CONNECTING THE DOTS: Eau Claire-Founded Group Creates Community
Polka Dot Powerhouse has thousands of members worldwide, and about 160 of them are in Eau Claire
After more than a decade as managing director of the founding chapter of Polka Dot Powerhouse in Eau Claire, Denise Bender is not surprised to see the networking organization continue to grow and thrive – though she may balk at the descriptor “networking.”
“We don’t really call ourselves that, a ‘networking group,’ ” Denise told me over coffee. “(But) there’s a need for community and for something different.”
Today, the international organization has more than 80 chapters and thousands of members, but it was dreamed up by just one woman: Shannon Crotty. Not knowing many people after moving to the Eau Claire area, Shannon was looking for that “something different” – so she created Polka Dot Powerhouse.
Denise, who knew Shannon from their own careers crossing paths, attended the organization’s very first meeting in the fall of 2012. It took little time for the group to grow into 70 members, and in just a handful of years, neighboring cities were starting their own Polka Dot Powerhouse chapters.
“Our chapter runs the gamut from 22-year-olds to 88-year-olds. We have people who are here to make friendships and relationships; people who want to network; older women who are retired and dabbling in various things. My point is, the group is very well-rounded with people who do all kinds of things.” –Denise Bender
From Menomonie to Rice Lake to the Twin Cities, the more women who found Polka Dot Powerhouse, the more its impact spread. A chapter popped up on the East Coast, then another on the West Coast. They criss-crossed the United States; then a chapter began in Canada. During the height of COVID-19, a virtual chapter launched in the United Kingdom, and about one year ago, an Australian chapter launched.
Age gaps, too, are no obstacle for Polka Dot Powerhouse, as evidenced by the Eau Claire chapter. “Our chapter runs the gamut from 22-year-olds to 88-year-olds,” Denise said. “We have people who are here to make friendships and relationships; people who want to network; older women who are retired and dabbling in various things. My point is, the group is very well-rounded with people who do all kinds of things.”
Polka Dot Powerhouse is not exclusive, career or otherwise. For the Eau Claire chapter, that also means numerous members are part of the same industry, from chiropractors to bankers to marketing professionals and more. From Denise’s point of view, the group works because it is more about creating organic relationships.
“We also function on no drama,” she said. “Our big phrase is, ‘Leave your drama llama outside the door.’ ”
The Eau Claire chapter has so many members – 160 of them – that it has to split up its monthly meeting into four sessions so that all can attend. Each meeting – which is held in-person with a virtual option – includes general chapter information and news, connection time, a section to share individual celebrations, a speaker, and more.
Speakers often pop in virtually, allowing for Polka Dot members from across the country and world to meet other chapters. Speaker topics range from accounting and finance to wellness to social media.
While the group also hosts Coffee Connects (casual meetings at area coffee shops), participates in volunteerism at places like The Community Table, and more, members are encouraged to do as much – or little – as they want.
“I like to tell people, it’s your membership – you get to use it the way you want,” Denise said. “Because I’m a little bit older as opposed to being in my early, building-my-business years, what I enjoy most is seeing all of the connection.”
“I came out of school in 1974 and am an old feminist; I love to support women, especially in the working world,” she said. “I could never understand why women fought each other to get to the top, because we can do it together. I have always been inclusive and loved supporting other women – I revel in that. Now, I get to sit back and watch everybody succeed.”
Before committing to be a Polka Dot member, people are invited to visit one meeting to get a feel for the atmosphere. Annual membership fees include attending the yearly Polka Dot Powerhouse Celebration Event – which invites members from every chapter to a location that’s voted on each year (the 2025 event will occur in Minneapolis) – and access to a variety of group resources.
The pink-and-orange branded organization is largely a draw for women, but Denise said all are welcome to join. Learn more about Polka Dot Powerhouse – a perfect blend of network-building and friendship-creating – at polkadotpowerhouse.com.
Learn more about the Eau Claire chapter of Polka Dot Powerhouse online • Find the Eau Claire chapter on Facebook
