Welcome to the Business & Professional Women's Club of Wichita Falls, Texas!!

We are so glad that you have decided to join the Wichita Falls Business and Professional Women's Club! Our local club is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year and we have many exciting events planned. We currently have about 100 members locally, which comprise a large portion of the 1,400 BPW/Texas members from across the state. As a foundation for future businesswomen, BPW offers numerous opportunities for women to network with current leaders and learn to become leaders themselves.

BPW/Texas offers many opportunities for professional and personal growth and development. We offer such programs as Individual Development, Young Careerist and Leadership Training. These programs are designed to enhance the essential skills needed in the business world. Information about these programs and others that are offered can be found in our state newsletter, Texas Woman, which is published quarterly. You can also visit our state website www.bpwtx.org for even more information. We also have a local newsletter, The Business Buzz, which is published monthly and our website is updated periodically.

Since BPW believes in "Women Helping Women," we participate in numerous activities and events throughout the community. We raise money for scholarships to be awarded to local women returning to college. We also have a very active Community Services Committee at the local level. This committee gives our members the opportunity to donate their time and resources to worthy causes. Each month, the committee selects a particular focus group, determines their needs, and helps them fulfill these needs. As you can see, BPW offers many opportunities to help ourselves and others.

2005-2006 BPW/Texas President Terri Freer has chosen "Courage" as the theme for this year. Courage is defined as "the state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or challenges with self-possession, confidence, resolution and bravery." As you will see from the activities planned for the year, we will show our "COURAGE" by empowering ourselves to set our future paths, to make a difference in the lives of others, and to develop relationships within our club and local community. Most importantly, have the courage to be who you are and make your own choices.

We have accomplished so much in our past 30 years. I am confident that WE will accomplish even more in the next 30 years. Our leaders are determined, energetic and confident in their plans for this year. I would like to thank everyone who has agreed to chair or serve on a committee. Together, WE can make a difference in our lives and in the lives of those around us. After all, that is the purest example of "WOMEN HELPING WOMEN."

I look forward to working with all of you this year and will do my best to guide Wichita Falls BPW in accomplishing the goals we have set for ourselves. With your help and support, I know this will be an AWESOME year for our club!

Remember to always Be Proud Women! Keli McCord 2005-2006 President