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Headquarters News
April 29, 2008
Membership Services & Activities
Well Behaved Women Never Make History
Build the spirit at your state convention. Remember to order the "Well Behaved Women Never Make History" buttons and stickers for attendees. Visit the BPW Store to make your purchases.
See You in Atlanta!
Just a few of the speakers who will dare us to change include: leadership, change and motivation expert – Anne Barab; Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, the first female mayor of Atlanta and the first African American woman to serve as mayor of a major southern city; and Irene Natividad and her "Legacies of Women" panel.
Choose to Move! The BPW/USA 2008 National Conference will host daily fitness sessions to invigorate and energize your body and mind. And, this year's conference will offer a physician-reviewed Heart Healthy Menu to promote nutrition and healthy eating as a lifestyle.
Go Green! The National Conference has been declared a green conference in support of the environment and to limit our carbon footprint. Don't miss this Conference; sign up today!
Saturday, July 26, will be the BPW/USA business meeting and officer installation and celebration.
Give a Gift of Friendship
Did you know that for just $19.95 a year you can give a friend or loved one a Friend of BPW/USA e-subscription? Friends receive the Legislative Hotline and the electronic version of BusinessWoman magazine. What a great idea for a college graduate, congratulations on a new job or Mother's Day gift. Also this is a nice gift when you have a speaker or someone else who has been helpful to your local organization or state federation. It is also a wonderful way to introduce women to BPW/USA. It's easy: do it on-line.
Administration
Important Correction
In the last issue of Headquarters News the Box Number for mailing BPW/USA Membership Transactions was incorrect. The correct address is:
Business and Professional Women/USA
c/o Wachovia Bank
P.O. Box 75278
Baltimore, MD 21275
We are sorry for the confusion. Remember, sending dues to a centralized source will speed your transaction processing time.
New Address
On May 3, BPW/USA and BPW Foundation are moving. The new address for both organizations is 1620 Eye Street, NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC 20006. We are still downtown just a block from the Farragut West Metro stop. The phone number will remain the same 202-293-1100. All staff members will keep their same e-mail addresses. Check the website for additional contact information.
As part of the moving process the members section of the website will be down from Friday, May 2 to Monday May 5. Also the office phones will be down on Friday, May 2. We apologize in advance for the inconvenience.
BPW Local Organization IRS Filing Requirements Changed
All BPW Local Organizations (LO) will be affected by amendments to The Pension Protection Act of 2006 that change the filing requirements for tax-exempt organizations with gross receipts of $25,000 or less. The IRS has been sending letters to all smaller tax-exempt organizations informing them of the changes. The IRS website says that "Beginning in 2008, small tax-exempt organizations whose gross receipts are normally $25,000 or less that previously were not required to file returns will be required to submit an annual electronic notice, Form 990-N. This requirement applies to tax periods beginning after December 31, 2006."
Local Organization Treasurers should review the filing information posted on the IRS website and contact your State Federation Treasurer or local not-for-profit tax accountant for additional information. The letter explaining the process sent to all BPW/LO Treasurers can be found on in the Member Center on the BPW/USA website. The BPW/USA Finance Committee is also available to assist you if needed. You may contact any member of the Finance Committee or Chair Kathy Beals at kbealsmk@hotmail.com or 217-273-1687. We will try our best to assist you or put you in contact with someone that can assist you with any questions or concerns.
Policy Watch
Equal Pay Day Press Conference
Deborah Frett spoke at a Capitol Hill press conference, on Wednesday, April 23 where she joined Senators, House Members, labor and women's organization leaders, and Lilly Ledbetter urging the Senate to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The press conference was part of the many Equal Pay Day activities that took place across the country during the week of Equal Pay Day. BPW/USA has been a co-sponsor of Equal Pay Day since its inception 12 years ago. Click here to read the press release.
After the press conference Debbie joined other board members of the National Committee on Pay Equity at a luncheon where Lilly Ledbetter was presented the Winn Newman Award. This award, which is given annually to the individual or organization that has done the most to further the cause of pay equity, is named after Winn Newman a leading advocate for pay equity.
Despite the successful press conference and the extraordinary efforts made by BPW members and others across the county, the bill which came up for a vote that evening did not pass. The fight is not over and Senator Reid has indicated that he will bring the bill up again. Click here to read BPW's comments about the bill's failure to pass. To see how your Senator voted and for more information on the issue, visit the BPW/USA Advocacy Center.
