Women's Council on Energy and the Environment

What do membership dues cover and are they tax-deductable?
What do organizational and individual sponsor revenues cover?
Why do some events cost more than others?
What is a WCEE WIL Lunch?
What is a WCEE Brown Bag Lunch?
May I bring a colleague with me to an event?
I can't make an event; may I send a coworker in my place?
I'm not a member; may I come to events?
How do I get more involved?
What does it mean to get more involved?
How do I become a WCEE member?
How do I become a WCEE member automatically online?
How do I renew my WCEE membership dues online?
How do I renew my WCEE membership via mail or fax?
How do I log into the Members Only area of the website?
How do I post my resume online?
How do I post a job opportunity online?
How do I utilize the member's only bulletin board and post a non-WCEE event?
How do I utilize my network and meet other WCEE members?

What do membership dues cover and are they tax deductable?

Membership dues cover the basic operating costs of the organization. These include; publication of the monthly WCEE newsletter, membership directory maintenance, distribution & publicity of Brown Bag events, the WCEE hotline, and other means of communication. Attendance at WCEE brown bag events, Women in Leadership and new member breakfast series are provided free of charge as a privilege of membership. WCEE is a 501(c)(3) organization and contributions, including membership dues, are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

What do organizational and individual sponsor revenues cover?

Organizational and individual sponsors of WCEE provide much appreciated revenues that are used in a variety of ways to keep membership costs to a minimum. For example, sponsor funds are used to defray costs of those events provided at no charge (i.e., brown bags, Women in Leadership events, new member breakfasts) which are provided at subsidized rates (i.e., professional development events.) In addition, these funds are used to defray costs of major events, such as the Legislative Roundtable, Opinion Shapers Roundtable and Annual Meeting/Woman of the Year as these special events are not completely covered by event fees. There are organizational sponsors who elect to sponsor a specific event, in which those sponsorships are applied directly to that event and are used to defray costs associated with that venue. This allows us to keep event fees as low as possible.

Why do some events cost more than others?

WCEE fees are based on the costs associated with coordinating that particular event. Major Events, such as the Legislative Roundtable, Annual Meeting and similar special events - are catered and therefore have a higher cost. Special Event sponsors are a primary way to keep the costs for WCEE members. Major Events are hosted by the organization throughout the course of the year and are catered. These events generally occur on an annual basis, and are part of the core WCEE programming. This type of program is also more structured, and often on the record, adding to the events prestige. Examples include:

Legislative Roundtable: Key congressional staffers join members and guests for a candid look at the legislative agenda and policy trends in Congress.
Opinion Shapers Roundtable: Members of the media and other influential personalities join WCEE to comment on current issues from new perspectives.
Annual Meeting/Woman of the Year: This event honors a woman of recognized stature in the energy and environmental fields. We also take this opportunity to recognize members of WCEE who help make the organization a success.

What is a WCEE Women in Leadership (WIL) Luncheon?

The WCEE Women in Leadership Series is a special privilege of membership. It is the opportunity to meet in an "off the record" small group setting with leaders in the public and private sectors. Recent WIL speakers have included:

Hilda Gay Legg, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, USDA
Carmen Citron, Judith Dowd, Bobbie McCartney, Administrative Law Judges, US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Lois Schiffer, Assistant Attorney General, US Department of Justice
Vicky A. Bailey, Commissioner, US FERC
Linda Breathitt, Commissioner, US FERC
Catherine Abbott, CEO and President, Columbia Gas Transportation
Carol Browner, Administrator, US EPA
Kathryn Fuller, President & CEO, World Wildlife Fund
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska
Sudeen Kelly, Commissioner, US FERC
Marianne L. Horinko, Executive Director, Global Env't Technology Foundation
Ann Klee, Office of the General Counsel USEPA

The environment is informal and highly interactive. Past discussions have centered on how this individual came to find herself in this "leadership" position, the role of networking, mentoring and being mentored, as well as the challenges of achieving work-life balance in the respective field.

Format: Each attendee brings his/her own lunch. Drinks and snacks may be provided. Attendance is typically limited to 15-20 WCEE members and is a privilege of membership. WCEE members in good standing are not charged a fee to attend this event.

What is a WCEE Brown Bag Lunch?

