Monday, April 27, 2009

Letter from Sedalia President Elect about State Conference

Dear BPW Member:

As your incoming President, I attended the State Conference this past weekend along with several other members of our local - Marla, Nancy, Della, Carolyn, Cindy and Linda. We learned a lot from our State Board about the merger vote and about how the State organization plans to move forward. I wanted to pass on to you the information we learned this weekend.

First, you have the opportunity, and the right, to vote on whether you think that BPW/USA should be allowed to merge with the BPW Foundation. You must cast your ballot by May 5. The actual ballot reads as follows:

I direct my proxy to vote FOR the Federation to be governed by the current District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act “New Act” and FOR the approval of the Plan of Merger between the Federation and the Foundation.

OR:

I direct my proxy to vote AGAINST the Federation to be governed by the current District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act “New Act” and AGAINST the approval of the Plan of Merger of the Federation and the Foundation.

Second, on Saturday, April 25th, by an overwhelming majority, the Missouri Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. voted to dissociate itself from BPW/USA, effective June 1, 2009 and to discontinue the use of all related logos, trademarks, copyrights, domain names, and signature programs currently controlled by BPW/USA and/or the BPW Foundation. The State Board, the regional directors, and the BPW members that attended the conference are very excited about the future of the Missouri Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. The Board is looking to reinvent and to rebrand the Missouri group to be bigger and better than ever! The programs we have used from BPW/USA will no longer be available for our use, but the Missouri Board will be creating new programs that will help us to continue to educate, train and inform ourselves and others. We will be able to continue to provide mentoring and networking opportunities for area women.

Third, if you have paid your dues for the 2009-2010 year, you can ask BPW/USA for a refund of the national portion, but don’t hold your breath to receive the same. Actually, they should have already notified you if you are eligible to receive a refund.

Fourth, there will be a new dues structure. There will be NO National dues. State dues were approved to be $35 for general membership, $20 for student members and $40 for members-at-large. Sometime after May 1, there will be a notice coming from the State board with regard to the dues.

Most importantly, DO NOT pay anything to BPW/USA. If you have been billed, please disregard said billing.

We are ready and willing to accept the challenge of moving forward. We will be looking to you for ideas on programs for our use locally and on the State level. We can do this! Please join me for an exciting year of change!

Dianne Simon
President-Elect
Sedalia BPW

No comments: