• Do events have to happen on a weekend?

  • No, events can be anytime! Ability to attend may be higher on weekends, but timing is at the discretion of regional hosts.

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• How large are regions? (Ex: DC vs Maryland vs. Virginia). Do you prefer several smaller events or one larger event?

  • This depends exactly on where folks are. One “central area” might still require some folks to travel several hours to attend. We recommend you discuss options with others in your area to make the best decision. This decision may also depend on the density of attendees in a given area and willingness to travel. Please reach out to us if you need help connecting with people in your region.

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• Is there a general idea of how many people would participate in an event?

  • There is no minimum or maximum number of possible attendees required to host an event. No event is too small or too large, and all events help us continue building this community together. The size of the event is up to the capacity and interest of the host/co-hosts, possible venue space, and planned programming. Please keep in mind that more people means a more expensive event, and more logistics to coordinate.

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• Do we need to find funding?

  • Local fundraising and in-kind donations are encouraged to support regional events, but not required. WoW can provide some support for events on an as-needed basis. Please fill out the funding application portion of the event form if you’re interested in receiving some funds. If you need a sponsorship request template, or want to talk about funding more, please email us.

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• How should donations be received?

  • If you secure sponsorships for your event, we recommend keeping things local as much as possible. Invoices can be sent directly to sponsors to keep funding localized. In-kind support and donations of food/beverage are also encouraged.

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• Does an aquaculture component have to be incorporated?

  • The mission of Women of the Water is to build community for and among women, non-binary folks, and minoritized groups in aquaculture. We strongly encourage an aquaculture component, but it would not be required. We want each event to be tailored to the interests and needs of each regional community. If you need help coming up with an aquaculture related component, please email us.

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• Can I piggyback off other events or conferences to host a WoW event in my region?

  • Yes! If there are other meetings, workshops, or conferences happening where a WoW regional event could take place, this could be a cost effective and efficient way to gather. You could, for example, host a special session, workshop, or social event in conjunction with a larger conference. Please make sure you are communicating with the organizers of any such event to coordinate on details, and get permission to have a side meeting or event.