November 2024

This year is going fast, roll on summer and more predictable weather than the ups and downs of spring we have had so far.
 
I’d like to thank those that came along and supported the AGM last month.  There was a lot to cover. I’m excited to welcome Cindy Koen onto the club executive committee as our new club secretary.  Please support her in her new role.  And thanks again to Anita who stood down from the committee at the AGM.  Anita has been a great support to me since I have been in this role.  Congratulations to our new club vice president, Anna Dunlop-Paaka.
 
As agreed at the AGM the proceeds from all our raffles for the next year are all going to the Taranaki Health Foundation to support the new Cancer Centre at Taranaki Base Hospital.  In the new year we will also kick off a working group to review our annual scholarship criteria.
 
Important information about club dinners going forward:
 
We are very lucky to have Trish open SomeDay Café for us each month for our club dinners and serve us such lovely meals.  This can only happen if it is viable for her business. 
We need to pay for the number of meals booked.  We have had several no shows or last-minute cancellations for dinners from members that we have booked dinners for in the past few months.  Trish prepares meals based on the numbers we give her on the Friday before the dinner and numbers are reconfirmed on the Monday morning if there have been changes.  We know life happens sometimes that result in having to cancel coming to dinner when you have already RSVP’d that you would be there.  If this occurs, we ask that you cancel as soon as you know you will not be there.  Any no-shows or cancellations after the Sunday afternoon prior to the dinner will need to be paid for by the member.
 
Secondly it needs to be economically viable for SomeDay Café to open especially for us – so regardless of numbers attending we will have to pay the Café for a minimum of 12 meals.  Its only happened once or twice since we have been at SomeDay Café that we have had less than 12 attend a dinner but we need to support this local business.
 
So, in summary: let us know if you will be attending the dinner meeting before the deadline (Friday afternoon before the dinner).  Also let us know if you, or any of your guests, have any dietary requirements.
The newsletter has the dinner information each month. We also follow up with an email to those that we haven’t heard from.  If you need to cancel your attendance/ meal for any reason, do so before the Sunday afternoon before the dinner.
 
Thanks for your cooperation.  I know we all enjoy SomeDay Café’s meals.
 
November’s dinner meeting is going to be another busy one.  We are going to announce and present our Women’s Education Scholarship to the recipient. Gwen Cater and I are going to be the speakers this month.  As many of you are aware Gwen and I were lucky enough to be selected by our company to attend the Global Women Activate Leadership programme in Wellington this year.  We want to share with you all some of the highlights and value we got out of this four-month programme.
 
End of year/ Christmas celebration dinner:
 
Monday 9th December is all booked for our annual BPW Hawera Christmas get together.  As per previous years partners and friends all welcome to attend.  We will again carry out the annual $20 Gift voucher swap for those that want to participate.  Bring along a $20 voucher from a local business to the December dinner. That way you get a nice voucher back from someone else and we support local businesses.
We are also planning some fun activities. We will send out an invite a little bit closer to the date with more information.
  
I have just completed a Leading Wellbeing Workshop designed for people leaders.  It was a fantastic session, and I got a massive amount out of it. This news letter is too short to share all the helpful tips but to summarise:

• Increase mental health discussions.
• Normalise seeking help – it is totally common.

• Be aware of the mental health support that is available to you (examples are but there are so many more avenues for help: Call or Txt 1737, Lifeline 0800 543 354 or txt 4357, your GP, EAP if your company offers it)

• Be able to recognise burnout in yourself (and others)
• Have a few tools in your kit that can lift your mood eg exercise, meeting up with a friend, hobbies or activities you enjoy.
• Remember if you are ever worried about someone, it is always the right thing to ask if they are ok.

​To view in full click here...