CEI

Innovation and investment in rural America.

Spokeswomen: a facilitated peer group designed to help female entrepreneurs become more persuasive and effective public speakers.

How does it work? Through 10 biweekly 2-hour sessions, you will develop your own personal style by deepening your understanding of persuasive tools and practicing storytelling through a range of speaking scenarios. Participants will practice delivering planned speeches, providing and giving feedback, initiating difficult conversations, and improvisational skills through impromptu speaking. This program will be facilitated by strategic communication expert Caitlin Thompson. Spokeswomen will have a maximum of 15 members in order to give speaking opportunities to all members in the allotted two-hour meeting window. This also creates a sense of community to help build trust and bonding among members.

When does Spokeswomen begin? We will be kicking off our first two Spokeswomen cohorts in January 2020 in Portland, ME. Upon registering, we will contact you and ask you to complete a short questionnaire to help us learn more about your public speaking goals. We will review your responses and contact you with any questions we might have.

What happens at the end of the course? The course will culminate with a final speaking event, at which each participant will present their “goal speech”. This event will be open to friends, family, and the public.

Who should sign up? Female entrepreneurs

How much does the program cost? $250 per person

What if my business does not entail public speaking? Spokeswomen will help to build your comfort with speaking up in all kinds of situations that you may find yourself in as an entrepreneur — making a pitch, speaking in front of groups, interviewing, selling, negotiating, and more. No matter what kind of business you own, your ability to communicate your message is essential.

What are the program dates, times, and location? We will offer Spokeswomen at two different times on Tuesdays — 1:30pm-3:30pm and 5:30pm-7:30pm. The groups will meet at CEI’s Women’s Business Center on the following dates:

  • January 14th & 28th, 2020
  • Feb 11th & 25th, 2020
  • March 10th & 24th, 2020
  • April 14th & 28th, 2020
  • May 12th & 26th, 2020

If you have additional questions, please contact Anna Ackerman at anna.ackerman@ceimaine.org.

More Events

More Events
  • 10 bi-weekly sessions (Tuesdays)
    January 14, 2020 - May 26, 2020
    1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
  • January 14, 2020 - May 26, 2020
    5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Tickets

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Event Location

CEI - Portland
2 Portland Fish Pier, Ste. 201, Portland, Maine, 04101, United States

Directions to CEI

From South
From the Maine Turnpike, take Exit 45 to 295 North.
From 295 North, take Exit 4 to Commercial Street/Portland Waterfront.

After you cross the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge, turn right at light onto Commercial St. Continue until you pass Becky’s Diner, then the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (on right). Turn right at the next light (intersection of Commercial & Center St.) into the Portland Fish Pier. Follow the road, which weaves between parking lots and goes past Bristol Seafood. The Marine Trade Center building will be visible. Continue driving toward the waterfront until you reach the Marine Trade Center, turn left into the Visitors Parking Lot adjacent to the building. (See parking info below.)

From the North
From Route 295 South, take Exit 7, Franklin Arterial/Route 1A. Proceed on Franklin St, straight through the traffic light. You’ll go up a hill, cross Congress St., then down a hill to Commercial St. Turn right on Commercial St.

Proceed on Commercial until you reach the stoplight at the intersection of Commercial and Center St. You’ll see a sign for the Portland Fish Pier on the stop light. Turn left at the stoplight, toward the waterfront. Follow the road past the white security kiosk. The road weaves between the parking lots and goes past Bristol Seafood.

By now the Marine Trade Center building will be visible. When you reach the Marine Trade Center turn left into the Visitor’s Parking Lot adjacent to the building or park behind the building.

Parking

Guest parking is available in the lot adjacent to the Marine Trade Center. Parking spaces are clearly marked for either 30 minutes or 2 hours. There are also several 3-hour spaces located along the semi-circular drive next to the Visitor’s Parking Lot.