Executive Order  No. 218: Women's Business Enterprise Advisory Board

WHEREAS, it is the expressed purpose of this administration, specifically through the assistance of the Executive Office of Economic Affairs, to develop and assist the growth and prosperity of industry in this commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, this assistance is made available to all entrepreneurs in Massachusetts; and

WHEREAS, the contribution by women business owners to the economy of Massachusetts has been, and will continue to be, significant; and

WHEREAS, there exist resources in this commonwealth to provide assistance to businesses owned, controlled and operated by women,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDWARD J. KING, Governor of the Commonwealth, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the Commonwealth, do hereby order and direct as follows:

1. There is hereby created an Advisory Board, to be known as The Women's Business Enterprise Advisory Board, to consist of eighteen (18) members. The Board shall include the Commissioner of the Department of Commerce and Development, and sixteen individuals appointed by the Governor who shall serve without compensation. Each member appointed by the Governor will serve for a term of five years. In the case of members initially appointed hereunder, four shall be appointed for five years, four shall be appointed for four years, three shall be appointed for three years, three shall be appointed for two years, and two shall be appointed for one year. The Board shall be comprised of a minimum of ten members who are women business owners, as may be defined according to General Laws chapter 7, section 40C. The Small Business Administration District Director, or his designee, shall also be a member of the Board. From time to time, the Governor shall designate a member to serve as chairperson.
2. The Advisory Board shall survey and evaluate all statutes of the Commonwealth and all governmental programs and practices relating to women owned businesses, and to make recommendations to the Governor for such changes as the Advisory Board may deem necessary to further the interests of women entrepreneurs.
3. The Advisory Board may form committees from its own membership at the direction of the Chairperson, and call upon the expertise of task forces from outside its own membership for research support and any recommendations relative to the functioning of the Advisory Board.
4. The Advisory Board shall meet at regular intervals and may hold hearings and seminars throughout the Commonwealth.
5. The Advisory Board may submit such reports and formal recommendations to the Governor as may be necessary, but in any event, at least on an annual basis.
6. The Advisory Board shall receive the cooperation of all state agencies to further the express goals of this order.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston this 11th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and eighty-two and of the Independence of the United States of America, two hundred and six.

EDWARD J. KING

GOVERNOR

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

MICHAEL JOSEPH CONNOLLY

Secretary of the Commonwealth