KANSAS BPW ADVOCATE
The official newsletter of THE KANSAS FEDERATION OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CLUBS, INC
______________________________________________________________________________________________
“Kansas BPW: Working Together for a Better Tomorrow”
November 2012 - Issue 2
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President’s Message
“Shining the Light for Women”
Dear BPW Members,
The Fall Conference has happened. I am in the process of
collecting the presentations that were given so that they can
be posted on the BPW/Kansas website for members to
access.
The most memorable presentation to me was done by the
War and Peace Quilters. They have made many quilts for
military families. On the save the date card I sent out I
asked for those who had family members who served in the
military to let me know. Those that responded had their
names put in a hat for a drawing. Helen Wehry won a quilt.
How surprised she was. If you have material that you would
like to donate to this group they would be glad to put it to
good use for quilts for military families. Please let me know
and
I
will
supply
the
name
and
address.
Ottawa BPW did a presentation regarding the future of
Kansas BPW. Ottawa has been redesigning their local and
are partnering with organizations within Ottawa that want to
assist women. They have partnered with Averst Bank, the
Community College and a few other groups. A proposal
about looking at education, empowerment, and
encouragement and how it might be worked into the mission
statement was presented. Does the organization need to
look at including the family instead of the professional
woman? Would that open the door for more women to join
the organization? Another important area that was
addressed was how important it is that the members are the
most
important
element
of
this
organization.
The afternoon had multiple presentations regarding Time
Management, Stress Management, Conflict Management,
Responsible Social Media, Meaningful Use, Diabetes
Outbreak, and Brain Breaks.
Dinner that night, many of the Kansas BPW Foundation
scholarship recipients were present. They were introduced
and addressed the audience to say thank you. Then our
own Jane Gingles wrote a mystery play. Several of us
attending were the characters. The costumes made the
whole play worth it. Then there was a donation given to the
Foundation for all the cast that would go to Montana Mike’s
in costume.
Sunday morning, the membership meeting occurred. There
was a task force appointed to investigate purchasing a
sound system to be used at next year’s conference.
Another task force will be formed to look at how
BPW/Kansas can create sponsorships for the website,
Advocate, and convention handbook. It was approved to
have a meeting on Nov 4 to continue looking at changes
Kansas/BPW needs to address.
The weekend was fantastic. I learned a lot. First, that we
do have an organization that values education. Secondly,
change is difficult. And lastly that we need to remember
what our Collect says:
The Collect
Keep us, Oh God, from pettiness.
Let us be large in thought, in word, in deed.
Let us be done with fault-finding and
Leave off self-seeking.
May we put away all pretense
And meet each other face to face
Without self-pity and without prejudice.
May we never be hasty in judgment
And always generous.
Let us take time for all things;
Make us to grow calm, serene, gentle.
Teach us to put into action our better impulses,
Straight-forward and unafraid.
Grant that we may realize it is the little things
That create differences, that in the big things
Of life, we are at one.
And may we strive to touch and to know
The great, common human heart of us all.
And Oh Lord God, let us forget not to be kind.
Please remember that your thoughts are important. Let
me know what your thoughts are. Modifications do not
happen overnight nor by one person.
Susan Roberts
BPW/Kansas President
19280 166th St
Basehor, KS 66007
[email protected]
=====================================
PRESIDENTIAL INCENTIVES
====================================
Local Organization Awards for
2012-2013
LIGHTING THE WAY (Membership)
 Membership/Recruitment Drive Meeting – Develop
one meeting/event during the year in which the
focus is to attract new members
 Develop a membership packet for a visitor attending
any meeting/event
 Sustain or increase local club membership (as of
June 30, 2012)
DISASTER PREVENTION (Health Issues)
 Have one program during the year where the topic
deals with
I. Alzheimer’s
II. Ovarian Cancer
III. Heart Disease
IV. Diabetes
 Assist with or sponsor a local Health Fair
FUELING OUR LIVES (Education)
 Have a program on at least one of the following
three topics
i.
Domestic Violence
ii.
Issues of the single mothers
iii.
