Meet The Women in Circle Council Leaders Part 2 from the WIC

Name: Ginny Borolov
Council Position: Scholarship Coordinator
WWTW Date: June, 2008
WWTW Location: Columbia, IL
Did you or do you staff? Yes
No.of WWTW staffed: 2
Favorite WWTW staff job and why: I have enjoyed all of my staff positions so far, as well as the challenge doing them efficiently and with intention. I have also enjoyed helping others with their responsibilities when they need a hand. It's good to experience to learn many aspects of the Woman Within Weekend to have a better understanding of how things flow. I also enjoy getting to know other women better as they work side by side on the tasks needing to be done. I think the job I would like to learn more about and be responsible for is Ritual.
Why do you staff WWTW: Since I don't have a community in my area in Northwest Indiana, staffing is an opportunity for me to stay connected to Woman Within, continue with my work, and to experience the fulfillment that comes from witnessing the work of other women.
Are you a FIT or Facilitator: Not at this time
Why did you join the WIC Leadership Council: I was delighted and honored when asked to serve as the scholarship coordinator for WIC. As I mentioned above, I knew it was a great opportunity for me to stay connected to the community and find a way to give back the many rewards I received on my weekend. I also hope to contribute in some way to the shared energy of the council and to be part of helping the WW community grow and reach more women.
What have you done, do and/or plan to do on the WIC Leadership Council: I have only been on the WIC council for a few months. At this time, my plans are to learn more about how things operate and as opportunities present themselves, I will find other ways I can contribute.
Tell us who you are: I am a single woman who left a 24 year marriage to start a new life. I work at a university and am also working toward my life-long dream of earning a Bachelor's degree. My passion is in Sociology, but I am majoring in Accounting for practical reasons, with a minor in Ethics. I hope to one day work for a social agency of some kind so that I can mix my passion with my degree. Aside from work and school, I enjoy spending time with a very special grandson, riding my bicycle and doing anything outdoors. You'll find me at the beach in all kinds of weather!
What have you gotten out of WW that is the most important to you: The work I did on my WW Weekend opened me up to great healing and I have taken that work to the next level as I continue to learn more about myself. I have found acceptance and peace within, which in turn as increased opportunities to make the connections with others that I have longed for. My journey through WW has been highlighted by the realization that each of us are not beyond the need of being accepting and being accepted, no matter our level of achievement. We are all a work in progress.

Name: Debra Cohen
Council Position: Goldkeeper (Treasurer)
WWTW Date: March, 2006
WWTW Location: Indianapolis, IN
Did you or do you staff? Yes
No.of WWTW staffed: 3
Favorite WWTW staff job and why: My favorite job so far is Nurturer. On my Weekend, the Nurturer had a lasting impact on me. I had never been held in a purely nurturing way for more than a few seconds. To be able to give that to another woman is a blessing for me.
Why do you staff WWTW: I staff to give other women what was given to me. I staff to stay connected to Woman Within. I staff because I feel truly blessed and filled when the weekend is over.
Are you a FIT or Facilitator: No
Why did you join the WIC Leadership Council: To continue to serve the WW community.
What have you done, do and/or plan to do on the WIC Leadership Council: As Goldkeeper it is my job to make sure we have the money we need for our expenses and the scholarships we provide for the Woman Within Training Weekend.
Tell us who you are: Right now I am mostly the stay at home mom of a wonderful 3 ½ year old boy. It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to be home with him when he is not at school. He is quite imaginative and I enjoy playing with him. I am looking to start a computer training company where I provide personalized training on a person's own computer now that my son in school part time. I am also starting to get back into some creative pursuits, such as writing poetry, singing, knitting and scrapbooking.
What have you gotten out of WW that is the most important to you: I am part of a group of women who support me and listen to me without trying to fix me. I have a place where I am heard and accepted.

Name: Nicole Fasshauer
Council Position: Celebrations Coordinator
WWTW Date: March 17-19 2006
WWTW Location: Indiana
Did you or do you staff? Yes
No.of WWTW staffed: 2
Favorite WWTW staff job and why: Preparing the rooms because I know I am doing it with love for the women and I want to make sure everything is perfect for them for each session on the weekend.
Why do you staff WWTW: After completing my WW Weekend, I knew for sure I wanted to staff and be there supporting women who were going through the weekend for the firs time. It has been very powerful for me and I am so happy to be part of the council and to be able to offer my assistance to all the new women joining our family.
Are you a FIT or Facilitator: Neither
Why did you join the WIC Leadership Council: The Celebrations position is now part of the council which I am happy to be a part of.
What have you done, do and/or plan to do on the WIC Leadership Council: I just became part of the council in January but I will contribute ideas, my knowledge, assistance and anything else the council will need from me until the first Celebration of this year.
Tell us who you are: My life has completely changed since my WW Weekend and I continue to grow every day. I am a better mom, girlfriend, friend, worker, and person, from continuing my personal growth. I am committed to the journey because I know I will keep learning and growing even when it is painful and hurts the most. I have made many new friends and feel so supported in this organization and it gives me a feeling of safety which has been hard for me (to feel) in the past. I have a daughter, Danielle, who is 8 and a son, Jake. who is 6. Michael is my partner who has ben crucial in my life and is the one, in fact, who introduced me to Woman Within.
What have you gotten out of WW that is the most important to you: What I have gotten the most out of WW is the community of women who are so supportive and to be able to trust women who have come from many similar situations as I have, makes me feel seen and safe. Now it is my turn to keep giving back to the community and all the new women who will be on their journey and attending the WW Weekend.

