The Delaware Women's Conference, Inc. seeks to empower women of all ages, economic backgrounds, and lifestyles for their self development and to improve the status of women.

Description:
The Delaware Women's Conference coordinates one of the oldest, volunteer run conferences in the country. We are always looking for new volunteers to get involved in all aspects of the conference planning. We hope to hear from you!

History:
The Women's Center was an organization that was founded in 1980 as a joint project between the University of Delaware and Delaware Technical & Community College under a Title I grant. The mission of this organization was to assist women in transition, from home to work and to advocate for the advancement of women in the workplace and society. The center was the catalyst for the first ever Delaware Women's Conference.

In 1983, several women gathered to discuss the idea of creating a conference for women by women. Pam Baily, Women Center co-coordinator and Assistant Director of Continuing Education at Delaware Tech, approached several organizations to help organize and fund the event. These organizations included Junior League, YWCA, University of Delaware, Delaware Technical and Community College, Delaware Commission for Women and the Chesapeake Bay Girl Scouts Council. The Junior League assisted with volunteers and also provided initial funds. The others provided in-kind contributions such as mailing lists and oversight as an initial Steering Committee. Wilmington Women in Business joined as a founding sponsor in 1985.

The first Delaware Women's Conference was held on Friday, October 19, and Saturday, October 20, 1984 in Clayton Hall at the University of Delaware. The Junior League of Wilmington developed the conference, in association with the Delaware Commission for Women and The Women's Center. The overlying vision was to provide a forum where women of many backgrounds could meet, exchange ideas, share new experiences, and learn from one another. At this time the Conference objectives included:

-Bringing together women of all lifestyles to develop a network of communication
-Increasing awareness of the resources available to Delaware women
-Demonstrating support for issues that concern women
-Promoting cooperation among women's organizations encouraging leadership by women in the state

On February 14th, 1989 the first set of bylaws was adopted and the founding sponsor organizations worked together to establish the conference as a long-term event by vesting their involvement and acquiring non-profit organization status. The founding sponsors of the annual conference are the Junior League of Wilmington, Inc., the Delaware Commission for Women, the YWCA of New Castle County, and Wilmington Women in Business, Inc. At that time our mission and goals were further developed:

-Encourage leadership by women in the State:
-Demonstrate support for issues that concern women;
-Enhance awareness of how women can improve the quality of life for Delawareans;
-Increase awareness of the resources available to women in the State of Delaware;
-Promote cooperation and collaboration among women and women's organizations;
-Develop a network of communication;
-Bring women of all lifestyles and diverse backgrounds together.
-Hold an economically self-sustaining Conference.
-Maintain the affordability of the Conference.
-Foster a celebration of women.

DWC is organized and is operated exclusively for charitable purposes. It was the intent of the organization to be bi-partisan and to promote education for women. The bylaws clearly state "No part of its earnings shall benefit any member or officer, nor shall any substantial part of its activities consist of carrying on lobbying or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, nor shall the Board of Directors of DWC participate or intervene in (including publishing or distributing statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. To this day, the organization has held true to this philosophy.

The representatives of the founding sponsor organizations are directly involved in planning, organizing and/or providing volunteers for the annual conference. Each organization appoints one representative to the Board of Directors and assists in various aspects of the conference. Other members of the Board include members of the Steering Committee, members at large and honorary members. With staggered three-year terms, the board was developed to provide continuity for the conference.

In addition to the Board, there is a Steering Committee that creates the theme for the annual conference, develops and implements the conference and works to develop future leaders of the conference. The Steering Committee is made up of committee chairs that meet at least monthly to make the conference happen. Each chair may have a group of volunteers who work on an aspect of the conference. (See: How To Get Involved With The Conference). Each year, new volunteers become involved and faithful volunteers are mentors for those new volunteers.

One of the goals of the conference has been to be self-sufficient and self-sustaining. Through a combination of registration fees, grants and paid exhibitors, the conference has continued to stay financially sound. Tax-deductible contributions are always welcome, however.

Over the years, the conference has evolved to meet the changing needs of women. This has happened through the insight of volunteers, feedback from conference attendees, leadership of the Board as well as formal market analysis. It is the goal of the conference to continue meeting the needs of women for a long, long time.

Contact person: Jennifer Harpel, (email)

Address:

P.O. Box 7747 Newark, DE 19714

Web Site: http://www.delawarewomen.org

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	No