(SBDC) —The CNMI Small Business Development Center Network at Northern Marianas College is pleased to announce the first session of its Women’s Entrepreneurship Project training series, “Fiscal Fitness: Improving Financial Health for Women in Business.” The three-day series will take place from Oct. 20–22 at the NMC Innovation Incubator Office located at Beach Road Plaza in Garapan, Saipan.
• Day 1 – “Form & Function: Strengthening Your Business Foundation” will feature John David A. Reyes, Registrar of Corporations at the CNMI Department of Commerce. As the CNMI Registrar of Corporations, Reyes makes it his mission to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the CNMI’s corporate environment by fostering a fair and transparent business environment. Protecting the interests of all stakeholders is one of his office’s major priorities. Registrar Reyes’ responsibilities include processing filings for incorporations, mergers, dissolutions and the like. His office is also responsible for maintaining the Department’s corporate records while ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and resolving disputes regarding corporate matters.
Participants of WEP’s fifth cohort can expect the Department of Commerce to cover the following:
– An overview on annual reporting requirements and fees associated
– Basic Requirements for Articles of Incorporation (Corporations) and Articles of Organization (LLCs)
– Best practices for crafting an Operating Agreement (LLCs) and Bylaws (Corporations)
– Basic Requirements for Non-profit Organizations (NPOs) & Partnerships
“John David is a young and budding professional with the potential to rise as one of our government’s strongest leaders in support of businesses in the CNMI. Oftentimes we come across clients who seek SBDC’s guidance in developing Articles for their organizations, or have questions regarding their Annual Report filings. We are grateful to have Secretary Mafnas’ support and Registrar Reyes onboard as a connection to providing that direct guidance only our Department of Commerce can attest to. We look forward to what we know will be productive dialogue between our Corporations Registrar and our incoming women in business,” shared CNMI SBDC Network Director Nadine Deleon Guerrero Kintol, of the CNMI SBDC’s partnership with the Department of Commerce.
Sessions of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Project will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. each evening. This year’s series titled “Fiscal Fitness: Improving Financial Health for Women in Business” emphasizes the idea that exercising best financial practices in small business ownership will lead to optimum financial health. Throughout the course of the week, participants can expect to have access to resources and the expert guidance necessary to implement best financial planning and recordkeeping practices including obtaining knowledge and information in compliance and regulatory policy management.
The CNMI SBDC will feature a strong lineup of presenters for the incoming cohort, and seating will be limited to 16 participants this year. Clients who have not been a previous cohort graduate of the annual program will be prioritized. To achieve an optimal learning event for all registered clients, the three-day training event will be an age 18 or older event. Attendees must be registered CNMI SBDC clients. A Certificate of Completion will be issued to those with perfect attendance for all sessions. Participants may attend individual sessions, but will not receive a certificate unless all sessions are completed.
Existing or future SBDC clients may call its Lead Center office at (670) 237-6888 for more registration information or email [email protected]/.
The CNMI SBDC encourages those interested in keeping up-to-date with upcoming events to follow @cnmisbdc on Instagram or CNMI Small Business Development Center Network on Facebook.