Service organizations as they relate to
women
 Have at least 25% of your local attend either the fall
or spring conference
SECURITY (Technology)
 Have a meeting that uses technology to present to
the Membership such as using
i.
Internet
ii.
PowerPoint
iii.
Webinar
 Electronic submission of all presidential incentives
NAVIGATING OUR FUTURE (Legislative)
 Have at least two members attend BPW Day at the
Legislature
 Invite your state representative or senator to your
meeting to discuss current issues
 Have the League of Women Voters present a
meeting
The time frame for all incentive awards is July 1, 2012 to
April 30, 2013. A documentation form (found on the
BPW/Kansas Website) must be completed and sent by May
10, 2013, to President Susan Roberts, 19280 166th St
Basehor KS 66007.
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BYLAWS
=====================================
State Bylaw chair Barbara Pressgrove reminded local
organizations at the fall board meeting that bylaws should be
updated with a copy sent to the state for approval. All
references to BPW/USA should be removed and all
underlined portions are no longer necessary since they were
required by BPW/USA. Local organizations no longer need
an L/O representative to attend state board meetings since
all members are voting members.
Local organizations are asked to send the name, address
and phone number of their bylaw chair to the state chair. A
list of Locals, their president, their bylaw chair and the last
revision of the local’s bylaws the state has on file was
passed out at the Sunday meeting.
Each Local
organizations president, bylaws chair and their last bylaw
revision on file with the state as of 10/14/2012 are:
Local
President
Last revision in state files
Bylaws chair
Ashland
06/08/02
Cara Vanderree
Baldwin City
06/25/03
Debbie Grosdidier
Donna Gratts
Bonner Springs
05/23/12
Brook Rentz
Chanute
09/06/99
Sharon Carpenter
Clay Center
03/26/06
Dana Rickley
Garnett
11/13/01
Jenny Ferguson
Miami County
10/01/93
Alisha Williamson
Manhattan
03/26/06
DeeAnn Fugate
Newton
10/01/93
Jennifer Miles
Ottawa
Pending 2012
Laura Miller
Topeka
09/09/99
Norma Vandervord
If you do not have a copy of your bylaws contact the state
bylaws chair Barbara Pressgrove for a copy. Changes to
bylaws must be approved when completed and should be
sent to Barbara at 1110 7th St, Baldwin KS, 66006. If you
have any questions or need help in updating your bylaws
email her at [email protected].
*******************************
Ashland BPW sponsored “Honor Flight Memories” a
presentation by Bessie Seacat during National Business
Women’s Week. Mrs. Seacat was the only female veteran
on an Honor Flight trip to Washington D.C. in October 2011.
Mrs. Seacat was a member of the Marine Corps Women
Reserve from February 7, 1044 to February 6, 1945 serving
in the motor pool division.
======================================
MEMBERSHIP
======================================
======================================
HALL OF FAME
======================================
2012-2013 Membership as of 10/15/12, per the state
treasurer.
The purpose of the BPW/Kansas Hall of Fame is to honor
individuals who have distinguished themselves in their
careers and communities for outstanding achievements
benefiting women in the workforce. The BPW/Kansas Hall
of Fame emphasizes the important contributions of working
women, not only in job related activities, but also in areas
that affect our lives.
Local
Number of members
At Large members
Ashland
Baldwin
Bonner Springs
Chanute
Clay Center
Garnett
Greater Miami County
Newton
Ottawa
Topeka
7
12
14
35
8
17
10
12
17
11
6
If your local has a different total please contact the
membership chairs and/or the treasurer.
Ashley Roberts
913-991-4092
[email protected]
Jeanna Walters-Fancella
785-447-0129
[email protected]
Ashley Bergner
316-283-1500
[email protected]
********************
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the
strength to persevere and endure in spite of
overwhelming obstacles”
Christopher Reeve
Congratulations to Mike Norman, a 2012 Mettle of Honor
recipient. “Mettle” is a noun that means possessing an
especially high quality of character, spirit, courage and
ardor.
Mike and four others received the Mettle of Honor for
“exhibiting your ‘mettle’ during recovery and the
determination to advance your life post rehabilitation.” from
the rehabilitation center Madonna where he recuperated
from his go-cart accident.
