Category: Events

Upcoming events and news from past events.

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WIM and METRANS Lunch with USC Trustee Suzanne Dworak-Peck

Reposted from METRANS, Pacific Southwest Region 9 UTC 

Sunday, March 25, 2018 – 9:45pm

By Richard Aviles, USC MSW MPL 2019

On March 6th, 2018, at the USC Doheny Memorial Library, USC Women in Management (WIM) and METRANS hosted USC alum Suzanne Dworak-Peck in a lunch conversation centered around her life and career, her principles, and her advice. Suzanne Dworak-Peck has served as President of the National Association of Social Work, is a member of the USC Board of Trustees, and is a proud social work practitioner, and generously provided the naming gift for the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. We appreciate her sharing her time and thoughts with us, and both WIM and METRANS for making this event possible.

Dworak-Peck stressed to the audience of students, faculty, staff, and practitioners from varied backgrounds know that at the center of her work and career, the values of social work have been at her core.  She noted that, as conveyed by the NASW’s Code of Ethics, social workers strive for “competence, dignity and worth of the person, human relationships, and social justice,” and these have been her guiding principles in all aspects of her life.

Dworak-Peck began her talk with a dilemma too common in the social work profession; for those people outside of the profession, social workers are believed to be simply “baby snatchers.” Dworak-Peck explained that the portrayal of social workers in the media does not do justice to the intricacies and pedagogy of the profession. As a dual degree student in Social Work and Planning, I am striving to follow in the legacy of Dworak-Peck: a nontraditional social work practitioner striving to find nontraditional solutions.

She reminded us that at a time where we have social movements like Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, and Gun Violence Reform, it is more imperative than ever that we all reconnect to the principle of social justice. Dworak-Peck added that said principles are not limited to just the social work profession. As an example, she applied the NASW Code of Ethics in her real estate business, and believes that social workers can be, and work hand in hand with, developers, planners, artists, and politicians. Social workers, in the words of Suzanne Dworak-Peck, are driven by empathy; in a world that seems to be disconnected and disengaged, now is the time for social workers, and truly all of us, to step to the forefront and remind the world of the power of empathy and human connection.

About the Author: Richard Aviles

Aviles is a dancer, choreographer, and dual degree student. As an artist, Aviles focuses on choreographing queer and feminist theories in American Modern Dance. As a student, Aviles is interested in using his background in choreography to further his interest in spatial analysis and the role of social workers in the development process.

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9 reasons good employees quit

“It’s pretty incredible how often you hear managers complaining about their best employees leaving, and they really do have something to complain about—few things are as costly and disruptive as good people walking out the door.

“Managers tend to blame their turnover problems on everything under the sun, while ignoring the crux of the matter: people don’t leave jobs; they leave managers.

“The sad thing is that this can easily be avoided. All that’s required is a new perspective and some extra effort on the manager’s part.”
9 Things That Make Good Employees Quit, by Travis Bradberry, Forbes, February 23, 2016


And don’t forget to check our calendar for exciting new events.

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Network that network network

“So it all starts with networking. The problem then becomes: Where should you start?

“Having a network of strong working relationships across your organization can connect you with hidden information, resources, and opportunities to help strengthen your network. Having a great network also makes it easier to get your job done, influence outcomes, and gain buy-in more easily, three critical skills every emerging leader should possess.

“Who, then, do you look for when it comes time to network? To maximize your time while you expand your network, consider starting with The Five Key People You Need in Your Network:”
Ask Jo: Five Key People You Need in Your Network, by Jo Miller, Be Leaderly, March 15, 2017

Please don’t forget our last WIM Mixer at HSC’s Edomondson Lounge on Tuesday, August 15 from 4-7pm (super great for networking), and our last Professional Development session of the Summer Program at HSC:

Joy, Success and Meaning: Creating the Balance you Desire
August 17, 2017 Noon to 1:30
Norris Medical Library East Conference room
Are you living the life you have always wanted, or are you just going through the motions of every day? This workshop introduces a structured method to help you identify the most important areas in your life and to focus with intention on the areas that you want to improve. You will leave this workshop knowing what is important to you and excited about making positive changes in various areas of your life. You may be discussing topics of a personal nature (but you don’t have to), so please come with an open mind and agree to keep everything said confidential. Facilitated by Elaine Padilla, Ana Nguyen, and Kristine Moe. Seating is very limited, so please don’t delay submitting your RSVP, which closes on Tuesday, 8/15.
FREE for WIM members; $10 for non-members
RSVP: http://uscwim.org/calendar.asp


Where networking grows on trees (or something)
And don’t forget to check our calendar for exciting new events.

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8/15 and 17/17: WIM HSC this week: Mixer and Prof Dev

Just a reminder:
WIM Mixer, Tuesday, August 15, 2017, Edmondson Lounge, 4-7pm

Joy, Success and Meaning: Creating the Balance you Desire
August 17, 2017 Noon to 1:30
Norris Medical Library East Conference room
Are you living the life you have always wanted, or are you just going through the motions of every day? This workshop introduces a structured method to help you identify the most important areas in your life and to focus with intention on the areas that you want to improve. You will leave this workshop knowing what is important to you and excited about making positive changes in various areas of your life. You may be discussing topics of a personal nature (but you don’t have to), so please come with an open mind and agree to keep everything said confidential. Facilitated by Elaine Padilla, Ana Nguyen, and Kristine Moe. Seating is very limited, so please don’t delay submitting your RSVP, which closes on Tuesday, 8/15.
FREE for WIM members; $10 for non-members
RSVP: http://uscwim.org/calendar.asp

Oh, and HSC WIM Book Club is cancelled on Monday, and will be rescheduled asap.


