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VISITOR'S PAGE
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Welcome to the
website of the Canadian Federation of Business & Professional Women’s
Clubs. BPW Canada was founded in 1930, at the same time as our International
BPW Federation, which now has clubs in more than 100 countries around the world.
We are a non-sectarian, non-profit, non-partisan organization that works to
improve economic, political, social and employment conditions for women in the
workforce in Canada.
We are
Women Working for Working Women.
We have clubs
across the country (see list, below), and are involved in some key issues that
affect working women. These include childcare, pay equity, incomes for senior
women, and access to EI maternity/parental benefits for self-employed and
business-owning women. A major priority is to see more women involved in
politics at all levels.
If you have
questions about BPW Canada that aren’t answered here, please feel free to
contact our Federation Promotion Chair Sue Calhoun at
scalhoun@nbnet.nb.ca.
And do browse our
site – it will hopefully give you a good idea of what BPW Canada is all about!
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What are the benefits of membership?
- When and where are meetings held at each level?
- How are clubs run?
- What are the duties of membership?
- How much are membership fees?
- What happens if a member moves away from her club?
- What is the purpose of the provincial organizations?
- What is Young BPW?
- How do I know if there is a club in my area?
- I’d like to join but there’s no BPW club in my area. What can I do?
- BPW Clubs in Canada
- What are the benefits of membership?
Membership in BPW offers many opportunities and many benefits to working women. Our advocacy
work gives women a chance to be involved in the key issues that affect women in
Canada and around the world. Clubs provide a “training ground” for developing
leadership skills, allowing members to build networks and create lasting
friendships. Members participate in a range of activities that lead to personal
and professional development and career advancement. A member of a local club
is automatically also a member of the district, national, provincial, and
international organizations. She is entitled to attend all events, including
national and international conferences.
FAQ Index
- When and where are meetings held at each level?
- Most local clubs meet once a month (with a break
for the summer), and hold an Annual General Meeting in May along with a social
event in spring or summer.
- Each District (Ontario only) holds its Annual
General Meeting in the fall, usually in October.
- Provincial Conferences are usually held
in May, with elections held every other year for an incoming executive.
- The Canadian Federation holds a National Convention
every two years, usually in July, and an Annual General Meeting in the
off-year. The most recent Convention was held in 2006 in Toronto. The next one
is slated for Winnipeg in July 2008.
- The International Federation holds a Congress
every three years. The last congress was held in Luzern, Switzerland. The next
one will be held in Mexico in October of 2008. FAQ Index
- How are clubs run?
Each club has its own Board of Directors or Executive, usually made up of a President,
Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer and chairs of Standing Committees. The executive
is elected at the Annual General Meeting, and holds office for a two-year term.
Clubs set their own agenda for the work they do. Some have Bursary Funds for
young women going into post-secondary education. Some are involved in community
activities, raising money or raising awareness about issues affecting women.
Visit the Club News page for more information
about club activities. FAQ Index
- What are the duties of membership?
Members in
good standing are those who have paid their annual fees in May, and continue to
support the aims and objectives of the organization. Members are encouraged to
participate in committee work and stand for office as well as attend meetings,
which are usually held once a month. FAQ Index
- How much are membership fees?
Each club sets
its own fees. The average is about $100 per year. This amount includes fees to
the provincial organization and the national and international federations. FAQ Index
- What happens if a member moves away from her club?
A member of any club in Canada can transfer her membership to any other club in Canada at
no cost. FAQ Index
- What is the purpose of the provincial organization?
As an advocacy group, BPW must address issues at the appropriate level of jurisdiction. The
provincial organizations lobby provincial governments and other organizations
on matters of provincial concern. BPW Canada addresses issues that of national
interest. FAQ Index
- What is Young BPW?
BPW Canada has a special category of membership for women who are 35 years of age and younger
called Young BPW. Young BPW is part of an international network of younger members.
Many clubs now have a Young BPW committee, which may hold special meetings to
address issues of particular concern to young women. For more information,
visit the Young BPW page.???? FAQ Index
- How do I know if there is a club in my area?
Check the list of clubs below. Clubs always appreciate enquiries so feel free to contact
someone either through the Club website or the provincial one, for more
information. Clubs also welcome guests at their monthly meetings. FAQ Index
- I’d like to join but there’s no BPW club in my area. What
can I do?
We now have a Virtual Club for members who travel a lot and/or live in an area without a
club. You can contact the president of the Virtual Club,
Vi Andersen, for more information. We are
also in process of starting clubs in a number of areas in Canada, and would
love to work with you to get one going in your town or city. Please contact
Federation Promotion chair Sue Calhoun at
scalhoun@nbnet.nb.ca
for more information. FAQ Index
BPW Clubs in Canada
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