*********************
Updated forms for Business of the Year and Woman of the
Year are available on the BPW/Kansas Website.
Each year members of BPW/Kansas may nominate
individuals – living or posthumous – to the Hall of Fame.
Nominations must include the name, address, biographical
information and reasons why the member/nominator feels
the nominee should be inducted into the BPW/Kansas Hall
of Fame. The member/nominator must include their name,
address and local affiliation or if they are a member at large.
There are two (2) categories with two (2) inductees selected
in each category:
1) BPW member inductee
2) Posthumous inductee
BPW Inductee:
1) Must be a member in good standing.
2) Must have been a member for at least ten (10) years.
3) Must have served on the BPW/Kansas Board of
Directors.
4) Must have outstanding achievements in their
community and/or in Kansas that has benefited
working women.
Posthumous Inductee:
1) Must have been a citizen of Kansas for most of their
adult life.
2) Must have outstanding achievements that benefited
working women of Kansas.
3) Does not have to be affiliated with BPW/Kansas.
Deadline for nominations is January 31, 2013. Send
nominations to the Hall of Fame committee chair, Helen
Norman, 41 Lakeshore Drive, Garnett, KS 66032.
The Hall of Fame committee consists of three (3)
BPW/Kansas members appointed by the BPW/Kansas
President, with approval of the Board of Directors. This year
the committee is Helen Norman, Chair; Dr. LewAnn
Schneider and Dr. Sharon Wiber.
Local Organizations are encouraged to nominate
outstanding members of their Local to the Hall of Fame.
The Committee would like one nominee in either category
from each local organization.
Helen Norman
Hall of Fame Chair
======================================
NOMINATIONS
======================================
Kansas/BPW is looking for members who wish to serve on
the state level. Nominations for state office must be made
by March 1, 2013 to be listed on the election ballot. All
candidates received by the deadline will be included in the
Advocate.





Candidates must be employed and an active member in
good standing. Candidates for President-Elect and VicePresident must have served one year as a chair or elected
officer of the Kansas State Board of Directors.


Potential candidates and their local organizations need to
complete the following:
1. A copy of the minutes of the local organization
meeting at which the candidate was endorsed
must be submitted.
2. The candidate must write a letter agreeing to
serve if elected.
3. The candidate must provide a resume of
activities and qualifications for the office. This
should include: years in BPW, offices and
chair positions held at the Local and state
levels,
special
task
forces,
special
achievements, occupations and community
involvement.
4. The candidate must provide a black and white
glossy photo or digital photo (jpg form) for
publication.

Nominations can be made from the convention floor
provided all required material is presented to the
Nominations Chair immediately following the nomination.
Send nominations to Dawn Simmons, 546 Crest Circle,
Bonner Springs, KS 66012. If you have any questions or
need additional information, please contact me at
[email protected].
Dawn Simmons
Nominations Chair
======================================
FALL BOARD
======================================
The Fall Board of BPW/Kansas was held October 14, 2012
at the McPherson Best Western Holiday Manor with 30
members present of which 29 were voting members (one
youth member was present. BPW/Kansas President Susan
Roberts presided over the meeting which included reports
and routine business. Highlights include:



Executive Board appointed Chris Booth as timekeeper
Correspondence was received from PSP Laura Miller,
Amy Trafton, Dawn Simmons and PSP Jane Hanks
expressing their regrets on being unable to attend
Post convention minutes were approved and
distributed



Heard a report from Treasurer Brook Rentz on trip to
Boston for the WPEA Conference
Financial review will be presented at Spring Board
Barbara Pressgrove bylaws chair presented
information to update local bylaws.
Heard reports from the finance chair, Issues
management chair and the membership chair
Heard report from the Hall of Fame Chair Helen
Norman that the forms with the criteria had been
corrected
Heard report from State President Susan Roberts
Approved a meeting November 4, 2012 to further
explore plans for the revitalization of BPW/Kansas
Defeated a motion to purchase 2 wireless
microphones and 2 speakers not to exceed $500
Approved the recommendation of the executive board
for members to have state membership cards.
