future events

Red Bag Day 18 February (PDF file 483kb)

Conference 2010

Date: April 23rd to 25th

Venue: Gisborne

Conference Registration form (PDF file 59kb)
Emerald Hotel Booking Sheet (PDF file 58kb)
Conference Deadlines (PDF file 34kb)
Nomination form – Executive Officers & Convenors (PDF file 21kb)
Executive Officers & Convenors Role descriptions (PDF file 25kb)
Remit Guidelines (PDF file 31kb)

Candlelighting Message May 2009

Fires fascinate me. No matter what size. They always have.

I guess it runs in the genes; I remember my grandmother setting fire to an area of bracken fern on our property in the spring. She had discovered that bracken fern burns exceptionally well, especially in a brisk northerly!

She did this every year and in the same area. And every year, fresh grass would rise from the ashes, to feed the livestock that grazed there through the late spring and summer.

I loved it. The whoosh it made when the flames took hold, the crackling of the fern as it burnt, the heat on my face as we focussed on tending it to keep it under control. With each leap of the flames it stirred me and we did not leave for home until the danger of it getting out of control was well past.

It was never a chore. She did it every year because it cleansed the ground, encouraged new growth, and it fed the cows which ultimately kept the family business ticking along, clothes on our backs and food in our pantry. And that of others.

My reason for making the trip through that gully and up that hill was different than my grandmothers, but it had the same outcome. And we did it together, hand in hand.

And so it is with our International Candlelighting ceremony.

Our International Candlelighting ceremony has been in the organisation since 1941 and each year it means different things to each of us. It should have the same outcome and even though we are all different, we do this together.

We have made some real advances for women in the 70 years BPW has been active in New Zealand, we need to be proud of that, acknowledge those that have gone before and share our learning. Each time you light a candle remember our foremothers and gain strength from their legacy.

We have work to do. We need to work to get the domestic violence rate down, we need to be paid the same as our male colleagues for the same work, we need more women as leaders in management and governance. We need more members and we need to be fiscally responsible. Each time you light a candle, focus on the flame and take strength from it, you're going to need it!

And, BPW is not BPW without our overseas sisters with whom we share our knowledge, those who strive to be like us, those who need our support and those that need us to be their advocates. Gain strength from the candle that you light for each of them and also from that which you light for our sisters who are working on our behalf at the United Nations so that we can advance the status of all women - regardless of income, status, race, religion or nation.

Most importantly, when you light the last candle and linger at the sight, let their flickering flames light the fire in you - be cleansed, grow and be strong.

Burn off the bracken and let the grass grow.

Kia kaha! Kia hiwa ra!

Be strong! Be alert, Be awake.

Angela McLeod
President BPWNZ

International Candlelighting Message 2009

For Candlelighting instructions and a copy of the International Candlelighting Message 2009, download the two documents below.
Message (PDF File 78kb)

Empowering Women