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Future Events

Kapiti BPW Regional Meeting and Training Day, Saturday 16 August 2008.

Note the attachments state a closing date of 2 August but if you really want to join us, please let Vanessa know as soon as possible so that we cater for the correct number of attendees.

Click here to download details of this exciting programme.(PDF file 262kb)

Candlelighting 2008
Candlelighting Message NZ 2008

Greetings to my sisters in BPW

Lighting a candle and bringing light into a dark place has been used down the ages in all sorts of ceremonies to symbolize the power of good over evil, justice over injustice, knowledge over ignorance, love over hatred. One candle can light up a corner, many candles together can, and have, lit up huge ballrooms. Light has the power to change threatening shadows into familiar objects and give us the confidence to move forward.

The BPW New Zealand theme for 2008, New Dimensions of Leadership for the Future, challenges us to shine the light of our knowledge, expertise, experiences and enthusiasm into the next five years and identify the key issues that will be facing women in New Zealand. We cannot do everything, so must make some choices about where, and on what, BPW New Zealand should be focusing our time, energy and resources as we work to improve equality of opportunity for women every where.

As we read the newspapers and watch the news on the television, it would be so easy to become despondent over how much misery, deprivation, discrimination and inhumanity there is in the world. The plight of women in countries that are not as blessed as ours is almost beyond our understanding, and we could be forgiven for feeling helpless at the enormity of what would be required to make a difference for them.

I have always believed in doing what we can, with what we have got, wherever we are, right now. Some of us are in the position to do a great deal, and for others even buying a raffle ticket to support the Nepal Women's Literacy Project, for example, may mean that something else has to be foregone that week. However, that dollar is like the candle lighting up the corner, and will provide a pencil and writing book to help an illiterate woman learn the skills to support her family and educate her children. Multiply this small act by thousands of BPW women in 93 countries around the world and you can begin to see that we do have the power to make a difference.

So as you celebrate International Night in your Clubs, reflect on the collective power of many women all over the world all working to improve the status of women. As you each light your candle, value your own contribution, no matter how small. Without it, BPW would not exist.

I will be with you in spirit if not in person and wish you all a happy and memorable evening.

Kia kaha tuahine ! - Sisters, be strong.

Faye Gardiner
President BPW NZ

International Candlelighting Message 2008

For Candlelighting instructions and a copy of the International Candlelighting Message 2008, download the two documents below.
Instructions (PDF File 79kb)
Message (PDF File 85kb)

Conference 2009

Date: 1-3 May 2009

Venue: Masterton

Past Events

Some of the older documents have been removed from the web site. A copy of any of these can be obtained by emailing technology@bpwnz.org.nz

The documents removed are:
CalltoConference2008.pdf
Conference2008Registration2008.pdf
Conference2008Deadlines.pdf
Asia-PacificRegionConference2007RegistrationForm.pdf

Conference 2008

Report:
BPW NZ CONFERENCE 25-27 APRIL 2008, HAMILTON.

BPW Huntly & Districts, assisted by BPW Te Awamutu, were the 2008 conference conveners and did a marvellous job in organising a well balanced mix of work and fun. The conference began on Friday evening with 140 attendees and invited guests attending the President's reception at 6pm followed by the formal gala dinner at 7pm. Official guests included the Minister of Women's Affairs, the Hon. Steve Chadwick, Mayor of Waikato District Peter Harris and Mayoress Annette, Mayoress of Huntly Janet Livingstone, and BPW International Officers President Dr. Chonchanok Viravan from Thailand, Vice President Liz Benham from New York, Executive Secretary Freda Miriklis and Projects Chair Susan Jones from Australia, Immediate Past President Dr. Antoinette Ruegg from Switzerland; Australian Officers President Marilyn Forsythe and Young BPW Alicia Curtis, and the Director of the BPW International Office Deon Naphaphen Wejjijiva from Thailand. Representatives of major sponsors were also present - Julie Rickman of Price Waterhouse and Rod Gardner of RGM Ltd., along with keynote speaker Hannah Samuels.

