As we have in past years, in partnership with Adopt a Family, the OSCWI will be running a Thanksgiving food drive. Please consider donating non-perishable food items for a local family in need. Drop boxes will be located at the NASWI Officers’ Club and the CPO Club from November 1 through November 22.

All donations will be made to the Oak Harbor Help House. 

Needed Items

• INSTANT MASHED POTATOES
• CANNED YAMS
• MARSHAMALLOWS PIE CRUST AND PIE FILLING
• PASTA AND PASTA SAUCE
• CANNED MEAT (TUNA AND CHICKEN)
• PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY
• MACARONI AND CHEESE
• SUGAR AND FLOUR
• CANNED BEANS
• RICE
• CANNED VEGETABLES
• CANNED SOUPS
• BROTH (CHICKEN AND BEEF)
• CANS OR JARS OF GRAVY
• MUFFIN/CAKE/BROWNIE MIX
• APPLE SAUCE
• CEREAL
• JELLO-O
• PUDDING MIX
• 100% FRUIT JUICE (FAMILY SIZE BOTTLES)

Cookies are wonderful all year, not just for Christmas, so we’re celebrating the upcoming November 11 Veterans Day by hosting a cookie-decorating event for OSCWI Members. Come to the Victory Terrace Community Center Kitchen on November 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to join in the fun.

This will be a time for OSCWI members to come together, decorate cookies with their kiddos–although you don’t have to have kids to come–enjoy some adult conversation, connect with other spouses, and let your kids connect with other kids experiencing the same lifestyle.

The OSCWI will provide all supplies. Many thanks to Jenne Morrell for providing cookies and to Lauren M. for providing frosting. All you need to bring is a container to take home your cookies–if you don’t eat them first!!!

Don’t forget! The Time and Talent Planning Meeting will be Friday, November 15, at 5:00 p.m. at the NASWI Officers’ Club. The theme of this year’s Time and Talent will be “Music through the Decades,” so this meeting will be your command’s chance to choose a band to dress up as to represent your decade!

Last year, we had 17 commands participate, and we’d love to have even more this year. If you’re unsure what the event is and just want to learn more, we encourage you to attend the Planning Meeting for more information.

(***This is not an All-Hands event. Although command members do not have to be OSCWI members in order to attend this meeting, commands with the most members will get priority in selecting/voting on their desired bands, so we strongly encourage signing up for membership either in advance or at the meeting.***)

Advice for Networking

• Plan out who you want to make sure you talk to during the event. Scope them out on LinkedIn and Google their name to learn more about them so you can use that knowledge to connect and chat more easily. 
• Look for opportunities to chat throughout the day, not just during the networking portion. You may be surprised at the conversations that happen at lunch or otherwise. By knowing who you want to talk to in advance, you’ll be more alert to their whereabouts during the summit.
• Talk to other spouses in addition to the companies attending. Step outside of your normal circle and chat with new faces at the table, hand out your card, ask what their goals are for the summit. 
• Introduce yourself, shake hands, make eye contact while talking and stay engaged while you talk.
• If you walk up to a table and there is a conversation going on, listen in and see what you can learn. It’s ok to eavesdrop at networking events and there may be an opportunity to add to that discussion – look for your ‘in’ to join in. If you’re the one talking, be welcoming if you see someone walk up to engage. 
• If you have business cards, bring them and give them out! Make sure to get theirs at the end of the conversation and connect on LinkedIn after the event. Send a nice email thanking them for their time and advice at the event. 
• Questions you can ask to get the conversation flowing with the companies in attendance: 
  • What do you love about working for (company name)?
  • Why was coming to this event important to your company?
  • How do you recommend someone with a gap communicate that on a resume or in a cover letter? 
  • Do you have programs specifically targeting military spouses – apprenticeships, remote offerings, etc

5 Tips for Great Head Shots

• WHAT TO WEAR: Wear what you would wear to an interview or to meet a client – a simple top with a blazer, button-down long sleeve shirt (tie optional), a solid color dress or subtle print all work well. Avoid words and logos on tops, flesh tones and patterns. The backdrop will be gray, so keep that in mind when deciding. 
• HAIR AND MAKE-UP: Keep it true to you. This photo has the potential to be used in multiple formats (print, digital, etc..) and across media – you want to be comfortable with the representation and to look like yourself. For ladies, make-up should be true to what you would wear to meet a client or day at work. 
• AVOID BIG CHANGES: If you usually have your hair straight vs. curly, don’t test out a new style for your headshot. If you’re getting a haircut, keep it true to what you usually get done vs. a significant change. 
• BRING SUPPLIES: The weather changes on a dime and schedules may require your turn to be later in the day, come prepared with a few items to touch-up just before your headshot.
• SMILE! Seems simple, right? Not always. Especially under pressure. Think ahead to what kind of smile you want to have for your headshot – lips closed or open? Try to relax and smile naturally. Bring a friend to make you laugh/smile – help one another out. 

