Each month women from both sides of the border meet to discuss issues surrounding their professional and personal lives, and while the main purpose of the meetings is to network, there is never a shortage of laughter when they get together in the back room of the Coffee Landing Cafe for lunch every month.

The group, known as the Women’s Business Network, has disbanded for the summer months, but Jenny Dougherty, Small Business Development Center, is pleased with the wrap up of the group’s fourth season.

“I think this was one of our best years,” Dougherty told The Journal.

Dougherty, along with the Koochiching Economic Development Authority administrative assistant, organizes the monthly meetings and said attendance during the 2011/12 season was the best the group has had since its first meeting in January 2008.

Most meetings featured a guest speaker who addressed the group on their particular level of expertise. Dougherty said many women’s issues were discussed and challenges area women face in their lives were addressed.

“The purpose of the Women’s Business Network is to connect with peers, share ideas and experiences, and offer support,” Dougherty said. “It is a good opportunity to network with other women. Many of us face similar challenges, so why not learn from someone else’s successes?”

Scholarship efforts

At each monthly meeting, an optional $2 donation is collected from those in attendance and is put into a scholarship fund for female high school seniors or associate degree graduates seeking a higher degree in an area of business. Dougherty said this year, $200 was collected, but no applications for the scholarship were received.

“We will add to that amount and offer (a scholarship) again next year,” she said. “I will need to do a better job of getting the word out to students.”

In addition, Dougherty said the scholarship will be open to females in Littlefork and Indus, something that wasn’t offered this year.

Who can join

Dougherty said the group will reconvene sometime in September or October and welcomes the women of both International Falls and Fort Frances to join the group.

“You don’t need to own your own business (to join),” Dougherty said. “Just be committed to personal growth and the community you live in.”

She added that there are no membership fees or attendance requirements for the meetings — she just sends out a mass email to those who have expressed interest in the network.

“We have had over 25 women attend and as little as six,” she said. “Attendance seems to be driven by the time of year and topic.”

Dougherty is confident the success of the network will continue to grow and hopes that more women take advantage of the group.

Through the Women’s Business Network, she said, “new friendships have been developed.”

For more information or how to join, call Dougherty at 283-8585 or email her at jenny@businessupnorth.com.