About Kilkenny Business Women's Network

Background & Structure

Founded in 1996 to support women in business in Kilkenny City & County, Kilkenny Network is run by a voluntary committee, elected annually at our AGM.

As an organisation, we:

• Identify external networking opportunities and strengthen our profile by working closely with local business support groups, such as Kilkenny County Enterprise Board (KCEB) and Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce
• Identify opportunities for our members to become part of the decision-making process in Kilkenny, eg. through lobbying local government, accessing Strategic Policy Committees of Kilkenny County Council, nominations to organisational boards
• Identify opportunities for our members to network on a national basis, eg. through sourcing conferences & seminars appropriate to our members’ interests.

Membership

Membership of Kilkenny Network is open to any woman running her own business or in a managerial role within an organisation. We aim to represent all Kilkenny business women in all aspects of their professional lives.

Objectives

1.	To provide support for each other professionally.
2.	To be included on decision-making bodies at local level
3.	To provide education & training through workshops, seminars & conferences
4.	To organise a flagship annual charity event to give something back to the community that supports us
5.	To encourage entrepreneurship as a career choice among young people by working with schools & youth organisations
6.	To provide a social outlet & personal support for our members

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Kilkenny Network – Making progress

1. Support structures

Kilkenny Network fills a gap in support structures for women who work outside the home by:

• Offering encouragement & training in their professional lives
• Providing a social outlet where life-long friendships are made

2. Decision-making at local level

At present, Kilkenny Network is represented on two Strategic Policy Committees of Kilkenny county Council and on the Board of Directors of Kilkenny Chamber. We believe that it is important for men and women to work together, brining their different views and priorities to decisions made at local level. By working together, we believe we can bring more balance to the decisions and policies made for the future of our communities.

3. Monthly meetings

Our monthly meetings in Kilkenny:

• are business-focused
• feature practical, informative and motivational presentations by local and national business people
• allow time for members to catch up with each other’s businesses, exchange business contacts and introduce new members.

4. Annual highlights

In addition to our monthly meetings, our annual anchor events are:

International Women’s Day – March

This annual event, which continues to grow each year, features:

• A seminar on a topic central to women
• An exhibition of Kilkenny Network members’ businesses

Kilkenny Network Ball – October/November

Our opportunity to give something back to Kilkenny, the annual Network Ball is our flagship charity event. Now in its 5 th year, the Network Ball is one of the most successful and popular events on the Kilkenny calendar, raising substantial funds for local and national charities and has building awareness of the services they provide.

Truly the Kilkenny Network members are vibrant, talented, enthusiastic entrepreneurs and business women from City & County who are making a significant contribution to the business & community life of Kilkenny.