FAQs

Find a BPW Club in your Area

 

1. What are the benefits of membership?
2. When and where are meetings held at each level?
3. How are clubs run?
4. What are the duties of membership?
5. How much are membership fees?
6. What happens if a member moves away from her club?
7. What is the purpose of provincial organizations?
8. What is Young BPW?
9. How do I know if there is a club in my area?
10. I’d like to join but there’s no BPW club in my area. What can I do?
11. BPW Clubs in Canada

1. What are the benefits of membership?

Benefits of Membership 

2. When and where are meetings held at each level?

• Most local clubs meet monthly. Find a club in your city here. 
• AGMs and Social events are often held in May and June.
• Provincial AGM/Conferences are held annually in late Spring or early Fall.
• A National Convention is held every two years usually during the summer.
• A National AGM is held every two years (alternating with the convention).
• The International Congress is held every three years..

3. 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 club's Annual General Meeting and holds office for a term (depending on the club, some terms are one year and others two years). Clubs set their own agenda for the work they do. Some offer mentorship, others offer scholarships while most champion priority areas affecting women such as equal pay, empowerment of women, health and childcare, as well as mark international days and themes that align with national and international focus areas.

4. 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 attend regular monthly meetings, bring guests, share their areas of expertise, engage as mentors, participate and lead committees, stand for office as well as attend national and international meetings and events.

5. How much are membership fees?
Each club sets its own fees. The average is about $160 per year depending on the location and priority areas.  This amount includes fees to the provincial organization and the national and international federations.

6. 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. 

7. 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 concerns. BPW Canada addresses issues that are of national interest. 

8. What is Young BPW?
BPW Canada has a special category of membership for women who are under 35 years of age called Young BPW. Young BPW is part of an international network of members in this age category. Many clubs now have a Young BPW committee chairperson, which may hold special meetings to address issues of particular concern to young business and professional women. For more information, visit the Young BPW page.

9. How do I know if there is a club in my area? 

Click here for a list of clubs in Canada.

10. I’d like to join but there’s no BPW club in my area. What can I do?
We are always looking to start new clubs.  If you have a group of 10 business and professional women ready to start a club, we want to hear from you.  Contact the Vice President for Membership This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  If you're a member, log in as a member to access the guide and PowerPoint on how to set up a club.  These resources are available in the Member Menu under Membership.

Click here to learn about the BPW Canada Online Club.