Zagreb, the Capital City of Croatia October 7th, 2009 8:29 AM Chocolate and coffee.

What does chocolate and coffee have to do with leadership? Well its about recognizing thatwe must do some self-care. After 15 hours of travel, this morning I am awakened before dawn to the back and forth swoosh of brooms and buckets of water splashing--'see my land lady is very clean. When her arm finally weakens and she retreats for her morning coffee--the bells begin to toll on my very soul. Collectively--4 churches in 1 square mile ring--it is only 6:45AM. What is the significance of the time---any one know? I have justified the chocolate--tomorrow morning I will have yogurt!On the forefront: Today I meet with Miroslav Wranka---a journalist who writes for www.mediapositiva.hr, a web site on postive lifestyle. I will also meet with Ana Milin who owns a business consulting firm that is very progessive in their approach: Gate To Reform. Web site: www.g2r.hr. The Golden Gate Bridge is used in the press and media section' --check it out! MentorsI am beginning to get emails from woman who want mentors--last request is from a young lady who wants to be a firefighter!Love, Diana

____________________________________________________2nd day in Zagreb

I have yet to find a connection-unsecured wireless-- and have been too busy to search for Cafe.

I no longer stay in hotels where everything was so readily available. I like it like this better--I am immersed in community life. 'Ok enough rhetoric.The Happenings The interview went well with Miroslav. He ask al the right questions--how do you want the Croatian woman to support this effort? : By becoming involved--I want them to know that they all have something to contribute that they can make a difference regardelss of socio economics or education.

What do you wish for them? To recognize their self-worth. This was monumental for me because I had held back--afraid to be shut out--now I realize that when I use my voice I speak for many who are afraid of the same repercussions.

Ana Milin of HR2 will serve as an advisor and help in the development here in Croatia. She has wonderful qualities-relaxed-very intelligent, beleives in the humanistic approach to developing people and is open to change. Dina a professor at the university of Electronics--a scientist and member of European Union intergration for scientific progress is interested in helping take WGLI to Brussels-- the seat of the Union for support and future development.

What does this mean? We must finish developing structure for each area of org. I have been staying at a vacant apt she owns that overlooks many cafes, lively pubs and a busy market place. Chocolate also played an important part of todays progress--homemade with chili added--nice

Today i am leaving Zagreb headed for Rijeka moving towards the bus. I have the curiclum in hand--two ladies,one an ex-patriot and the other a professional trainer who is thrilled to do this work will meet me next weekend! checking out!

As I leave Croatia (Hvartska)...

I am home now in California I left Croatia and the many woman who believe that they will make a better life for themselves and their community. They are brave-they hope, they are stepping into creating possibilities.

Hope can often be seen as a risky endeavor. Are we not worth the risk?

Investing in Woman is not a risk. The benefits outweigh any and all criticism, skepticism and false doubt. Woman invest in their families and communities.

Groups of woman willing to create a community of support are forming all over Croatia. (workshop dates will post on web site). By years end there will be hundreds who will realize that they have something to offer.

We have over 5,000 hits on the web site, two TV interviews airing next week and more exposure and attention to woman's leadership development that we had hoped for!

I connected with the Rijeka team yesterday. I spoke with Snezjana Traunkar who was interviewed last week by Hvartska Uzivo for her contribution in a legal clinic for victims of domestic violence. She reported that they are meeting for the third time on Monday to talk about what each has accomplished in the last month and what are the next steps. They will be interviewed by Dobro Jutro (Croatian morning show) where they will share their experience in leadership development with WGLI, and more importantly their hope for woman's leadership in their country.

Snezjana confidently told me not to worry that
everything will come in time--as we need it.

Blanca Hatibovic tells me we must dream a little.

I have hope...

D.

A push to move forward: heightened awareness equals dialogue

I reached Zagreb the capital city of Croatia (Hvartska) and find that Jelena Mikin our volunteer PR agent and Lilli my dear friend who makes sure I follow directions and nothing gets lost in translation--have been hard at work.


Jelena sent out several announcements and I was interviewed by Monica Bradaric at Dobro Jutro--Good Morning Show.This lady has a heart for womans issues and recognizes the need for leadership. She will interview wkshp participants to include in the show. Hvala Monica!


Hvartska Uzivo-Anita Bilic--Novinarka will air interview Wednesday 16:00-4PM--Woman Leaders. Her idea stems in part from the fact that we are in Croatia trying to develop community leaders among many personal convictions she has as a woman. Among those interviewed is a hopeful presidential candidate Vesna Pucic leader of political party HNS, a mother of four from Split--yaka zenski/strong woman, myself and one other lady. Anita thank you for believing!

The formal presentation was last night. All in all it was alright--as many of you know I am ambitious and my vision for this organization and our work in the world sometimes can takeover--I become somewhat over zealous--I expected more people. But as many will tell you we must start and believe that those present are also pioneers!!!


Ivana Cop--opened the session, Jelena Bozic told of her struggle for employment and how difficult it is has been--adding that development is necessary. Sonia Bayer, worked the power point and share the importance of mentorship and how this has helped her. My Lilli helped in the interpretation. Vedrana came to support us all!!!

Awareness is being created and thus the dialogues begins a new age of woman!

There is something in the air!

The night before I leave the island I feel odd--unburdened and very light, as if I had lost twenty pounds; my equilibrium is off--a weird sense of space. Intuitively I know that something is coming.

On the mainland Jerko a new friend, and fellow philosopher greets me. We sit to have coffee, an automatic door opens and we enter--it continues to swing. 'Those are my ancestors--they are all here I tell him--he looks a little uncomfortable. An ash tray hits the floor and crashes--"my father he is laughing' he has a good sense of humor!' I notice a man with a comical smile-- long blond hair cascades and falls to his shoulders. As we exit I turn--looks at me and smiles "something is in the air". Yes' I respond

Jerko takes me to Nova Akropola--a cultural/philosophy centre, then we walk along the sea. We sit on a bench to take in the sun and ponder life's mysteries. A beautiful boy-with developmental disabilities approaches me--he takes my hands and kisses them--then we count the money in his pockets--he is bright. He kisses my hands and face many times. I look at Jerko--surprised yet grateful "this is what I encounter-affirmations that I am being guided".

Something is in the air...