KANSAS BPW ADVOCATE
The official newsletter ofTHE KANSAS FEDERATION OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CLUBS, INC
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“Kansas BPW: Working Together for a Better Tomorrow” November 2012 - Issue 2
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President’s Message
“Shining the Light for Women”
Dear BPW Members,
The Fall Conference has happened. I am in the process of collecting the presentations that were given so that they can be posted on the BPW/Kansas website for members to access.
The most memorable presentation to me was done by the War and Peace Quilters. They have made many quilts for military families. On the save the date card I sent out I asked for those who had family members who served in the military to let me know. Those that responded had their names put in a hat for a drawing. Helen Wehry won a quilt. How surprised she was. If you have material that you would like to donate to this group they would be glad to put it to good use for quilts for military families. Please let me know and I will supply the name and address.
Ottawa BPW did a presentation regarding the future of Kansas BPW. Ottawa has been redesigning their local and are partnering with organizations within Ottawa that want to assist women. They have partnered with Averst Bank, the Community College and a few other groups. A proposal about looking at education, empowerment, and encouragement and how it might be worked into the mission statement was presented. Does the organization need to look at including the family instead of the professional woman? Would that open the door for more women to join the organization? Another important area that was addressed was how important it is that the members are the most important element of this organization.
The afternoon had multiple presentations regarding Time Management, Stress Management, Conflict Management, Responsible Social Media, Meaningful Use, Diabetes Outbreak, and Brain Breaks.
Dinner that night, many of the Kansas BPW Foundation scholarship recipients were present. They were introduced and addressed the audience to say thank you. Then our own Jane Gingles wrote a mystery play. Several of us attending were the characters. The costumes made the whole play worth it. Then there was a donation given to the Foundation for all the cast that would go to Montana Mike’s in costume.
Sunday morning, the membership meeting occurred. There was a task force appointed to investigate purchasing a sound system to be used at next year’s conference. Another task force will be formed to look at how BPW/Kansascan create sponsorships for the website, Advocate, and convention handbook. It was approved to have a meeting on Nov 4 to continue looking at changes Kansas/BPW needs to address.
The weekend was fantastic. I learned a lot. First, that we do have an organization that values education. Secondly, change is difficult. And lastly that we need to remember what our Collect says:
The Collect
Keep us, Oh God, from pettiness.
Let us be large in thought, in word, in deed.
Let us be done with fault-finding and
Leave off self-seeking.
May we put away all pretense
And meet each other face to face
Without self-pity and without prejudice.
May we never be hasty in judgment
And always generous.
Let us take time for all things;
Make us to grow calm, serene, gentle.
Teach us to put into action our better impulses,
Straight-forward and unafraid.
Grant that we may realize it is the little things
That create differences, that in the big things
Of life, we are at one.
And may we strive to touch and to know
The great,common human heart of us all.
And Oh Lord God, let us forget not to be kind.
Please remember that your thoughts are important. Let me know what your thoughts are. Modifications do not happen overnight nor by one person.
Susan Roberts
BPW/Kansas President
19280 166th St
Basehor, KS 66007
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PRESIDENTIAL INCENTIVES
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Local Organization Awards for 2012-2013
LIGHTING THE WAY (Membership)
Membership/Recruitment Drive Meeting – Develop one meeting/event during the year in which the focus is to attract new members
Develop a membership packet for a visitor attending any meeting/event
Sustain or increase local club membership (as of June 30, 2012)
DISASTER PREVENTION (Health Issues)
Have one program during the year where the topic deals with
- Alzheimer’s
- Ovarian Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Diabetes
Assist with or sponsor a local Health Fair
FUELING OUR LIVES (Education)
Have a program on at least one of the following three topics
- Domestic Violence
- Issues of the single mothers
- Service organizations as they relate to women
Have at least 25% of your local attend either the fall or spring conference
SECURITY (Technology)
Have a meeting that uses technology to present to the Membership such as using
- Internet
- PowerPoint
- Webinar
Electronic submission of all presidential incentives
NAVIGATING OUR FUTURE (Legislative)
Have at least two members attend BPW Day at the Legislature
Invite your state representative or senator to your meeting to discuss current issues
Have the League of Women Voters present a meeting
The timeframe for all incentive awards is July 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013. A documentation form (found on the BPW/Kansas Website) must be completed and sent by May 10, 2013, to President Susan Roberts, 19280 166th St Basehor KS 66007.
