20 Reasons Why You Should Join the LI Center

As business leaders and entrepreneurs, we know how important it is to have a supportive community on your side. Connecting with other like-minded entrepreneurs through professional organizations for women can provide you with a dose of inspiration and motivation—not to mention resources you might not have discovered otherwise. 

The Long Island Center for Business and Professional Women is Long Island’s largest not-for-profit networking organization comprised of entrepreneurial, corporate, business, and professional women who have assumed a prominent role in expediting women in business and the professions.

If you’re unsure about joining this kind of organization, here are 20 reasons why you should become a member of the LI Center.

With the LI Center Membership, You Can:

1. Network. As a networking organization, we will help you develop and improve your skill set, stay up-to-date on the latest trends in your industry, meet prospective mentors, partners, and clients, and gain access to the necessary resources that will foster your career development.

2. Connect. Finding people with the same interests isn’t always that easy. We give our members the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals. You may even discover a new mentor, partner, or employee in-the-making.

3. Learn. Our fast-paced world is always changing, regardless of what industry you’re in. Stay ahead of the curve with regular updates on what’s happening inyour industry, with your audience, or in your region.

4. Improve. Develop new skills, like leadership and public speaking, based on your personal or professional goals. We believe that life is full of valuable learning experiences and that there’s always room for improvement!

5. Give back. Getting involved in your community won’t just help your business, it’ll make you feel good, too. We provide a number of community involvement opportunities, so our members can connect with their community and give back.

6. Grow. We can help you become more successful and reach all of your professional goals by expanding your client base through referrals.

7. Receive Discounted Rates. Gain access to exclusive deals and services. You also will receive discounted or free event rates. We also offer Member-to-Member discounts and a reduced cost for monthly dinner meetings with presentations by top speakers and industry experts.

8. Attend/Host Events. Our events are designed for our members to connect with fellow professional women, advance their careers, and work towards the cause of equity in the workplace for women.

9. Attend/Host Lectures and Talks. We regularly host lectures by women, for women. Our February event is called “When to Walk Away: A guide to overcoming toxic relationships and reclaiming your life” by crisis intervention specialist, trainer, and educator Stephanie McPhail. Learn more about this talk here.

10. Attend/Host Workshops and Seminars. Workshops and seminars are indispensable tools for any business owner. We offer a multitude of workshops and seminars to support you in every stage of your business.

11. Work with Our Dedicated Board of Members. Our Board is comprised of successful business women and entrepreneurs who are here to help the LI Center be as effective and supportive as possible.

12. Join A Committee. We have 5 committees you can join:

· The Membership Committee is responsible for supporting the vision of the LI Center while providing insights and strategies on membership recruitment, engagement and retention.

· The Program Committee focuses on providing a variety of program opportunities meeting the needs of our diversified membership, prospective members, and invited guests.

· The Marketing and Public Relations Committee focuses on increasing awareness of the Long Island Center, our members, and the broader community of the Center.

· The Special Events Committee focuses on fundraising and networking events that support today’s business and professional women and use these functions as business tools. The LI Center's special events include a fashion show and a winery tour. These functions also provide a venue for vendors to display and sell their products.

· The Achievers' Gala Dinner Committee is the major fundraising and marketing event of the year that promotes the achievement of women in various professions and categories.

13.  Receive Scholarships and Awards. Thanks to our generous sponsors, the Center provides scholarships and awards, meeting opportunities, and informational dissemination to help women on their own paths to achievement.

14.  Join the Member-Only Directory. Whether it’s a longstanding business or a new one, our Member-only Directory showcases our members and their businesses. Our directory is a communication hub for members, so they can connect at any time, anywhere.

15.  Join Our Programs. We offer unique leadership opportunities for our programs throughout the year for our members, including at our Annual Awards Gala. 

16. Get Special Advertising. Your business and professional achievements get highlighted on our website and in our email newsletter. Our members also have the opportunity to guest blog on our website. We also offer advertising and showcasing opportunities for your business during monthly dinner meetings, and we share your business events with our community of members.

17.  Get More Exposure. We help our members gain positive and effective exposure in a number of ways. One of the many ways our members can promote their business is by hosting a Facebook live session on our Long Island Center business page.

18.  Become A Mentor. A mentorship can be an amazing and productive way to improve yourself and your business. As a mentor, you can pass on your knowledge to your mentee, and you can learn from and be inspired by your mentee as well.

19. Connect with Our Sponsors/Become A Sponsor. We sincerely thank our meeting sponsors for their generous support. Through their contributions, we are able to continue offering programs dedicated to the advancement of women. If you would like to become a sponsor, please contact us today. 

20. Become a Valued Member. The Center is dedicated to advancing women’s equal participation, leadership, and employment in business, industry, and the professions through networking opportunities, member education, community involvement, and personal and professional development.

Our mission at the Center is to promote, develop, and support the rapid growth and successes of women business owners and professionals through increased representation, mentorship, and networking opportunities. For more information about how to become a member of the Long Island Center for Business and Professional Women, contact us today.