MSCCN 2010 Events

Upcoming Events that MSCCN Plans to Attend or Conduct

Human Capital Institute's 2010 Government Talent Management Summit, Reston , VA - Sept. 22

Deb Kloeppel - click on Deb's picture to read her bio.

Deb Kloeppel, President and CEO of MSCCN, and Joseph H. Weiner, Vice President Business Development, Government Solutions, Kenexa, have been invited to speak at the Human Capital Institute's 2010 Government Talent Management Summit in Reston, VA on September 22 at 11:30 a.m. Deb will be presenting the following speech: “Military Staying Power - How do you best connect employers in all industries with men and women who have a military affiliation?" This session will reveal resources for screening services, job postings and resume search subscriptions, advertising, and participation in workshops and virtual trainings to delve into this talented, often untapped labor pool.

View the information about Deb's presentation at http://www.hci.org/government/day-three.

More information on the summit can be found here: http://www.hci.org/government/overview.

MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club Northwest Florida Meeting, Whiting Pines Community Center - Sept. 15

The September MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club meeting for Northwest Florida is on Wednesday, September 15, 2010, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the Whiting Pines Community Center located in off-base housing in Milton, Florida. The monthly topic is "Help - What is Wrong With My Resume?" Bring your resume and come prepared to make changes that will have a positive impact on your job search! Special guest speakers will share information changing the course of your search from today on!

For more information or to RSVP for this meeting go to http://www.meetup.com/nwflorida or http://www.msccn.eventbrite.com.

Targeting Your Resume for Maximum Impact, Online - September 16

MSCCN presents a virtual training seminar to help improve and target your resume. Is your resume battle-ready for the current job market? Do you realize that you need to target your resume for every job for which you apply? Join the MSCCN as we offer advice and assistance to improve your resume.

TIME: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT

RSVP at www.msccn.eventbrite.com
You will receive logon details once you register.

Please send any questions to l_blevins@msccn.org

Tri-Base Job Fair, Jacksonville, FL - September 22

MSCCN will attend the Tri-Base job fair in Jacksonville, FL on September 22, 2010 at the Morocco Shrine Center. The job fair is organized by the Navy Fleet and Family Support Centers at NS Mayport, NSB Kings Bay, and NAS Jacksonville. The event will be open to military families, and national and local companies will be hiring. MSCCN will have a table to share information about our services. Please stop by our table to speak with one of our representatives.

ELIGIBLE JOB SEEKERS:

* Separating, retiring or retired service members with ID cards.
* Military spouses and family members with ID cards.
* Involuntarily separated service members and family members with Transition Assistance (TA) ID cards.
* Separated service members up to 180 days after separation date (with DD-214 copy).

(IDs will be checked at the door.)

More information is available online at http://www.sealiftcommand.com/navy-tri-base-job-fair-military-only
Contact information is available here.

Reports of Recent Events that MSCCN Attended or Conducted

Just One Thing - Top Tips for a Successful Job Search Q&A, Online - September 2

This informal meeting gave attendees a chance to call in with their top job search questions. MSCCN representatives were available to answer questions and to share tips to make job searches more effective.

A report will be posted soon.

Heartlink Spouse Orientation, Eglin AFB, FL - August 31

On Tuesday, August 31, 2010, the MSCCN presented a summary of our services to military spouses attending the quarterly Heartlink Spouse Orientation. This event was held on Eglin Air Force Base in North Florida at the Airman and Family Readiness Center from 9-11 a.m.

A full report will be posted soon.

MacDill AFB Career Fair, Tampa, FL - August 27
	MSCCN participated in the MacDill AFB Career Fair on Friday, August 27 from 12 p.m.- 3 p.m. at the Officers Club. A full report will be posted soon. For more information about this job fair contact the MacDill Airman and Family Readiness Center at (813) 828-0145.

MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club Launches in Milton, Florida - August 26

On Thursday, August 26, 2010, the Naval Air Station Fleet and Family Service Center and MSCCN launched the MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club in Milton, Florida.

The MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club was designed to give military spouses a networking platform where they could learn new resources and employment information, and support one another in the job search.

The report for the event will be posted soon.

MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club Meeting, Tampa, FL - August 26

The MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club - Tampa Region met on Thursday, August 26 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the University of Phoenix Westshore Learning Center, 4805 W Independence Pkwy, Tampa, FL 33634-7527. During this time we discussed top job searching tips, including attending job fairs and interviewing skills.

The full report will be posted shortly.

MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club Meeting, Mayport USO, Jacksonville, FL - Aug. 26

The MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club - Jacksonville Region met on Thursday, August 26 at 9:30 a.m. at the USO Center of Jacksonville. This month we focused on networking.

Patty Piazza, the Military Family Employment Advocate from Worksource, attended as one of our guests to share advice and information about her organization’s resources. We also welcomed Pam Ottesen, a Work and Family Life Consultant, from the Mayport Fleet and Family Support Center. Both of the organizations offer no cost job search support and classes to military families. The Fleet and Family Support Center also offers a wide variety of services such as financial planning and new parent support.

The report is posted here.

