About Women's Business Network Networking Business Group for Women in Eugene and Springfield Oregon

About Women's Business Network

Benefits of Joining WBN

Network with local business women
Provide & receive support
Enjoy a wide variety of local speakers & programs
Share buffet lunch with professional & inspirational women
Receive the monthly newsletter
Volunteer for events & activities
Introduce your business to over 60 women each month at our meetings
Explore business topics like marketing & networking

Maxine Walton of Willamette Stationers at the 2005 WBN Trade Faire

Thanks for your interest in WBN! The Women's Business Network is an alliance of local business and professional women who foster mutual success in the areas of profitability, leadership, and personal and professional growth through investing in networking, education and mutual support. We are located in Eugene, Oregon and serve the Eugene-Springfield community.

WBN is a non-profit organization.

How to Join

Membership Year & Dues: Annual membership is $72.00. The membership year is from July 1st through June 30th, but we prorate quarterly. The quarters break down as follows:

If you join in Quarter 1 ( July, August and September): $72

If you join in Quarter 2 (October, November, December): $54

If you join in Quarter 3 (January, February, March): $36

If you join in Quarter 4 (April, May,June): $18

PDF Application: You can download a copy of our membership application in PDF format and mail it along with your dues to the address on the form.

Apply Online: Use our online application form to apply, then send in your payment.

Questions? Contact us

Our Monthly Meetings

Where: The Valley River Inn 1000 Valley River Way, Eugene, Oregon, 97401 usually on the first floor, but check the reader board for confirmation.
When: The 1st Thursday of the month at the Valley River Inn EXCEPT March 6th and July 3rd we will be meeting at alternative location to support our fund raising efforts.

Please check the website and watch for details in our newsletters.

Doors open at 11:30, meetings go until 1:30. Please note that
the November meeting is our Annual Dinner Event for members only.
What: Lunch, networking, support, speakers, fun!
How Much: $15 for members, $20 for guests

More about events

A Little History

The group was formed in 1992 by Donna Freshman, Ruth Ann Howden and several other women who saw the need for a local business women's support group. Tammy Everall, 2002 WBN president, wrote an article on the 10th anniversary of the group's formation that tells the story of how it all started...

In the Beginning

by Tammy Everall, 2002 WBN President

It was 1992, on that early weekday morning when two excited local businesswomen found themselves heading north up the 1-5 Interstate. Eagerly anticipating their participation in a Portland women's business group, their expectations soon turned to the satisfaction that what they had experienced, was indeed what they had been looking for: A group of business women who gathered to support one another through sharing experiences, education and networking. A group that geared business women toward success. Their ride home flew by, as they reviewed their experience with the group, knowing that they wanted to come back.. Then, the Eureka! moment - "Why couldn't we do the same in our area?" they reasoned.

Truly, why not?

Donna Freshman

And so began the saga of the Women's Business Network. It took a lot of work, though. Lots of meetings in smoky restaurants hammering out all the details (this is true - adds a bit of color, no?!) They knew they wanted it to be different. NOT a leads group. Definitely. There were already plenty of them around. It needed to support women from the inside out. Out of all the meetings and hard work emerged Women's Business Network, and the mission statement that you hear at the beginning of each of our monthly meetings: Women's Business Network is an alliance of local business and professional women who foster mutual success in the areas of profitability, leadership and personal and professional growth through investing in networking, education and mutual sup- port. Sort of puts a new twist on it.

Who amongst you knows this story? Most of us old timers knew just a part of it. I was pleased to hear the whole true story recently along with other board members, straight from one of those two women mouths! Can you guess who that is? She still attends our monthly meetings and is actively involved in furthering women in business. The other one now lives on the East coast of our nation but regularly keeps in contact. No doubt she continues her commitment. The best part now is that I am proud to announce that we are now 10 YEARS OLD! Thank you Donna Freshman and Ruth Ann Howden and all the others that worked with you for creating this great organization. Happy Anniversary to us all.