Women Entrepreneurs of Canada

Note: This material originates with a private organization that is not subject to the federal Official Languages Actor the French Language Services Act of Ontario.

Women Entrepreneurs of Canada (WEC) is a not-for-profit business association for women entrepreneurs in Canada, addressing the needs of women entrepreneurs and support their growth and development by:

• Providing meaningful networking opportunities to connect with peers as well as the larger business community, government and the international business world; and 
• Building entrepreneurship acumen and business leadership capacity.

For further information:
visit the Web site:
Women Entrepreneurs of Canada
http://www.wec.ca/

Eligibility Criteria

Membership is open to women business owners:

• who wish to promote their businesses and network with other women business owners;
• who want to interact with complementary national and international organizations;
• who meet certain business-related criteria; and
• who subscribe to WEC's Code of Ethics.

Summary

Primary Activities

• Monthly meetings (networking, dinner, and a program featuring topics that help women entrepreneurs meet today's challenges and prepare for tomorrow's possibilities);
• International conferences and all woman trade missions;
• Mentoring program with high school students.

Member Benefits

• Person-to-person and on-line networking options;
• Reduced rates for monthly events;
• Access to the confidential WEC Membership Directory;
• Access to group rates for insurance and RRSPs and Personal Pension Plans;
• Links to WEC's affiliations, Les Femmes Chef d'Entreprises Mondiales (FCEM) and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO);
• Access to industry leaders and experts;
• Business skills development and mentoring;
• Opportunities to promote your business at all of WEC's monthly events;
• Members are free to put promotional materials on the group display table.  It's first come, first served.  The offer is open until the space is filled;
• Opportunities for personal growth and developing friendships through volunteering your skills to the Association;
• Opportunities to raise your profile by serving on the Board of Directors or a Committee of the Board.

Membership Categories and Costs

Voting Members – Full Member
Must be a woman and 18 years of age or older, have an ownership position in a business, have her own capital at risk in the business, and be responsible in whole or part for the financial commitments of her business.  Must be in her business for a minimum of 1 year.  $300 per year plus GST.

Associate Membership Classes
Any individual, partnership, association, organization or agency in a position to assist, promote, and support women entrepreneurs.  Associate members cannot vote, hold office, and hold membership in FCEM or any other organization with which WEC is associated.  

The following are the Associate Membership Classes:

Associate Virtual Members
Must be a woman and 18 years of age or older, have an ownership position in a business, have her own capital at risk in the business, and is responsible in whole or part for the financial commitments of her businesses.  Membership is limited to persons who live outside the Toronto and the GTA (which includes Oshawa, Oakville, and Richmond Hill) or within the GTA but be on a leave of absence (in writing and requested each year at renewal time).  Members are allowed to attend up to 3 WEC events per calendar year at member rates.  $150 per year plus GST.

Individual Associate
Any person who does not meet the criteria of a Voting Member.  $350 per year plus GST

Individual Associate – Start-Up Business
Any person who is on her way to meeting the criteria for a Full Member but has had her own business for fewer than two years.  Maximum length in this membership class is 2 years after which the members must apply for Full Membership. $100 per year plus GST

Corporate Associate, bronze
Have fewer than 100 employees in total.  $1,000 per year plus GST

Corporate Associate, silver
Have 100 to 499 employees in total. $2,500 per year plus GST

Corporate Associate, gold
Have 500 or more employees in total. $5,000 per year plus GST

• Important Notices

Ontario Contact(s):
Women Entrepreneurs of Canada
1630 Ewald Road
Mississauga, Ontario  L5G 4C3
Telephone: (416) 388-5586
Fax: (905) 274-5366
E-mail: wec@wec.ca