MSCCN's Lisa Blevins and Patty Piazza, Military Family Employment Advocate for Worksource

21st Annual Job Fair, Naval Air Station Whiting Field, FL - August 19

Chris Smith from Military Media with Stacy Bayton, MSCCN Outreach Coordinator

On Thursday, August 19, 2010, the MSCCN participated in the 21st Annual Job Fair held at Naval Air Station Whiting Field. The NAS Whiting Field Job Fair has been held for the last 21 years to provide a broad range of career opportunities for military members transitioning to civilian life, military family members, and the general public. There were over 60 employers in attendance at this year’s job fair, and an estimated 1,200 civilian and military affiliated job seekers in attendance.

The report is available here.

Rasmussen College Career Fair, New Port Richey, FL - August 19

MSCCN participated in the Rasmussen College Career Fair on Thursday, August 19 from 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. at the Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, New Port Richey, FL.

The career fair was not specifically for military-affiliated applicants; MSCCN attended to reach applicants who might not be familiar with military resources. The event also was an opportunity to network with local recruiters in attendance and to educate them on the benefits of military-affiliated applicants. Of the numerous attendees we spoke to, 11 were military-affiliated and provided contact information for assistance from MSCCN. One of the candidates was in the U.S. Army Reserves, and said “I will be passing on this information to five others who I know are currently looking for employment.” There were many attendees stopping by for information who were not military-affiliated. Since they were not eligible for service they either took information for someone they knew or to see if they could volunteer in the future.

The full report is posted here.

Recruit Military Opportunity Expo, Jacksonville, FL - August 19

MSCCN's Milly Eminger and Expo attendee

MSCCN attended the Recruit Military Opportunity Expo on August 19, 2010, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The job fair was held at the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium (home of the Jacksonville Jaguars) located at 1 Stadium Place - Jacksonville, FL 32202. This was a free hiring event for veterans who already have civilian work experience, men and women who are transitioning from active duty to civilian life, members of the National Guard and reserves, and military spouses.

The full report is posted here.

How to Make the Most of a Job Fair - Don’t Hand Out Your Resume!, Online - August 18

So there is a job fair in town. You may be excited and nervous all at the same time, but do you really know what a job fair is for? Most people think it is an opportunity to give your resume to a large group of companies that have job listings. Most new job resource guides say that job fairs are one of the least likely ways to get a job interview, and the majority of employers that you speak with are just going to tell you to apply and submit your resume online. So why is everyone there, and why are you handing out resumes? This was all discussed in the online training.

The report is posted here.

Networking – What Is It and How to Make It Work for You, Online - August 12

Networking involves making connections and maintaining relationships with people who support you throughout each phase of your career. Your network of contacts may help you to choose the right career, find rewarding opportunities, develop your skills, and achieve your goals. 80% of jobs today are attained through some form of networking. This virtual interactive workshop focused on how to make networking work for you.

The full report is posted here.

Career Battleplan 2010, Jacksonville, FL - August 6

Targeting Your Resume for Maximum Impact: MSCCN presented a hands-on workshop to improve and target your resume. Our attendees emailed us copies of their resumes, and this allowed us to share their resumes on the projector and offer them individualized critiques. We had multiple resume experts in attendance who all shared some wonderful suggestions. Our attendees agreed that seeing instead of just hearing how to target a resume made this workshop unique and especially helpful.

Published author Brad Raney presented an inspirational keynote speech about taking command of your job search. New Horizons presented a computer class focused on tips to help with your job search. We appreciate the support of New Horizons Computer Learning Center and hope that more organizations will sponsor future events to help our military families.

The full report (with many picures) is posted here.

Jacksonville (FL) MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club, USO on Mayport Road - July 29
	This month we shared our top tips to improve your job search. We focused on tips to improve applicants' resumes and how to interview. A full report is posted here.

Organizing Your Job Search, Virtual Training - July 27
Instead of “working” to find a job, develop a plan. Our goal was to share suggestions to change your approach to your job search. We discussed how to develop a plan, create a schedule, and set up some organization. The report for the online virtual event is posted here.

International Military Spouse Network, Eglin AFB, FL - July 22
	On Thursday, July 22, 2010, MSCCN Outreach Coordinator Stacy Bayton presented services and benefits to the International Military Spouse Network and participated in round table discussions on networking and job search strategies. The full report is posted here.

MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club July Meeting, Tampa, FL - July 22

The MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club - Tampa Region met on Thursday, July 22 at the MacDill AFB Airman and Family Readiness Center. During the meeting, Ms. Angie Fields, Community Readiness Consultant, gave an overview of the Airman and Family Readiness Center employment services, provided resume tips, and answered questions.

Overall, this was a great meeting for the job club participants with the advantage of holding the meeting in a place where they can obtain many valuable resources and speak directly with the contact person who can assist them. Unfortunately, we were unable to fully discuss writing cover letters, but some of the participants commented that they would feel comfortable coming back to the Airman and Family Readiness Center for more information.

The full report can be viewed here.

(MSCCN MilSpouse Jobs Club Participants from left to right: Abby Pichardo, Juan Sanchez, Ernilyn Bosco, Donna Buckley

St. Pete Times Job and Career Fair, Tampa, FL - July 19

Emily Burton, MSCCN and Donna Buckley, candidate

MSCCN had a table at St. Pete Times Job and Career Fair, a FREE event, on Monday, July 19, at the St. Pete Times Forum. It was a great way to meet over 50 local employers and many MSCCN applicants.

