FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) November 7, 2008 -- Cohasset, MA (PRWEB) November 7, 2008 -- The Downtown Women's Club, professional network and career website for women (www.downtownwomensclub.com) launched a new online mentoring program called DWC+ Mentor-Ning. The business network is using the website platform provided by Ning.com to create an exclusive mentoring group online for their DWC+ members.

“We had been asked for years to launch a mentoring program,” says Diane K. Danielson, CEO and Founder of the Downtown Women’s Club. “But trying to match mentors up with mentees, like many corporations do, is very difficult logistically. It’s a huge drain of administrative time and resources and often difficult for participants to commit their own time. On top of that, it’s a bit like trying to set people up

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Women's business network launches online mentoring program for members.

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on a blind date. You never know what will click.”

This is why Danielson turned to the online social network, www.Ning.com and created a private social network just for their paid DWC+ membership. The program is designed to foster peer mentoring where members sign on and ask and answer each others’ questions on a weekly basis.

“Already the hot topics are work/life balance, online networking and tech tips,” states Nancy Loderick, Vice President of Networks for the Downtown Women’s Club. “The input has been invaluable because our members are from different generations and around the country. We even have a few members checking in from overseas, so everyone can give different perspectives.”

Danielson hopes that many of the women

who meet online at http://DWCPlus.ning.com will continue the relationship offline. “Sure, our members can get some quick responses right there on line, but mentoring relationships grow over time and are very individual.”

"I love this group and the advice and comments I have received (and others have received) have helped me in working with my students and even a couple of my clients," says mentoring participant, Henrietta Koffi, Deputy Director, Fort Greene SNAP, Brooklyn, New York.

Danielson and Loderick believe that the online mentoring will benefit members in several ways:

1. The shared expertise of existing members is a phenomenal resource in and of itself.
2. Getting global and cross-generational input is a huge advantage in this economy.
3. Many women cite “time” as a big obstacle for getting a mentor. With online mentoring, participants never have to leave their desk and they can also check in when they want from no matter where they are.
4. By using the Ning.com platform, we’re introducing and teaching members about social networking in a safe and familiar environment.

The next phase of the program will be to introduce some live chats with business coaches. Participation in the DWC+ Online Mentor-Ning program (http://dwcplus.ning.com) is limited to DWC+ members and by invitation only. Please visit www.DowntownWomensClub.com for more information.

About the Downtown Women's Club:
The Downtown Women's Club (http://www.downtowomensclub.com)is a business network and career website that empowers women by bringing them together to network and introducing them to the technology they need to achieve the career success they deserve. Diane K. Danielson is the CEO and Founder of the Downtown Women's Club and the co-author of The Savvy Gal's Guide to Online Networking (or What Would Jane Austen Do?).