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BYLAWS
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State Bylaw chair Barbara Pressgrove reminded local organizations at the fall board meeting that bylaws should be updated with a copy sent to the state for approval. All references to BPW/USA should be removed and all underlined portions are no longer necessary since they were required by BPW/USA. Local organizations no longer need an L/O representative to attend state board meetings since all members are voting members.
Local organizations are asked to send the name, address and phone number of their bylaw chair to the state chair. A list of Locals, their president, their bylaw chair and the last revision of the local’s bylaws the state has on file was passed out at the Sunday meeting. Each Local organizationspresident, bylaws chair and their last bylaw revision on file with the state as of 10/14/2012 are:
LocalLast revision in state files
PresidentBylaws chair
Ashland 06/08/02
Cara Vanderree
Baldwin City 06/25/03
Debbie GrosdidierDonna Gratts
Bonner Springs 05/23/12
Brook Rentz
Chanute 09/06/99
Sharon Carpenter
Clay Center 03/26/06
Dana Rickley
Garnett 11/13/01
Jenny Ferguson
Miami County 10/01/93
Alisha Williamson
Manhattan 03/26/06
DeeAnn Fugate
Newton 10/01/93
Jennifer Miles
Ottawa Pending 2012
Laura Miller
Topeka 09/09/99
Norma Vandervord
If you do not have a copy of your bylaws contact the state bylaws chair Barbara Pressgrove for a copy. Changes to bylaws must be approved when completed and should be sent to Barbara at 1110 7th St, Baldwin KS, 66006. If you have any questions or need help in updating your bylaws email her at .
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Ashland BPW sponsored “Honor Flight Memories” a presentation by Bessie Seacat during National Business Women’s Week. Mrs. Seacat was the only female veteran on an Honor Flight trip to Washington D.C. in October 2011. Mrs. Seacat was a member of the Marine Corps Women Reserve from February 7, 1044 to February 6, 1945 serving in the motor pool division.
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MEMBERSHIP
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2012-2013 Membership as of 10/15/12, per the state treasurer.
LocalNumber of members
At Large members 7
Ashland12
Baldwin14
Bonner Springs35
Chanute 8
Clay Center 17
Garnett10
Greater Miami County12
Newton17
Ottawa11
Topeka 6
If your local has a different total please contact the membership chairs and/or the treasurer.
Ashley Roberts
913-991-4092
Jeanna Walters-Fancella
785-447-0129
Ashley Bergner
316-283-1500
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“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles”
Christopher Reeve
Congratulations to Mike Norman, a 2012 Mettle of Honor recipient. “Mettle” is a noun that means possessing an especially high quality of character, spirit, courage and ardor.
Mike and four others received the Mettle of Honor for “exhibiting your ‘mettle’ during recovery and the determination to advance your life post rehabilitation.” from the rehabilitation center Madonna where he recuperated from his go-cart accident.
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Updated forms for Business of the Year and Woman of the Year are available on the BPW/Kansas Website.
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HALL OF FAME
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The purpose of the BPW/Kansas Hall of Fame is to honor individuals who have distinguished themselves in their careers and communities for outstanding achievements benefiting women in the workforce. The BPW/Kansas Hall of Fame emphasizes the important contributions of working women, not only in job related activities, but also in areas that affect our lives.
Each year members of BPW/Kansas may nominate individuals – living or posthumous – to the Hall of Fame. Nominations must include the name, address, biographical information and reasons why the member/nominator feels the nominee should be inducted into the BPW/Kansas Hall of Fame. The member/nominator must include their name, address and local affiliation or if they are a member at large.