Donna Buckley, an MSCCN candidate, took advantage of a virtual training that was presented the previous week on how to make the most of a job fair, and then did just that. Prior to attending this job fair, she took the time to research the companies and had a networking plan of action when she arrived. Later, she stopped by the MSCCN table to share her day, informing us that her plan had worked and that she had made a connection with another job fair participant that might turn into a lead for a job. As the crowds continued, Donna also lent support to the MSCCN table by taking the time to inform others about the services MSCCN provides as more people continued to gather.

Click here for the full report.

Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida - July 19
	On Monday, July 19, 2010, MSCCN Outreach Coordinator Stacy Bayton represented MSCCN services to the Student Officer Spouse Association at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida. The full report can be viewed here.

Online Training “Don’t Hand Out Your Resume! How to Make the Most of a Job Fair - July 15

Feedback from another MSCCN Team member who attended the training:

"Emily did a fantastic job with her first virtual training today! She had a great turnout and was able to answer a lot of good questions from applicants. They all shared that they enjoyed it and that they felt more prepared and confident about attending job fairs now. The virtual training platform can be quirky and difficult to get used to for presenting training and Emily handled it like a pro! Great work Emily!"

What did the participants say? Read the full report here.

Panel Presentation at the U.S. Department of Labor Conference, Atlanta, GA - July 14

On Wednesday, July 14, MSCCN Outreach Coordinator Stacy Bayton participated in a panel presentation at the U.S. Department of Labor conference. The conference is held annually for all organizations and companies that receive grant funds from the Department of Labor to be used to create or expand employment assistance programs throughout the United States. The purpose of this panel was to discuss the needs of the veteran community and how to better meet these needs with grant funds designated through the Department of Labor. This year's conference was held in the Omni Hotel at CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

A full report is posted here.

Deb Kloeppel on Army Wife Talk Radio - July 12th

Deb Kloeppel, President and CEO of the Military Spouse Corporate Career Network, was the military spouse guest on Army Wife Talk Radio on Monday, July 12 at 9 p.m. EDT. Deb’s topic of discussion was “How to Earn Income from Your Passion in Life”™.

The MSCCN is very proud of its association with Army Wife Talk Radio and their Army Wife Network spouse community. Deb Kloeppel became a huge fan of Tara Crooks and her Team at AWTR from its inception. “So few entrepreneurs stick to the message and core values of their original business plan to earn income from doing something they love to do. Tara and her AWTR team have never wavered in their mission to provide excellence in programming to their military spouse community. In a time when spouse organizations change directions multiple times to follow the money trail, Tara and her team have remained ever vigilant to provide a resource to military spouses that is unparalleled in today’s media market” says Kloeppel.

The archived link can be found as show #273 about starting a business with Deb's segment from 9:00-9:30 p.m. EDT:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/awtr

Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance “Professional Networking Group” meeting, followed by a meeting with the Military Family Employment Advocate, Tampa, FL - July 12th

The MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club - Tampa Region attended the Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance "Professional Networking Group" meeting as a group activity. Following this meeting, we met with the Military Family Employment Advocate to learn more about the services that are provided.

Overall, the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance events were a great value to the individuals who attended. The “Professional Networking Group” provided a nice way to network in a comfortable setting, learn about employment opportunities, and speak with employers directly. The “Veteran Employment Orientation” was a wonderful introduction to the services provided by TBWA, and to make a personal connection with Ms. Dunlap.

Hopefully job club participants unable to attend the activity, after an update to the one on June 12th, will participate in TBWA events in the future. MSCCN looks forward to attending similar events with the MSCCN MilSpouse Jobs Club – Tampa Region participants.

The full report is posted here

Pat Thorp, member of MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club - Tampa Region with MSCCN's Emily Burton

FREE Online Job Search Question and Answer - June 24

A no-cost online question and answer session was conducted on June 24, 2010 for military spouses to provide a chance to call in with top job search questions. MSCCN representatives were available to answer questions and to share tips to make job searches more effective.

The full report can be viewed here.

Leaders to Sea, St. Louis, MO - June 24

MSCCN CEO and President Deborah Kloeppel attended the “Leaders to Sea” fundraising and networking event in St. Louis, MO. on June 24, 2010. This event was structured as a military networking event for corporate CEOs and executive management of Fortune 100 Corporations.

“The event offered the opportunity to meet with several CEOs of very prosperous corporations," said Deb Kloeppel. “Needless to say, I made the most of this event to ensure every CEO received my business card and an MSCCN brochure. Additionally, I met many senior VPs of HR departments of participating Fortune 100 corporations in attendance. What a night!”

See pictures of this event on the Executive Connections page.

MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club, Tampa, FL Region - June 24

The MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club - Tampa Region met on Thursday, June 24th. This meeting was hosted by the University of Phoenix at their Westshore Campus in Tampa, FL. During the meeting, discussion topics were "Organizing Your Job Search" and "Strategies for a Successful Job Search." The full report can be read here.

International Military Spouse Network Meeting, Eglin AFB, FL - June 17

Stacy Bayton, MSCCN Outreach Coordinator, kicked off the meeting with an overview of the benefits and services MSCCN provides to the military community. The two hour workshop consisted of 12 military spouses interested in learning how various agencies collaborate to provide employment opportunities. The group participated in a two hour roundtable discussion on the employment challenges faced by military spouses, and how the Eglin Airman and Family Readiness Center, Jobs Plus, and MSCCN could better meet individual needs.

