Women in Defence

1
Women in Defence Security

• Women in Defence Security
• Canada
• Overview
• May 2006

2
WiDS Canada Mission Statement

• WiDS a committee within the Canadian Association
  of Defence Security Industries (CADSI),
  providing its members with opportunities for
  networking and for professional development.
• WiDS promotes and fosters the advancement of
  women in leadership roles for the public and
  private sectors in Canada.

3
WiDS Target Membership

• WiDS represents the following membership
• Professional Women and Men in
• DND
• Canadian Forces
• Ottawa Police
• Public Security (Departments Agencies)
• Defence Industrial Base
• Security Industrial Base
• University Students
• Academia
• Other Federal Departments (Transport Industry
  PCO DFAIT Fintrak other Emergency Management
  Organizations Federal, Provincial/Territorial and
  Municipal et al
• To Date WiDS Membership includes close to 90
  members65 Industry, 30 Government, 5 other

4
WIDS Executive

• The WiDS Executive is a volunteer not for profit
  committee with the Canadian Association of
  Defence and Security Industries.
• The Executive consists of 14 industrial and
  government personnel. Both DND and Public Safety
  have assigned Liaison Officers to the Executive
• WiDS is currently seeking a Patron
• WiDS has created an Advisory Board which consists
  of senior representatives from a broad spectrum
  of Industry and Government to guide and serve as
  the North Star Scholarship selection committee.

5
2005 WiDS Canada Official Launch

• WiDS Launch March 2, 2005
• President of WID USA Honorable Carolyn Becraft
  Keynote Speaker
• Highly successful launch with endorsement at the
  highest levels of Military and Industrial
  participation
• Selection of WiDS Executive
• The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister Anne
  McLellan as the 1st WiDS Honorary Chairperson

6
W Women in Defence Security - Networking

• Goal
• Encourage women to seek careers in the defence
  and security sector nationally and
  internationally
• WiDS provides a Forum for networking to further
  business objectives through
• Luncheons with prominent Men and Women Speakers
• Identification through WiDS web-site of
  activities germane to our goals
• Professional Development Workshops
• Events promoting professional relationships
  through networking
• Provide a Forum for women and men to meet and
  exchange views on policy, experiences about the D
  S industry
• Provide an opportunity for WiDS membership to
  meet Ministers Deputy Ministers and Senior
  Executives and subject matter experts in Defence
  and Security

7
W Women in Defence Security - Mentorship

• The Mentorship Program is open to all WiDS
  members
• Its purpose is to enhance job skills, foster
  career development and increase professional
  growth while providing an exchange of wisdom,
  knowledge and support through positive role
  models
• WiDS Mentorship Director will be seeking
  respected, motivational and supportive volunteers
  from the DS community, willing to give their
  time as Mentors to facilitate growth for
  individuals seeking knowledge and career
  advancement
• Pair Mentors with members seeking mentoring to
  ease transition into the workforce, gain insight
  into key career moves and/or a greater
  satisfaction in their professional growth
• WiDS to develop a Career Centre through its
  Web-site
• WiDS to develop an on-line discussion/newsletter
  for virtual communication

8
W Women in Defence Security - Scholarship

• North Star Scholarship Foundation
• First Scholarship Foundation Award September 2006
• This Scholarship will provide financial
  assistance to further the educational objectives
  for a university or community college student or
  for an existing Defence Security employee
  pursuing higher education
• Eligibility Requirements i.e.. Canadian citizen,
  Community College or Post Graduate
• Selection Criteria currently being developed
• WiDS Advisory BoardSelection Committee
• Application process through WiDS Web-site

9
WiDS Objectives - 2006

• Increase Membership of WiDS (100 2006)
• First WiDS Scholarship Award Ceremony
  September 2006
• Continue to provide business forums highlighting
  Canadian Men Women feature speakers
• Provide Professional Development
  Workshops/conferences
• Launch WiDS Mentoring Program
• Promotion of WiDS Canada to Canadian Military,
  Security, Industrial and Academic Leadership
• CEO Dinner June 2006 Scholarship Drive
• Face to Face Meetings/Presentations with Sr. Govt
  Leaders/Industry
• Sign WiDS - DND Memorandum of Understanding
• Sign WiDS Public Safety Memorandum of
  Understanding
• Foster partnerships with like Organizations, such
  as WITI, DWAO Techsploration, or WID USA to
  increase diversity in the workplace