We hope you will consider joining OMEN as we work together, helping Oregon’s smallest businesses succeed.  OMEN works to do this by ensuring that Oregon’s disadvantaged entrepreneurs have access to the training, services, and capital they need for success.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us with ideas for ways we can better serve you!  Click here to read the 2011-2012 Membership Renewal Letter.  New and renewing OMEN members also qualify for discounted AEO membership for new AEO members.  Click here to find out how!

To join OMEN:

1. Download and complete the Membership Application (new members) or Membership Invoice (renewing members)
2. Payment options: pay by check or credit card.
3. Mail Membership Application with your payment to: OMEN, Attn: Membership, 1220 SW Morrison Suite #805, Portland, OR 97205.  (If paying by credit card, please print receipt and mail with your membership application.)

$200.00 – Small Business/Microenterprise Development Practitioner Organization $500.00 – Affiliate Organization (government agencies, financial institutions & other intermediaries) $25.00 – Individual Member/Enterprise

OMEN membership benefits include:

Outreach and Information:

• OMEN NEWSLETTERS – Monthly e-newsletters that keep you up to date on microenterprise development and other asset-building activities in Oregon, as well as training, networking, and funding opportunities.  Members can list their events and job opportunities for no fee in the newsletter.
• OMEN MEMBER DIRECTORY AND MICROENTERPRISE GUIDEBOOK A valuable reference and promotional tool that provides detailed information on all of OMEN’s members and the services they offer.  Hundreds of entrepreneurs use this guide to find services and assistance every year!

Organizational Capacity Building:

• FUNDING – Access to “intermediary” support through re-granting and re-lending activities.
• ADVOCACY – Representation in advocacy efforts for microenterprise development on the local, state, and federal levels.
• TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE – Access to training and technical assistance for small business development practitioners through regional events, statewide conferences and online training.
• OMEN ASSET-BUILDING CORPS – Access to OMEN’s AmeriCcorps*VISTA Corps, who work to develop assets for low-income families and build the capacity of microenterprise programs throughout Oregon.
• MEMBER TRAINING – OMEN hosts an annual training and networking event, the Oregon Summit on Entrepreneurship as well as webinars and regional trainings throughout the year.  Members receive a discounted registration rate for the Summit and access to free training events throughout the year.
• DISCOUNTED AEO MEMBERSHIP – AEO (Association for Enterprise Opportunity) provides advocacy, training and support for microenterprise development on a national level.  OMEN members are eligible for a discounted membership rate.

Services for Your Clients:

• CAPITALINK – Access to microloans for entrepreneurs in communities that lack loan programs for microenterprise.
• MARKETLINK – Access to sophisticated market research services to help entrepreneurs find and reach their target customer base.

Members include:

• Microenterprise development organizations,
• Financial institutions,
• Economic development organizations,
• Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs),
• Local and state government agencies,
• Revolving Loan Funds,
• Business associations and chambers of commerce,
• Small businesses
• Community Development Corporations (CDCs)