Wichita Falls BPW - We're 30 and Thriving!

by Keli McCord, BPW President 2005-2006 March 2006 When I was installed as the 30th president of Wichita Falls Business and Professional Women’s Club (WFBPW) in June 2005, I didn’t fully realize the impact that business women in this organization have made in the Wichita Falls community.

Over the past 30 years the membership of this club has been extremely diverse—doctors, attorneys, accountants, nurses, teachers, realtors, secretaries, business owners, military personnel and even retirees.  Anyone who shares the BPW vision, is welcome to join our club—even MEN! 

History of BPW Wichita Falls

Prior to 1976, BPW had an active evening group in Wichita Falls that had been around for 50 years.  As times changed, some members of this group felt the need to offer an opportunity for business women to meet at noon instead of in the evening.  With this in mind, 13 women met on May 1, 1976 for the organizational meeting of a daytime BPW organization.  Possible meeting times and locations were discussed.  The first few meetings were held in the First-Wichita National Building in downtown Wichita Falls.  The meetings were held on the 2^nd and 4^th Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m.  Members brought a sack lunch in order to devote their full time to the business of the club. 

The first item of business was to decide on a name for the new chapter.  Four names were considered—Metropolitan, Noontime, Downtown, and Faith.  These suggestions were voted on and “Metropolitan B&PW Club” was formed.  Officers were elected on June 9, 1976, and Carolyn Gary was chosen to serve as our first president.  The remaining slate of officers were as follows:  Johnnie Harris-Schmitt, 1^st vice-president; Virginia Hartshorn, 2^nd vice-president; Kathy Burbank, recording secretary; Betty Buntin, corresponding secretary; and Martha Cooke, treasurer.  An orientation program for new and prospective members was held July 28, 1976 at the Wichita Club in downtown Wichita Falls.  About 18 charter members attended and planned programs for the year.  The theme of these programs was “Women Working Together—To Meet the Hopes, Fears and Dreams of All Working Women.”  Regular luncheon meetings were scheduled to take place at the Wichita Club the 2^nd and 4^th Wednesdays of each month. 

The charter for Metropolitan Business and Professional Women’s Club was presented on September 17, 1976.  The presentation was made at 7 p.m. in the Crystal Room at Underwood’s Cafeteria by the current BPW/Texas State President, Charlene Berry. 

The first officers of Metropolitan BPW were officially installed this same night by Darlene Bonner of Jacksboro, who was a past BPW/Texas State President.  What started with a group of 13 women in May had already grown to a membership of 28 by September.  This group continued as Metropolitan Business and Professional Women until the mid-90’s when it was officially renamed Wichita Falls Business and Professional Women’s Club.

BPW Objectives & Mission

• To elevate the standards for women in business and in the professions
• To promote the interests of business and professional women
• To bring about a spirit of cooperation among business and professional women of the United States
• To extend opportunities to business and professional women through education along lines of industrial, scientific, and vocational activities.

In BPW we have both a vision and a mission:

OUR VISION is to be the leading advocate for working women in Texas. 

OUR MISSION is to achieve equity of all women through advocacy, education, information, and technology.  In keeping with these objectives, vision, and mission, our local organization has provided programs throughout the years with the interests of business and professional women in mind. 

The National BPW Federation Emblem depicts the changing role of women in the business world.  It begins with a “circle,” which represents the unbroken bond of friendship and fellowship.  Within the circle, the “Ship of Commerce” represents the emergence of women into business.  “The Wand” stands for a new era of opportunity for women.  “The Scroll” records our ideals, our faith and our achievements.  “The Torch” lights the path of the business and professional women of the future.  The most prominent figure within our Emblem is “The Nike,” who typifies the far-flung, triumphant mission of women throughout the world. 

Our local organization is governed by an Executive Board, which includes the officers and committee chairs.  These officers and chairs normally serve a term of one year.  The membership elects the officers each year in April, and they are installed at the program meeting in June.  Our fiscal year begins July 1^st and runs through June 30^th.  At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Executive Board and any interested members get together and make plans for the coming year.  Everyone has input into the goals for the year and works together to achieve these goals.  Let me tell you about some of the activities we have underway this year.