Heard report from Diana Redger, Foundation
president on the Foundation’s weekend fundraising
events.
Baldwin City will host Spring Conference March 23,
2013
======================================
FALL CONFERENCE
======================================
BPW/Kansas Fall Conference was held at the McPherson,
KS Best Western Holiday Manor October 13, 2012. Mayor
Brown welcomed everyone to McPherson the “city of lights.”
The War and Peace Quilters, a quilting group at the Trinity
Lutheran Church told how they began making quilts and
showed some of their work. They asked Helen Wehry of
Newton BPW to help them in the presentation. They
presented her a quilt at the end in honor of her husband’s
service in World War II.
Ottawa BPW members presented a power point on
“Tomorrow’s BPW” showing some proposals for the future
of BPW/Kansas. Members were asked to respond during
lunch by completing a survey of the items proposed.
During the afternoon, short workshops on various topics
were offered to the members. Each individual could choose
from two programs for each 40 minute session. Topics
covered included Time Management, The Joy of Chocolate,
Stress Management, What is Meaningful Use, Responsible
Social Media, Diabetes Outbreak, Conflict Management,
Advance Directives, Mind Benders and Voter ID at the
Election.
Presenters were BPW/Kansas Members,
instructors at McPherson College, the assistant Kansas
Secretary of State and employees of Lawrence Memorial
Hospital.
The day concluded with the Kansas BPW Educational
Foundation Inc’s Recognition dinner for the loan and
scholarship recipients. Members were treated to a
comedy/mystery play written by Jane Gingles and performed
by BPW/Kansas members.
======================================
KANSAS BPW EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
======================================
The Kansas BPW Educational Foundation paid the
registration fee for BPW/Kansas members to attend fall
conference in McPherson Kansas Saturday, October 13,
2012. The Foundation is pleased that members took
advantage of this opportunity to attend a state meeting. The
Foundation also offers Mary Tefft grants for members
wishing to attend state meetings.
The application is
available on the state’s website and from any Foundation
Board member.
Special guests of the Foundation at the Fall Conference
recognition dinner were loan and scholarship recipients who
told the members of their educational goals and expressed
their appreciation for the scholarships. We were fortunate
to have three recipients present while several others sent
letters telling of their educational plans and how they were
using the scholarship funds.
Scholarship applications were given to local organization
presidents along with a copy of each of the grants funded by
the educational foundation. Grants are available at any
time but do need to be submitted sixty days before the
event for which the funds are being requested.
Scholarship applications are available on the BPW/Kansas
website and from any board member. The original and 5
copies are due to the Foundation president by February 1.
The current application has 9/12 in the bottom right hand
corner of each page. Any local organization, member at
large or individual member may sponsor an applicant.
Foundation Fundraisers
Members who attended the Foundation scholarship
recipient dinner on Saturday October 13, 2012 were treated
to an original, first time ever presented, mystery play written
by Foundation board member, Jane Gingles, Clay Center.
“Whatever has happened to ‘KOOKIE’?” was presented
by BPW/Kansas members who kept the audience guessing
about who stole the “yappy yippy nippy dog, Kookie.
Members were asked to guess who they thought took
Kookie. The boyfriend, Jefferson Francisco III, (Jeanna
Fancella) received 10 votes while the housekeeper Loretta
Lounger (Linda Linkugel) and Dr. L.A. Snippertail (Dr.
LewAnn Schneider) each received 4 votes. Thank you so
much for playing along and for purchasing clues to the
mystery which brought in $46 for Foundation. Thank you to
Jane for writing an outstanding play and for spending so
much time on making sure all the players fit their characters.
BPW/Kansas members who so willing played ‘characters’ in
the play were Helen Norman, Jeanna Fancella, Linda
Linkugel, Chris Booth, Lisa Gingles, Julie Smith, Dr. LewAnn
Schneider, Dana Rickley, Susan Roberts, Linda Reed,
Kathy Niehoff, Jane Gingles and Diana Redger. The
Foundation appreciates their willingness to participate. An
extra donation for Foundation was gained when several cast
members, still in costume, went to Montana Mike’s club.
