Elections

The WBN is run by a volunteer board of up to 13 directors. The commitment necessary to successfully serve the WBN membership is approximately 10-30 hours/month (depending on the position) fulfilling the duties of the role including attendance at monthly and special board meetings throughout the year, and attendance at membership meetings from September through June.  

Additionally, directors must be email and computer savvy as this is a progressive organization that relies heavily on communication and technology for efficiency. 

The following documents are posted for Members to review prior to the May 4, 2022, AGM:

• AGM Meeting Minutes – May 5, 2021
• Balance Sheet Previous Year Comparison
• Profit & Loss Previous Year Comparison
• Profit & Loss Budget Performance
• Treasurer’s Report

*Please note: these financial statements are posted for your review only and do not encompass a full fiscal year which ends in June; these are only a year-to-date to the end of March and will be presented as they are at the AGM.

Constitutionally, WBN Board of Director positions commence July 1st each year and each Board Director term runs for two consecutive years.  

Board Nominees will be applying to serve on the WBN Board from July 1, 2022, through to June 30, 2024.

Newly Elected WBN Board members will be expected to attend monthly board meetings and a Strategic Planning session in June of 2022, as a means of transitioning into the role with your predecessor. 

The nominees were presented to the membership at the AGM. The eligibility of all nominees was validated according to our constitution and bylaws. 

Note that a nomination is to the Board, not to a specific position. However, there is an opportunity to list first and second choices on the nomination form. We endeavour to match the skill set to the position. This is an excellent opportunity to become involved with the operations of the Network. 

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Nominations for 2022-2024 Board of Directors

The WBN received the following nominations:

• Donna Enright
• Chantall McDougall
• Tracy Minnema
• Karen Rowe
• Pamela Van Nest

Nominee Bios

Donna Enright

Donna is a web programmer and the owner of a web development company called TechnicalitiesPlus that specializes in creating custom websites and web applications. She is also the founder of ShopCloseBuy.ca, a community ecommerce and online auction platform that was created in response to the pandemic to support businesses and non‐profit organizations, and to foster community economic development.

Prior to her work in the technology sector, Donna was a social worker for 15 years working with women experiencing gender-based violence, pregnant and parenting teens, and women, families and youth experiencing homelessness.

Donna has extensive knowledge of technology issues including hardware, software, networking, database development, programming, systems analysis and design, and communications. She is also experienced in project management; grant writing; capacity building and change management; program and policy development, implementation, and evaluation; organizational change; board governance; preparation of deputations and briefs; working with networks and coalitions; public speaking and professional workshops.

Chantal McDougall

Known as the Limitless Mindset coach, Chantal works with people who have trouble getting past worrying what other people think… people who listen to the voices of others rather than trusting their own intuition… who take care of others but don’t take time to care for themselves. Chantal coaches them to become confident, set healthy boundaries, trust their intuition, and experience the joy of becoming limitless. She also works with people who have been told they are too sensitive, to help them reframe their sensitivity as a gift.

She’s had a passion to help others since she was very young. At the age of 2, she was helping kids in daycare; at the age of 6 she was helping kids climb play structures; and now she is passionately helping people follow their hearts and uncover their inner confidence.

Chantal graduated on the honour-roll of her psychology program and combines her academic knowledge, life experience, and coaching certifications into a transformational experience for her clients through powerful coaching programs and fun, insightful workshops.

In her spare time, she enjoys watching musicals, learning more about personal development and spirituality, and participates in seasonal sports such as skiing and swimming.

Tracy Minnema

Tracy began dabbling in the fibre arts at five years old. Crocheting and knitting were her first foray into this world. Sewing, dressmaking, needlework and quilting, soon followed. Having obtained a Fashion Merchandising Diploma, Tracy worked for a few years in the fashion industry in Toronto.

Following this, she was accepted into Queen’s University Faculty of Education, and earned an Education Certification in Technological Studies – Clothing and Fashion Specialization.

Tracy recently retired from teaching at the secondary level in Family Studies after 29 years. Working with fibres and textiles has always been a part of both her personal and professional life.

Karyn Rowe

My name is Karyn Rowe. I’m an almost 30 year old who was born and raised in Peterborough. I like long walks on the beach and Muskoka mocha ice cream. Wait, this isn’t that kind of thing…

A little about me though, I have a degree in Women’s Studies and Feminist research from Western University and understand the importance of women coming along side one another to support each other in, or outside of, the business world.

Being able to come along side others and guide them to be a better, stronger version of themselves is a passion of mine. As someone who is new to their role at the Holiday Inn, I can attest that being a woman in business can be difficult at times, which makes this community such an invaluable one. I want to be a part of creating space for women to connect and support one another, and that is WBN.

Pam Van Nest

Pam works with professional women to achieve the success in life and business they deserve.

She worked in Education for more than 30 years, from Maine to Ontario, as a special education teacher, consultant and Coach to teachers. During that time, Pam saw how women teachers often stopped their success and career growth, even when they were clearly qualified and good enough. Pam encouraged her peers to push forward and play their full part in life, to get the success they deserved and be able to contribute fully.

She went on to train in professional Coaching and has been running her private practice for nearly 10 years. Pam is passionate about empowering women to see their value, be paid their worth and live the life they were meant to. She works with women across the world and speaks on Women and Success in organizations and to women’s groups.

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The submission deadline for Board Nominations for the 2023-2025 Board is April 15, 2023.

Please contact WBN President president atttt wbnptbo dotttt ca for more information on becoming a board member.

Details on available positions for the 2023-2025 Board of Directors (along with nomination forms and job descriptions) will be posted here in the first quarter of 2023. 

WBN Constitution, Article 5. Board of Directors:

1. Eight to thirteen elected members shall constitute the Board, at the discretion of the current Board.
2. The Board shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting, shall serve a two-year term and shall not be eligible for re-election for more than two consecutive terms, with the exception of the President and Past President. Nominations and elections shall be conducted in accordance with By-Law 7.
3. The Board shall meet monthly to formulate plans, elect the Officers, and decide all purposes and procedures of the Network.
4. The Officers may appoint a network member to fill a Board position that has become vacant. Such appointment shall expire at the next Annual General Meeting (or after the June Strategic Planning Meeting). An exception may be made if a vacancy occurs during the Network year in the office of President, in which case the Vice President may succeed to the office of President.
5. Directors must be Network members in good standing for the duration of their term.

Bylaw 7A. Nominations:

1. The current Board may appoint a Nominating Committee, chaired by the Past President, who shall present a slate of nominees to the membership a minimum of ten days in advance of the Annual General Meeting. Such notice shall be posted on the Network website and distributed to the membership.
2. Any single member, or the named member of record for a Corporate Membership, who is currently a member in good standing and who meets the board requirements as set out in the WBN board policy document. Nominees must sign a completed current nomination form, which must be submitted to the Past President by April 15th.
3. Any current Director who is completing their current two-year term may submit a new nomination form by April 15th to stand for re-election to the Board as per Article 5.2.

Elections

Depending on the number of nominations received, the election may take place by secret ballot with the nominees receiving the most votes will be declared elected. In order for you to make an informed decision, please read each nominee’s submitted biography. Their skills and experience will help you to determine the best fit with the demands of the various positions.

Remember, elections are to the Board as a whole, not to specific positions. The WBN officers will appoint each elected member to the position they are most interested in assuming and qualified for. 

If you have any questions about the positions, how the board operates, or anything else regarding governance, the president atttt wbnptbo dotttt ca or the pastpresident atttt wbnptbo dotttt ca are more than happy to help you.