The full report is posted here.

MSCCN MilSpouse Job Club, Jacksonville, FL - June 17

We are excited after launching our first job club in Jacksonville, FL! The first meeting was held on June 17th at the Mayport USO.

The full report can be vliewed here.

We will have regular meetings to discuss strategies and how to be effective in your job search. This is your club so come and join us!

2010 Certified Ombudsman Trainer Symposium, Virginia Beach, VA - June 16

Kerri-Anne Grant and Leigh Anne Schouest, MSCCN Representatives

Kerri-Anne Grant and Leigh Anne Schouest, MSCCN Volunteers, attended the vendor fair during the 2010 Certified Ombudsman Trainer Symposium in Virginia Beach, VA on June 16.

Kerri-Anne and Leigh Anne personally met with over 30 Certified Ombudsman Trainers and military-affiliated applicants representing commands from across the US, Guam, Italy, and Japan during the vendor fair portion during day two of the Symposium. Some of the most asked questions (outside of what does MSCCN do) were: Do you provide services for dependent children, do you have a representative in “my” area, and do you provide services for Reserves? MSCCN is following-up with each of these attendees to provide additional information about MSCCN’s programs and to provide ongoing outreach.

Click here for the full report.

Joint Army Spouse Employment Partnership (ASEP) Meeting and Employment Readiness Program Conference, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Seattle, WA - June 7-9

From June 7-9, 2010, Deb Kloeppel attended the Joint Army Spouse Employment Partnership (ASEP) Meeting and Employment Readiness Program Conference at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Seattle, WA.

Deb Kloeppel remarked afterwards,"MSCCN was honored to present the employment and vocational services MSCCN provides on a global platform to all military spouses on June 8 at Ft. Lewis, WA during an Army Conference."

Check the Executive Connections webpage for more pictures.

Deb Kloeppel (front left) with OCONUS ERPM

Don’t Hand Out Your Resume! How to Make the Most of a Job Fair, Online - June 10 (10 AM EDT)

There is a job fair in your town. You may be excited and nervous all at the same time, but do you really know what a job fair is for? Most people think it is an opportunity to give your resume to a large group of companies that have job listings. Many new job resource guides say that job fairs are one of the least likely ways to get a job interview, and the majority of employers that you speak with are just going to tell you to apply and submit your resume online. So why is everyone there, and why hand out resumes?

The report on this event can be opened here

National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) Bethesda's Career Day - June 4

Ann Bloesl, Director of the Navy Fleet and Family Support Center NNMC Bethesda and Mikyong Warren, MSCCN Representative

On June 4, 2010 MSCCN's Mikyong Warren attended the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) Bethesda's Career Day Hiring Event. This event was in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Fleet and Family Support Office of NNMC Bethesda, Naval District Washington (NDW). Career sessions were offered throughout the event. MSCCN’s representative enjoyed being part of the job fair portion of this event.

"Where America’s Military Connects with Civilian Careers" Job Fair, Tampa, FL - June 3

On June 3, 2010 MSCCN's Emily Burton attended CivilianJobs.com "Where America’s Military Connects with Civilian Careers" Job Fair. This event was held at the Crowne Plaza Tampa Westshore on West Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa, FL.

Emily reported: "As the day continued, I spoke with many other individuals. A couple of the candidates who stopped by the table were notified of this job fair due to the email blast sent out by Kate Midden. Other military members came to the table saying that their spouse was also looking for a job, but did not attend the job fair. I sent many of those members home with a flyer, and they seemed all too happy to be able to take something home that might benefit their spouse. I was even approached by a few of the representatives from the Florida Army National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve to discuss their spouses’ employment status and to find out more about MSCCN."

The full event report is posted here.

(The top picture shows the job fair underway and the bottom one shows Emily at the MSCCN table.)

Blue Angels Elementary School, Pensacola, FL - June 1

On Tuesday, June 1, 2010, the Blue Angels Elementary School hosted a career fair for the local community. The job fair included table presentations and speaking opportunities. The MSCCN participated in both by offering an informational display and providing three 30 minute presentations on the services and benefits we offer military spouses, veterans, and caregivers of war wounded.

Pictures and the full report can be found here

MSCCN Job Club, Tampa, FL - May 27

From left to right: Donna Buckley, Susan Larsen (MSCCN Volunteer), Carmenza Jaramillo-Akers (Military Education Liaison, University of Phoenix), Sofia Rivera

MSCCN's Emily Burton held the first MSCCN Job Club - Tampa Region meeting on Thursday, May 27, 2010. This meeting was hosted by the University of Phoenix at their Westshore Campus in Tampa, FL. During the meeting, the following topics were presented: "Organizing Your Job Search" and "The Art of Networking." There was also time for participant updates since the May 11th workshop held at MacDill AFB, and discussion of future topics at upcoming meetings.

Click here for the full report.

Hot Topics Workshop, King's Bay, GA - May 27
MSCCN was invited to attend the King’s Bay, GA Fleet and Family Support Center’s Hot Topics Workshop on May 27 from 10-11:30 am. MSCCN gave a brief overview of our organization and services. The workshop featured job search skills, resume building paths, FFSC services, and a question and answer session. Click here for the full report.	Lisa Blevins, MSCCN and Beth Hubbart, King’s Bay Fleet and Family Support Center

Employment Treasure Chest, NAS Jacksonville, FL - May 20

Participants discovered nuggets of wisdom at our interactive and informative workshop, Employment Treasure Chest, sponsored by the MSCCN and the Fleet and Family Support Center. Key topics covered were "Organizing Your Job Search" and "Networking".