The special interest groups (SIGs) organize events for members on current topics, generally including a panel of guest speakers. SIGs focus on the areas of air, energy, international, natural and cultural resource preservation, pollution prevention, RCRA/solid waste, Superfund and water issues. Brown bags are generally for information and background purposes, and attending press can use but not attribute the information to a particular speaker. This provides for a more candid exchange of views for our members benefit.

Formal presentations by panelists follow a short networking session. Attendees are encouraged to introduce themselves to others and use the event as an opportunity to initiate new contacts. The moderator generally asks each attendee to introduce him/herself in a quick round before the program begins in order to give attendees the opportunity to introduce themselves to the panelists. Please come prepared to give a short (less than one minute) biography of yourself and your current interests.

Format: Each attendee brings his/her own lunch. Drinks and snacks may be provided. Nonmember guests are welcome for an attendance fee of $15. WCEE members in good standing are not charged a fee to attend this event.

May I bring a colleague with me to an event?

You are welcome to bring colleagues with you to open events. Their attendance will be accommodated at the nonmember rate. Any event limited to members only (such as WIL events) will be so designated in the events promotional material or posted online in the event description. To read the event description of a particular upcoming event or to RSVP view http://wcee.org/wcee/events/view.asp

I can't make an event; may I send a coworker in my place?

If you have already RSVP'd to an event and cannot attend you may send one coworker in your place who will be admitted at the member rate.

I'm not a member; may I come to events?

You are welcomed and encouraged to attend any open WCEE event. Your attendance will be accommodated at the nonmember rate. Any event limited to members only will be so designated in the events promotional material or posted online in the event description. To read the event description of a particular upcoming event or to RSVP view http://wcee.org/wcee/events/view.asp

How do I get more involved?

There are a number of ways to get involved. One of the best ways is to host or contribute to a Brown Bag group event. Contact any interest group leader or board member by phone or email if you have an idea or a topic you would like WCEE to cover. Board member contact information can be found on the website by clicking the "Board of Directors" button. If you or your organization is Interested in hosting an event, view the Special Interest Groups webpage listed on http://wcee.org/top/special.asp for more information or to contact a Brown Bag Coordinator.

What does it mean to get more involved?

Introduce yourself to others at events and meet members who have interests similar to yours. Call an interest group leader with a suggestion for an event or pass along information about a speaker you feel is of particular interest to WCEE and WCEE members. Attend a monthly board meeting or volunteer to host an event at your organization. Submit an article to the newsletter editor, Carolyn Avery (carolynavery@gmail.com) and get published! By getting to know the organization and utilizing the networking platform created for WCEE members, getting involved will come naturally. The rewards of membership accrue quickly if you reach out for them.

The Women's Council on Energy and the Environment (WCEE) fosters the personal and professional growth and leadership abilities of its members, focusing on women, energy and the environment. WCEE is a nonpartisan group that was founded in 1980 to provide educational and networking opportunities for Washington-area professionals in the energy and environmental fields. 2005 marks WCCE's silver anniversary of strengthening the energy and environment connection through leadership support, professional development and networking opportunities for over 25 years.

An important part of this mission is to encourage women to be leaders in these professions. Our activities provide great opportunities for our members to grow professionally. In other words, WCEE is an organization committed to supporting you.

Our programs provide access to cutting-edge information, ideas, decision-makers and leaders in an open forum and supportive environment. We encourage your personal involvement and dialogue of energy and environmental topics that are of interest to our membership base.

Your network is only as good as you work it! WCEE membership is the platform to provide opportunities for involvement . Some of the member benefits include:

Networking: Use each WCEE event as an opportunity not only to learn from the speakers, but to make your own contacts in the community.
Mentoring: Get to know other members of WCEE. There are many great professionals in the group you can learn from and many who would be happy to have the opportunity to learn from you!
Information: Find out the latest topics and issues with regards to the energy and environment field in Washington area by getting to know the people who are making things happen every day.

How do I become a WCEE member?

The WCEE membership fee is a small investment with high returns. Annual membership rates range from $40 for students to $90 for professionals. The benefits include invitations to all brown bag Special Interest Group meetings, the Woman in Leadership series, social events, and inclusion in the WCEE Membership Directory. As a member you will receive the monthly WCEE newsletter containing information on upcoming events, member profiles, and career opportunities.

