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About SchmoozeEstablished in 2003, with 350 plus members plus subscribers- and growing rapidly-Schmooze offers a range of networking and professional development opportunities for its members and their guests. We aim to provide the environment where the cultivation of professional and social contacts can take place in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. The network also offers an effective way for members to introduce their expertise, venue, or services to the network through our activities, this website and by personalised introductions. Due to its diversity of professions in its membership, the network provides a great opportunity to gain access to a wide range of organisations in both the public, private and non-profit sectors. There is a separate program of events for each of the branches of the network: the Schmooze Professional Network, Schmooze Young Professional Network and the Schmooze Social Network. Schmooze members can attend any event they wish, often for free or at cost. You must be a member of the network or an accompanied guest of a member to participate in our activities. You can join for six or 12 months and anyone can join. Our range of activities include:
Professional DevelopmentSchmooze offers seminars and workshops for our members and guests for small groups of 12-30 people based on a particular expertise. The events are presented to by members of Schmooze enabling them to showcase their expertise and provide insights that participants can apply in their professional lives.. In the past we've heard from experts on a range topics ranging from managing relationships with Minister's offices, how to develop a public affairs career, the evolution of the Air Force's branding, presentation from the ABS, issues management, engaging Indigenous audiences, measuring effective communications and the challenges in communication with security issues. We also offer frequently a invitation-only member master classes. These are presented in small groups and members are personally invited by Schmooze and provide an exceptional opportunity to learn from leaders in their field. In addition to comunication related topics, we also we drew on our members expertise such as marketing consultants, financial advisors, mortgage lenders, insurance brokers, accountants, web designers, graphic artists, magazine advertising specialists, business coaches or mentors etc for our presentations. For more information about our training opportunities, please see this page. Schmooze Concierge ServiceA service that is unique to Schmooze. Have you attended a function wanting to meet a particular contact or someone from a certain organisation but spent the evening talking to everyone else but? Or want to make a connection, but in a confidential and discreet way? The team at Schmooze can assist you! All you need to do is contact us prior to an event with your request or who you’d like to meet and at the event one of the Schmooze team will make the introduction for you discreetly and then the rest is up to you. At our sit-down functions we can also arrange the seating to suit a request. Or you can contact us about what sort of contact you’d like to make from the Member database and we can make recommendations for the best person to contact A Member Pass is spent for each introduction/contact made. The Monthly SchmoozeThese events are the flagship event hosted by Schmooze each month. Low on formality and high on great contacts, these informal networking evenings are staged in Canberra's premier cocktail lounges, or hosted by our members venues. We often feature leading musicians, fashion shows, or some other example of the creativity in Australia's capital. These events are held in the last week of the month from 5.30 to 7.30pm for the Professional Network and monthly for the SYPG. There are also lucky door prizes and some 80-100 members and guests attend from a wide range of professions and sectors. The atmosphere is more like a sophisticated cocktail function rather than the usual staid networking function!
Networking Training and MentoringSchmooze offers several ways to develop your networking skills:
Tailored EventsMembers can stage through Schmooze, tailored invitation only events such as workshops or special presentations which are offered to members on an exclusive basis. A service fee applies as we facilitate these events for our members and act as the go-between so no cold calling is involved. SCHMOOZE CAFESchmooze is always looking to provide opportunities for its members to well, network. It also provides the space for conversations between peers to foster the sharing of ideas and collaboration and leads. So the Schmooze Cafe concept was introduced where members can meet in small groups during working hours over coffee or lunch. There are several groups based on sectors and interest including Leadership for senior managers and owners of companies, Public Sectors Comms and others. We provide the opportunity for peers to meet and talk about common interests and issues in a relaxed (and neutral ) setting. At times there discussion may be structured around a particular topic of common interest, othertimes its a good way to make new contacts and share ideas or leads. Networking Dining EventsMembers can enjoy superb dining at Canberra's best restaurants. Limited to 16 members and offered at cost price, these events offer a superb networking environment in fine style. We offer events open to all members each month following the monthly Schmooze as well as peer-to-peer events. The Schmooze Social NetworkSchmooze members are an active lot, they host a range of activities including fundraising, social, charity, lifestyle, training and professional events each month. As a membership privilege they can advertise their events through the network free of charge via the website- one Member Pass is spent for each event posted on the calendar in the Member Lounge area. We also offer a Lifestyle Series for our members featuring a wide range of events and services from Canberra' leading venues including wine dinners, social events and much more. It offers the perfect way for our members to enjoy exclusive events, services and activities from the best venues and services in the region. The Schmooze Young Professional Group (SYPG)This branch of Schmooze is for any young professional in their 20’s from any profession or background and has the widest diversity of membership of any young professional group in the region. Each month we offer workshops on key skills like public speaking, personal style and grooming, confidence in the workplace, interview skills and of course how to Schmooze! The SYPG also host a monthly Schmooze speed networking functions which are held in partnership with other young professional groups to give our members and guests the perfect way to meet and polish their networking skills. The SYPG is run by a Council of young professionals and we also work with other young professional groups to stage joint activities- please see this page for more info. Mentor pronto!Schmooze offers several times each year a free mentoring program that is results focused! The program is a four week model where participants focus on a couple of key outcomes. You can read more about it here.
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Benefits of Membership
Membership Application Form
Membership Policies
Testimonials
New Members in 2008
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