Sunday, April 5, 2009

BPW/USA Should Stick With Original Plans of No Dues or Fees

Linda, I certainly share your notes and for me, anger, that we are being "messed over" by BPW. I consider the programs YC, ID and Women in Armed Services as programs we have supported financially by our dues to BPW. To think that we would be assessed an annual fee (or whatever label they choose-still an annual assessment, which is unfair and should not be tolerated) to continue those programs are not in my opinion, in keeping with the original "No National Dues" after the "merger." BPW HAS NOT acted in Good Faith with the membership, as I see it. #1 by being irresponsible in their choice of an overpaid CEO who apparently placed her own greedy-less-than principles in place and allowed BPW to be placed in a state in insolvency. That choice (of hiring that particular CEO) was made when BPW had the option to hire an experienced business woman who was fully aware of BPW policies and procedures and could surely have made sound business decisions and very possibly could have avoided our being in this ugly situation we now face.

I have not been able to watch or participate in any of the Webinars, another matter I have problems with - that is limiting member's access to knowledge they need to have before them. I have yet to see any sign of a ballot from the National level for voting on anything. Has there been such a thing?

I am still questioning National's "wisdom" in canceling the National convention which would have been held in St. Louis, but at that point planned to hold the National convention in Hawaii. Not a very financially sound decision, in my opinion. Then when Madam Diana, the current National president, chose to get out a memorandum TELLING Missouri members what they could and could not do at our planned meeting in St. Louis, I was beyond questioning their loyalty to the BPW MEMBERS. Power and Greed were at the helm and obviously those factors had not allowed for the success of BPW as some of us long time members have expected from our membership.

I still have more questions than answers, but cannot truly say I am of a positive mind to throw more money to an organization which is demanding annual assessment (DUES, by any name) and MEMBERS ARE NOT ALLOWED A VOTE. Of course, think about it, have we had a vote at any point for matters to come to the current status???

Betty J. Beason
Past State President and active member of BPW/MO

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Betty, Thank you so much for sharing your views. Well said!

Anonymous said...

Speaking of CEO salary, has a sweetheart deal been made to take care of her after the merger. If so what are the terms of this and other behind closed door deals?