What next...

It's a challenge to think how to structure this forum so that as many women as possible feel they are getting something positive out of it.  We are a varied group both in terms of jobs and experience but also in terms of confidence and aspirations.
It seems to me that there is scope to do both formal and informal events and to vary the time of day/day of the week that these occur.  I've listed below the suggestions from last Saturday.  I intend to aim for another event in May and bi-monthly thereafter.  I have a few ideas for venues but if anyone has connections and can recommend a good place for 20-30 women to get together, have a chat, listen to a speaker and maybe have a glass of wine then do let me know.

Informal:

dinner parties

breakfast meet ups

more afternoon tea

drinks

visiting other offices

Formal - information gathering:

building tours

talks  - by inspirational women

          - on personal skills / presentation / speaking  / how to network

          - on industry specific specialisms - lighting 

Formal - participation:

debates

networking - presenting oneself in 60 seconds

                  - speed dating format

                  - formalised introductions / information exchange

discussions - topical issues

There was also a great suggestion for setting up mentoring which I intend to follow up and upping the female representation at other industry events which we'll have to work on.