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Networking
Information and resources
Learning – enhance your skills
Marketing – share ideas, best practices, referrals
Support from people who are growing their businesses, too
Annual conference for networking, marketing and learning
Member mentoring – there's always someone who's been through it before you

When does HVWBOA meet?
We meet the first Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m.

Where does the group meet?
Our standing meeting location is at the Barnaby's, 16 Chestnut Street, New Platz, NY, 12561; phone: (845) 255-2433. Occasionally, one of our members hosts a meeting in their office or place of business.

What goes on at meetings?
There's always time to network, catch up on the news, share resources, and brag about successes. Often there's a presentation or discussion related to marketing or managing your business. Sometimes a member presents a problem or challenge in her business for brainstorming and advice. The meeting schedule and calendar is available on the web site.

What if I can't make many of the meetings, is it still worth it to join?
While it's wonderful to meet with members face to face, you'll benefit from belonging to our virtual community, too. Our Yahoo! discussion group makes this a vibrant community of women business owners sharing resources and supporting each other outside the monthly meetings.

I'm so busy. Do I have to work on committees?
We welcome and encourage members' contributions of time and expertise especially around the annual conference. After all, this is a volunteer-based organization. And working on projects is a great way to get to know other members, but we have no requirement. You determine the extent of your involvement.

Am I required to use the services of members?
Unlike some business organizations, we don't require you to utilize members' services. In practice, though, many of us do. Things often go more smoothly when you do business with people you already know.

How much does it cost to join?
Membership dues are $60.00 per year.

My business is so young and money is tight. Are there hidden costs, special fees, or other pressure to spend?
You're responsible for the cost of your meal at our regular meetings, but that's it. As business owners, we're all careful of our resources.

What's the annual conference all about?
We organize a one-day conference each spring to offer women the opportunity to enhance our business skills and network with others. We invite a regionally or nationally known business leader to give a keynote address. HVWBOA members can highlight their businesses by offering a workshop or displaying information in the exhibitors' hall.

The conference attendance grows annually – more than 100 people attended in 2003 – and attendees rave about it in their evaluations.

Can I get tapes of the speakers/workshops from earlier conferences?
Sure. You can order workshop tapes from the 2003 Conference from Jeff Gold of Creative Seminars in Woodstock , NY . You can reach Jeff at (845) 679-6885. The date of the conference was May 21, 2003 at SUNY New Paltz.

Is there a newsletter? How will I know what's going on?
While we are in the process of developing a quarterly print newsletter, we currently use an on-line discussion group to announce meeting details, share news, resources and information, request help, and visit with each other.

Can I get a directory of the members?
We post a directory of members on our website and publish a paper directory annually. The paper directory serves both our internal purposes and external marketing needs.

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