The WIND Organization:
A Weekly Forum For Professionals in Job Transition

WIND (www.windnetworking.net)is a privately run, donation-based organization whose mission is to provide professionals in job transition a weekly opportunity to 1) network, 2) sharpen job search skills, and 3) stay motivated and focused throughout their job search.

The one-time cost of membership is $15.00. At subsequent meetings a $10.00 donation is requested. New members need only arrive at a meeting and register to join. Members have access to extensive job search resources and guest speaker presentations, as well as a diverse network of professionals, many of whom have become reemployed with the assistance of the WIND program.

WIND membership also qualifies interested members to obtain additional fee-based, small group and individual career consulting services offered by WIND’s facilitators on an ongoing basis.

What makes WIND unique among networking groups?
The quality of both its resources and its members have earned WIND its reputation as the premier networking group of its kind in New England. WIND is widely respected by corporations, recruiters, employment agencies and outplacement firms alike, who frequently volunteer their time to speak at WIND meetings about the job search, and who regularly refer their clients to WIND. How is WIND structured?

Since its inception in 1990, WIND has served thousands of professionals in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. WIND currently runs five weekly meetings.

WIND North which meets Wednesday mornings in Wilmington, MA.

Wind East which meets Tuesday mornings in Cambridge MA.

WIND South which meets Thursday mornings in Foxboro, MA.

WIND West which meets Tuesday mornings in Westborough, MA.

WIND Seacoast which meets Monday mornings in Portsmouth, NH.

What takes place at WIND meetings?

• Small Group Networking
• Job Search Team Meetings
• Employment Listings and Search Resources
• Job Search Resources
• One-on-One Coaching
• Upcoming Events
• Good News — Members Employed!
• New Member Introductions
• Guest Speaker Presentations
• Job Search Needs and Leads

What should newcomers know?
Newcomers should arrive at 9:00 AM for their first WIND South or WIND North meeting. This provides time to sign in and be greeted by veteran members. Business attire is requested; resumes are useful, although not required. No advance notice of attendance is necessary, but inquiry calls are welcome.

How can WIND benefit employers and recruiters?
By faxing or mailing job postings to WIND, hiring or recruiting organizations gain instant access to a large, highly qualified pool of professional candidates —at no charge to either the employer / recruiter or the candidate.

In addition, employers can refer appropriate employees to WIND, thereby offering them a powerful supplement to other job search assistance which may already be in place.

Should professionals receiving outplacement services
attend WIND meetings?
Yes. WIND acts as a complement to any job search training you may have already received, by providing a weekly forum in which to network and to hone your job search skills.

WIND meetings provide a positive, productive environment in which to keep up your momentum -- a critical component of a successful job transition

Who facilitates WIND meetings?
Fred Nothnagel, a Senior Career Consultant with R.L. Stevens & Associates, is the Director of the WIND Organization. Fred leads WIND/North and also maintains an independent career coaching practice. He has an extensive background in engineering, manufacturing, and information systems.

WIND South meetings are led by Larry Elle, LCSW, Director of Success Associates and an experienced career counselor and trainer. Larry has over 15 years helping professionals make successful career transitions. His work has been featured in the Boston Globe, 128 News, Attleboro Sun-Chronicle and Booming.

WIND /West meetings are facilitated by Joanne Meehl ( 978-928-5793).

WIND/East meetings are led by Larry Elle, principal of Success Associates Career Services. For further information about Larry see: Biographical section on the "About Success Associates" page.

WIND/Seacoast meetings are led by Neil Wilson, in private practice as Neil Wilson Career Counseling and Coaching Services and with over 15 years of career counseling experience in higher education, teaching and career management/outplacement.

Fred, Larry and Neil have conducted numerous presentations at outplacement and career assistance facilities on behalf of professionals in job transition throughout the New England area.

And finally, where does the acronym “WIND” come from?
“Wednesday Is Networking Day.” WIND’s original weekly meeting was held north of Boston Wednesday mornings, known now as WIND/North.

Directions
Massachusetts Locations and Times:
WIND North:   (8:30 AM - Noon Wednesdays)
Wilmington United Methodist Church, 87 Church St.

From North: Take 1-93 S to exit 41, bear right off exit, proceed to traffic light at intersection with Rt. 62. Turn right onto 62, go 1.5 miles to church on right. From South: Take 1-93 Nor RI. 38 N. From 1-93, take exit 39. Turn left at top of exit ramp. Proceed to light at intersection with Rt. 62. Turn left and proceed as above. From Rt. 38: Travel into Wilmington then turn right onto RI. 62. Church is 1 mile down RI. 62 on right.

WIND East:   (Watertown, MA)
St. John's United Methodist Church
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1st and 3rd Fridays
80 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA
Gail Birger- Facilitator (gailb@gis.net)

WIND South:   (Canton, MA)
Trinity Episcopal Church
8:30 AM - 12 Pm, Every Thursday
1 Blue Hill River Road, Canton, MA
Larry Elle - Facilitator (lelle@ix.netcom.com)

From South take route I-95 north. When the Highway divides bear right and take I-93 1/2 mile. Then get off at the next exit (2B). The first traffic light is Blue Hill River Road. Turn right. The church entrance is 5 yards on the right.

From points North and West: take Route 128 South. Take exit 12 and continue on I-93 North 1/2 mile. Then follow General Directions below.

General Directions: get off at the next exit (2B). The first traffic light is Blue Hill River Road. Turn right. Trinity is only 75 yards on the right.

WIND West:    (9 am - 12 noon, every Tuesday)
St. Lukes Catholic Church Parish Center
1 Ruggles Street, Westborough, MA
Larry Elle & Gail Birger Facilitators
OffÊ West Main Street (Rt. 30) just past the rotary in Westborough center.

New Hampshire Locations and Times:
WIND/Seacoast:    (Mondays Bi-weekly at 9:00am)
Franklin Pierce College
73 Corporate Drive
Pease International Tradeport
Portsmouth, NH

From Interstate 95, take Spaulding Turnpike to Exit 1. Left at light at bottom of ramp, straight through another light, enter Pease Tradeport.
See http://www.fpc.edu

For more information, visit the WIND networking website at http://www.windnetworking.net or call:

Larry Elle, WIND South Facilitator
232 Manthorne Road, Boston, MA 02132,
Tel: (617) 325-4521
Fax: (617) 323-5825
Email (WIND South), (WIND East): lelle@ix.netcom.com