Professional Development Award

The Legacy Program

WBOM exists to help its members succeed. The Legacy Program is a cash award, presented annually to a qualified WBO member to allow her to undertake a professional development opportunity of her choice.

Past winners have taken certification programs, signed up for courses, attended conferences, and, most important, have enhanced their skills and grown their businesses.

Winner for 2009 was Deb Dawson-Dunn from Get it Dunn

Background and History
This new Professional Development Award began with the desire of the Women Business Owners of Manitoba Board to "give back to the community". It was determined that a percentage of surplus monies would be designated to a Legacy Fund for the purpose of making a community contribution. The Legacy Fund committee however, subsequently determined that our members should be the first beneficiary of any surplus monies and thus the Professional Development Award was developed.

Objectives of the Professional Development Award
It is well known that ongoing professional development can provide enhanced skills or new ideas that contribute directly to the growth and success of a small business. The Professional Development Award offered by the Women Business Owners of Manitoba, Winnipeg Chapter is designed to recognize that small business owners are often challenged to provide for their own professional development, particularly in the early years of business development. The specific objectives of the award are as follows:

• To provide increased visibility for WBO as an organization which supports member growth and success;
• To share WBO's financial success with its members;
• To promote professional development opportunities for members.

This new annual award consists of a financial grant of no more than $1,000 for the specific purpose of professional development for a business owner member. The award will be granted during the Annual General Meeting each year.