The biggest success of the workshop was the high level of interaction between the participants. Many of them were able to help each other by sharing contacts and advice. They also shared their stories and frustrations with each other. The most meaningful message that everyone seemed to leave with was the fact they weren’t alone. Many people shared that they had felt alone in their frustration and difficulty during their search. Having a network of people who understand those frustrations and can help is important so we will be starting a regular job club to keep the group connected and moving forward.

See full report with pictures here.

International Military Spouse Network, Eglin AFB - May 20

Monthly meeting from 9-11 am. The IMSN hosts meetings where military spouses born in other countries can learn more about relocation, life as a military spouse, and local employment resources. MSCCN's Stacy Bayton spoke to the attendees about employment opportunities. Click here to read the event report.

Call the Eglin AFB Airman and Family Readiness Center at (850) 882-9060/1 to register for future events or for more information.

Armed Forces Appreciation Day, Orange Park Mall, Jacksonville, FL - May 15

MSCCN's Lisa Blevins at the Armed Forces Appreciation Day

To celebrate National Military Appreciation Month, Orange Park Mall in Jacksonville, FL hosted its first-ever Armed Forces Appreciation Day on Saturday, May 15 to honor the men and women who serve this country. This fun-filled day of free, family-friendly events featured music, activities, games and community information. MSCCN participated in this event by hosting a table where military families received information about our services. A full report with pictures is posted here.

NAS Whiting Field Family Day, Milton, FL – May 14, 2010

On Friday, May 14, 2010 the NAS Whiting Field Naval Command held its annual family day festivities. During the event, service members stationed at NAS Whiting Field and their family members were introduced to the services and benefits available at Whiting Field. MSCCN was invited to share a booth with the Fleet and Family Support Center. Information for MSCCN was included in the Fleet and Family Support Center packets handed out to each family, and MSCCN's Stacy Bayton was present for two hours to speak to spouses who came by the information table. There were over 200 people in attendance.

After the event, Stacy met with Ombudsman Kelly Bennefeld and Fleet and Family Support Center Representative Terri Maddox in regards to the MSCCN job clubs. Fleet and Family supports our efforts and have agreed to provide a venue for the club free of charge.

Coalition for Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans (CIAV) Annual Conference, Washington, DC – May 11-14
	MSCCN's Mikyong Warren attended the 3rd Annual Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans (CIAV) Conference in Washington, DC. MSCCN was honored to attend this conference and hopes to be able to develop strong partnerships with other CIAV organizations and build a nationwide network of support for those affected by the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

“Portable Career Opportunities and Resources for Military Spouses”, Arlington, VA - May 12

On May 12, 2010 the MSCCN was invited to present in a military spouse employment workshop hosted by Marine Corps NCRC Headquarters & Service Battalion Henderson Hall, Arlington, Virginia. The workshop,titled “Portable Career Opportunities and Resources for Military Spouses”, highlighted the advantages for military spouses to have a career that is as portable as they are. The event included a one-hour work session followed by presentations by the MSCCN and other participating agencies.

Spouses from the Washington, DC Metro area came eager to learn more about portable careers. As a one of three speakers at this event, MSCCN's Mikyong Warren was able to provide insight into portable careers by speaking about her own prior experience working from home. She spoke about the importance of networking and volunteering as a means of staying current in the ever-changing job market. Mikyong also explained the relationship between MSCCN and military family support centers. Lastly, Mikyong also shared her own initial discomfort with computer and technology and learning to love it with frequent use and confidence. You can read the full report of the event here

Mikyong Warren, MSCCN Volunteer, and Kelly Williams, Employment Specialist with the Marine Corps at Henderson Hall

Own the Ground You Walk On - May 11, MacDill AFB, FL

Angie Fields (left) with Deb Kloeppel(right)

Carmenza Jaramillo-Akers (left) with Deb Kloeppel(right)

On May 11, 2010 MSCCN hosted a workshop, Own the Ground YOU Walk On in partnership with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, Florida and the MacDill AFB Airman & Family Readiness Center and featured Deb Kloeppel, President & CEO of MSCCN. Although participants were not as numerous as expected, the workshop was a huge success.

Angie Fields of the Airman and Family Readiness Center introduced MSCCN to kick off the workshop. Deb then introduced Emily Burton (asking her to share her personal story), Christina Cummings, and MSCCN’s special guest, Carmenza Jaramillo-Akers of the University of Phoenix, whom Deb made an honorary spouse for the day. A full report can be accessed here.

Below is a letter we'd like to share sent to Deb about the workshop:

Dear Deb:
Thank you for a wonderful seminar. On Tuesday, May 11, 2010 you presented "Own The Ground You WALK On" at MacDill Air Force Base. It was indeed a powerful presentation. I was extremely impressed with your talent for driving the point across. Your style and technique were truly unique. It was refreshing to learn the tips and tricks of career networking in a different light.

