BPW members voice their opinions at our annual conference. This forms our Mandate on which we all then campaign. Currently human trafficking into the London Olympics, stamp duty on pensions, the way that abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland –but not in England, Scotland and Wales and domestic violence are highlighted.
Sometimes we work with BPW Europe on issues such as the pay gap between men and women for work of similar value. We also work with sister organisations-joining in celebrations of International Women’s Day. Sometimes we work with the 40 000 members across the globe on issues such as female genital mutilation and the status of women in post conflict Iraq.
We attract high profile speakers such as Kate Adie, Stella Rimington, Susan Greenfield, Professor Alison Murdoch and Hannah Shields the Everest mountaineer to give our keynote address, named in honour of our founder Beatrice Gordon Holmes. She was a successful financier, but denied membership of the London Stock Exchange by her gender.
Belfast 2010 was blessed with wonderful speakers. Anita Robinson broadcasts on BBC Radio Foyle and is a columnist in the Irish News. She is a sparkling after dinner speaker. The panellists this year included the deputy chief constable, Judith Gillespie, Joanne Stuart-chair of the Institute of Directors, Roisin McDonough-Chief Executive of the Arts Council and Marie-Terese McGivern head of Belfast Metropolitan College.
BPW was welcomed into the City Hall by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Naomi Long, who subsequently became a new MP by defeating Peter Robinson in the May 2010 election.
  
  
  
BPW is a non governmental organisation or NGO. As one of the founding members of the Women’s National Commission, BPW was invited to the 40 th birthday party in the House of Lords. BPW continues to have its voice heard at the United Nations, in the European Parliament and other decision making bodies. We regularly get asked our opinion on subjects as diverse as health, finance, education and equality issues such as the glass ceiling. Alone you are a single voice, but with BPW UK as your voice you join 40 000 women across the globe. Our consultative status within the UN gives us a special status in the public arena and one we have held for over 60 years.
  
Clubs
BPW has a network of local clubs around the UK. Wherever members are based, they can choose to attend clubs as regular or occasional visitors. Each club has its own character and organises its programme around the interests of its membership. Meetings are either once or twice a month, usually on a weekday evening and this gives members the opportunity to network with other working women. Clubs charge an annual fee or ask members to pay per meeting. This is to cover any speaker fees, admin and catering costs they incur.
Regions
Members automatically join one of 8 local regions in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England. Regional teams organise events of interest to women in their locality such as seminars, dinners, discussion meetings or talks. They are the voice of BPW in their area and speak out on issues of importance to their members.
  
