1. Membership and dues
2. Getting involved/attending events
3. Partnerships/promotions/sponsorships
4. Professional mentorship
5. Teen programs
6. Technical/website questions
Membership and dues
Are dues annual?
Yes. Dues are an annual fee and entitle you to the benefits of a one-year Step Up membership. To learn about the benefits associated with each level of membership, please visit the membership benefits and tiers page.
Who are your members?
Step Up is a network of over 50,000 women nationwide. Members come to Step Up from nearly every professional industry and represent a variety of career stages. The commonality of all members is that they are dedicated to professional development and support the advancement of women and girls. The majority of Step Up members are between the ages of 25 and 45. Of those members, 90% have a college degree, and 40% hold the title of vice president or higher at work.
Is there a membership directory?
Yes. When you become a member, you gain exclusive access to the Step Up online membership directory. To access the directory, visit www.suwn.org and log into your Step Up account. Click on "My Account" in the top right corner of the screen and choose "Member Directory" from the drop down menu. You may search the directory by name, city, industry or a number of other fields. You may then send an email through the Step Up system to any individual with whom you would like to connect. Please note that this directory is an "opt-in" benefit. To ensure your personal profile is added to the directory, you must select the appropriate box on your online account profile page.
Which membership tier is right for me? What do I get with a Step Up membership?
Learn more about specific membership benefits at the membership benefits and tiers page. To get a basic taste of what Step Up has to offer, start out at the Insider level ($50). If you are looking to advance your career, we suggest an Influencer membership ($125), which allows you to apply for our Professional Mentorship program. For more exclusive social networking and professional development opportunities, consider the Icon level ($250) to gain access to our Power Breakfast series hosted by female industry leaders. To connect with savvy professionals and Step Up board leadership at signature fundraisers and high-profile events, become part of our elite group of supporters at the Visionary ($500) or Luminary Circle levels ($1,000). These two tiers receive additional personal attention from Step Up staff regarding programs, special events and initiatives.
Can I upgrade my membership? How does the upgrade system work?
Yes. You may upgrade your membership at any time. When you upgrade, the cost of your new membership dues will be pro-rated based on the time remaining in your subscription. This is calculated online automatically. Your new membership tier will have the same expiration date as your previous membership, so an upgrade lasts until the end of the original membership subscription.
Where are my annual dues used?
Members can feel confident in supporting Step Up, as 90% of all funds received go right back into our programs that support initiatives in the areas of underserved teens, women's health, professional mentorship, and social networking. To view examples of the type of programs Step Up funds, please visit the donate page.
Getting involved/attending events
I'm a new member. How can I start getting involved?
The best way to begin your Step Up involvement is to visit the interactive online calendar on the website and sign up for any event of interest. Step Up does not have any volunteer or event attendance requirements, so you may choose which events and opportunities fit your schedule, interests and membership goals.
In addition to events, Step Up often hosts committee meetings, open houses and conference calls that are open to members. These provide good opportunities to connect with Step Up leadership and learn more about the organization. The key to maximizing your Step Up membership is to simply jump in by attending an event. There, you will meet other members and begin to get a feel for the organization. You may also call your local Step Up office to speak with a staff member about getting involved.
How can I find out about upcoming events? When and where do teen programs take place?
The easiest way to find out about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities with Step Up teen programs is by visiting the calendar on our website. Step Up also sends out weekly e-blasts and a monthly e-newsletter to inform members about exciting upcoming opportunities. Check your e-mail inbox regularly and make sure that you add suwn.org to your safe sender list to ensure you receive all Step Up email correspondence.
Do I need to be a member to volunteer with Step Up? Why do I have to pay to volunteer?
Our volunteer opportunities are a benefit of membership, which means you must be a current member in order to participate. This is required to help ensure tracking and safety for those who volunteer with our teen participants. Funds raised through membership dues ensure Step Up can continue to provide quality programming for underserved teens and meaningful volunteer experiences for our members, without spending a large percentage of our annual budget on fundraising. Your financial contributions enable us to promote the advancement of underserved teen girls and women.
Can I attend a Step Up event to learn more about membership before joining?
Yes. Select events are open to both members and non-members. Check your local city's calendar and register online.
Can I bring a friend to an event?
This depends on the event, but many events allow Step Up members to invite a guest to attend. Check your local city's calendar for specific opportunities. However, your guest will still need to register online by creating a non-member account.
Are you planning to expand to my city? How can I get involved if I'm not in LA, NY, or Chicago?
Step Up is continuously growing and evolving, and we look forward to the day when there is a Step Up office in every city nationwide! In the meantime, our national membership tier allows women from all over the country to join our community, network online, and attend events as they occur outside our original urban hubs. Our expansion in the future will depend on where we have the most support and growth in membership. We welcome Step Up advocates throughout the nation and are happy to lend as much support as possible to our members wherever they may be.
Partnerships/promotions/sponsorships
How do I partner with Step Up?
Step Up offers numerous corporate partnership opportunities on the national and local level. Partners can sponsor Step Up programs like the teen empowerment or professional mentorship programs, or events such as professional development panels, social networking nights or the annual membership meeting. Various levels of corporate sponsorships are also available for Step Up's visible annual events: the Inspiration Awards Luncheon (June 5, 2009 in Los Angeles) and the Step Up and Step Out designer shoe sale (September 26, 2009 in Manhattan).
Step Up can serve as charity beneficiary for various corporate initiatives or employee giving programs. Step Up can also partner for cross-promotional events including openings, fashion shows and retail shopping, host Brown Bag Lunch Sessions for employees to discuss various topics, or offer corporate Step Up memberships for employees or clients.
