Do you know what percentage of wealth ultimately will be in the hands of a women? Are women increasingly taking a more active role in family decisions—be they real estate, investments, the family car or charitable gifts? How many women-owned new businesses have opened in your community in the past few years? I think you will find that the statistics are strong in support of engaging women into the life of your organization— but do so with an action plan.

Matthew J. Beem, MPA, CFRE, Hartsook Companies, Inc., Wichita, Kan.