Women's Professional Group
The Women's Professional Group (WPG) consists of members who are engaged in all areas of the experiential education field. Members include, but are not limited to, teachers, outdoor educators and field staff, program coordinators, students, business owners, and many more.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! We have made some changes to better fit your wallets and schedules. Join us for 1 day of learning, laughing and teaching with other incredible women, outdoor and experiential educators. TA Loeffler has a great presentation on Women's Competency that will alter your awareness of yourself and others. We will still have a blend of activities, including interactive presentations, new ideas in working with your groups, discussing ways to bring programs for girls and women to your organization / sharing what you are already doing and creating opportunities for mentoring space.
Contact: Denise Ouellette, 858-539-3159, dslifeventure@gmail.com
1 Day Only - Wed, Oct 28, 9am to 5pm - $60 for the day, includes a light breakfast and lunch. This will be held at the conference site, room details to be emailed at a later date.
Mission Statement
The WPG Professional Group is rooted in education programming and research for women and girls. WPG serves a dual function:
- To provide a structure to voice the interests, needs and concerns of women within AEE and in the larger professional community
- To serve as a forum to support, network and mentor each other around the joys, pains and problems women meet within the workplace
Organizational Structure and Leadership
WPG leadership is a trio of Chairs with staggered three-year terms. WPG also recruits members to volunteer as Regional Contacts and PG/PAG Liaisons to provide further support and networking for members and promote the WPG mission.
2008-2010 Chair: Denise Ouellette dslifeventure@gmail.com
2009-2011 Chair: Sara Boilen sarapgb@gmail.com
Mentoring List (AW: Needs updating)
Materials on Women's Outdoor Memorial Gatherings
Descriptions of Roles - Volunteer Leaders
Fundraising
Help WPG raise money for scholarships and programming. Participate in IGIVE. Basically, you sign up on the website and select your favorite charity. The companies on the webpage donate a portion of the purchase to that charity. So, if you pick the WPG as your charity and then shop on line at igive they will give that percentage to WPG. It's an easy way for us to raise money. So, for all of you who do any shopping on line check it out at www.igive.com
Voices Newsletter
In each edition, we highlight upcoming events, resources, members in the spotlight, and a WPG Hero.
Content submission for the WPG Newsletter is greatly appreciated. This could include current research, travels, poetry, information about upcoming events or any other tidbits of information you would like to share. Please send submissions to Denise at dslifeventure@gmail.com
History
In 1980, Rita Yerkes attended her first AEE Annual Conference and participated in a men and women's issues interest group. The current chairperson felt the group was no longer needed despite the fact that over 25 people attended, most of who were women. Rita disagreed. Over the next few years, Rita worked with many supportive women and organizations to create the Women in Experiential Education Special Interest Group. The group held its first AEE Pre-Conference gathering in 1984 and began promoting its mission by hosting a variety of workshops, newsletters, and fundraisers, and mentoring women conference presenters and writers for the AEE Journal of Experiential Education. By 1987, the group was awarded AEE Professional Group status and the Women's Professional Group was born.
For a more complete background on WPG History and the women who helped build it, please go to: WPG History for a readable/printable collection compiled and edited by Nina S. Roberts.
How to Join
Already an AEE member? Contact the AEE office Membership Coordinator and let them know you want to join the WPG. There is no additional cost. Click here for AEE contact information.
Not an AEE member? Complete an AEE Membership Application and check Women's Professional Group. You can join as many Professional Groups (PGs) and Professional Affiliation Groups (PAGs) as you like. You can become a member online in the AEE eStore .
Get Involved Today!
Opportunities abound to become involved in local, regional, national, or international projects and leadership. Email us your interests, questions, and ideas: wpg@aee.org
