CHAPTER II. BPW STRUCTURE
The Local Organization Member When accepted for membership in the local organization, an individual automatically acquires certain rights and responsibilities. It is the right of the member to:
• Have a voice in the general administration and affairs of the local organization;
• Be kept informed of the status of local organizationʼs overall programs, financial condition, and general programs;
• Express considered opinions, make relevant suggestions, and offer constructive criticism in its affairs;
• Be represented by competent and courteous leaders using orderly and democratic processes;
• Grow as an individual; and
• Expand horizons.
It is the responsibility of the member to:
• Accept the purposes and organization of the group;
• Be informed by the the use of tools, such as orientation seminars, Tennessee State Publication, and program aids available through state and BPW Foundation;
• Be loyal to the objectives of the local organization and to its selected leaders;
• Abide by its established rules;
• Participate and become more knowledgeable in the activities of the local organizaation and support the approved program;
• Attend BPW meetings— local, district, regional, and state;
• Promote membership;
• Be as ready with praise as with criticism;
• Be willing to serve in any capacity in the interest of the local organization, district, region, or state. The Local Organization
Local organizations are the basic units of the state organization. The purpose of the local organization is to pursue objectives of BPW / TN by promoting BPW / TN programs and projects.
Each local organization adopts its own bylaws, which must not be in conflict with the model local organization bylaws, the state bylaws, nor its policies and procedures.
The local organization objectives are the same as those of BPW / TN. The State Organization( BPW / TN)
All of the chartered local organizations within the state make up the state organization. Through its affiliation in the state organization each local organization is automatically a non-voting member of the BPW Foundation.
The state adopts its own bylaws which must not be in conflict with the BPW Foundation policies and procedures regarding the use of the BPW brand or intellectual properties.
Amendments to these policies and procedures shall be presented to the Board of Directors for consideration and / or adoption. Adoption of an amendment( s) shall be by a majority vote and become effective immediately, unless otherwise stated.
The National Federation( BPW / USA)
BPW / USA was composed of members in state federations, combined federations, and members not affiliated with a local organization [ formerly called members-at-large ].
July 1, 2009, BPW / USA ceased to exist as an organization and merged with the BPW Foundation, transfering the rights to the BPW brand, name and logos, as well as its established programs and intellectual property to BPW Foundation. State federations or local organizations not a part of a state federation were given the option of paying a licensing fee to become non-voting members of the BPW Foundation with rights to use the name and logos of BPW and access to its programs such as Young Careerist, Individual Development, National Business Womenʼs Week, Women Joing Forces, Policy and Action Conference, and other BPW events or programs.
4 July 2009