NORWAY – A western Maine chapter of the Maine Women’s Network is forming. Its kickoff meeting is set for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at The Trolley House, 237 Main St.

The network serves as a statewide resource for women as they build professional and personal partnerships. Its goal is to create a professional environment for women to become more effective in the business world. Women of all ages, educational, social and economic backgrounds are invited to the meeting.

The meeting will include time for networking and a brief presentation from Diedre O’Callaghan, chairwoman of the Portland Women’s Network.

Part of the organizational work to get the western Maine chapter up and running is being done by Tally DeCato, a retired Oxford Hills Middle School guidance counselor who’s now selling angels made of cloth and wood at Maine Discoveries.

The Growth Council of Oxford Hills is also helping. The network began as the Women’s Advantage Network in 1995, changed to The Women’s Network in 2000 and then became the Maine Women’s Network last year.

So far, the network has three active chapters – a Greater Portland chapter, an Androscoggin chapter and a mid-coast chapter. A York County chapter also is being organized.

“The Maine Women’s Network is for all women who want to connect and make a difference,” states the flier announcing the Nov. 17 meeting. “It’s all about women helping women.”

The statewide organization sponsors business-oriented workshops for women throughout the year. The workshops cover such topics as “feedback as a tool for growth,” “Value of innovation, structure and forecasting,” “estate planning,” “attitudes of gratitude” and “the business of art and the art of business.”

The Nov. 17 kickoff will feature hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. To register, women may phone the Growth Council at 743-8830 or Tally Decato at 739-2303. Early registration is recommended.

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