Request for nominations to sit on the WBI Advisory Committee
The New Brunswick Association of the Community Business Development Corporations (NBACBDCs) has been receiving funding from ACOA to deliver the Women in Business Initiative (WBI) since 2002.
The WBI is designed to improve the growth and competitiveness of women-owned businesses and increase their representation in Atlantic Canada's emerging growth sectors. New Brunswick's WBI provides support to women business owners/entrepreneurs in the province looking to develop or expand their businesses. The bilingual program focuses on offering training and workshops, advice from experienced business owners, information on financing opportunities, mentorship, and networking opportunities to women business owners. These services are provided by four development officers who work one-on-one with women throughout the province.
In 2017, Fairwinds Training & Development Inc. conducted a program evaluation to assess the relevance and performance of the WBI in New Brunswick. The purpose was to examine the effectiveness of the current delivery model and activities, and to provide options for governance and for improving or strengthening the WBI’s economic impact. The report outlined recommendations on the program and in particular on the NB governance structure. It was recommended that WBI remain within the governance model of the NBACBDC but that it shift to an arm’s length relationship with a dedicated Executive Director and Advisory Committee.
To build on the benefits of a relationship with the NBACBDC, a new arms-length organization will be established in November 2018. A newly branded (including a name change) centre for entrepreneurship support for women would be led by its own Advisory Committee, made up of women entrepreneurs and stakeholders from across the Province and representing various stages of business and demographics.
The key responsibilities of the Committee would be to establish Strategic Direction, and provide leadership to an Executive Director, set policy for the organization and provide financial oversight. The Executive Director would report to the Executive Director of the NBACBDC but would be responsible for achieving the strategic goals of the WBI.
Once the strategy is set, in alignment with ACOA’ s objectives, the Executive Director of the new organization would execute the plan and provide leadership to a team of Development Officers. He or she would develop Pan Atlantic and Provincial partnerships, act as the leading spokesperson for the organization and ensure meaningful results are achieved for women entrepreneurs in NB.
The Advisory Committee will report to the NBACBDC through the executive director. This Advisory Committee will develop a Strategic Plan based on the findings of the program evaluation.
Composition of the Advisory Committee
The NBACBDC is now actively seeking feedback and recommendations for potential candidates to fill the positions on the Advisory Committee. They are seeking women entrepreneurs and stakeholders:
• with various business backgrounds and years of experience managing a business,
• in various priority sectors (advanced manufacturing, agri-food, clean technology, digital industries, health/bio-sciences, export etc.),
• who have demonstrated business success and leadership in the Province of New Brunswick, in Canada or abroad,
• who represent various demographics and women interest groups (indigenous, immigrant, youth, etc. ),
• who are resident of New Brunswick and at least 18 years of age.
Duties and responsibilities
The Advisory Committee will include a minimum of five (5) administrators and a maximum of seven (7) administrators. The responsibilities are distributed like this:
PRESIDENT
• Convene and preside all meetings of the Advisory Committee;
• Prepare the meeting agenda and ensure that every member gives their reports;
• Attends to all extra committee meetings;
• Supervise the administration of the Initiative and oversees the action plan execution;
• Sign the minutes and resolutions approved by the Committee;
• If necessary, represents the Advisory Board at special events;
• Assigns projects and responsibilities to other member of the Committee.
VICE-PRESIDENT
• Shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President;
• Give assistance to the President, when necessary.
SECRETARY-TREASURER
• Shall take notes of the minutes of all meeting;
• Keep a record of the resolutions and minutes;
• Have access and keep records of all accurate accounts and assets;
• Give guidance with the preparation of applications for funding, when necessary.
ADMINISTRATORS
All other members of the Committee are administrators. Their responsibilities are:
• Participate at meetings, read the documentation provided and be prepare for decision-making;
• Give feedback and ideas;
• Represent the interest of women in business.