Committees & Activities

The Community Services Committee is one of our most active committees.  Each month this committee designates a focus group for which to raise funds and/or provide volunteers.  These focus groups include non-profit groups in our community, our club’s scholarship fund and BPW/Texas Foundation.  Whenever there is a group representing women in need, Wichita Falls BPW is always there to lend a hand. 

Our local Scholarship Committee awards scholarships each year to local women who wish to further their education or their career.  We schedule various fundraisers and receive gifts from corporations in our community to help fund these scholarships.  Because of the community’s support of our programs throughout the years, we enjoy giving back to our community through the projects we undertake. 

No BPW local organization would be complete without offering programs and activities geared specifically toward women and the issues that are important to them.  Our Issues Management Committee plans informative monthly programs of interest to the members and guests.  Some programs scheduled for this year include topics pertaining to adult literacy, domestic violence, mentoring, and identity theft.  Other programs are “fun” networking events.  The Social Networking Committee is in charge of planning evening networking opportunities.  These evening get-togethers allow the members to get to know each other better when time is short at the luncheon meetings. 

One of the premier programs that BPW offers is the Individual Development course.  This course is designed to offer BPW leadership training while helping participants develop their ability to speak in public.  Past participants of the Individual Development course have found the courage to “step outside of their comfort zone” while enhancing their professional and personal lives.  Many of these participants have become members of our local organization after witnessing how women can help and support one another.  They have become leaders in our organization and have shown others what BPW has to offer. 

We also have a Young Careerist program, which recognizes the accomplishments of successful young career women and introduces them to the ideals and standards of BPW. 

Legislative issues have always been a focal point of BPW.  The Legislative Committee is responsible for keeping the members informed of current legislation affecting women and women’s issues.  BPW/USA National Headquarters is located in Washington, D.C.  The national office passes information to the states that in turn pass the information to the local organizations.  Our local legislative committee passes this important information on to our local members via our monthly newsletter and our local website.  In addition to legislative issues, our monthly newsletter keeps the membership informed of upcoming events and activities.  Our website (www.wichitafallsbpw.com) offers information about our local organization, access to our newsletter, membership opportunities, and links to BPW/Texas and BPW/USA.

Working with the local newspaper by providing articles each month has proven to be a valuable tool in getting information out to women in the community.  It is very important to BPW to not only keep their members informed but also to inform the public on issues that affect women.  Whether the issue pertains to women’s health, career or family, Wichita Falls BPW remains committed to providing quality information in these monthly articles.  Our hope is that you derive as much enjoyment from these articles as our members do from passing along their knowledge and insight.

BPW Leadership

2005 - 2006 Officers

From Left, Back Row: 2nd Vice President: Rita Vokes, Recording Secretary: Ann Dark, Corresponding Secretary: Sheila Carley, Treasurer: Sheryl Moses

Seated: President Elect: Meredith Kennedy, President: Keli McCord, 1st Vice President: Keri Orsak. (Not Pictured) Parliamentarian: Cheryl West

As with any organization, the leadership team plays a vital part in assuring that its goals are achieved.  Leading this group as we celebrate our club’s 30^th anniversary has been an honor.  These officers, the committee chairs and the membership of Wichita Falls BPW continue to practice the BPW ideal of “women helping women” by supporting the mission of our club.

BPW Continues to Grow

Many things have changed during our first 30 years.  We have grown from 13 members to approximately 100.  We moved our meeting dates to the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays, and now they take place during the noon hour.  Our meeting location is currently at the Woman’s Forum, where lunch is catered by a local restaurant and available to members and guests at a nominal charge. 

Even with the changes that have taken place over the past 30 years, our focus remains the same—supporting issues that are important to women and promoting BPW in its role as the leading advocate for working women.

Feel free to join us at one of our Tuesday meetings so you can experience this dynamic group of women in action.  If the accomplishments of our first 30 years is any indication of what can be accomplished in the next 30 years, Wichita Falls Business and Professional Women will certainly remain a driving force in our local community. 
   

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