Meeting women MPs |
BPW UK is a non party political organisation which lobbies on behalf of working women. BPW members can influence policies which will affect women by talking with decision makers, locally, nationally and internationally. BPW is a member of the European Women’s Lobby, which monitors legislation coming from the European Parliament to see how it will impact on the lives of women. It also has consultative status at the United Nations. BPW was a founder member of the Women’s National Commission and works with other leading women’s groups in the UK who are part of the Top Six.
Given the opportunity to voice their opinion in a small, supportive environment, members gain the confidence to play a fuller part in local life, such as becoming a parish councillor or school governor. Others gain sufficient confidence to take higher office, becoming councillors or mayors in their home town.
Committee meeting skills |
Learning to put together a presentation about an issue on which you feel strongly – perhaps mixed sex wards in NHS hospitals or stamp duty on pensions – develops confidence and public speaking skills in a semi formal setting. Note taking, minuting, agenda planning, chairing committees and team working are all useful skills for the workplace.
Each year at conference, members have the opportunity to encourage others to support their point of view. After researching the facts, members can speak about their motion at annual conference. Using a microphone, talking on stage and addressing a large audience are other skills which develop. Other members are pleased to be “critical friends”; explaining where a presentation has gone well or perhaps where some extra guidance is needed. Other members will offer practical skills, such as setting up displays, manning stalls or preparing power point presentations.
Opinions once passed, form the BPW Mandate and other members are then encouraged to lobby about the issue by visiting their local MP, writing letters or talking to wider groups and the media. Some members enjoy visiting their local radio or television studios to put forward their opinions.
Having your say at conference |
Having your say at conference |
The annual June O’Dell Award for Training was established to provide financial assistance to a member of BPW undertaking a course of training that would improve her employment potential or improve her career prospects. Contact the office for more details.