There are two (2) categories with two (2) inductees selected in each category:
1)BPW member inductee
2)Posthumous inductee
BPW Inductee:
1)Must be a member in good standing.
2)Must have been a member for at least ten (10) years.
3)Must have served on the BPW/Kansas Board of Directors.
4)Must have outstanding achievements in their community and/or in Kansas that has benefited working women.
Posthumous Inductee:
1)Must have been a citizen of Kansas for most of their adult life.
2)Must have outstanding achievements that benefited working women of Kansas.
3)Does not have to be affiliated with BPW/Kansas.
Deadline for nominations is January 31, 2013. Send nominations to the Hall of Fame committee chair, Helen Norman, 41 Lakeshore Drive, Garnett, KS 66032.
The Hall of Fame committee consists of three (3) BPW/Kansas members appointed by the BPW/Kansas President, with approval of the Board of Directors. This year the committee is Helen Norman, Chair; Dr. LewAnn Schneider and Dr. Sharon Wiber.
Local Organizations are encouraged to nominate outstanding members of their Local to the Hall of Fame. The Committee would like one nominee in either category from each local organization.
Helen Norman
Hall of Fame Chair
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NOMINATIONS
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Kansas/BPW is looking for members who wish to serve on the state level. Nominations for state office must be made by March 1, 2013 to be listed on the election ballot. All candidates received by the deadline will be included in the Advocate.
Candidates must be employed and an active member in good standing. Candidates for President-Elect and Vice-President must have served one year as a chair or elected officer of the Kansas State Board of Directors.
Potential candidates and their local organizations need to complete the following:
- A copy of the minutes of the local organization meeting at which the candidate was endorsed must be submitted.
- The candidate must write a letter agreeing to serve if elected.
- The candidate must provide a resume of activities and qualifications for the office. This should include: years in BPW, offices and chair positions held at the Local and state levels, special task forces, special achievements, occupations and community involvement.
- The candidate must provide a black and white glossy photo or digital photo (jpg form) for publication.
Nominations can be made from the convention floor provided all required material is presented to the Nominations Chairimmediately following the nomination.
Send nominations to Dawn Simmons, 546 Crest Circle, Bonner Springs, KS 66012. If you have any questions or need additionalinformation, please contact me at .
Dawn Simmons
Nominations Chair
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FALL BOARD
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The Fall Board of BPW/Kansas was held October 14, 2012 at the McPherson Best Western Holiday Manor with 30 members present of which 29 were voting members(one youth member was present. BPW/Kansas President Susan Roberts presided over the meeting which included reports and routine business. Highlights include:
Executive Board appointed Chris Booth as timekeeper
Correspondence was received from PSP Laura Miller, Amy Trafton, Dawn Simmons and PSP Jane Hanks expressing their regrets on being unable to attend
Post convention minutes were approved and distributed
Heard a report from Treasurer Brook Rentz on trip to Boston for the WPEA Conference
Financial review will be presented at Spring Board
Barbara Pressgrove bylaws chair presented information to update local bylaws.
Heard reports from the finance chair, Issues management chair and the membership chair
Heard report from the Hall of Fame Chair Helen Norman that the forms with the criteria had been corrected
Heard report from State President Susan Roberts
Approved a meeting November 4, 2012 to further explore plans for the revitalization of BPW/Kansas
Defeated a motion to purchase 2 wireless microphones and 2 speakers not to exceed $500
Approved the recommendation of the executive board for members to have state membership cards.
Heard report from Diana Redger, Foundation president on the Foundation’s weekend fundraising events.
Baldwin City will host Spring Conference March 23, 2013
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FALL CONFERENCE
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BPW/Kansas Fall Conference was held at the McPherson, KS Best Western Holiday Manor October 13, 2012. Mayor Brown welcomed everyone to McPherson the “city of lights.”
The War and Peace Quilters, a quilting group at the Trinity Lutheran Church told how they began making quilts and showed some of their work. They asked Helen Wehry of Newton BPW to help them in the presentation. They presented her a quilt at the end in honor of her husband’s service in World War II.