Last year at Fall Conference the Board of Director’s
Foundation Apprentice Challenge received funds from
four local organizations. This year the Board presented the
Foundation Apprentice Challenge – take 2. The purpose
of the challenge was to fund a $1000 scholarship for the
next school year. Six local organizations, Ashland, Bonner
Springs, Chanute, Ottawa, Clay Center and Newton
accepted the challenge and donated a total of $1440.01,
enough to fund a new scholarship. Clay Center won the
Foundation Apprentice Challenge – take 2 by giving the
largest amount per member based on the October 15, 2012
member totals. The Challenge scholarship will be an
additional ID scholarship that will be awarded in 2013.
Thank you to everyone, local and individual, who donated to
the Foundation Apprentice Challenge – take 2.
Foundation Board member Helen Norman coordinated a
vender fair held throughout the Fall Conference.
BPW/Kansas members could browse the vendors during
breaks and make purchases of the items offered. Each
vender made a donation to Foundation from their sales that
raised $168.50. Thank you to the venders, Helen Norman,
Nancy Olsen, Linda Reed, Susan Roberts and Marsha
Burris for their support of Foundation.
Fall Conference fundraisers raised a total of $1654.51 for
the Kansas BPW Educational Foundation. The Board
thanks everyone for participating in these fundraisers and
for helping make another scholarship available to students.
Individual Development workshop November 10, 2012
The BPW Educational Foundation’s individual development
workshop scheduled for Saturday November 10, 2012 in
Clay Center was cancelled due to a lack of participation.
The Foundation will consider holding an ID workshop in the
future if there is sufficient interest.
Foundation Scholarships/Loans for 2012-2013
Loan and scholarship applications are available on the
BPW/Kansas website and from the Foundation Board of
Directors. New applications with 9/12 in the bottom right
hand corner should be used this year due to the changes
made following the annual meeting in June. The Sharon
Wiber Young Careerist scholarship was changed from
applicants must be a BPW member to preference is given to
a BPW member. The other change is any BPW member,
member at large or local organization may sponsor an
applicant. The sponsor is responsible for signing the
applications, making sure the applicant qualifies for the
scholarships for which they apply and for making copies to
send to the Foundation president. Applicants will be
disqualified if they lack required information or
don’t meet the criteria! If you have any questions or
need additional information please contact me or any board
member. Deadline for loan and scholarship applications is
February 1, 2013.
Diana Redger, President
Kansas BPW Educational Foundation, Inc
[email protected]
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BPW TIDBITS
======================================
National Business Women's Week October 22-26, 2012.
BPW Foundation shared the letter from President Obama
recognizing NBWW 2012 on their website. This continues the
tradition of every president since Herbert Hoover writing a letter of
recognition of the week. Be sure and share your NBWW media
coverage with BPW Foundation. Send links to
[email protected] and they will post a sampling on
the website.
************************************
Newton BPW hosted a political forum on October 15 with
over 100 in attendance. So many people told them how they
appreciated Newton BPW holding this Forum every two
years. The Newton Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored
this event.
***********************
Legislative Link – http://www.kswomen.com
Kansas website – http://kansasbpw.memberlodge.org
NOTES
For information regarding a change of address for your advocate
mailing or other information, please contact Kansas BPW
Executive Secretary, Kathy Niehoff, at the following address and
phone:
605 E 15Th, Ottawa KS 66067 Home Phone: 785-242-9319
e-mail [email protected]
BPW/KANSAS ADVOCATE
BPW/Kansas
C/O Executive Secretary Kathy Niehoff
605 E 15th
Ottawa KS 66067
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
======================================
BPW CALENDAR
======================================
January 31, 2013
Hall of Fame
Nominations
February 1, 2013
Scholarship Applications
due to Foundation
President
March 23, 2013
Spring Conference
McPherson, KS
March 24, 2013
Spring Board
McPherson, KS
June 8-10, 2012
State Convention
McPherson, KS
**********************
NOTE: Please send items for the newsletter to Diana Redger,
Newsletter Editor, Box 122, Ashland, KS 67831 phone 620-6352546. E-mail [email protected]