Name: Emily Halliday
Council Position: E-Circle Coordinator (Outgoing)
WWTW Date: Sept 2003
WWTW Location: Delavan
Did you or do you staff? Yes
No.of WWTW staffed: 11, I think
Favorite WWTW staff job and why: Facilitation. I just love the contact with the participants and learning new ways of thinking each weekend.
Why do you staff WWTW: I received so much from my initial weekend. I hope to give back a small piece of that gift when I staff. I also learn a great deal about myself each time I staff. Each staffing feels like anther gift.
Are you a FIT or Facilitator: I’M A FIT 1.
Why did you join the WIC Leadership Council: I wanted to give back to the WW community. My ecircle journey has been a difficult one. I love the concept and idea behind ecircles and feel passionately that they are powerful and continue my WW journey. I wanted to ensure that ecircles met more women in the community and tried to work on outreach and availability.
What have you done, do and/or plan to do on the WIC Leadership Council:I am the contact person for the IL/WI region. I try to contact each woman participant after the weekend and ensure that there is training available to her that will allow her to continue her WW journey. It's not a perfect system, and I hope I have been able to help most women that contact me. I am hoping to get a better sense of where the ecircles are located, how to make ecircles more accessible, understand who is open to new members, and help women empower themselves.
Tell us who you are: I'm a mother with a three year old son and another on the way. I am currently attending graduate school for my Masters degree in Counseling. I'm married and enjoy family time, WW time, and learning. I am dedicated to self-growth and opening my horizons.
What have you gotten out of WW that is the most important to you: A sense that only I can be responsible for myself. I have the power to adjust my thinking around certain areas and my control only goes so far. I have gained a greater sense of faith and strengthened my relationships and feelings around women. I am forever grateful for my WW experiences.

Name: Mary Walilko
Council Position: Connection and Communication Leader
WWTW Date: December, 1996
WWTW Location: Lake Delavan, WI
Did you or do you staff? I did staff in my earlier years in WW, but I am no longer physically able to staff
No. of WWTW staffed: 6 or 7
Favorite WWTW staff job and why: My favorite staff job was always Nurturer. Nurturing did not exist for me when I was growing up. I stepped into this neglected part of myself and was able to both give and get healthy nurturing.
Why do you staff WWTW: I loved witnessing women coming into their power during the process work. I always believed I received many gifts and blessings when staffing.
Are you a FIT or Facilitator: No
Why did you join the WIC Leadership Council: I was asked to join the council by Natasha Taylor and was reluctant at first, wondering where I would find the time. I wanted to give back to the WW community though, and I thought this might be a way for me to make a contribution. I saw a need for transparency and ongoing communication both in myself and in the WW community. I also saw women who had been part of the WW community for many years and who's experiences were somewhat different than the newer women and I saw myself as a possible representative and voice on the council for those women.
What have you done, do and/or plan to do on the WIC Leadership Council: My greatest accomplishment has been this newsletter. I've had other ideas for ways to build connections between the women in our community and between all the WW communities but changes in my personal life and increased demands on my time have prevented me from following through on the ideas I've had. As John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." I believe everything is unfolding the way it is meant to unfold.
Tell us who you are: I am single, (way) past the age of 50 and live alone except for 2 cat roommates. I have my own small graphic design and Web design business, something new I started six years ago after a few decades of working in Information Technology. I injured my back several years ago and the resulting continued changes in my life-style has been both challenging and filled with blessings. I had always been on-the-go, racing from one commitment to another. Now that I've had to slow down, I can really hear the songs the birds are singing. Blessings in disguise.
What have you gotten out of WW that is the most important to you: My life changed so much as a result of the WW Weekend. Although I had read many psychology and self help books during my life and had a fair amount of "head knowledge," I could never find a way to get past some of the walls I had built up. Connecting to my inner voice, my personal power and my feelings during the WW weekend was just what I had needed to start bringing down my walls. I now understand that it's not enough to know something intellectually, I must also "know" at a cellular level both emotionally and physically. During and after my WW weekend, for the first time in my life, I was able to connect with other women and felt accepted by them.