Aviation Games

The November 1 First Friday will be themed around traditional Naval Aviation. Squadrons will be present to teach spouses traditional O Club games, such as Beer Die and Dice; other games will also be available. All Officer and Retired Officer Spouses are invited to attend.

Mug Board Launch

We are also excited to announce that we will be launching the OSCWI mug board during this First Friday! Many of you have already signed up for a mug, but for those who have not, in order to have your mug engraved and ready for you to enjoy at the November 1 launch, we need your orders in no later than October 14.

Requirements for Ordering a Mug:

• You must be an OSCWI member.
• You must be a member of the Officers’ Club (this comes with your service member’s membership)
• $10 fee

When you click the button below, you will be taken to PayPal to submit your payment of $10. After you submit payment, you will then be redirected to the Google Form where you will fill out your mug order form.

 

Please help us spread the word by sharing the below flyer, optimized for Facebook. We hope to see you Friday!

To give OSCWI members, prospective members, and their families an opportunity to meet each other on a more regular basis, we began OSCWI First Fridays last year, and we’re especially excited about meeting new members there this year. Every first Friday of the month, OSCWI invites members and non- (but hopefully soon-to-be) members to mingle during the M.T. McCormick’s Officers’ Club’s happy hour, which runs weekly on Fridays, 3-6 PM. Join us for a drink, meet some fellow spouses, and perhaps even turn it into a date night with your special service member!

The next First Friday will be on October 4, 3:00-6:00 p.m. Can’t wait to meet you!

Get ready for a spook-tastic Halloween Carnival on October 25 at the NASWI Officers’ Club! New this year will be a sensory-friendly portion of the event, Monster Mash Cake Walk, and a family costume contest. The OSCWI will also have a BOOtiful Teal Table for those with allergies.

***Many thanks to the USO for their generous support of this event.***

Schedule of Events

5:30-6:00 p.m. – Sensory-friendly event
6:00 p.m. – Main event begins
7:15 p.m. – Costume contest

Access

Open to all base access ID card holders and their guests

Join us for a day filled with inspiring ideas, diverse connections, empowering resources, and great food. OSCWI and Boeing are partnering for this unique opportunity dedicated for ALL military spouses (enlisted and officer) to connect us with leaders from various industries and corporations.

Details

• Event: Military Spouse Empowerment Summit
• Date: Thursday, October 17, 2019
• Time: 09:00 a.m. – 03:30 p.m.
• Location: Victory Terrace (2205 Egret Dr, Oak Harbor, WA 98277)
• Event Registration: Event Passed
• RSVP for Resume Review: Event Passed
• Download Event Program (PDF)

Program (Details TBA)

The full event program is now available!

Download Event Program (PDF)

The day starts with a complimentary childcare drop-off (up to 60 pre-registered children at Clover CDC, Regatta CDC, and Boys & Girls Club of Oak Harbor). Together we will enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast and lunch buffet catered by a military spouse business.

Throughout the day, we will learn from leaders who have been in our shoes as military spouses and veterans to inspire us with tools, resources, and strong connections. Our program includes:

• professional headshots
• breakout sessions
• panel discussions
• keynote speakers
• expo-style networking
• giveaways and complimentary raffles

These questions keep coming up: Where and how do I start? How can I build a strong personal brand? What are the 21st-century tools and resources to get back on my feet and transition to a successful career? What about virtual jobs? How do I build strong connections? How can I make my idea a reality and start a new business? Presenters will address these and more in the course of the day.

We thought of all these questions and brainstormed to come up with a journey built on relationship building and empowering results. A variety of sessions will cover: entrepreneurship, personal branding, headshots, LinkedIn, informational interviews, resume-writing tips, mock interviews, negotiating an offer, working remotely, launching a new brand, transition tools, inspirational stories, expo-style networking, and dressing for success. 

Looking for tips on taking a great head shot and nailing your networking? Military spouse and digital marketing professional Nicole Hempeck has you covered in her new blog post on the subject.

Contact

If you have any questions, feel free to email Amber at oscwi.president@gmail.com.

Childcare

To take advantage of complimentary childcare for this event, you must be registered for the event yourself, so if you still haven’t registered but would like to attend, please register to join us now!

Pre-registration Information

Complimentary childcare is available on a first come, first serve basis. Once we receive your event registration and request for childcare, we will email you within 24 hours with confirmation of childcare availability in your age range. (Spots are limited.) To ensure your child is registered in time at the applicable center, however, we recommend you register yourself and submit the applicable childcare registration forms before waiting for confirmation of availability.  If the spots are filled up, you will be added to the wait list and notified accordingly. If you have any further questions about childcare, please email Samantha at oscwi.vp@gmail.com.

Regatta and Clover Child Development Centers

For children between 6 weeks and 5 years old
Spots are assigned per the following age groups:  Infants (6-weeks to 11 months), Pre-Toddlers (12-23 months), Toddlers (24-35 months; 2 years old), Preschool (36-60 months, 3-5 years old).

