estate planning.      For information about the MUSC Women Scholars Networking Series, visit http://etl2.library.musc.edu/musc_women/scholars.html. To submit ideas for future topics, e-mail sheidoaj@musc.edu. MUSC Women Scholars Midday NetWorking Series Aug. 19: Volunteerism (How to have fun, meet new people and get involved) Sept. 9: Health Benefits Options for MUSC Employees Oct. 14: IRB Pointers (Straight from the experts) Nov. 9: Financial Planning Dec. 14: Estate Planning (Wills, proxies, etc.)   All hourlong workshops are held at noon in Room 116, College of Nursing. Visit http://etl2.library.musc.edu/musc_women/scholars.html.        Friday, July 15, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.