WBN President’s Message
Dear friends,
I am absolutely honored to serve our members and guests as President of Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) for the upcoming year 2017/2018. And I am inspired by our new, highly driven Board of Directors that have been working vigorously over the summer laying the foundation for a new program with stimulating, inspiring and educational speakers. We look forward to having you join us each month from September until June to experience the variety of topics, good food, wonderful friendships that transpire, and of course, have some fun!
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to last season’s formidable President Mary McGee and her industrious Board of Directors for an outstanding WBN season. Cheers to a well-executed plan, ladies! And an extra special thank you for reminding us throughout the year to “use our power, work with purpose and enjoy the present!”
Our theme this season is Empower, Influence and Serve.
Empower: Simply put, women become stronger when they empower other women. All of you, especially those in leadership positions, have the opportunity and privilege to champion a culture that encourages women to learn, grow and be inspired. By being a mentor and a powerful ally, you are offering your own unique set of skills, ideas, and life experiences, and nurturing your female peers to achieve their goals and feel empowered. Our monthly networking hour is a great opportunity to find role models whom you identify with and inspire you. Those women will be a key to your success because they can provide advice and knowledge based on their own trials and tribulations. Let’s continue to demonstrate just how powerful a force we can be when we support one another.
Influence: Our diverse membership strengthens our voice in our community. Over the coming year, you are encouraged to bring your expertise and insight to the table, and voice issues that are of importance to you. Your membership and our united voices can help influence the role women have in our business community. Together, we have the ability create the conditions for success, growth and impact on a local, national, and even global scale. Together, we’ll help foster change and shape opinions with inspiring speakers and events, with help from our contra membership with the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, our involvement with the Trent Business Students’ Association, the Bears Lair competition, and the Fleming College bursary.
Serve: We take pride in serving our community as a source of inspiration and empowerment for women in business, as we focus on our program that continues to educate and elevate our members. As a member, you can expect to flex your learning, networking and mentoring muscles. The WBN will continue to work to serve the needs of the broader community by being involved in the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton and the Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival, as well as other great local non-profit organizations.
The WBN Board and I are confident that this year we will deliver a positive and enlightening member experience. Be sure to take full advantage of your membership resources and promote yourself and your business this year, and please come forward with any ideas and help to create positive change.
Sincerely yours in business,
Lorie Gill
President, Women’s Business Network 2017/2018
president@wbnptbo.ca