| Thank you for your interest in joining the KC-CWBO. For more information please contact the Co-Founder and Director, Nancy Zurbuchen. (816-452-4700 or nancyz@motional.com.) You can make arrangements to attend activities or events as a guest, and you may also want to sign up for our quarterly newsletter so you can keep up with what's going on with the organization. Not only are the mission and activities of KC-CWBO different, our membership structure is very unusual. First, the member criteria ensures that our focus remains on meeting the needs of, and creating opportunities specifically for, women who own and run the larger businesses in the KC metro area. Membership criteria for the KC-CWBO includes meeting at least two of the following: - Owning* a business for at least five years;
- The equivalent of 15 full-time employees (can include part time and contract labor);
- Annual revenue of $1 million or more for service businesses and $2 million or more for resellers (i.e., manufacturing.)
* You do not have to be the majority owner of the business; you do have to have control of the business, be involved in the day-to-day operations, and have final decision making (strategic and financial). Second, when you join KC-CWBO, you are also becoming a member of two national organizations, paid for in your name out of your KC-CWBO dues: The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is a 28-year old organization, with 85 chapters nationwide. NAWBO has been very influential over the years in providing leadership training and business management skill building for women business owners. We know it is important to support what has gone on before us, and to retain close ties to NAWBO. Our existence is mutually beneficial. That is why, as part of joining KC-CWBO, you are also supporting and joining NAWBO national as well as the local Kansas City chapter. Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) is the nation's largest bi-partisan public policy organization that advocates for and on behalf of women business owners and women in business on economic issues. We rely on WIPP as our primary point of contact to educate us about, get our opinions on, and keep us abreast of public policy issues at the federal level. Third, the membership cycle is for TWO years. Why? Because we take a different view a long term view. While there are many benefits that members realize in the short term (for instance, the New Business Roundtables), we also understand that it takes time to accomplish some of our stated goals. Our agenda is not focused on programming with speakers addressing "how to" issues of business management there are several other organizations that already provide that service (for instance, NAWBO; the KS and MO Women's Business Centers; business consultants.) By contrast, our mission is "to better the business climate for women business owners by making changes to the system," and our focus is in these areas: Certification; procurement practices by both public and private entities; women's representation on paid corporate boards; educating ourselves about how public policy affects our bottom line; and advocating for issues that affect women business owners. Obviously, these are long term goals that have a positive effect not only for our own members, but for every woman who owns a business. Membership Dues Membership dues are for a 2 year commitment at $3200.00 Print out the application, fill it in, and fax or mail it. Once received, Nancy Zurbuchen, the Director, will contact you for payment arrangements if a check is not enclosed. Make check payable to KC Council of Women Business Owners. We also now accept Visa and Mastercard payment.
Our fax number is 816-452-5550.
Mail to KC-CWBO, Nancy Zurbuchen, 209 N.W. 44th Street, Kansas City, MO 64116
Questions? Call Nancy at 816-452-4700. CLICK HERE FOR THE KC-CWBO MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION |
