Women’s networking group connects and grows despite shutdown
Members of the Northern Idaho Polka Dot Powerhouse group were happy to be back together for their first in-person meeting since the coronavirus-shutdowns. Front row, from left: Sue Reeve, Erin Shine, Laurel Rollins, Ammie Bowman and Kelli Bass. Middle row, from left: Debbie Hayes, Teresa Napierala, Robyn Clinton, Bae Lyden, Colleen Russel, April Howard, Diane Rueber, Katey Kautz and Anna Cheney. Back row, from left: Malia Rogers,Terina Thompson, Kristin Deese, Vesta Hager, Carla Hofstee and Ronanda Liberty.
Photo courtesy of Ron Reeve
“Reunited, and it feels so good!”
These are the words Anna Cheney, Northern Idaho Polka Dot Powerhouse manager, used to describe the first in-person meeting since becoming the official Northern Idaho Chapter.
“Following two in-person open house meetings in early March, we were excited and honored to join in the tradition of Polka Dot Powerhouse, but because of COVID-19, we made a tough call and decided to launch our chapter, not in person, but rather via a Zoom party,” Cheney said.
Founded by Shannon Crotty in 2012, Polka Dot, an international women’s networking organization, has grown to some 4,000 members worldwide and boasts nearly 100 local chapters in the U.S. and Canada. The simple yet powerful message of Crotty resonates. The sisterhood Polka Dot promotes provides a positive and safe environment where women are “seen, accepted, appreciated, and valued.”
“Everything changes,” when that happens, Crotty declares.
Twenty-six members and many guests were celebrated at the launch Zoom party. Since then, despite the quarantine, North Idaho Chapter members have grown to 31. Throughout the three months of the no-contact order, “Dots” in North Idaho and Eastern Washington continued to connect in a variety of ways via Zoom.
Understanding the financial impact affecting many businesses and families, Polka Dot Powerhouse is offering a $30 discount and three additional months of the yearly membership.
The Northern Idaho Chapter is known for its amazing, totally unique Connection Company. They will resume monthly in-person meetings on the first Thursday of each month from noon to 2 p.m. In addition to the monthly meetings, they will be offering business mastermind sessions and supporting our community through service projects.
For information concerning Polka Dot, www.polkadotpowerhouse.com; for local Chapter, contact Anna Cheney 541-944-5018 or annac.rockthedot@gmail.com.