Membership begins by reviewing the membership page of the website. You are welcome to download the Membership Application here (in pdf format) or use the interactive form found at http://wcee.org/top/membership.asp to have a membership application forwarded to you automatically from our WCEE team leader.

How do I become a WCEE member automatically online?

For your convenience, we've made it possible for NEW MEMBERS to join online. This option is for prospective WCEE members whose information is not in the master WCEE database. If you would like to become a WCEE member and obtain complete member benefits available to those in the WCEE network, please review the following information.

If you would like to join WCEE using the online system provided below, please take a moment and the following information. You may use the following link to access the interactive membership page for new WCEE members only by CLICKING HERE or cut and paste the following url into your browser, http://www.wcee.org/wcee/payment/join1.asp

The following steps below will occur during the application process. Please do not use the back button in your web browser when navigating through this section of the website. Instead, use the "go back" link provided within the body of the web page itself. This will allow for the information to be stored properly and will avoid duplication. At any time, should you need assistance, please contact us at executive.director@wcee.org and a representative will assist you.

Step 1. Become A WCEE Member - For New Members Only!
On your screen, an interactive form will appear via our secured site. Simply enter your contact information, areas of interest, employer type and your correct membership level. Once all contact information is complete and accurate, click "submit" at the bottom of the page.

Step 2. Confirm your membership information
A second interactive page will appear on your screen prompting you to review your membership application in its entirety. If corrections are needed, you will have the opportunity to correct the form by using the "click here to go back" link in the body of the web page. If all information is correct, click "confirm" and proceed to step three.

Step 3. WCEE Online Payment System
The third step for obtaining membership status is confirming your correct membership amounts on the WCEE Online Payment System web page. This web page will ask for you to confirm the amount of your particular membership level. WCEE memberships are on a sliding scale. For example, a Tier 2 membership are for professionals with incomes of $50,000 or greater annually. Please review your correct membership level and contact information. If corrections are needed, you will have the opportunity to correct the form by using the "click here to go back" link in the body of the web page. If all information is correct, click "confirm" and proceed to step four.

Step 4. Online Payment Processing
The fourth step is completing payment (dues) for your new WCEE membership. This secured web page will prompt you to enter in your credit card information and will give you the opportunity to review the information provided before the transaction takes place. Enter in MC or Visa card information only and click "submit" towards the bottom of the screen. The subsequent pages will ask for you to provide further information in order to approve your transaction. Once the transaction has taken place and the information is confirmed, an approval screen will be displayed indicating that the "transaction is approved". Please allow a few seconds for the approval process to take place. Note: Click the "submit transaction for processing" ONCE at the bottom of the screen when prompted. If there are errors or added security on your card, you will be notified that the transaction is declined. If all information is correct, your screen will display that the "transaction is approved."

An automatic email receipt will be sent to your email address indicating the amount charged to your credit card. No sensitive information is displayed in this email receipt and no cc information is stored at this time - only a confirmation that the transaction has taken place. A copy of this record is sent our back-office team via email as a back-up copy of the approved transaction. WCEE only partners with secured and reputable merchant service providers. Should you require additional information or need further assistance, please contact us at executive.director@wcee.org.

KEEP YOUR EMAIL RECEIPT. This is to confirm that your membership is active. If all steps have been completed and accurately entered, you will be entered in our database as a WCEE member. Our back-office team will also confirm that you are in the database accurately and will be able to assist you with any questions regarding navigation of the site, event RSVP or other questions you may have.

The WCEE membership fee is a small investment with high returns. Don't let your membership lapse. This year marks WCEE's 25 year anniversary! Be a part of WCEE history and continue to strengthen our energy and environment network.

How do I renew my WCEE membership dues online?

The most convenient way to renew your WCEE membership online is to respond to the automated membership reminder email that will be sent to your email address 30 days before your WCEE membership expires. This is a customized personal email that is unique to you. It allows you to click on the link associated with your personal data and provide you the capability to automatically renew and pay for your dues online. For your convenience and based on WCEE member suggestions, we have recently changed our systems to accommodate a 365-day membership renewal cycle. Membership expiration dates are now calculated on your anniversary date (date at which you joined) and not based on the calendar year. The WCEE server will send you reminders 30 days and 15 days before your expiration date is up.

