We have all heard the saying "you get out of it what you put into it." That is especially true with the organizations we choose to get involved with. If you are going to commit your time and energy to a mission, it only makes sense that it should be in line with your own personal and/or professional goals. So what is the secret to creating a rewarding experience within NEWiRE? It's all in your approach.
As we begin our annual membership renewal drive, I'd like to encourage prospective, new and returning members to maximize their NEWiRE membership by making it personal. Do this for you. Think about what you want to get out of your membership and take action. Here are some helpful suggestions:
Be Enterprising
The mission of NEWiRE is to advance women in commercial real estate. Our members are career-oriented and we encourage them to find ways to do business with one another. The majority of our members consider NEWiRE to be an integral part of their professional network. This includes our affiliation with the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) network, which gives our members access to national opportunities, as well as educational resources.
If your goal is to be more enterprising, this is the place to do it. Get to know the movers and shakers. Look for opportunities to work on projects with other members. Be a connector by making introductions and referrals that will eventually be reciprocated. Think like an entrepreneur.
Be Social
Part of being a member of NEWiRE is interacting with other members. Use it to your advantage. Our calendar is full of programs and events where you can meet other members. The key is to stay in contact on a regular basis. Luckily, social media has allowed us to create an online community where members have access to many of people.
Check the web site regularly for job postings, member news and event details. Join the LinkedIn group to connect with members and start discussions. Follow us on Twitter for quick info bites-and tweet back! We're listening. More importantly, don't forget that communication is a two-way street. Share your expertise and knowledge via articles, comments, advice, etc. so people get to know you and come to think of you as a "go to" person.
Be Focused
At NEWiRE, we do have a number of different committees and a lot of events. It can be overwhelming if you don't have a focus. Think about what you want to get out of NEWiRE. Do you want to learn? Play a leadership role? Give back to others? We provide an environment that encourages, supports, and develops members in a multitude of ways including:
* Educational programs and seminars
* Board/committee participation
* Community outreach
Focus on what is important to you and make that your priority. Also, think about how much time you have to commit to events or a committee and then choose what works best for your schedule. Quality versus quantity is the key. Your time is valuable so spend it wisely.
Clearly the secret to creating a rewarding experience within NEWiRE is to be in control. Go after what you want. Put your membership to work for you in ways that make sense and empower you. In doing so, your NEWiRE membership will become more meaningful. And NEWiRE will be a stronger organization because of it.

Gayle Bourdeau, vice president /associate senior underwriting counsel at Stewart Title Guaranty Company-National Title Services, is the 2013-2014 President of New England Women in Real Estate (NEWiRE), Boston, MA.
To learn more about NEWiRE and upcoming events visit www.newire.org, find us on LinkedIn, or follow us on Twitter @NEWiREBoston.