  
BPW’S PRESIDENT ANSWERS THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED ABOUT MEMBERSHIP
WHAT DOES MEMBERSHIP OF BPW OFFER ME?
BPW has lots to offer you if you are interested in the world of work and enjoy meeting like minded women. Whether you are on a career break, studying, working as a carer or volunteer, retired or employed you will benefit from discussing issues common to working women.
AM I TOO OLD OR TOO YOUNG?
Our youngest member is 16 and the oldest 95 – so no. Those under 35 automatically join Young BPW with its own programme of worldwide events. Our median age is 49. As long as you retain your interest in the world of work, BPW values your membership.
WHAT IS YOUR AIM?
BPW gives women the confidence to play a full part in civic life and to achieve their full potential at work.
ARE YOU A CHARITY?
No, BPW is led by its members - all volunteers - who work together to lobby on behalf of working women. We helped found the Women’s National Commission and have held consultative status at the United Nations for over 60 years. BPW is a company, run by a president and her team of directors. This limits the liability of each member to one pound.
ARE YOU RELIGIOUS OR POLITICAL?
BPW members speak many languages, have many religions and none and different cultures. Issues of concern to working women are discussed in a non party political way.
CAN I PROMOTE MY BUSINESS?
You can advertise at reduced rates in our seasonal, free magazine or on our website. You might like to sponsor our annual review or bi-monthly newsletters or have a stall at conference. BPW always tries to use its own members first when buying services or products.
WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY DO?
We are always led by our members. We discuss topical issues and lobby about current concerns such as sex trafficking into the London Olympics, mixed wards in hospitals or the siting of lap dancing clubs. We have social events, talks, outings and enjoy chatting over a cup of coffee or glass of wine.
CAN I MEET OTHER MEMBERS?
BPW unites women in 5 continents and 100 countries around the world. Despite the volcano, the BPW annual UK conference took place in April in Belfast 2010 attended by our international president and members from all four countries of the UK. The annual European meeting will be in Vienna in October 2010 and a triennial world congress will be in June 2011 in Helsinki. Members also meet in the 8 regions of BPW UK and in clubs. 40 000 women across the world discuss issues of common concern to working women and shape BPW policy. They also have fun!
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
It costs £70 each year to be a member-with no joining fee. If you choose to visit a club or take part in a regional or international activity, you pay an additional fee to cover the costs of the venue, meal or speaker. Your annual subscription is due on the anniversary of joining and includes membership of BPW International and BPW Europe who receive a fifth of the money to fund worldwide activity. Your seasonal magazine, BPW News and the bi-monthly newsletter, the Bulletin, will arrive free through your own front door. You can also make free use of the members’ section of the website and contact my directors and the office directly.
COULD I MAKE A NEW CLUB?
Certainly. Some have only a few members others about 30. Each club must follow the ethos of BPW UK and control its money –otherwise it can operate as it sees fit. Some elect a president; others have a rolling chair of each meeting. It really is up to you. Some meet monthly others fortnightly-it is up to you. Some meet during the day, others at night. Again, it is up to the wishes of the members.
HOW DO I JOIN?
Fill up a form on the website using your credit card or fill in an application form and post it to us. Or ring up the office and Ann will talk you through the procedure. Remember, that you do not have to be a member of a club to join BPW or even live near one. Nor do you have to be the wife of someone in a men’s organization or of a certain age. Members join as themselves and receive all information themselves to their own homes.
I DON’T HAVE A COMPUTER-CAN I ACCESS INFORMATION?
Although BPW moves with the times, our members tell us that they prefer to receive an individual magazine seasonally and bi-monthly printed bulletins which update them on what is happening in the world of BPW. Other organizations insist on electronic copies, but that is not what our members prefer. Contributions are invited from members so they can share their opinions and news with other members.
I DON’T WANT YOU TO SHARE MY ADDRESS
And we don’t want to do that either. Some organizations share the address book of its members. We have chosen not to do this. We hold your address and telephone number on our data base but that is not shared with others without your permission. When you join you must give us permission to list your contact details on our data base, but this is only used so we can send you a copy of our magazine and the bi monthly bulletin and use it for other BPW activity such as asking if you wish to renew your membership or sending you voting opportunities. BPW has a “one woman one vote” policy, so each individual vote is important. Some organizations vote in clubs, but we ask for your own opinion on each issue. We would be dismayed if anyone shared your details without your permission and would seek legal advice.
DO YOU HATE MEN?
No! From its beginning, BPW has valued the support of men.
CAN MEN JOIN?
No, we are an organization for women.
WILL I HAVE TO DONATE MONEY?
BPW is not a charity and does not exist to raise money for good causes. So you will not be asked to run a tombola stall, collect door to door or do other similar activities. Rather than collecting money for a worthwhile cause, BPW seeks to influence decisions taken by that charity and to encourage members to join the board of trustees or become a decision maker.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOSE MY JOB OR GET DIVORCED?
BPW members join as themselves, not as an addition to someone else. But if you fall on hard times because of divorce, unemployment or natural hazards such as flooding we have an emergency fund available which can give grants or offer loans. As long as you have donated at least 50p for 2 years to the Members Emergency Fund, you will be entitled to discreet, speedy assistance. All matters are strictly confidential and no one else will need to know your problems.
WHY DID YOU JOIN?
I joined to be polite. Moving three hundred miles from home, with three children under 4, my husband came home on his first day at a new job and asked if I would like to go to a BPW meeting. Having no idea what this was, I demurred, but he said Elizabeth his colleague was coming to pick me up. Actually, it was a trip to a garden and I thought we would not go in torrential rain. But when Elizabeth arrived she explained that we are BPW and a little rain-even horizontal and bucketing would not deter us. I just liked these women and have been hooked on BPW ever since. As a young mum, on a career break, I also enjoyed the company of women of varying ages who pointed out a wider horizon and had wonderful experiences of life to share.
WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?
Having retired early from school, I continue as the voluntary head of BPW. I am also a trustee of a rural community council and chair of its finance committee. I am also on the steering committee of the North East Women’s Forum, which links over 200 women’s groups. The three children under 4, are now well established –two as lawyers and one in heritage.
WHAT HAVE YOU GAINED FROM BPW MEMBERSHIP?
Some tangible things, such as meeting well known people like Tony Blair, John Prescott and Harriet Harman. Travelling around the UK to meet members and fascinating speakers, such as the head of nursing in Wales who had just returned from Afghanistan and explained the problems of health care under fire. Travelling to places like Munich last year for the European meeting and practising my long forgotten Russian. Knowing that in a small way, my lobbying has made a difference to other people’s lives-whether women trafficked into the UK for prostitution or those faced with a man wondering about their hospital bed in the dark of night. But above all the friendship of women, some older, some younger, who supported me at work and at home. I have had so much fun and laughter along the way.
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