Welcome everyone to March’s newsletter I hope you have all been enjoying what is left of our summer. We have our national conference next month and this year New Zealand is celebrating 80 years of BPW. Your executive has been working hard on the clubs award entries which were due in February. Welcome to our new members Bernadette Smith, Elaine Sunnex and Tanya Phillips it is wonderful to have you with us.

Guest bags: if you would like to donate something for our guest bags then please bring them to Sheryl at Equipment Hire on South Road. It can be anything from a business card with a chocolate attached to work magnets or pens etc.. Anything small to promote your business would be appreciated.

The 8th of March is International Women’s Day and we are celebrating at Tairoa Lodge. The event starts as 5pm with a $15.00 charge at the door, Celine Filbee will be singing and there will be member display tables set up. The event link is on our facebook page and further down the newsletter, please rsvp we would love to see you all there and bring a friend.

This month at our dinner meeting we will be discussing the resolutions ready for conference; you will all be sent these before the meeting so you can prepare your thoughts. Our guest speaker this month is Dee who does all of our IT, she will be answering your questions about creating and running websites.  

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Welcome everyone to February’s newsletter I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas, New Year and summer holiday. We have a great year ahead of us and don’t forget that this year New Zealand is celebrating 80 years of BPW. This will be celebrated at our national conference in April and we look forward to the book being produced by National showing our BPW journey.

This month we are acknowledging Red Bag Day and Janet from our national executive will be joining us to talk about Red Bag Day and to share information about BPW as a global organization.

We'll be having a Q & A with Dee who does all of our IT. She'll be answering your questions about creating, and running websites.

A merry summer to you all.
See you all on the 18th.
Warm Regards
Desiree Bond - President

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Welcome everyone to November’s newsletter and welcome to our new executive we have an exciting month ahead of us :) This month is White ribbon month which makes us aware of the domestic violence in our community and further afield. Please wear your white ribbon in support of this. Hawera is hosting the White Ribbon Ride on the 21st of November meeting at 10.30am at 85 Fairfield Road, ‘The White Ribbon Ride is one of the most exciting initiatives tackling this country’s crippling domestic violence record. This week-long motorcycle tour happens every November. Join the White Ribbon Riders as they share their stories and talk about the White Ribbon kaupapa.’

We will be having a stand at the A&P Show on Friday the 16th and Saturday the 17th of November and we desperately need your help please. Our aim is to get BPW out to the business and professional women in and around Hawera who need us, our club, our comradery and help. It can be tough out there on your own and there are so many small businesses being run from home it’s a great opportunity to try to connect with these amazing women. A roster will be sent out for volunteers to man our stand, if you can give an hour of your time that would be wonderful. We will also have a raffle like last year so can you all please donate something small for this, you can drop off your items to Sheryl at Storage and Equipment Hire on South Road.

See you all on the 19th.
Desiree Bond

Read the full November Newsletter here...

What a wonderful start to daylight savings, it makes for an easier time of it for those looking after children/grandchildren over the school holidays.

I am so fortunate to spend time with like-minded women and being surrounded by inspiring and proactive women, the sharing of ideas, networking and reconnecting with other women. It is helpful discussing our challenges, goals and sharing lots of ideas with members of Hawera BPW.

I especially enjoyed the opportunity to share the experience with our newer club members - Anna, Marissa and Andrea better after listening to them at our September meeting. They were excellent on how they influence others with opportunity by establishing needs of others, to then work towards successful outcomes……and maintain work life balance!!

A quote I was reminded of –

“Surround yourself with people smarter than you”.

See you all on the 15th.
Sheryl


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Dear Editor of the Taranaki Daily News,
 
The edition of todays newspaper made me realise that I am a very confident women too, and for the first time I feel the need to voice my opinion in public.
 
I have called New Zealand my home for the last ten years and have always been proud of the fact that New Zealand has a history of outstanding courageous women. Helen Clark was Prime Minister at the time and I admired her for the way she presented herself in the male dominated world of international politics. I took a great interest in the suffragettes movement, as their bravery to stand up for women’s rights was extraordinary in a time when women were expected to have children and look after their family.
 
So when I looked at the front page of the Daily news this morning I felt very disappointed. I expected a picture of a camelia or the 125 suffrage symbol or a picture of Kate Sheppard or at least a purple border. I looked through the rest of the paper to find the big article on the anniversary of 125 years of women’s vote, but there was nothing! Not a mention of this big event 125 years ago!
 
I felt outraged and immediately a picture from last Saturdays edition came into my mind. Two ladies planned a march to celebrate the efforts of the suffragettes. One lady was holding up a sign with the words: “Same Shit! Different Century – Are we there yet?”
 
It is not that I don’t appreciate the importance of showcasing young innovative approaches to farming in South Taranaki … but today is about celebrating the achievements of the extraordinary and courageous ladies 125 years ago, who achieved for all women in New Zealand to have the right to vote!
 
Would you have showcased a farming story on the front page if it was a rugby anniversary?
 
Have a look at the New Zealand Harold, they achieved it!


Picture from the New Zealand Geographic.
 
Kind regards
Anna Baylis