Attendees taking advantage of childcare offered by the Clover or Regatta CDC must submit their childcare registration forms (linked below) to the CDC by close of business Wednesday, October 9. Parents may drop off the documents in person at either center, email them to the CDC at roberta.frees@navy.mil, or fax them to 360-257-3302.

Registration Forms for Childcare at the CDC

The OSCWI treasurer will reimburse you the full amount paid to the CDC in cash after you check in on Thursday, October 17, at 9:00 a.m.

More information on Regatta CDC

More information on Clover CDC

Boys & Girls Club of Oak Harbor

For children between 5 and 18 years old
If your child is not a member at the club, you will need to register her or him in advance. We will email you the forms (also linked below) to fill out and drop off in person at the club by Thursday, October 10. Membership for military kids is free and valid until December 31st. The OSCWI will pay the Club in advance.

Registration Forms for Childcare at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club

More information about Boys & Girls Club of Oak Harbor

Share!

Please share the news with your friends and acquaintances by sharing this page, the Facebook post, and/or below infographic. Thanks!

Following our visit to Amazon headquarters last May, we invited executives from Amazon and military spouses on their team for an afternoon workshop to connect, network, and learn from their experiences. We decided to name the workshop
“The Military Spouse Employment Toolkit for the 21st Century” and tailor it to the needs of our community. The day will include a networking afternoon, happy hour, light dinner, drinks, and empowering workshop for military spouses.

Whether you are planning to get back to work or not, join us for this exciting opportunity to connect with Amazonian military spouses and hear about their journeys and experiences.

***After submitting your RSVP, you will receive an email confirming your seat in the workshop. Please remember to check your Spam folder for the email if you do not get it within a day or so of registering.***

Details

• Venue: Oak Harbor Yacht Club
• Date and Time: Friday, September 27 (4:15-7:15 p.m.)
• RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegeeiWM7tdzKstUePPYXJWj6jy_r78zC57_7b139LnGClkEw/viewform?usp=sf_link
• Optional One-on-One Résumé Review: Interested spouses will have the opportunity to book one-on-one time with members of the Amazon team who will provide individualized feedback on spouses’ résumés. We have 16 spots to reserve; we will consider a wait list and, if needed, discuss extending the session with Amazon.
• Dress: The Amazon business culture embraces casual attire, so your choice!

What to Expect (Draft program subject to change)

4:15-5:00 p.m. | Registration and Check-in

• Welcome drink
• Pre-booked, one-on-one résumé review (16 spots; first come, first serve basis)

5:00-6:15 p.m. | 21st Century Toolkit

• Ways to sharpen skills and get back on our feet
• Current state of the employment market
• LinkedIn tips (how to build an effective account)
• MSEP/MySeco
• Amazon military programs and initiatives, including:
  • Navigating Amazon’s various job pages
  • Amazon’s 14 Leadership Principles (and why they matter in the hiring process)
  • Behavioral based interviewing (what Amazon uses)
  • Q&A Amazon panel

6:15-7:15 p.m. | Happy Hour & Networking

• Drinks and heavy appetizers will be served. This is the most valuable part of the evening; this will allow the NAS Whidbey spouses the opportunity to network with Amazonians and each other, as well as ask questions directly.

If you have any questions or would like to suggest adding anything to the program, please email Amber at oscwi.president@gmail.com.

Please feel free to share the below flyer (PNG) with your fellow spouses! You can also download the Amazon Workshop Invitation (PDF). Thanks for your help in getting the word out!

The OSCWI is excited to announce its newest member benefit: the opportunity to sign up for a mug and mug space on the upcoming OSCWI Mug Board at the M. T. McCormick’s Officers’ Club, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Our membership team is currently planning construction of a board with the OSCWI logo and spaces for personalized glass mugs, to be hung in the O Club. The board will be launched at the November 1 First Friday Social at the O Club.

Each mug will be engraved with the OSCWI logo and the member’s name. Customization available on check-out.

Why an OSCWI Mug Board?

The O Club has always been a place for NASWI officers to meet, share stories, connect, and bond. This tradition has helped create a unique culture of closeness. The OSCWI mug board will allow spouses to participate in this tradition, enabling stronger connections, shared experiences, and lasting friendships. With personalized mug in hand, spouses will be able to:

• Feel a larger sense of belonging within the NASWI culture
• Identify other NASWI spouses more easily
• Build a culture of inclusiveness

How to Sign Up

All OSCWI members will be allowed to purchase their own mugs for an additional $10 each. In order to have a mug board at the O Club, 50% of those with mugs also need to be members of the O Club, so please sign up for O Club membership with your service member!

So we can gauge interest and begin ordering, we encourage advance registration:

Step 1: Sign up for OSCWI membership.

Step 2: Sign up for O Club membership

Step 3: Submit payment via the PayPal link below.

 

Step 4: Once you have submitted payment, PayPal will redirect you to fill out the OSCWI Mug Application Form.

Step 5: Join us for our mug board launch at the Nov. 1 First Friday!