BREWER – Fall begins a busy season for most working women, especially those who balance work with family obligations. The Abnaki Girl Scout Council builds strong women and officials there are excited about their new Women Working Speaker Series open to the community this fall.

A series of four women speakers to be presented at Abnaki’s Carriage House Conference Center ranges from topics such as understanding your money personality to gender issues in the workplace.

Karen Keim of the University of Maine will kick off the series with her lively wit and insight into the topic of setting priorities. A long time veteran of the “balancing act” that working mothers manage, she encourages participants to make time for the things that matter most and set their priorities accordingly.

Susan Arledge, a motivational speaker, will close the series on Nov. 4 with an evening spent examining the myths of the workplace for women today. Arledge notes that women are all struggling with multiple priorities and expecting excellence in each. Like Dr. Phil, she asks us, “How’s that working for ya?”

Inspirational women are what Girl Scouting is built upon, officials explained. The series of speakers will motivate, inspire, soothe and challenge women to be more uniquely themselves and to excel in the things that matter most to them.

“Today’s climate for working women is frenetic, complex and ever-changing. While we have more opportunities than ever before in history, we are still sometimes frantically juggling priorities and trying to succeed in all areas of our lives,” said Susan Arledge

The fee for each session is $8, or a ticket for the series is $27.

The schedule is:

. “Women Working – Priorities… Yours!” 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14. Learn the secrets of getting the most out of each day. No, not the stuff someone else threw on your desk, but the things that matter most to you. The workshop will focus on priorities and how to make room for them in your day.

Karen Hadley Keim, who has a master’s degree in education, has spent 10 years at the University of Maine working with underprivileged youth and adults who desire to be the first in their families to go to college. Keim walks the balance beam daily, juggling family sports schedules with a hectic work schedule and an active volunteer life. Keim will motivate participants to make more time for the things that matter the most in their lives.

. “Women Working – Self-Awareness and Gender Issues,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19. How does your gender make a difference in your interactions with others – at work or at home – and your expectations of yourself? Learn to build a greater self-awareness, connect with others, expand your horizons and build self confidence. Learn to use your greatest resource – yourself – to open up opportunities for yourself, rather than closing them, in this interactive, stimulating, light-hearted workshop.

Faith York, certified rehabilitation counselor, has 20 years’ experience working with adults and children on topics related to parenting, career planning, communication skills, gender issues, self-awareness, leadership, behavior management, violence prevention and conflict resolution. She is an educational and corporate consultant by day and a professional musician by night. York will help participants examine their strengths and needs in a casual, safe and fun format.

. “Women Working – Your Money Personality,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21. The workshop will help participants better understand their personal attitudes and beliefs about finances and how those attitudes and beliefs impact their money management decisions.

Judy Groth, certified financial planner, certified life underwriter and retirement planning counselor, has 14 years’ experience in the field of financial planning.

. “Women Working – The Myths and Realities of Today,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4. What exactly is the “climate” for women in today’s complex, ever-changing workplace? While there are more opportunities than ever before in history, people are still juggling several priorities and trying to succeed in all areas of their lives. The lively talk will shine a poignant, humorous light on the myths and realities of women in today’s workplace.