Ottawa BPW members presented a power point on “Tomorrow’s BPW” showing some proposals for the future of BPW/Kansas. Members were asked to respond during lunch by completing a survey of the items proposed.
During the afternoon, short workshops on various topics were offered to the members. Each individual could choose from two programs for each 40 minute session. Topics covered included Time Management, The Joy of Chocolate, Stress Management, What is Meaningful Use, Responsible Social Media, Diabetes Outbreak, Conflict Management, Advance Directives, Mind Benders and Voter ID at the Election. Presenters were BPW/Kansas Members, instructors at McPherson College, the assistant Kansas Secretary of State and employees of Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
The day concluded with the Kansas BPW Educational Foundation Inc’s Recognition dinner for the loan and scholarship recipients. Members were treated to a comedy/mystery play written by Jane Gingles and performed by BPW/Kansas members.
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KANSAS BPW EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
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The Kansas BPW Educational Foundation paid the registration fee for BPW/Kansas members to attend fall conference in McPherson Kansas Saturday, October 13, 2012. The Foundation is pleased that members took advantage of this opportunity to attend a state meeting. The Foundation also offers Mary Tefft grants for members wishing to attend state meetings. The application is available on the state’s website and from any Foundation Board member.
Special guests of the Foundation at the Fall Conference recognition dinner were loan and scholarship recipients who told the members of their educational goals and expressed their appreciation for the scholarships. We were fortunate to have three recipients present while several others sent letters telling of their educational plans and how they were using the scholarship funds.
Scholarship applications were given to local organization presidents along with a copy of each of the grants funded by the educational foundation. Grants are available at any time but do need to be submitted sixty days before the event for which the funds are being requested.
Scholarship applications are available on the BPW/Kansas website and from any board member. The original and 5 copies are due to the Foundation president by February 1. The current application has 9/12 in the bottom right hand corner of each page. Any local organization, member at large or individual member may sponsor an applicant.
Foundation Fundraisers
Members who attended the Foundation scholarship recipient dinner on Saturday October 13, 2012 were treated to an original, first time ever presented, mystery play written by Foundation board member, Jane Gingles, Clay Center. “Whatever has happened to ‘KOOKIE’?” was presented by BPW/Kansas members who kept the audience guessing about who stole the “yappy yippy nippy dog, Kookie. Members were asked to guess who they thought took Kookie. The boyfriend, Jefferson Francisco III, (Jeanna Fancella) received 10 votes while the housekeeper Loretta Lounger (Linda Linkugel) and Dr. L.A. Snippertail (Dr. LewAnn Schneider) each received 4 votes. Thank you so much for playing along and for purchasing clues to the mystery which brought in $46 for Foundation. Thank you to Jane for writing an outstanding play and for spending so much time on making sure all the players fit their characters.
BPW/Kansas members who so willing played ‘characters’ in the play were Helen Norman, Jeanna Fancella, Linda Linkugel, Chris Booth, Lisa Gingles, Julie Smith, Dr. LewAnn Schneider, Dana Rickley, Susan Roberts, Linda Reed, Kathy Niehoff, Jane Gingles and Diana Redger. The Foundation appreciates their willingness to participate. An extra donation for Foundation was gained when several cast members, still in costume, went to Montana Mike’s club.
Last year at Fall Conference the Board of Director’s Foundation Apprentice Challenge received funds from four local organizations. This year the Board presented the Foundation Apprentice Challenge – take 2. The purpose of the challenge was to fund a $1000 scholarship for the next school year. Six local organizations, Ashland, Bonner Springs, Chanute, Ottawa, Clay Center and Newton accepted the challenge and donated a total of $1440.01, enough to fund a new scholarship. Clay Center won the Foundation Apprentice Challenge – take 2 by giving the largest amount per member based on the October 15, 2012 member totals. The Challenge scholarship will be an additional ID scholarship that will be awarded in 2013. Thank you to everyone, local and individual, who donated to the Foundation Apprentice Challenge – take 2.