Program for 2007-2008

September 5, 2007 – Diana Birrell, The James Fund for Neuroblastoma Research
The Birrell family established The James Fund at the SickKids^â Foundation to raise money for neuroblastoma research in order to find a cure and save 7-year old James. Diana, James' aunt, will share the inspiring story of how her family turned the most difficult time in their lives into an initiative that is giving hope to families around the world.

October 3, 2007 – Robin Dines, The Hillcrest—A Valenova Inn & Spa
Robin believes strongly in the difference that wellness can make in one’s life. She is a certified Stress and Wellness Consultant who uses her skills to assist others in changing their lives via finding a healthy balance. Presently, as the owner of The Hillcrest Inn and Spa in Port Hope, Robin will share her values of “strength through wellness” with the women of WBN.

November 7, 2007 – Formal Networking Evening
What a great opportunity to showcase your business! This is a great opportunity for you to show the rest of the network what you and your business are all about! Come and get more acquainted with members and guests as we gather to share stories about our businesses, our passions, our dreams and how each of us has something unique to offer and share in return. Bring your brochures and business cards and be prepared to speak to your table mates for 5-6 minutes about your business!

December 5, 2007 – Annual Christmas Dinner and Fundraising Auction
Let’s see if we can beat last year’s amazing record of fundraising! Our target this Christmas is $25,000. With over $85,000 raised to date for the Crossroads Women’s Shelter, this promises to be yet again another successful and fun-filled evening. Bring your friends to this event and enjoy an evening with silent and live auctions, live music and fabulous food at The Parkway Centre!

Start now getting your group together to be the highest bidder for our top prize of the evening―a gourmet dinner for eight with Peterborough's own hunky firefighters! The auctioning of this item alone is half the fun! Mark your calendar now for this fantastic annual event.

January 9, 2008 – Annual Health Fair with John Stanton of The Running Room
Please note: This meeting is open to both women and men. Be sure to reserve your booth early.
This annual fair features health-focused booths by members and non-members as well as our featured key-note speaker, John Stanton. Thousands of people have improved their health and fitness levels, lost weight and effectively changed their lives as a result of John Stanton - Founder of the Running Room, the family owned running and walking company with over 90 locations in Canada and the USA. John was named to MacLean’s Magazine’s 2004 Canada Day Honor Roll as one of ten Canadians making a difference in our nation for his contribution to health through fitness. In 2006 he was inducted into the Alberta Business Hall of Fame and received an honorary degree in marketing from NAIT. He is an active member of many community organizations, a member of the Board of Directors and Vice President of the Commonwealth Games Association of Canada and the Capital Health Ambassador for Fitness and Wellness.

John’s initially short, self-conscious workouts to loose weight and get in shape have become much more and he has since helped countless people on learning how to run. He has also completed over 60 marathons, including the Canadian and Hawaiian World Championship Ironman Competition. A best-selling author of four books on running, he is active in community-wide fitness initiatives all the way from Abbotsford, B.C. to Moncton, N.B. and also Quebec City. Please join us as John discusses ‘Triple Win – The Impact Of Wellness On Our Personal, Professional And Community Life’.

February 6, 2008 – Annual Financial Fair & Patricia Brusha: A Couple Of Chicks
Patricia is the co-founder of A Couple of Chicks.Com, an Internet marketing, distribution and  measurement company. She will share her knowledge regarding search engine optimization (SEO), consumer usability, optimizing press releases and articles, and new online media such as RSS feeds and blogs.

This is also the night of our annual WBN Financial Fair. Women from all areas of the financial industry will be on hand to display their services and answer your questions. Be sure to book your booth early!

March 5, 2008 – Formal Networking Evening
Yet another great opportunity to showcase your business! This is a great opportunity for you to show the rest of the network what you and your business are all about! Come and get more acquainted with members and guests as we gather to share stories about our businesses, our passions, our dreams and how each of us has something unique to offer and share in return. Bring your brochures and business cards and be prepared to speak to your table mates for 5-6 minutes about your business!

April 2, 2008 – Tim Rooney of Rooney, Earl & Partners
Traditional selling techniques simply don't work anymore. Most sales prospects have heard the lines and gimmicks before. That's why the prospect can so easily control a sales call—and destroy a salesperson's self-esteem in the process. The Sandler Sales Institute's distinctive, non-traditional selling system and highly-effective training methodology have helped salespeople at every level take charge of the selling process to get results, all while preserving the sales professional's self-respect. The Sandler system combines quality training materials along with ongoing classroom workshops, role plays, and individual coaching sessions to create positive, lasting results.

Tim Rooney has been a certified Sandler trainer for many years. Prior to forming Rooney, Earl & Partners, Tim's experience included 15 years as President of Polygram, a leading force in the entertainment industry. He was also CEO of a Canadian (Cobourg) construction industry start-up that became the North American industry leader in market share, profits and sales—and which grew 350% during his four year tenure, with sales rocketing from $9 million to $34 million. Additionally, he has been Group Managing Director of a $100 million food group (part of Cadbury Schweppes) with a complex portfolio of brands. As a result of Tim's leadership, selling and team-building skills each company was able to outperform its competition.

Come join us as Tim shares the uniqueness of the Sandler System in a fun and interactive evening, where you will learn first-hand the techniques of negative reversing. pattern interrupt, and the Up-Front Contract^®

May 7, 2008 – Dr. Brian Desbiens, Retired President of Fleming College
Brian will be joining the WBN to speak about his perspective on the importance and benefits of lifelong learning. Dr. Desbiens served as President of Sir Sandford Fleming College from May 1988 until August 2004, when he retired with more than 35 years of experience in the field of education. Brian continues to increase his education and knowledge base on an ongoing basis and has been a constant supporter of his local community, as a member of the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Council, the Trent Valley Literacy Association, and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation Board. Brian is now Chair of the Frost Centre Working Group task force which will aim to establish a long term sustainable future for the Environmental Outdoor Education Centre in Haliburton.

June 4, 2008 – Annual Year-End Social at Eganridge, Bobcageon (Members only event)
This year’s summer social will be held at Eganridge Inn and Spa, located 10 minutes north west of Bobcageon. Beginning at 3pm there will also be optional Shopping, Golf, Tennis and SPA treatments available at your own expense and arrangement. There will be a bus leaving Peterborough at 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm or you can make your own travel arrangements.
Cocktails at 6pm, Dinner at 7pm, Socializing and Dancing to live DJ, Jeanne Korpi, at 9pm.
Click here for more information

Click here to view last year's program.