Executive
Committee
History of the Women's Business Exchange
A core group met to form "some type of women's
exchange group in Fargo" in October 2003. Founders
included: Jodee Bock, Karen Stensrud, Arlette Preston,
Connie Nelson, Cathy Jelsing, Ann McConn and Carolyn
Kramer. The group wanted to be compatible with other
local women's groups and talked about a focus on both
"intra" and "entra" preneurial women's
needs and issues.
In November 2003, Tara Holt - Center for Technology
and Business, Bismarck, and Michelle Landsverk, Minnesota
Women's Center - Fosston, Minn., met with the group
and presented ideas on how they started their organizations.
By February 2004, the group had generated ideas for
group presentations including:
• Differences between male and female communication
styles
• What you need to know before starting your
own business
• Intrapreneurship - developing opportunities
in your current work site
• Relationship management
• Change - how to land on your feet
The first event was held at Stoker's, in the Donaldson
Hotel, on Feb. 4, 2004, with 55 women attending.
The second event followed at Barbara's Deli in April
2004. By May, the executive committee had developed
a mission statement, and was profiled in the online
book "Testify! How Remarkable Organizations are
Creating Customer Evangelists."
The executive committee finalized the WBE mission
statement in May 2004. In June, WBE invited three
local female entrepreneurs to tell their stories during
an event at Seasons at Rose Creek.
By July 2004, the leadership decided the Women's
Business Exchange needed to be formally organized.
Officers were named, rules were established for decision
making and a discussion about sponsorships resulted
in some formalized guidelines.
In August 2004, the executive committee further formalized
the organization by adopting bylaws and setting regular
committee meeting dates.
Less than a year after its first meeting, the Women's
Business Exchange was listed as one of "100 Bright
Spots" in the state (Bismarck Tribune); launched
a Web site; and on Sept. 14, 2004, drew nearly 70
women to the Plains Art Museum to learn the art of
30-second commercials.
In October 2004, the WBE executive committee hired
a facilitator to lead a strategic planning session
to further define WBE's goals and future plans. Subsequently,
it was decided that WBE would host events approximately
four times a year and that membership is based on
participation in at least one event per year.
WBE invited female college students pursing business
studies to participate in an event for the first time
in the winter of 2005. Students paid just $5 to attend
the "Power of Mentoring" on Feb. 7 in the
NDSU Alumni Center.
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