And don’t forget to check our calendar for exciting new events.

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8/15/2017: Another WIM Mixer at HSC (mixer 2 of 2) at Edmondson Lounge

Unwind with WIM again
Another WIM Mixer at Edmondson Lounge
When: Tuesday, August 15, 2017, 4-7pm
Where: Edmondson Lounge at HSC
RSVP: http://uscwim.org/calendar.asp
Still a free event. Please RSVP in case of a venue change. Thanks!

Click here for the whole 2017 WIM HSC Summer Program post


And don’t forget to check our calendar for exciting new events.

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August 8, 2017: Citizen Cycling

Citizen Cycling

A quick and fun guide to urban bike riding.
When: Tuesday, August 8, 2017, 9-10am
Where: Norris Medical Library West Conference Room
Cost: Free for WIM Members; $10 for non-members

Josef Bray-Ali and Susan Wong discuss cycling in LA, especially the HSC part of LA, cycling to work, and cycling for fun. It’s all about gear, dressing for bicycle riding success, safety (hear stories about every possible crazy thing that can happen to riders in this part of LA), and the benefits of cycling as often as possible. Please join us.
Children under 18 are welcome and may attend at no charge if accompanied by a responsible adult.

This event is part of the first ever USC Women in Management HSC Summer Program.
Reservation and cancellation deadline is August 4, 2017. Please email Ginger Mayerson at mayerson@usc.edu. Checks must be received by August 3 sent to Ginger Mayerson (MC 0281) to facilitate check-in. RSVPs will be voided on August 4 if checks are not received to accommodate the waiting list. WIM is responsible for each RSVP, so kindly bear in mind that there is no refund for no-shows. Please call Ginger at 323-384-6049 if you have any questions.
Dates and times subject to change, please RSVP to be notified.
Seating is limited, please RSVP at http://www.uscwim.org/calendar.asp ASAP and see the WIM Blog at http://www.uscwim.wordpress.com for more detail.

Click for pdf flyer


And don’t forget to check our calendar for exciting new events.

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July 27, 2017: Poet Tea at HSC needs more RSVPs

The Poet Tea at HSC on Thursday, 7/27 from 5-7pm needs at least 5 more RSVPs by end of business tomorrow, Friday, 7/21. It’s in some danger of being cancelled if more people aren’t interested in attending. Event details:

Poet Tea with Lynne Thompson
This is a free book club meeting like all WIM book club meetings, just this one has a wonderful poet, tea and snacks with it. See below on what and where to read Ms. Thompson’s poetry, if you are so inclined. Or just come for the snacks (but RSVP so we have enough snacks, thanks).
When: Thursday, July 27, 2017, 5-7pm
Where: Norris Medical Library West Conference Room

Here’s where you RSVP: http://www.uscwim.org/calendar.asp
Here’s more information on the event: https://uscwim.org/2017/07/11/july-27-2017-hsc-book-club-poet-tea-with-lynne-thompson/
Here are some photos from the last time proving how much fun we had at the Poet Tea last February: https://uscwim.org/2017/03/02/2162017-poets-tea-photos/
Here’s the flyer link (flyer image below):

Click to access poettealynnethompson201707271.pdf

And here’s how I’ll look if this event doesn’t happen. 🙂

So, please RSVP so I don’t have to look like that. Please?

Thank you.

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7/28/2017 Luncheon with Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of LA County Public Health

Have lunch with the woman in management who takes care of the health of all 10.4 million of us in LA County.

Luncheon with Dr. Barbara Ferrer
Director of LA County Public Health

When: Friday, July 28, 2017, Noon Where: Norris Medical Library West Conference Room
Luncheon with Dr. Barbara Ferrer
Director of LA County Public Health
When: Friday, July 28, 2017, Noon
Where: Norris Medical Library West Conference Room
RSVP: http://uscwim.org/calendar.asp

As director of public health, Dr. Barbara Ferrer works to further the Los Angeles County Health Agency to further its mission to integrate services and activities that enable the Health Agency to build health equity across the county. The Department of Public Health is one of three agencies that make up the Health Agency. The other two are the Department of Health Services and the Department of Mental Health.

Dr. Ferrer was previously the chief strategy officer for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, where she oversaw key program areas, including food, health, and well-being. She has also been a senior leader of public health agencies in Massachusetts, particularly in Boston.

Dr. Ferrer has a doctorate in social welfare from Brandeis University, where she was a Pew Doctoral Fellow. She also holds master’s degrees in public health from Boston University and in education from UMass, Boston. She earned her bachelor’s degree at UC Santa Cruz.

Reservation and cancellation deadline is July 21, 2017 so we can get the catering worked out. Please email Ginger Mayerson at mayerson@usc.edu. Checks must be received by July 17 to Ginger Mayerson (MC 0281) to facilitate check-in. RSVPs will be voided on July 18 if checks are not received to accommodate the waiting list. WIM is responsible for each RSVP, so kindly bear in mind that there is no refund for no-shows. Please call Ginger at 323-384-6049 if you have any questions.

click for pdf flyer

Click here for the whole 2017 WIM HSC Summer Program post


And don’t forget to check our calendar for exciting new events.