The primary WPO membership option is Chapter Membership. The WPO is has chapters across North America, Peru, the UK, and South Africa.
Each chapter…
- Meets monthly, for approximately 3 to 4 hours in a conference room setting (including refreshments)
- Consists of accomplished women presidents with a maximum of 20 members
- Is moderated by a professionally-trained facilitator
- Is non-competitive (ie. member businesses may not be duplicated within chapters)
- Is confidential (all-members must sign a confidentiality agreement)
- Functions on the principals of roundtable format peer advisory
Meetings include…
- Analysis of the participant's businesses using roundtables and case studies. (e.g. update on status of each participant's business, a sales presentation or problem solving, etc.)
- Expert advisors who participate in discussions of specific pre-selected topics
- Guest Speakers (on business topics selected by the group with time for questions and answers)
- Peer group support and input
- High visibility role models/entrepreneurs
- Interactive exercises
- Long & short term goal setting
- Sharing best practices
- Expert input
About roundtable format:
Leaders of fast-growing companies draw upon many sources of knowledge to run their business, from their technical expertise to their interactions with customers. Research has demonstrated that the most valuable resource to help successful business owners learn and grow is other successful business owners.
The Edward Lowe Foundation, whose mission is "to champion the entrepreneurial spirit," has developed a model to maximize the roundtable experience. That model has been adapted and branded specifically for the needs of the Women Presidents' Organization.
Through the roundtable format, WPO members enhance their leadership and accelerate their personal and business growth. They often develop deep friendships with their peers and treat monthly roundtable meetings-and annual retreats-as a chance to step back from workday pressures to see the big picture.
At headquarters, we like to say that chapter membership and the roundtable format is all about the 4 C's: Commitment, Communication, Connections, and Confidentiality.
The Platinum Groups meet 3 times a year, and are designed for members who have annual revenues of at least 10 million (average revenues are $37 million). There is always an intensive and powerful interaction within this exceptional group of peers. Relationships are strengthened and new bonds are created. The group, as a whole or in part, might on occasion elect to spend additional time in the location where the meeting is held. This group is limited to 20 members.
Members must first be a chapter member or a member-at-large.
Platinum meetings…
- Commence with a group dinner on a Thursday evening
- Feature a full-day session on Friday with a theme/topic chosen by the members
- Frequently feature a visiting expert or speaker
- Conclude on Saturday by noon
- Held in deluxe locations
- Moderated by a professionally-trained facilitator
Women of Exceptional Achievement
For those women-owned businesses with revenues of $50 million and above, Zenith brings together peers from across the country to drive business breakthroughs. The group meets twice a year, once on the East Coast and once on the West Coast. Through the WPO, The Zenith Group works to achieve the following objectives:
1. To develop cutting edge information and strategies for successful and fast growth companies.
2. To provide high level business meetings and business development opportunities with Fortune 1000 companies.
3. Change the way women-owned businesses are perceived in corporate America and the media.
4. Make connections with CPOs of Fortune 1000 companies.
Members must first be a chapter member or a member-at-large and WBENC-certified. Potential members who are not yet certified may join while they are undergoing the certification process provided that it is completed within 120 days.
Zenith meetings…
- Include scheduled introductions to and business development meetings with representatives from Fortune 1000 companies
- Commence with a group dinner on a Thursday evening
- Feature a full-day session on Friday with a theme/topic chosen by the members
- Frequently feature a visiting expert or speaker
- Conclude with a half-day session on Saturday
- Are held in deluxe locations
- Are moderated by a professionally-trained facilitator
Membership At-Large affords accomplished women business owners the opportunity to join the WPO if they are not located near an active local chapter.
As the WPO expands, Members-at-Large will be offered a spot in the new chapter as a founding member. Until that time, each Member-at-Large enjoys all the same benefits as chapter members, with the exception of monthly meetings. This membership option is also ideal for women who would like to be affiliated with the WPO but who are not able to make the time commitment necessary.
Members-at-Large receive friday e-mails, monthly newsletters, webcasts and telecasts, welcome kits, and PR referrals, can attend the national conference and special events without registration charges, and are bona fide WPO members.
Alumna Membership is available to women who
1) have had chapter membership status (including meeting the financial requirements) for at least three consecutive years and who have retired or sold their business, or
2) have special authorization from headquarters.
Benefits of Alumna Membership include: the opportunity to stay involved in activities of their Chapter when invited, monthly newsletters, public relations referrals when appropriate, weekly Friday email, attendance at the annual conference without a registration fee, inclusion in some events sponsored by the Women Presidents' Organization without additional charge, and benefits provided by sponsors including discounts and preferred options.
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