Monday Minute from your BPW/MI President 

It is the beginning of the new fiscal year for BPW/MI!  That means a leadership change in nearly every local, district and, of course, the state organization.    Here are some tools you will need to be proactive and successful this year.

 ü       The Michigan Manual has been updated and is on its way to the printer!  Draft copies will be ready for the attendees at the Strategic Planning Meeting on June 4, as we will be looking at the Policies and Procedures and Bylaws.   A copy of the Michigan Manual will be mailed to each local organization and district director when printed.  Each LO or District will be invoiced for the manual.  This is a mandatory tool for operating as a BPW LO or District organization.  Additional copies will be available for purchase, as well.

ü       10 Steps to Building Powerful Women, the 2005-06 local organization program guide and registration for national recognition and awards is available.  Last year your local organization had the opportunity to run the race and be part of the Golden Circle Decathlon.  This year, the BPW/USA theme is “Building Powerful Women: Professionally, Politically, Personally – It’s All About You!”  The guide can be downloaded from:  www.bpwusa.org   Use this powerful tool during your summer planning meetings.  Each of the 10 steps has a minimum number of qualifying programs to help your local empower your members and end the 2005-06 year with a dynamic local organization!

ü       If your local operates a Reality Store© now is the time to renew.  Each year the CD is updated with current information (i.e. wages, benefits).  It will be ready in September for the new school year.  Many Intermediate School Districts (ISD) have taken advantage of this great learning/teaching tool.  If you have information for updates, be sure to contact Signature Programs Chair, Jan Bassett, jbbassett@charter.net ASAP.  The Reality Store© is a copyrighted product of BPW/MI.  You must use the current version and information.   As a state federation-owned program, we all must be using the same information.  Local renewal information can be attained by contacting VP Finance/Treasurer, Gwen Hoople at hoopleg@icnb.com       

ü       The IDP Leadership Development program CD has been updated.  The 2005-07 version will be available at the BPW/USA conference in Philadelphia for $10.  Online instructional CD purchases after July 18 will be $19.95 through BPW/USA.  If you want the new version but won’t be attending national conference, send your money to:  BPW/MI – IDP CD, 132 Eastman Court, Marshall, MI  49068.

ü       Don’t forget to send your updated local officer information and mailing information to BPW/USA.  This includes your banking information (checking account number and transit routing information, bank name) for direct deposit of member dues.  Deposits from BPW/USA are made on the 5^th of each month following the dues payment.  Send the information to:  Tashia Thompson, BPW/USA Member Services, 1900 M Street NW, Ste. 310, Washington DC 20036.  Every Local Organization needs to do this!

ü        A change has been made in the date of the Woman of Achievement awards banquet.  It will be held during the Fall State Board Meeting in October.  We have moved the celebration to piggy-back on National Business Women’s Week and encourage more locals to participate in celebrating that event.  Make plans this summer to select your Woman of Achievement and bring her to Big Rapids on October 28-30.

ü       Mentors will be assigned to each local organization from the BPW/MI Board of Directors.  Each board member will receive 1-2 locals to mentor throughout the year.  Local presidents should expect emails, phone calls, and support at least once each month beginning in July.

ü       Make plans to celebrate the 85^th Anniversary of the passage of the Women’s Right to Vote on August 26.  Many “suffragette” events will be held throughout Michigan – hold one or plan to attend one!

ü       The Michigan Business Woman will be published on July 10 and sent to every BPW/MI member.  Make sure your member profile is current on the BPW/USA website – this is the list we will pull mailing labels from. 

ü       Gain new members between July 1 and October 15 and be eligible to win $100 for your Local!  BPW/MI membership drive competition is underway – how many new members can you recruit?  The rules:

o        New membership applications from your local must be copied and sent to: BPW/MI Membership Drive, 132 Eastman Court, Marshall MI  49068 - postmarked no later than October 17.

o        All new members must have joined the local between July 1 and October 15, 2005.

o        The local with the most new members during that time will be awarded a check for $100 at the Fall State Board Meeting in Big Rapids!  The District with the most new members will win, also.

ü      Don’t forget to support BPW/MI PSP Barbara Henton, candidate for BPW/USA Vice President.  Your best support is to be present in Philadelphia on July 12-16 and cast your vote for her!  If you plan to go to Philadelphia, please let President Trish Knight know – mrsknight@prodigy.net    We’ll have Michigan sashes again this year.