History of the WPDN

The WPDN was established in July 1995. This was as a result of two meetings held in May of that year and attended by interested general staff women. The then Equal Opportunity Office and the Staff Development Section, in response to the University's affirmative action objectives and the Professional Development Policy, arranged these meetings.

The aims of the meetings were to:

• Identify the professional and personal development needs of general staff women, and
• Establish professional and personal support networks.

An agreed outcome from the meetings was to establish a reference or steering group to initiate and develop strategies for furthering the identified and professional and personal development needs of general staff women at the HEO5 and above levels. Hence, the establishment of the WPDN.

A steering group developed Terms of Reference and a Training Needs Analysis was conducted. The TNA identified a number of training and non-training needs, including the need for mentoring.

One of the main aims of the Network is to break down the barriers so that general staff women can reach their personal and professional potential.

In 1997 the WPDN determined that general staff women at lower levels needed support and therefore the Network was extended to general staff women at all levels.

A steering group manages the WPDN. General staff women are invited annually to be a member of the steering group. The group refines its aims and plans the year's activities at a planning day at the beginning of every year. The steering group is divided up into working parties that take the planned activities for the year and make them happen. These include lunchtime networking forums, workshops, seminars, breakfasts, mentoring program, Xmas celebrations, etc.

All of the work of the WPDN is voluntary and the Network receives limited funding, eg for the mentoring program and planning day.

The WPDN celebrates its 10th year this year and has achieved some status in the University. It is recognised as a professional network for general staff women by senior management, the Gender Equity and Diversity Committee and by the University community.