FWEAN - Presentation on Membership Development

FWEAN an Introduction

Federation of Women Entrepreneurs Association Nepal (FWEAN) is an apex body of Women Entrepreneurs Associations in Nepal.

established in July 11, 2003Vision

to contribute to nation building through socio-economic empowerment of women

Mission to promote women entrepreneurship through advocacy, networking, information dissemination, capacity building and promotion of women entrepreneurs throughout the country.

FWEAN works in 4 thematic areas

Advocacy and lobby with the government and related organization on issues related to the woman’s economic empowerment

Creation and promotion of entrepreneurship in rural and urban areas

Establishment and promotion of WEAN Chapters in 74 districts of Nepal

Promotion and empowerment of its members through various programs

Advocacy and Lobbing

FWEAN has been holding National Consultation Workshops every year to identify issues related to woman’s economic empowerment

• issues that have given good result are establishment of Women Entrepreneurship Development Fund which has Rs 400,000 with a promise of increasing the fund yearly, to be given at minimum interest

Collateral free loan. Nepal Rastriya Bank has already directed the banks to provide collateral free loan up to Rs. 500,000 at low interest rate.

Advocacy …….

•Prepared the economic agenda for Women entrepreneurship development to be launched on international women's day-March 8•Political party economic heads, Government, INGO’s, economist…. will sit for a round table conference

MarketingEstablishment of the Woman’s Craft

Village was lobbied with the government; land has already been identified and Department of Cottage and Small Industry has agreed to provide the basic infrastructure for the building. It has yet to be handed over.

The Craft Village provides a venue for women entrepreneurs from different sectors to come together to market or showcase their products.

Creation and promotion of entrepreneurship

In rural and urban areas FWEAN has been providing skill based as well as capacity building trainings.

It has also been advocating for a safe and healthy population by training women on vermin compost and organic farming. Such trainings have been provided not only in Kathmandu valley but also in the districts

Some of the programs are supported by LWF and ILO

Vermi compost drying training

Bringing women from the informal sector into the mainstream business through support in registration process in seven districts

Creation and promotion of entrepreneurship in rural and urban areas through exhibitions

Creation of 5 committees

Advocacy and Networking committeeMembership committeeExhibition and Trade committeeFund raising CommitteeMedia and Publication CommitteeEvery committee is headed by two

Board member and includes interested general members

Membership committeeAn organization survives only if

there are members. Members that are active, socially

motivated and ethical in there business.

Members who work not just for themselves but for over all growth of the nation.

TOR for the committee To oversee membership growth and

retention through activities that promote the business and welfare of its members.

Types of membershipAs defined by the constitution of FWEANOrdinary or general memberLife memberTemporary membersAssociate membersHonorary MembersFuture programFriends of FWEAN can be people from different fields, not

necessary business ,wanting to get involved in socio-economic issues. They cannot vote. Can be non Nepalese

Target to achive

Increase membership by 100% One board member must make at least

3 members and every general member must make 1 member each

growth of membership in the districts too

inclusive growth - diversity in members and type of work

encourage affiliation by institutions working with the same objective.

Strategy for membership growth

Visibility of organization through Media – TV, Print media, Facebook,Web site and Radio

Interaction with foreign delegatesInteraction with heads of political partiesTalk programs, open house sessions, pot

luck Exposure visits - nationally and

internationallyParticipation in trade fairs and

exhibitionsOpportunities to attend trainings and

workshops

Mmembership growth

Interest in the organization has grownMore than 20 applicants in a monthGovernment recognition of our

organization as CIPCall for participation in many

organizations and government programGiven same platform to speak or

present paper as FNCCI and CNI

Promotion and empowerment of its members through various programs

Workshop with Ministry of Commerce and Supplies regarding NTIS products

Result

• will increase the fund in the organization

• give strength to our voice during advocacy

• will make the organization vibrant

Challenges

Retention of membersMember satisfactionPersonal growth as well as growth of business

business growth between members

networking and knowledge sharing

sharing knowledge between business women from other countries

business opportunity between countries

self empowerment

Opportunities

PoliciesMust be a Nepali citizenMust have registered business in own

name or, in the case of family business, must have proof of being involved in a senior decision making position.

Must not be involved in any crime, scandal or blacklisted

Must be recommended either by a board or committee member

Policies cont…letter of acceptance is given only after the

committee verifies and the board passes it.To be a board member she must be actively

involved in any one of the committee for a term(3yrs)

Once in the board she also contributes either in cash or kind (suggested 5000 Rs.)

Must take at least one committee responsibility and fulfill it to the best of her capacity

Must attend board meetings. If absent from the board for 3 consecutive meetings without prior notice, she is automatically removed.

Policies cont…To be a President, Vice president, General

Secretary, Treasurer she must have served one term in the previous board

Been actively involved in all the organizations activities.

Member of same family cannot hold a Presidents and a Treasurers post in the same board

Must not be directly involved in politics (do not hold a party card)

Policies cont…For the Vice President to be a president

she must provide presence and voice at business functions, develop professional image of self and the organization, promote and represent the organization at national, international and regional events

Must have visited some district chapters and build confidence and rapport with them

Must have good ethical values

Evaluation

Evaluation of the board members to hold the main positions will be done by the board members themselves and by the organizations senior staff on the basis of activities and programs attended, support to the organization

An evaluation form will be developed

Thank You