Equal Pay Day Coverage
BPW/MD Wins One for Women
BPW/MD was the leading organization supporting HB 1156 the Labor and Employment Pay Disparity Data legislation, signed by the Governor last week. To move this legislation, BPW/MD built a coalition with the Montgomery County Commission for Women, the MD/DC AFL-CIO, and the SEIU Local 500
HB 1156 authorizes the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to collect data from employers regarding the racial classification and gender of employees and allows the Commissioner to analyze the records to study pay disparity issues. This data will create base line information to determine the current status of pay disparity in Maryland. The continued collection of the information can be used more specifically to analyze the exact nature and extent of pay disparities in the state, to develop policies and programs to address the problem and to evaluate the effectiveness of any enforcement of prevention strategies.
BPW/MD and the coalition will continue to work with the state to ensure that the data collection process is implemented properly and to perhaps receive an interim report or two prior to the final report due in 2013. Also, as a result of BPW/MD's actions on this bill, the state agency directors have asked them to serve as a sort of advisory board on state issues affecting working women. BPW/MD Legislative Chair Pat Cornish was there when the Governor signed the legislation.
Foundation Activities
Creating Successful Workplaces
Would your employer want to share knowledge and engage with other workforce leaders about promising practices and innovative ideas on how to recruit, retain and fully engage top talent by creating diverse, flexible, and equitable work environments? If so let them know about the BPW Foundation National Employer Summit, June 20, 2008 in Washington, DC.
This is an event that progressive employers and their employees will not want to miss. Attendees will learn from Tammy Erickson, President of The Concours Institute, the research and education arm of BSG Alliance. Erickson, a featured writer in the Harvard Business Review, will share insights on workforce trends and the impact of a multi-generational workforce.
Employees can focus on their career paths when Anne C. Weisberg, a talent diversity director for Deloitte, explains new career pathways and what they mean for individual job growth. Find out how Mass Career Customization™ can work for you and your company.
Who should attend the National Employer Summit?
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Employers – large and small
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Working Women
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Veterans & Returning Service Members
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Young Careerists
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Mature Workers
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Individuals with Disabilities
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LGBT Employees
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Diverse Workforce advocates
Summit sponsors are Calvert, Colgate-Palmolive, Kansas City Power & Light, Avnet, and the DC Chamber of Commerce. Register TODAY
Support Research for Young Careerists
The Millennial Generation, poised to become the largest generation ever, is now entering the workplace with the force of higher education, technological saavy, entrepreneurial spirit, and personal passions behind them. In the context of an increasingly global, competitive labor force, young careerists often become overwhelmed, frustrated, or disillusioned during this transition period as they embark upon their career path. BPW Foundation is developing research and programming—including issue papers, informational resources, webinars, and online networking—to inform and support this burgeoning segment of the workforce. Our work will also directly impact BPW/USA's innovative Young Careerist programming.
Help BPW Foundation continue to generate innovative new studies and resources, which will help organizations, like BPW/USA, best utilize the experiences, skills, and creativity of these young careerists, and will enable young careerists to realize their full career potential. Support young careerist through a gift to BPW Foundation.
Training & Career Development
Learn How to Get and Keep That New Recruit
On Thursday, May 22, 2008 BPW/USA will offer an essential webinar for any organization having problems attracting and holding on to younger members. What makes Generation Xers different from Baby Boomers? What will attract Gen Xers and keep them involved as active members? Sarah Sladek, author of The New Recruit, will help webinar participants envision how to recruit and retain this elusive generational group. Based on research and interviews, Ms. Sladek will illustrate why Gen Xers and Gen Yers are the way they are. She will bring to light the challenges that Boomer-centric membership associations are experiencing and offer viable solutions that organizational executives can implement to successfully recruit and retain younger members. For more information on Ms. Sladek's book, visit www.limelight-associations.com/new-recruit. This webinar is recommended for all state and local officers, membership committee chairs and anyone interested in learning how to recruit and retain younger members.
Affiliates & Partnerships
Lifetime Television Relationship Expanding
BPW/USA continues to expand its partnership with Lifetime. Lifetime is actively supporting BPW marketing efforts and will highlight Debbie Frett on their website as a guest columnist in future months. She will provide BPW's perspective on Women in the Workplace and on Economic Security. BPW will also be involved with the second season kick off of Lifetime Television's Army Wives through website links to the Women Joining Forces program and other activities. Lifetime has also agreed to send an invitation to BPW Foundation's National Employer Summit to their distribution list.
WICT Joins BPW on Equal Pay Day Activities
Women in Cable Television (WICT) joined BPW this year in focusing attention on Equal Pay Day. They sent an alert to WITC members inviting them to the BPW/USA Legislative Action Center to write their Senators to support the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. WICT also sent an invitation to their members to attend the BPW 2008 National Conference in Atlanta.
Website Updates
New Information On-Line
Visibility Activities
CEO meets with Veteran's Organization
CEO Deborah Frett was a special guest at the American Legion Auxiliary's Public Spirit Awards Luncheon on Monday, March 31, 2008. Held each year in conjunction with the ALA's annual Awareness Assembly, the luncheon honored three ALA members who have gone above and beyond in providing needed services helping OIF/OEF Veterans and their families. During the luncheon Debbie had the opportunity to meet many ALA national leaders and shared information with them about BPW/USA's Women Joining Forces Program and the women veteran's research conducted by BPW Foundation.
