Description: Career Connections Group is offered to help its participants examine current career goals and achieve their work intentions in pursuing the right job, seeking career change, adjusting to workplace challenges or issues or in gaining the support necessary to balance challenges of work, home, and family. Through this intercessory group, participants will have the collective strength of others who share in the spiritual fellowship and service mission of Assumption Parish. Using a blend of onsite monthly meetings and electronic social networking, the group is committed to enhancing each participant's confidence, authenticity, and personal power and to equip each other with the skills needed to master the workplace or job transition issues associated with all aspects of employment.

This networking group is designed to be highly interactive with value-added, peak performance coaching at its core. Topics of interest include but are not limited to employment trends, job leads, career issues, shared strategies for employer/career successes and challenges in adjusting and responding to the economy and for being prepared for the economic recovery. Participants are encouraged to share their expertise or utilize the group for professional feedback on their projects or presentations.

While organized and facilitated by parishioner, Dr. Valeria J. Stokes, global HR Executive known for human capital planning and organizational development (www.skconsultinggroup.com), the group is self-governing and highly collaborative. Valeria will provide counsel, advice, and strategies to help each individual member, and the group, be focused and most effective in their career enhancement efforts. Following most meetings, whoever is available and interested may arrange a social activity to get to know one another on a more personal basis.

Logistics: The Career Connections Group will meet on the third Monday of the month beginning October 19 at Assumption Rectory, 323 West Illinois Street, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Agenda: We will generally follow these six steps.

• Opening prayer and shared intentions
• Networking events
• Notable successes
• Unexpected circumstances
• Member Frustrations/Challenges
• Deepening the Learning/Forwarding the Action

Outside Speakers: Speakers, such as business thought leaders, as guests will be scheduled on occasion, addressing topics that the group and Valeria feel are relevant to group goals and expectations. Participants are encouraged to offer topics and nominate speakers.

Participant Support: All participants should be committed to working together and positively reinforcing courageous steps, positive morale, and open honest, communication that fosters behavioral adaptation to changes in employment and subsequent lifestyle priorities. Through the spiritual support of Assumption ministry, participants enjoy the fellowship of the Christian community in sharing learnings, challenges, and successes in an atmosphere of caring and service.

Mentoring/Coaching: As a certified executive coach, Valeria can provide mentoring and coaching as the group facilitator, with career enhancement strategies, tips and techniques integrated into the meeting discussions. Individual customization is provided on ability to pay or fixed fee basis.