BPW/MI Monday Minute September 19^th, 2005

Finding YOUR Passion! 

Did you know that BPW is a long-term relationship! It definitely is for me, and I would bet it is for many of you, but you just have not thought of it in those terms. Why do I call it a long-term relationship? In real estate, anything you own for over 5 years is considered a long-term investment.  I have been involved with BPW for well over a decade, nearly a decade and a half. So, using the formula above as a length of time measurement, my involvement with BPW is long-term.

Now let’s look relationship. What is a relationship? According to Webster’s Dictionary: 1. connection;  being related. 2. connection by blood or marriage; kinship.

I personally feel a form of connection, a kinship to my sisters in BPW. I suspect that many of you out there have this same feeling. I intend to continue this relationship, just as I have continued my long-term marriage relationship,(now going into its fourth decade), until God calls me home. I believe I have a good understanding of what constitutes a long-term relationship at this point.  So, this is why I call BPW a long-term relationship. I have a passion for BPW.

Now as relationships go, each requires some care and upkeep along with input on my part to keep it running smoothly. Now the smoothly part, well, that just doesn’t always happen easily. Sometimes everything is right and hums along without any obstacles. Then you hit a bump that makes it all go sidewise, which then takes much effort on your part to correct the situation.

Does anyone see a connection here with your personal relationship with BPW? As individual members, we will only get out of BPW what we put into it. I do not mean the part of just doing time, you know, that part where you attend you local meeting, say hello to the folks, have a nice meal and then go home until the next monthly meeting. I call that just doing time. Minimal input, and the return part may or may not be anything personal. If you have not made BPW personal, then it will not be personal to you.

 But when you take it personally, when you claim it as your own, when you attend your district meetings and your state events; that is connecting. When you get plugged in, the energy and synergy begins to flow. When you are a participant, you take it personally.

Oh what a feeling that is. You say you have never felt that “oh what a feeling”? Then it’s never too late to reach for it. Now is the time to act.

Plan to attend your upcoming fall district meeting and the State Fall Board meeting the last weekend of October in Big Rapids. Be an active participate in the process and be part of the individuals that will change the face of BPW. Remember, it is YOUR BPW, it MY BPW, it’s OUR BPW and being part of it IS what it’s all about.

 I plan on seeing many of you at these meetings, so don’t disappoint me, BE THERE TOO! Make your BPW membership one of your long-term relationships that you take personally. 

Penny Modlin

BPW/MI President-elect