• Apply to be a Mentor
• Apply to be a Mentee
• Apply for
  Taking the Stage ®

I work out of my home, which can be an isolating thing, and this is an amazing way to meet other women entrepreneurs so we can compare and contrast our business issues. I am just excited by the number of women in our community who are running their own businesses! -Sarah Zimmerman, saz communications, Terrace BC-

 

Funding Partners

 

Program Sponsor

 

Community Sponsors

All Nations Development Corp

Business Development Bank of Canada

Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations (CFDC of CIFN)

Kelowna Community Resources-Immigrant Services

Kootenay Aboriginal Business Advocate Society (KABAS)

Northeast Aboriginal Business & Wellness Centre

Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corp.(NEDC)

Okanagan Nation Alliance

NEW! Taking the Stage®

Helping BC Women Achieve a Leadership Presence

Women’s Enterprise Centre is proud to launch Taking the Stage®, an exciting new program that helps business-minded aboriginal, immigrant, youth or women entrepreneurs across BC learn how to achieve a dynamic leadership presence.

If you feel uncomfortable in situations where the spotlight is focused on you or you just aren’t sure how to fully project your leadership qualities, then this program could be exactly what you need. Taking the Stage® will help you to become a strong, confident leader by teaching you to speak with strength on any ‘stage’— from boardrooms to meeting rooms, from town halls to phone calls.

Taking the Stage® consists of groups of 6 to 10 women who meet for four dynamic monthly sessions led by a volunteer facilitator in your community. These four video-based learning modules serve as the basis for rich group discussion and strong networking opportunities. The sessions cover:

• Choosing to Take the Stage: Focuses on achieving a leadership presence. You will learn to adopt a new, braver mindset: one that enables women to stand out and be heard.
• Unlocking the Power of Your Voice: Shows women how to develop the strong, confident voice of a leader. You will discover how to get your points across without sounding shrill, defensive, or tentative.
• Creating a Leader’s Script: Explains how to create a clear message – whether giving a presentation at a trade show or making a phone call. You will learn how to avoid apologetic and self-deprecating expressions and to communicate using strong words of a leader.
• Achieving a Powerful Presence: Shows you how to achieve a strong, leadership presence through eye contact, pace, body language, and voice

To watch the video demos click here.

Taking the Stage®, developed by a Toronto-based company, The Humphrey Group, was previously only available to women in large corporations. Thanks to their generous support, special project funding from Status of Women Canada, a network of volunteer facilitators, and the help of community sponsors, we are pleased to be able to offer this program to BC women in 2010 and 2011. To listen to past participants and to see the global reach of Taking the Stage® click here.

Space is limited, apply today! Application deadline for first intake is August 15, 2010

What happens in the sessions?

Taking the Stage® consists of groups of 6 to 10 women who meet for four dynamic monthly sessions led by a volunteer facilitator in your community. Each session is structured with a 20 minute video segment, rich group discussion, some practice exercises and networking opportunities. Session topics are:

• Choosing to Take the Stage
• Unlocking the Power of Your Voice
• Creating a Leader’s Script
• Achieving a Powerful Presence

What is the role of the participant?

Participants must commit to attending four sessions led by a volunteer facilitator. Each session will include an introduction to one of the four core topics, and a 20 minute video followed by facilitated group discussions and exercises.

Participants must be open to sharing their experiences, challenges, and ideas with the other members of their group. They must also be open to change and to receiving both creative and critical comments. A participant may be asked to go beyond their comfort level in learning to project their leadership qualities.

Participants will explore how they can apply what they learn to their own work, community and personal settings.

What is the role of the facilitator?

The facilitator’s job is to assist the group through the Taking the Stage® meeting process and to help participants find areas to apply the training in their lives. The facilitator will lead four video-based learning sessions filled with rich, balanced group discussion.

Facilitators attend two days of Taking the Stage® facilitator training before leading their groups.

How do I become a participant?

Taking the Stage® participants are business-minded aboriginal, immigrant, youth or entrepreneurial women.

Applications for the first intake are due by August 15, 2010. To apply, click here.

Successful applicants will be notified shortly thereafter, and will begin their facilitated group sessions in the Fall of 2010 once community groups have been organized.

How do I become a facilitator?

Facilitators for 2010 have been selected and trained. Anyone interested in facilitating next year (2011-2012) or learning more about the specific responsibilities of the facilitator should contact the Taking the Stage® Coordinator at 1.800.643.7014 ext 110 or tts@womensenterprise.ca.

What does it cost to participate?

Taking the Stage® was previously only available to women in large corporations. Now, thanks to The Humphrey Group’s generous support, special project funding from Status of Women Canada, a network of volunteer facilitators, and the help of community sponsors, Women’s Enterprise Centre is able to offer this program at a fee of $150 per person. We have a limited number of bursaries available to cover this program fee.

If you are selected to receive a bursary, you will be notified at the time of acceptance. All other payments of $150 will be expected within five business days of acceptance.

Am I eligible for a bursary?

To be eligible for a bursary you must be female and an aboriginal, immigrant, youth (19-34 years old) or entrepreneur in the first three years of business. Bursaries will be awarded on an individual basis upon consideration of financial need and eligibility. If eligible, you need to apply for the bursary when you fill out your Taking the Stage® application.

When will the groups start?

The first intake application deadline is August 15, 2010 for groups starting Fall 2010. The second intake groups will start Spring 2011.

When are the session dates?

Taking the Stage sessions will start September 2010. There are four meetings to each session, the dates, times and locations for the meetings are set by the group and the facilitator in order to allow for flexibility so every member can attend. The group meetings will occur every 4-6 weeks, once again depending on the group member’s needs.

Where will the groups be located?

Facilitators for 2010 are located in Cranbrook, Fort St. John, Kamloops, Kelowna, Port Alberni, Port Moody, Spences Bridge, Terrace, Vancouver, Westbank, and White Rock. New communities for 2011 will be selected based on the location of applicants.

For more information:

For more information about Taking the Stage® and the other aspects of the Mentoring Program offered by Women’s Enterprise Centre, please contact the Taking the Stage® Coordinator at 1.800.643.7014 ext 110 or at tts@womensenterprise.ca .