CEO Discusses e-Communications
Debbie Frett participated in a communications best practices panel sponsored by American Society of Association Executives (ASAE & The Center) and the Society for National Association Publishing (SNAP) on April 25th. Other panelists were Lisa Prats of Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and Greg Smith of National Small Business Association. The panel discussed and provided information to an audience of more than 70 professionals on Innovative Inboxes: Using Email to Promote Your Publications. Debbie gave the CEO perspective of gearing publications to not only provide members with the right information at the right time, but align operationally with overall goals of the organization. During her presentation, Debbie had the opportunity to cover Friends of BPW, BPW/USA publications and the Plexus incubator model. Both of the other panelists have memberships that are prime targets for BPW/USA membership targeting activities. BOMA membership is primarily female commercial real estate professionals with 17,000 members nationwide. BPW is exploring ways to offer Friends of BPW to their membership to keep them abreast of women's advocacy issues.
Communications
Lyons Appointment Covered in the Press
Both Congress Daily and The Hill, a newspaper covering politics and Congress, reported on Rachel Lyon's appointment as BPW/USA new Director of Public Policy.
BPW/USA's Opinion Noted
In their article on the defeat of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, Public Affairs.Net printed all of Deborah Frett's quote BPW/USA's disappointment about the vote.
Governance
One of the most significant outcomes of the February convention was the adoption of amendments allowing every member to vote for national officers, area representatives, and bylaw changes. Now every member has a voice, not just those able to travel to national conference.
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Members will receive either an e-mail or paper ballot
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The "polls" will be open from June 4 to July 2, 2008.
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Ballots must be received by the vendor by close of business July 2, 2008.
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Members return their ballots, either electronically or by U.S. Mail.
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Voting will be secure and managed by an experienced vendor.
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Every email address we have in the data base will improve efficiency of the voting process.
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It is possible to provide BPW/USA with an email address that will only be used for voting.
In order to ensure your voice is heard, it is essential that BPW/USA has your current e-mail address or your correct mailing address on record. Remember that you can update your membership profile on line in the member section.
Just follow these five steps:
- Go to: www.bpwusa.org
- Login to the "MEMBER CENTER"
- Click on your name under "PROFILE" (left bottom)
- Verify your profile and edit as necessary
- Click "UPDATE"
Additional steps to follow for those members supplying an email for electronic voting purposes only:
From the "Edit Profile" screen
- Select "MORE INFO" button (top of page)
- Select "PERSONAL INFORMATION" at next screen
- Enter email for "CONFIDENTIAL VOTING EMAIL"
Of Interest
BPW/FL Supporting Women Students
St. Petersburg College, in conjunction with the BPW/Florida, will be building scholarship housing for women who have good grades and demonstrate appropriate need. Read all about in the St Petersburg Times.
New Social Security Newsletter
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has launched a newsletter -- Social Security Update-- to provide information about Social Security issues. To read the inaugural issue, simply click here www.socialsecurity.gov/newsletter. This issue provides information about the initiatives currently underway to improve the disability process. It also provides news on the President's FY 09 budget request for Social Security, as well as updated information on economic stimulus payments for Social Security recipients, and some of SSA's latest outreach efforts.
Breast Cancer Vaccine Results Appear Hopeful
According to a report on Bloomberg.com "an experimental treatment to stimulate the immune system against breast cancer appeared to cut the risk of death in half for women with a gene mutation in a small clinical trial conducted by the U.S. military." The specific breast cancer affected was that fueled by excess HER2 proteins. Read the full article on the Bloomberg website.
Pledge to Learn About Cervical Cancer
One4One is a national cervical cancer awareness campaign that urges women to talk to their healthcare professional about ways they can help protect themselves from cervical cancer, while also raising money to be used to increase cervical cancer education and services, especially for those who may be at greater risk of developing the disease.
From April 24 to June 5, 2008, if you visit www.one4onepledge.org and make the pledge to talk to your health care professional about cervical cancer, Merck will donate $5, up to $1 million total, to participating One4One "Make the Pledge" organizations. Funds raised will be used to provide cervical cancer support and education for women across the United States, including women at greater risk of developing the disease and those with limited access to healthcare within API communities.
One4One is partnership between the American Social Health Association, Black Women's Health Imperative, Lance Armstrong Foundation, Gynecological Cancer Foundation, Native American Cancer Research, National Asian Women's Health Organization, National Cervical Cancer Coalition, National Latina Health Network and Tamika & Friends, Inc., with support from Merck & Co., Inc.
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