Deb, you have a gift. Your presentation was inspirational, creative, energetic, fun - yet professional. I enjoyed and appreciated your sense of humor and wisdom. I hope there would be more opportunities in the future that would bring us all together again, for networking purposes.

Thanks again and have a great weekend !!

Diep N. Gotich
RAO Volunteer Counselor
MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL
813-828-4555 (W)

2010 Military Spouse of the Year Awards Luncheon - May 6, 2010

MSCCN's Mikyong Warren and Britt Gumport attended the 2010 Military Spouse of the Year Awards Luncheon in Washington, DC on May 6, 2010. Award finalists were Mrs. Nicki Bunting, Maryland - Army, Mrs. Erin Whitehead, North Carolina - Marine Corps, Mrs. Loree Tillman, Texas - Navy, Mrs. Lori Bell, Alaska - Air Force, and Mrs. Raymond Hatfield, Maryland - Coast Guard. Each of these women reflected an unselfish commitment to helping military families in the many challenges facing them across the nation.

Ms. Lori Bell, selected as the 2010 winner will be featured in a documentary beginning next week on Lifetime (www.mylifetime.com). Ms. Bell's idea in September 2009 to create an online solution for her squadron spouses to connect and interact has evolved into a national association - the National Association of Military Moms and Spouses.

MSCCN congratulates all the finalists and Ms. Bell!

You can read the full report by the MSCCN attendees here.

MSCCN's Britt Gumport with the Military Spouse of the Year, Lori Bell

Britt Gumport, Babette Maxwell, and Mikyong Warren

Workplace Civility Luncheon and Workshop, Venice, FL - May 5

The Workplace Civility Luncheon and Workshop was the final in a series of complimentary workshops designed to give Gulf Coast businesses and their employees tools for improving their workplaces by enhancing civility. Civility expert Lew Bayer, founder of the Center for Cultural Competence and president of civilityexperts.com, presented on each topic. Ms. Bayer is recognized as Canada's leading expert on civility in the workplace with a focus on social intelligence and culturally competent communication. Two MSCCN attendees shared their full report here.

Career Management Alliance Conference - US Marine Corps Break Out, New Orleans, LA - April 28

MSCCN was invited to present our programs and initiatives to all USMC Family Member Employment managers during the afternoon training segment. Pictures and a report can be seen here.

“How to Navigate your Way through Employment as a Military Spouse”, Whiting Field, FL - April 21

On Wednesday, April 21, 2010 MSCCN and NAS Whiting Field Fleet and Family Support Center hosted an employment workshop titled “Navigate Your Way through Employment as a Military Spouse”. Objectives of the workshop were to share with military spouses how to balance their career with that of their military spouse and how to ensure career success through preparation and dedication to the total “mission” in their life. The full report can be viewed here.

Visit to the MacDill AFB Airman and Family Readiness Center - April 6

On April 6 the MSCCN Grants Team Lead for Gulf Coast had the distinct pleasure to meet with Ms. Angie Fields, GS 11, Community Readiness Consultant, Airmen and Family Readiness Center, MacDill AFB for a tour of the Family Readiness Center and a lengthy brief on the services and resources available to military spouses and military families. MSCCN is honored to carry an MOU from the Air Force - and all branches of the Armed Forces, as we build our close network of support and assistance, side-by-side with military installations globally.

Navy Tri-Base Job Fair - March 31, Jacksonville, FL

Navy Fleet and Family Support Centers at NAS Jacksonville, NSB Kings Bay, NS Mayport hosted a job fair on March 31, 2010 at the Morocco Shrine Center, 3800 St. Johns Bluff Road S., Jacksonville, FL 32224-2620 from 9 AM until 2 PM. MSCCN's Lisa Blevins and Ericka Stokes attended. They reported that approximately 45 companies attended, with 59 candidates visiting MSCCN for job search information. Please see their complete report and pictures here

Yellow Ribbon - March 20, Orlando Area and March 27, Jacksonville, FL

MSCCN's Christina Cummings and Mickey before the March 20 event.

MSCCN's Lisa Blevins just before the March 27 event.

MSCCN was specifically invited to attend DoD's Yellow Ribbon Program, which helps soldiers and their families readjust to civilian life after lengthy deployments and prior to deployments. The first event was held at the Swan and Dolphin Resort, Lake Buena Vista, on March 20, 2010 and the second event was held at the Sawgrass Marriott, Ponte Vedra Beach, on March 27, 2010.

The MSCCN attendees to the March 20 event reported: "The Yellow Ribbon pre-deployment event in Orlando, FL was an extremely exciting event for the Gulf Coast “boots on the ground” team at MSCCN. We spoke with a total of 46 new candidates, most of whom were spouses. One person was interested in volunteering for MSCCN.

We had a steady stream of candidates most of the day, but there were a few times during the day when there was actually a line of spouses in front of our booth waiting to speak with us and gather information about MSCCN. We had candidates from all over Florida including Miami, Jacksonville, Bradenton, Orlando, and Tallahassee. Some candidates came from as far as Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina."

MSCCN attendees to the March 27 event reported: "The March 27 Yellow Ribbon program was a reintegration event for returning service members and their families. There were approximately 57 attendees. The day started with a welcome home and introduction. Throughout the day there were presentations including dealing with relationships and financial planning. Service organizations, companies, and schools all had tables available with information about their goods and service. The event was extremely well organized and was a wonderful service for the returning military members and their families.

