CHAPTER XVII. YOUNG CAREERIST PROGRAM Fact Sheet on the Young Careerist Program
The Young Careerist Program is BPWʼs way of recognizing the accomplishments of successful young career people while introducing them to the ideals and standards of the Business and Professional Womenʼs Foundation and BPW / TN.
In searching for YC candidates, local members are afforded the opportunity to have in-depth conversations with many young people, both within and outside the local organization. These people can keep BPW up-to-date on the changing role of women in society, and on problems and rewards in finding a place in todayʼs business and professional world. They can also suggest ways in which BPW can serve the interests of young career women in the community.
In turn, YC candidates benefit from observations and insights of women who have years of experience in the business world, and can be made aware of resources and programs of BPW Foundation which are intended to benefit both the personal and professional lives of working women.
From the local level to the state convention, the interraction of BPW members and YC candidates can prove to be an instructive, rewarding experience for all concerned.
The YC Program began as BPW / USAʼs Young Career Woman Program during Virginia Allanʼs presidency in 1963-64. The Young Careerist chairmanship was established on the national level in 1971. BPW / TN now has a Young Careerist chair as do many local organizations. Often, YC chairs work with a Young Careerist Committee.
Implementing this program involves expenses at the local, regional, and state levels. Because of the increasing interest in attracting young women to BPW, local organizations, the regions, and the state should keep in mind their potential return from financially supporting the Young Careerist Program— in membership, good will, and public relations.
When a young person is recognized by being named a Young Careerist, she should not be expected to assume any major financial obligations. It should be made very clear to each potential candidate what financial arrangements are being assumed by the local, region, and state levels.
How is the YC selected? How does she work her way up from the local to region to state level? The answers depend largely on decisions made by those coordinating the program at the local, region, and state levels. There are, however, national mandatory criteria established by BPW Foundation.
Mandatory Criteria for the Young Careerist Program Criteria to apply to local, region, and state levels of competition.
1. A Young Careerist Representative must: o be between the ages of 21 and 35, inclusive, by July 31st following the first competition in which she / he participates;
o be or have been employed in business or the professions with at least one( 1) year of full-time work experience;
o be a BPW member in good standing; and
o sign the legislative platform agreement. A Young Careerist candidate must review the BPW / TN legislative platform and pledge that she / he will not speak against platform items in her / his capacity as Young Careerist representative, if selected.
2. The State YC must participate in the state organizationʼs selection program.
3. If judges are incorporated into the local and regional programs, it is the responsibility of the local, regional or state Young Careerist Program Chair to meet with the judges prior to the respective competitive events to ensure a clear understanding of the Young Careerist Program, procedures and evaluation process. Judges should be familiar with the legislative platform, the mission and the objectives of BPW, and the importance of each in the selection process. BPW / TN guidelines suggest( not mandate) at least one judge should be an experienced BPW member to adequately assess the candidateʼs knowledge of BPW issues. The local and regional organizations have the option of using judges, but also may conduct the program either by committee selection or by nomination if only one or two candidates are participating in the event.
49 July 2009