If you prefer, you may also contact the WCEE back-office team by sending an email to executive.director@wcee.org and we'd be happy to renew your membership for the upcoming year for you.

How do I renew my WCEE membership via mail or fax?

You may renew your membership dues by downloading the membership application found on the membership page at (http://wcee.org/top/membership.asp) or by requesting the back-office team to send one to you. Once you have received the application, print it out and fill in the required membership information. You may fax back to (202) 318-2506 or send in your to our post office box listed below.

WCEE
P.O. Box 33211
Washington, DC 20033

How do I log into the Members Only area of the website?

The Members Only area of the website is a special privilege of membership. An active membership enables you to create your own unique username and password automatically online. Members who are in good standing will be able to setup an account in three simple steps. If you are a member, take a moment and click on the Member Log-in button on the website. You will be prompted to setup your account by entering in your name, email and password preference. No sensitive information is collected or ever asked on this webpage beyond your name and password preference. Should you need assistance, send an email to executive.director@wcee.org and a WCEE team leader will be happy to assist you.

How do I post my resume online?

Posting a resume online is a special membership privilege and can be accomplished in the Members Only area of the website. Once you have logged in as a member, you will have the option of clicking the Career Center link. The option "Post Your Resume" will appear on the screen and a series of steps will prompt you to upload your resume for access to WCEE members. The first step will ask you for basic contact information and an opportunity to provide a brief bio in the description field. Click submit and the following webpage will prompt you to upload your file. Acceptable files types are .pdf, .rtf, and .doc formats. Should you need assistance, send an email to executive.director@wcee.org and a WCEE team leader will be happy to assist you.

How do I post a job opportunity online?

Posting a job opportunity is a special membership privilege and can be accomplished in the Members Only area of the website. Once you have logged in as a member, you will have the option of clicking the Career Center link. The option "Post A Job" will appear on the screen and a series of steps will prompt you to upload your job opportunity to be accessed by WCEE members. The first step will give you an overview of what the policy is on posting your job opportunity. Click "I Agree" and complete the required information in the subsequent steps that follow. Once all information is complete, click submit and allow at least 24-hours for a WCEE team leader to review the opportunity and approve the posting. If an opportunity is not approved or if more information is needed, a WCEE representative will contact you via phone or email to complete the process. Should you need assistance, send an email to executive.director@wcee.org and a WCEE team leader will be happy to assist you.

How do I utilize the WCEE member's only bulletin board and post a non-WCEE event?

The WCEE Member Bulletin Board is offered as an added member benefit to post non-WCEE events or informational items that may be of interest to the WCEE membership. WCEE members in good standing may submit or post a non-WCEE event for approval electronically via the WCEE website if it adheres to the policies set forth by the Executive Board. Please click here to review the WCEE member bulletin board policy prior to your submission for approval.

To post your item to the WCEE member's only bulletin board, follow the steps indicated below. Should you need assistance, you may contact executive.director@wcee.org and a WCEE team leader will be happy to assist you.

Utilizing the WCEE member's only bulletin board is simple. First, login to your WCEE account on the wcee.org home page using your username and password. If you do not already have one, take a moment to set-up your account here. Once logged in to the Member's Only area of the website, you will find a link to access the bulletin board under WCEE INFORMATION and titled, WCEE Members Bulletin Board. Click on this link and follow the prompts on your screen to submit your event or posting. Please make sure to include all pertinent information in order to expediate the approval process. If your submission is approved, your posting will be listed on this bulletin board and accessible to the entire WCEE membership base. The posting will expire automatically once the event has passed. You are welcome to add a .doc or .pdf file if it pertaints to your posting -- please note -- that all files uploaded to the member bulletin board are subject to board approval and must be relevant to your posting.

How do I utilize my network and meet other WCEE members?

Get involved! WCEE hosts at least 3 events per month and meeting other WCEE members is easy. Besides becoming a member, hosting/attending an event, or calling up other active members in the member directory - the WCEE monthly happy hour event is one of the best ways to get to know others in the WCEE network. The WCEE Happy Hour generally occurs towards the end of the month and alternates between Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 t0 8:00pm. Locations change each month and members are encouraged to attend this informal, social gathering. In addition, you may reach out to other WCEE members, ask questions, send an email to members of the Board, or ask a sustained WCEE member to introduce you around. The bottom line is to stay active in WCEE and your network will follow.