MSCCN had a table at the event with handouts for job seekers about our services. There were also breaks throughout the day for attendees to speak with us."

On a related matter, the MSCCN will be working closely with the Air Force Reserves Command "Yellow Ribbon Program" when placing our MSCCN Applicant One Page Marketing Item inside the welcome-home packets of returning military members from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Welcoming Brunch for Mrs. Locklear, March 17 - Tampa, Florida

MSCCN was invited to attend a coffee and brunch held at the home of Shirley Smith for Mrs. Pam Locklear, wife of Vice Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, III, Director, Navy Staff. MSCCN's Dorothy Durham reported, "This was an exciting event and an excellent opportunity to introduce Mrs. Pam Locklear and the guests to MSCCN, our purpose, and our services. Mrs. Locklear specifically inquired about MSCCN and how we assist wounded warriors. I took this opportunity to share with all of the guests how MSCCN helps wounded warriors and their caregivers seeking employment. I also shared our current and future plans to extend our services to more wounded warriors and their caregivers."	Shown on the left is Dorothy Durham with Mrs. Pam Locklear (right) at the brunch.
The Florida BrAIve Fund Conference, March 16 - Jacksonville, Florida
MSCCN was honored to be awarded two BrAIve funded grants for 2010. One covers the Northern part of the Florida, through the Community Foundation in Jacksonville, while the other one covers Florida's mid-section through the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice. This was an extremely well organized event, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Jacksonville, and a wonderful opportunity to meet and network with the other BRAIVE grant recipients. We started off with a welcome, color guard, and the goals for the day. Then we did an exercise where we were able to meet some of the other attendees. Tia Christopher was the keynote speaker and gave a wonderful presentation about the Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans (CIAV) and their vast network of resources. The CIAV is a national non-partisan partnership of organizations that offer services to support the military. They provided us with their resource list, and it is an impressive group of organizations. Stacy has made contact for information about joining the CIAV. During the breakout sessions we worked on case studies involving military members and what services would be of use to them. This was a great opportunity to begin thinking about the different organizations’ services and how to best use them together to help a candidate. During lunch Ericka participated in a panel of spouses and veterans. The discussion was very frank about the difficulties of deploying and transitioning back to civilian life. The above is just the beginning of the report. To read the entire report of this special event, click here.	Captain Amy Moore, Family Programs Director, FL National Guard; Stacy Bayton, MSCCN; Ericka Stokes, Panelist; Michelle Mitchell, Zero to Three Kate Midden, Lisa Blevins, Stacy Bayton (MSCCN attendees)
Navy Week Gallery Exhibit, March 15 - Tampa, Florida
MSCCN was honored to be invited by the Navy Office of Community Outreach to attend a private VIP Reception gallery exhibit on March 15 of MC1 Nelson's photos of Iraq and Afghanistan humanitarian efforts at the Academy of International Design and Technology. Read about this event and others held during Navy week in Tampa here. MSCCN's Christina Cummings attended the event and reported that: "Attending this event was a once in a lifetime experience and left me wishing I could go to Afghanistan to help the people who are desperately suffering there. I will never forget the photography talents of MC1 Davis or the aspects of Afghanistan that I witnessed in the photography. There will always be a special place in my heart reserved for the Navy and Afghanistan. Now more than ever, veterans and war wounded soldiers are in need of our resources. I plan to reach out even more to help these honored patriots who are part of the missions of Afghanistan." You can read Christina's full report here.
Welcome Home Vets Bowling Fundraiser, March 14 - Melbourne, Florida


