Join a Committee Today!
CWIP is only as strong and dynamic as our
membership. Your leadership and active participation
are vital to our organization's continued success.
Each one of CWIP's committees provides the
opportunity for you to share your expertise, and
to develop or sharpen the skills you need to be
effective and thrive in the nonprofit sector. In
addition, you will meet intelligent and inspiring
colleagues from organizations throughout Chicago
who are dedicated to philanthropy and ensuring
that women and girls have equitable opportunities
for success.
To become involved, simply mark your committee
selection on the back of the enclosed membership
application.
Annual Luncheon Committee
Plans and executes the Annual Luncheon that
occurs in the autumn each year. Recommends who
will receive the annual Making a Difference Award.
Communications Committee
Promotes CWIP's mission through an array of
publications that are designed to increase gendersensitive
funding to women and girls. Also produces
CWIP's annual report, oversees the Web site, and
supports events and programs by preparing press
releases and e-mail announcements and invitations.
Membership & Resource Development Committee
Provides professional networking and informationsharing
opportunities for members by planning
a continuum of events throughout the year. Also
seeks ways to generate additional support for the
organization.
Program and Capacity Building Committee
CWIP’s Program & Capacity Building Committee plans and executes education programs to improve the grantmaking process for women’s and girls’ organizations, and to advance the professional development of women in philanthropy. Each year, the Program & Capacity Building Committee provides quality educational events and networking opportunities.
Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program Committee
Program Description
The Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program (WLMP) is a partnership between Chicago Women in Philanthropy (CWIP) and the Chicago chapter of the Younger Women’s Task Force. The partnership launched in 2007 when members of both organizations came together to form a planning committee to create a mentorship program focused on supporting women leaders in the non-profit sector. Today, the committee continues to be responsible for updating the program as necessary, planning and implementing program events, and overseeing ongoing program evaluation. The central goal of the WLMP is to establish mentoring pairs that unite experienced leaders from the CWIP membership with up-and-coming professionals from YWTF to, in short, foster women leaders, support succession planning, and encourage best practices. Mentorship pairs participate in the yearlong program through formal events and monthly pair meetings.
The Planning Committee
The WLMP planning committee consists of approximately 2-3 representatives from each partner organization. Committee members oversee and implement every aspect of the program, including:
Distributing applications to prospective mentors and mentees
Matching the mentors and mentees
Developing and facilitating WLMP-sponsored events, including the opening dinner, a mentorship support session, a special topic midyear presentation, networking event(s), and the closing session
Working with a professional evaluator who conducts a mid-year and year-end evaluation and generates a final report
Communicating with the CWIP and YWTF leadership throughout the year
Marketing the program in collaboration with CWIP and YWTF leadership
Writing grant proposals as necessary to support the program, and writing final reports as required by funders
Creating a program calendar and coordinating the calendar with the partner organizations
Expectations
Because our program is dedicated to succession planning, it is no surprise that the committee itself has succession planning in place. CWIP members of the WLMP planning committee serve for a two-year term and are responsible for locating and training their replacements, who will work closely with them during their second year as a committee member.
We also strive to consider and include mentorship on the planning committee, with CWIP members mentoring YWTF members and maintaining the spirit of mentorship on all levels. CWIP planning committee members may also apply as WLMP mentors, and if selected, participate directly in the WLMP.
Each member of the committee is asked to commit to a monthly, lunch-time conference call meeting and an annual “live” meeting. It is also expected that committee members will serve each year as the primary point person for at least one WLMP-sponsored project or event, and attend as many events as possible.
To join one of these committees, simply mark your committee
selection on your membership application.
Or, contact the CWIP office at 312-409-4005
or info@cwiponline.org.
