Looking for a way to have fun, meet like-minded people, and help a worthy cause? If you’re a woman in Halifax or Saint John, you’re in the right place. Both cities are home to new chapters of 100 Women Who Care, an organization made up of loosely connected, independent groups scattered across North America.

The concept is simple. At least 100 women (sometimes more – the Saint John chapter currently has 207 members) gather together on a quarterly basis to help provide fi nancial support to a local organization or charity. The process varies slightly between chapters, but generally, the women nominate deserving recipients about a week or so before the meeting. Then, three of those nominees are drawn at random and invited to present at the next event.

On the night of the meeting, the women arrive, checkbooks in hand. After the presentations are fi nished, the women vote and the winner receives a $100 cheque from every participant.

For Mary Jane Copps, entrepreneur and member of the Halifax chapter of 100 Women Who Care, the group presents her with an ideal networking scenario. “I jumped on board as soon as I heard about it,” says Copps. “If you go early or stay late, you get to chat with like-minded women. I’m big on generosity, so it’s a plus for me to be in a room with a group of women who are also feeling the urge to be generous.” She also points out that networking events are, by nature, about money. So for her, it’s refreshing to see people making strong connections while giving money away.

By Sarah Sawler