	Kate Midden met the Welcome Home Vets team and participated in their bowling tournament fundraiser at Shore Lanes in Melbourne. Welcome Home Vets provides a support system to assist veterans returning to Brevard County, Florida from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations around the world by connecting them to their local community. Welcome Home Vets works with over 106 veterans organizations and community businesses to assist with the education needs, training, family support, utilities, food, medical, psychological assistance, and housing information for military veterans and their families. Over 25 corporations sponsored lanes at the event, and many others contributed door prizes to make this event an overwhelming success. Participants in this event included high school students, corporate bowlers, veterans and their families from OIF, OEF, and Vietnam eras, and a host of community members interested in supporting this worthy cause. Kate will continue working with Welcome Home Vets team members, joining them for monthly information sharing sessions and determining ways that MSCCN and Welcome Home Vets can partner to provide additional assistance to military family members in Brevard County. Kate is very excited to “learn” from the experts at Welcome Home Vets about successful ways to build strong ties within the Brevard County community.
Welcome Home America's Heroes, March 13 - Tampa, Florida
	MSCCN was honored to be specifically invited at no-cost to attend a wonderful event called "Welcome Home America's Heroes" hosted by the VA on March 13 in Tampa, Florida. MSCCN's Dorothy Durham and Christina Cummings reported: "The Welcome Home American Heroes event in Tampa was an awesome event for the Gulf Coast Grant team. We spoke with 22 people, one of whom was a possible future volunteer for MSCCN and the remainder were veterans and military spouses. There were about 150 exhibitors who attended this event from a variety of government agencies, non-profit organizations, universities, and schools. In between speaking with candidates we spoke with the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance." Below are pictures of Christina before the rush and of one of the entertainment groups.
MacDill AFB Information Fair - March 7, MacDill AFB, Florida
The MacDill AFB Information Fair, held on March 7, 2010, was an exciting event for the MSCCN Gulf Coast team. We spoke with a total of 22 reservists, who have spouses currently looking for employment. They all declined to sign our sign-in sheet because they did not want to give out their spouse’s information without their permission first. We were also asked to give a brief presentation about MSCCN, which we did in the base theatre in front of all of the reservists. We did not take any pictures, as there was signage at the entrance door stating video cameras were prohibited and we were located directly in the theater where all presentations took place.
RecruitMilitary Opportunity Expo in Tampa, FL - February 18, 2010
	MSCCN's Christina Cummings and Dorothy Durham attended RecuitMilitary's Opportunity Expo in Tampa, FL on February 18, 2010. They reported: "We had a steady stream of candidates stop by our booth, including active duty, transitioning military, active reserve, military spouses, and a number of veterans. Some candidates expressed their frustration at difficult and lengthy job searches. One spouse and one veteran already in the MSCCN system stopped by to say hello, since they received an email about the job fair from Kate. We also had two candidates who came in from Alabama just to attend this job fair. " "The Recruit Military Expo in Tampa was a charge jump up and down event for the “boots on the ground” Gulf Coast team at MSCCN. We talked to many military veterans, a few spouses, and some people who were both veterans and spouses. We also handed out lots of MSCCN fliers and information. We spoke to 39 candidates and obtained their contact information so that we can keep them informed about upcoming events, training seminars, etc." Christina and Dorothy are part of the Gulf Coast (FL) team at MSCCN. They are providing extended employment outreach to OEF and OIF affected military families in their region thanks to a grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice, Florida. Anyone interested in learning more about the grant or wishing to help military families in Florida's Gulf Coast region should contact d_durham@msccn.org. MSCCN is an employment partner with all military installations in the region. (The top picture shows Christina Cummings and Dorothy Durham at the MSCCN table at the Expo. The bottom picture shows a table visitor signing the log sheet.)

Speaking of Women's Health, February 13 - Palmetto, Florida

The MSCCN was an honored Guest at the Manatee HealthCare System’s “Speaking of Women’s Health” at the Manatee Convention Center in Palmetto, Florida on February 13, 2010.

The event included

• 20 health and well-being breakout sessions
• Formal luncheon catered by Michael's on East
• Free health screenings
• Interactive exhibit area
• Gift bag

The keynote speaker was Kathleen Passanisi, PT, CSP, CPAE. "A Merry Heart Really is Good Medicine — The Health Benefits of Laughter and Humor." Our lives are crammed with pressures, obligations and an unrelenting schedule. Kathleen Passinisi is gifted at finding humor in the hassles and challenges women face. A Hall of Fame speaker and an expert in therapeutic humor, Kathleen can help you learn to laugh when life makes you want to cry.

Deb Kloeppel is shown here with the Executive Director of the Manatee Memorial Hospital Foundation, Mr.Vernon DeSear. MSCCN will begin a jobs network with this particular organization for military spouses and veterans living in and around the Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida region.

RecruitMilitary Opportunity Expo in Jacksonville, FL - February 11, 2010

MSCCN's Kate Midden and Ericka Stokes attended RecuitMilitary's Opportunity Expo in Jacksonville, FL, on February 11, 2010. They talked to many military veterans and a few spouses and handed out lots of MSCCN brochures and information. They had 45 veterans, 7 spouses, and 5 veteran/spouses give contact information so that MSCCN can keep them informed about upcoming events, training seminars, etc.

There were only a few employers at the job fair – mainly government agencies – and they were swamped. The remaining exhibitors (probably 90%) were schools.

Kate and Ericka had a steady stream of applicants stop by the MSCCN booth – many of the veterans needed some convincing that MSCCN services were for them - but once they started talking, they didn’t stop. Many expressed their disappointment about the lack of job opportunities offered at the job fair and related sad stories about difficult and lengthy job searches. Of the veterans who were working, many were truly under-employed. Several spouses already in the MSCCN system stopped by to talk – two of them had gotten jobs a couple of months ago and had been laid off last week because their company closed.

(The picture shows Ericka Stokes at the MSCCN table just prior to the Expo.)

Chamber Rising Professional Networking Event - February 3

On February 3, 2010, Christine Brugman had the pleasure of attending her second official networking event to represent the MSCCN. The event was a Speed Networking function sponsored by the Colorado Springs Chamber Rising Professionals. The program was full of energy and excitement giving local rising professionals the “brief” but highly effective opportunity to make a lot of initial connections. Out of the 16 people Christine had the pleasure of speaking with during the one hour networking exercise, she received immediate follow-up from six strong companies to include a local TV station interested in working to promote resident nonprofits, BBVA Compass who was interested in providing grant money to nonprofit organizations, and a corporate giant who appealed to partnering with MSCCN to bring them a more qualified applicant pool.

Christine ultimately found that the Speed Networking event increased the potential referral sources by meeting many people in one scheduled and organized setting, in the shortest amount of time. The event’s purpose was not only to “interview” corporate representatives, but also to share how each organization could specifically help the other, hence the reason for so many follow-up responses and the foundation for the program’s long-standing success. Christine found the event to be a fun, energetic and a dynamic way to further goals towards continuing to develop a thriving, successful word-of-mouth-based business.

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