Go to Fall 2012 and print out the topics come up with so far. Bring your ideas, your lunch and yourself to the next planning meeting. If you have any questions get in touch with Tracey: 978 505 7385 or ExecutiveDirector.TOP at gmail dot com

After an extensive search, Tracey L. Hurd, Ph.D., has been appointed WomenExplore's new Executive Director. Tracey comes to us from Boston College as a scholar with a long-standing commitment to social justice and feminist inquiry. This is reflected in her published and presented work. She was a Resident Scholar at the Brandeis University Women’s Studies Research Center and has conducted research on women while at the Brown University Center for the Study of Human Development. WomenExplore welcomes Tracey to her new position on 1st February 2012.

Muna Killingback, the previous Executive Director and Program Coordinator, resigned to take up a position at the Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities After Disasters, UMass Boston. 10th October 2011 was her last day with WE/TOP as Executive Director. However Muna will maintain her connections with WomenExplore as a member of the Board.

Monthly Conversations
Take place on Sunday's from 1:30 to 6pm in a relaxed atmosphere at Emmy Robertson's place in Cambridge. Future dates: February 26, March 25, April 29, May 27, and June 24.

The new name WomenExplore Lecture and Discussion Forum was confirmed by an overwhelming (19 to 3) vote of the Advisory Committtee on Thursday 20th October 2011.

The Board Election took place on 29th September at the third Advisory Committee meeting of the Fall 2011 Series. This election was to replace, or renew the terms of, the Board's three longest standing members, and fill two new seats. Marcia Boehlke and Charlene Brotman were re-elected for another two years. Judith Cohen, Mary Margaret Halsey and Muna Killingback were elected to fill the remaining seats. Elizabeth Morse will be the first to be considered if a Board vacancy should occur during the coming year.  
 
Board elections are required to take place annually to fill vacancies and provide a pool of candidates to fill any vacancies which occur during the year. Office bearers will be determined by each new Board at its first meeting.
 
The Board oversees, especially, the financial aspects of TOP and expects to meet two (or possibly three) times a year. Term limits for Board members are now two years. Next year's Board elections will occur at the end of the Spring 2012 series.  More about the WomenExplore Board.

Planning the Spring 2013 series begins at 1.15 pm in the afternoons of the lectures this Spring. Come along in the afternoons and help sort through the mix of issues on the minds of women during the first two weeks and see how a new series will arise! Identify common issues and themes. Suggest speakers. Who knows? You could end up with an expert speaker giving a lecture on a topic very close to your heart.

TOP of My Mind, WomenExplore's Blog.   In October 2009 Cheryl Suchors took on the task of writing a blog on the topic of the week, starting with how we might respond to bullying. This was followed by postings on the stereotyping of women and the evolving meaning of feminism. We are hoping to stimulate a lively discussion around these issues and that the blog will provide a forum for the women of WE and the wider community. So please contribute your two bits — simply post your comments on the blog and add your voice to the dialogue.
As of Spring 2010 Cheryl stepped down as WE/TOP's regular blogger to set up her own blog. To fill in the gaps Cheryl has generously agreed to let us repost some of the posts from her multi-faceted blog (five blogs in one).
If you, too, would like to publish an item on TOP of My Mind please let us know. Tracey Hurd, our new Executive Director, is now in charge.          

For more information: WomenExplore, 1130 Old Marlboro Road, Concord MA 01742 • 978 505 7385 • ExecutiveDirector.TOP at gmail dot com