In partnership with your business, Step Up can create innovative public awareness campaigns such as our recent "Make the Connection" initiative, which alerted women to the connection between the HPV virus and cervical cancer. We can also help implement creative fundraising projects such as "You are My Inspiration," an online gift house.
Other ways to invest include individual giving with high-level networking in our exclusive Luminary Circle, or making in-kind donations of venues, food and beverages, products and services for Step Up member events and community programs.
The possibilities are endless, and we look forward to discussing them with you further! For more information about how to partner with Step Up, contact national@suwn.org.
Is Step Up a foundation? Can Step Up donate to other charities?
Step Up is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is not a foundation. We manage direct service programs for women and girls, run by our staff and supported by the funds we raise. Step Up does not accept grant proposals and does not regularly donate to other charities or projects.
Can you promote my events to your network of members?
As an organization dedicated to serving our members, Step Up Women's Network has strict policies about the information it disseminates. Step Up does not advertise events or opportunities unless they are directly related to the Step Up mission, programs or partners.
Can I post a link for my website on your website/vice versa?
At the present time, Step Up does not support links for other web pages on www.suwn.org unless the link is associated with a corporate partner.
Professional mentorship
What is the mentorship program?
The Professional Mentorship Program allows Step Up to acknowledge members' commitment to community involvement and career development. Program applications are available to Step Up members at the Influencer level or higher.
The program pairs the Step Up member with a mentor in a specific professional field of interest for a 6-month period. During the program, a minimum of six interactions will occur between the mentee and mentor, including three in-person meetings and three phone meetings. The program also provides the opportunity for the mentee to act as a Step Up ambassador to her executive-level mentor, who may not already a part of the Step Up network. This is a vital component to expanding the Step Up network.
Step Up makes every possible effort to match all applicants, but inclusion in the mentorship program is not guaranteed. Step Up retains the right to defer an applicant for any reason.
When can I apply for the mentorship program?
In Los Angeles, the Professional Mentor Program is administered twice a year (spring and fall) and lasts for a 6-month period from the date of the kickoff breakfast. Chicago and New York offer the program once a year. For specific mandatory events and meetings associated with the program in your city, please consult your local program manager and/or the city calendar.
All current Step Up members are encouraged to apply; however, space in the program is limited. Applicants should be active members for at least three months prior to applying, and hold an Influencer level membership or higher prior to attending the kickoff breakfast.
More information about the Professional Mentorship Program can be found at: http://stepup.mv.treehousei.com/mvimages/emails/docs/faq.pdf.
Teen programs
How do girls enroll in the Step Up programs?
Step Up partners with select schools (mostly charter schools) throughout Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, and works with these schools to provide ongoing programs for girls. The Step Up programs are open to female students at these established partner schools.
Why partner with schools?
Step Up identifies and partners with schools in need of extra support in the areas of after-school and/or arts programming.
How can I bring the Step Up teen programs to my school?
If your school is located within the Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York metro area and serves primarily low-income students, please refer your school principal to the Step Up website. He/she may contact national@suwn.org with inquiries.
Why charter schools?
Step Up finds that charter schools tend to have fewer resources and less funding than schools that are part of larger, city-funded districts.
What communities do Step Up girls come from?
Step Up program participants primarily come from low-income, underserved communities within the metro Los Angeles, Chicago and New York areas.
How many girls benefit from Step Up programs?
Step Up programs saw 1,245 enrollments during the 2007-08 academic year.
Why teens?
Adolescence is a time of great change for teens, who must begin thinking about their futures. Step Up aims to make this change a positive one and engage teens in a way that inspires a life-long commitment to responsible, philanthropic involvement encompassing hands-on volunteer work and leadership opportunities through after-school programming. Step Up uses its expertise in self-esteem and leadership, as well as college and career development programming, to impact its teen students.
Do all girls participate in all of the programs?
No. Step Up girls may choose which programs are most interesting to them, encouraging greater engagement, attendance and retention.
Who teaches your classes?
Step Up hires quality educators who serve as positive role models, showing the girls the many possibilities available for their future. Step Up holds quarterly best practices training sessions for all instructions, ensuring a high level of quality throughout the teen programs.
Technical/website questions
I am not able to login to my Step Up account or register for an event. How do I reset my password?
To reset your password, click "I forgot my login information" on the Login page of the website. Type the e-mail address listed on your account and an email will be sent to your account with a link to reset your password. Once you click on the link, it will ask you to answer your security question in order to change your password. After you provide the correct answer, it will take you back to the main login page to enter your login information. If you experience trouble registering for an event even though you are logged in, check the registration requirements: you may not be eligible to attend. For further assistance, please e-mail national@suwn.org with your inquiry.
How do I update my e-mail address?
You may update your e-mail address by logging into your Step Up account online. Visit www.suwn.org and use your assigned username and password to log in. Once you are logged in, click on "my account" in the top right corner of the screen and go to "update profile." From your profile page, you may update any aspect of your contact information. If you are not able to log in or experience trouble updating your profile information, please contact national@suwn.org or call 213.382.9161.
How do I unsubscribe from the e-mail list?
At the bottom of each Step Up e-mail is a link that will unsubscribe you from the Step Up mailing list. If you still receive e-mails after unsubscribing, e-mail national@suwn.org, and we will remove you from the list immediately.
I accidentally made a donation on the website. Can I get a refund?
When you place an order on the website, a screen will ask if you would also like to make a donation in addition to your order. You are not required to enter any amount into this field, and please make sure you check your final amount to ensure it is acceptable before submitting your final order. If you do accidentally make a donation, we ask you to remember that Step Up is a non-profit organization and your contribution is tax deductible and will go to a good cause. If you would like a refund, please contact national@suwn.org or 213.382.9161.
Who created/developed your website?
Treehouse Interactive designs and maintains the Step Up website. For more information, please visit TreeHouse Interactive.
