Network Changes
Summer 08
Until recently the WEI project has co-ordinated your network. The WEI team has made all the decisions about the activities and the newsletter, in consultation with the members through feedback sheets and informal meetings. The project has also paid for the quarterly Network Events, the Trade Fair and the Newsletter, as well as meetings for smaller groups and some other activities, with its funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, the Revitalising Inner Rochdale Single Regeneration Budget and the European Development Fund.
We have known for some time that the project may not receive more funding and, if it does, it is not likely to be as much as in previous years. So, last year, we asked for volunteers to form a steering group to look at how to ensure the future of the Network if the project were to finish. Several members came forward and have been having regular meeting since then. In January, the Steering Group met and wrote a constitution for the Rochdale Borough Women’s Enterprise Network, which was formally adopted at the February Network Event, when the group signed it as the founder members and the first committee.
You can view the full constitution here or contact the WEI on Email or call Jane on 01706 646471 if you would like a copy.
The committee has decided that membership will be free for the first year and after that there will be a nominal charge of £5 per year to help pay for some of the administration costs.
The Network has already gained sponsorship to run the rest of this year’s Network Events and the project will continue to help to co-ordinate the activities, at least until September. We are trying to find more sponsorship for the Newsletter and the Network Events and Trade Fair for next year; so if you have any ideas or contacts who may be able to help please let us know.
We now need to ask all members to register as members of the new organisation. There is a membership form included in this newsletter asking you to agree to the Aims and Objectives of the Network and allowing the new committee to use your contact information to send out the Newsletter, etc. If you would prefer to complete the form online please email us at Email Your Network Committee will keep you up to date with progress and other news through the Newsletter from now on; they are committed to the continuing success of the Rochdale Borough Women’s Enterprise Network and will be glad of all your support in the future.
- Gill Elsworth of T&Ci had been elected Chair of the newly formed Rochdale
Borough Women’s Enterprise Network Committe
Other members of the committee are:
- Treasurer - Caroline Whittaker (Book-keeping & Accountancy Services)
- Deputy Chair - Joanne Potts (Serenity Holistic Health)
- Deputy Treasurer - Louise Jeffrey (Louby Designs)
- Secretary - Catherine Miller (Design2Sign)
- Communications - Pauline Journeaux (Rochdale Online)
- Committee member - Angela Smith (Choice Estates)
- Committee member - Asia Ejaz (Mann Salwa Catering)
Who do I contact?
Please contact the committee members through the WEI office to begin with; we will forward any questions or comments you have to the committee.
Women’s Enterprise Initiative
99/101 Drake Street
Rochdale
OL16 1PZ
Tel: 01706 646471 or 01706 753656
Fax: 01706 753653
Email