The Opening Dinner speaker was the Hon. Steve Chadwick, Minister of Women's Affairs, who gave a clear message that much remains to be done to ensure that women enjoy true equality in power and decision making with men. She sees BPW NZ as having a vital role to play in preparing women to take their places in decision making forums, and in advocating for equal opportunities for all women. After dinner, the BPW NZ Awards were presented.

The conference programme for Saturday was a mixture of speakers, panel discussions and business. There were two speakers - Hannah Samuels, who inspired us all with great ideas for raising the profile of our Clubs and of BPW NZ, and Dr. Antoinette Ruegg who presented her research on the gender differences between the leadership styles of men and women.

There was a panel on "Challenges and Actions for the Future" after lunch, ably chaired by Young BPW Rachael Clarke. Six topics were addressed - Gender Equity by Shenagh Gleisner, CEO of the Ministry of Women's Affairs; Eliminating Violence Against Women by Anne Todd-Lambie, Family Lawyer; Protecting our Environment by Linda Shaw, Mecologist; Empowering Young Women by Judit Klein, student delegate to the Global Young Leaders Conference in New York in June; Lowering Barriers to Leadership by Jackie Blue MP; Enhancing the BPW Profile by Hannah Samuel.

The speakers each had ten minutes to present their topic and then participated in workshops aimed at identifying what BPW NZ could do about these issues. MPs Georgina Te Heu Heu and Diane Yates also attended to hear the panel and join the discussions.
Saturday concluded with a military themed dinner and concert party at which the "Andrews Sisters" and a number of our members provided great entertainment and a sing along of songs from the 1940s.

Federation business included seventeen resolutions this time and took up the remainder of Saturday afternoon and a large part of Sunday morning. At times debate was vigorous and stimulating and at other times voting was unanimous.

On Sunday the conference was addressed by BPW International Officers President Dr. Chonchanok Viravan, Vice President Liz Benham, Projects Chairperson Susan Jones, and BPW Australian President Kay Morrison. Pauline Gapper reported on behalf of the Asia Pacific Coordinator Ambica Shretha who was unable to attend due to ill health. Australia Young BPW Alicia Curtis gave a presentation describing the benefits of the Keys to Achievement Programme and how NZ clubs can use it to promote membership, participation and personal development of members.

The annual election of BPW NZ officers was held and resulted in a great team of enthusiastic women ready to work for BPW and for women. The new BPW NZ Committee can be found on the Contacts Page of the Web Site. We thanked and farewelled Elizabeth Horrell, retiring as Executive Secretary, Diana O'Brien retiring as Projects Convener, Pat Sivertsen retiring as Marketing Convener, and Moira McLean retiring as Technology Convener. We also elected our Delegation for the BPW International Congress in Mexico City on 24-29 October. .

An attractive selection of raffle prizes resulted in $670.00 being made from the Conference raffle, and $410.00 from the Nepal raffle for the Nepal Women's Literacy Project. Gwen Needham also generously donated $10 to this project from each sale of her book. Hannah Samuel likewise donated $5.00 to BPW NZ from each sale of her book. Their support for the work that we do was much appreciated.

Much was achieved at the Conference, not the least of which was new friendships made and old friendships renewed. The venue at Glenview Hotel presented a few challenges but the Manager and staff bent over backwards to sort them out as quickly as possible, and members are thanked for their patience. The BPW Huntly & Districts Conference Committee, assisted by BPW Te Awamutu, and particularly the committee chairperson Claire Gregson, and secretary Diane Dean, are to be congratulated on organising such a successful Conference, their efforts ensuring that it was enjoyable for all who attended.

The 2009 conference will be hosted by BPW Wairarapa in Masterton, and the 2010 Conference will be hosted by BPW Gisborne in Gisborne

Faye Gardiner
BPW NZ President

Asia-Pacific Regional Conference 13-15 May 2007

Registration form (PDF file 29kb)
Conference report (PDF file 24kb)
NZ President's report (PDF file 28kb)