About Orillia Business Women’s Association

NOTE: We are changing the way we do the Annual Membership. We have gone back to the $100 fee for an annual membership. To allow us to eventually have everyone renew on the same date, the fee is due on or before September 1, 2022 and will expire on August 31, 2023. This will make it easier for the executive and for the members to remember when they need to renew. You can pay your membership now via the ONLINE PAYMENT link on the website www.orilliabusinesswomen.com.

Founded in 1987, The Orillia Business Women’s Association is a non-profit, non-fundraising group that gathers in a safe and welcoming space for the purpose of networking, to build relationships, to showcase  businesses, to learn from others & the guest speaker,  to establish support and to have fun.  ALL women are welcome whether in business or not.

We have secured a venue! We will continue our relationship with Kelseys Original Roadhouse, 405 Memorial Avenue, Orillia. In the past, they treated us very well and were very accommodating regarding our needs for our business dinner meetings. Our next in person meeting is September 14, 2022 and we will continue to meet the second Wednesday of every month (except July and August)  but always check our social media and the monthly bulletin for details regarding the upcoming meeting in case there are changes. At the meetings a networking table is set up to display business cards and handouts and paid members may display product. We begin the night with networking at 5:30 and we will order our dinners a la carte around 6:00. After dinner there is generally a presentation by a guest speaker or another type of activity depending on the month.  In order to defray costs to help with the expenses of the evening and to pay for incidentals we have initiated an Event Charge which will be $5.00 for paid members and $10 for everyone else that can be paid at the door the night of the dinner. You MUST pre-register for the dinner a week before so we can let Kelseys know in advance to allow for set-up purposes.

The Nelle Carter Woman of the Year & the Lisa Brooking Young Woman of the Year Event

Every year, the OBWA hosts the Nelle Carter Woman of the Year Awards & Lisa Brooking Young Woman of the Year Gala Dinner & Awards night. The Woman of the Year Award is given to someone respected for her outstanding work in her community, in the workplace, at home, or all three. The Young Woman of the Year nominees are chosen by their respective school’s staff. The nominees must demonstrate high scholastic achievement, participation in extra school activities, volunteer work in the community and be seeking post-secondary education.

This year, 2023, we will again be able to host an in-person Gala Dinner & Awards Night. We are in the throes of preparations and are very excited! The theme will be “A Night Full of Stars” which is very appropriate considering the amazing women and young women who will be nominated. The Woman of the Year and Young Woman of the Year event will be held on June 14, at the Best Western PLUS Mariposa Inn & Conference Centre, 400 Memorial Avenue, Orillia. Tickets will be available to purchase online only through the website www.orilliabusinesswomen.com by clicking the link Online Payments link in April once we have the details secured. The dinner menu is always posted on the ticket link. If you have any questions please send them to networking@orilliabusinesswomen.com. It is always a fabulous evening hosted by the OBWA and emceed by Carey Moran, Pure Country 106. Stay tuned for more details. You can also follow us on facebook to learn more.

About the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee meets on the Monday following the OBWA Dinner each month to review and plan the operation of the Association and to discuss how the dinner meeting went. This committee makes policies for the group and keeps things running smoothly. Motions affecting the members-at-large are brought forward at the dinner meetings if necessary and  are voted on by the paid members present. Ideas and suggestions are always welcome from the members because it is their group.
 

Orillia Women Of the Year Awards Gala 2017