Our Voices Should be Heard

I feel like we are being railroaded by the same people who have taken a 90 Year-old Club started by the MO Federation in 1919 and essentially have bankrupted it and they want us to let them do whatever (licensing fees in lieu of membership, trustees) without any vote of the membership. This is not a democratic process. This is like a Stimulus Bailout by the BPW Foundation.

Shame on BPW/USA!!! We had a very good reputation and we are supposed to be BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN!!! We need to start practicing what we preach. That means we have a budget and live by it. We work very hard on the local level to have a Business and Professional approach to all we do and at this point I wonder why we even need a National.

If my dues had not already been paid by the business I work for-I would not have made “May Days are Pay Days!” I have been a member of this club for over 30 years and I am only 56 years old. For me to question my membership with this club would have been unheard of for the time and efforts I have put into this club. We give a lot to our community and we have averaged $2000 a year for the past five years in local scholarships to deserving young women to our area. I champion the scholarship program and have been very interested in the Women Joining Forces net-working. Sedalia BPW has always been a leader in this state and with what is going on the National level I would advocate either a local club or staying with the Missouri (Federation).

Over the past several years our board members have questioned some of the decisions that the National have made but we have abided by their decisions even when we disagreed or felt that our voice was not heard. The women who have served over the years for BPW would be rolling over in their graves to see what has happened to the National BPW....National President Hazel Palmer, State Presidents Nyra Price and Marge Garansson as well as all the local leaders we have had. Shame on us!! It is time for us to stand up and be heard. Several board members listened to the webinar at our Board meeting Monday night, it was discussed at our weekly luncheon today and you can be sure it will be discussed again at our regular meeting Thursday night.

We must pray for our leaders and our members so that we have the strength and courage to uphold the standards our early leaders used to form this club. Missouri women do not accept the easy route and just go along with things. We need to have a Vision and that Vision needs to keep a grassroots level. Missouri Women are strong, independent women who do have a Vision and have had for 90 years!

Arlene Wischmeier
Sedalia BPW
Young Careerist 1979-80
Foundation and Career Advancement Co-Chair (5 years)
President 1988-89
Board Member too many years to count
Member since October 1978