Member Renewals

Thank you for renewing your BPW Australia membership.

As you are probably aware, either by attending the May Leadership Summit in Adelaide or by reading the eBulletin, there is good news regarding your membership of BPW Australia:

• The renewal fees have not increased for the third year in a row.
• The membership categories have been altered in favour of the members or members-to-be.

During the past year, the BPW Australia Board has worked hard to improve and enhance your membership experience and to stretch our budget to add value and extra services without increasing fees. Some of the exciting things that have happened over the past year include:

New Administration Services – Office Logistics

• Responsive, timely and professional dedicated staff at Office Logistics 
• Streamlined financial administration and Board support
• Membership Database with online self-service management and full backend support
• Enhanced understanding of our ethos, aims and objectives
• Providing a better platform to launch into the next stage of development of  BPW
  
  

New Website and Online Community including:

•  Resources for Club Committees to manage club events including online payments
• Online community of discussion forums and club blogs and new ways to connect
•  Membership Directory to showcase business owner members and special interests
• Newsletter emails with full open, bounce and read facilities
• Member self-service tracking of renewals and events payments
  
  

Where do the Membership Fees go?

A question raised frequently during the Leadership Summit was: ‘where does my payment for membership fees go?’  First of all, note that you are a member of both BPW Australia and BPW International through your club membership:

• Each Club receives $25 per member (new member or renewing member) to assist the club with providing services to members. Check with your club how this is spent.
• BPW International receives an amount set by the BPW International General Assembly. BPW International is registered in Geneva, Switzerland, so the BPW International fees are set in Euros. The current exchange rate makes this approximately AUD $32
• BPW Australia fare pool receives $15 per member per year which accumulates over the triennium to financially assist those members attending the National Conference and the BPW International Congress.
• BPW Australia receives the remainder of the membership fees to support its work and Board governance.

The benefits of BPW membership are set out here.

Membership Categories

As a consequence of the ideas presented at the Leadership Summit and endorsement by the BPWA Board, the current trial of Gold and Silver membership categories is being replaced with different membership categories for the 2015-2016 period.  

If it proves to be functional and builds membership, the Board will put a Resolution to the 2016 National Conference to amend the Constitution and the Policies and Procedures accordingly.

This is one of several strategies to attract new members, particularly younger members, and will also assist the efforts of State Representatives to set up five new BPW clubs in Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Victoria.

The concessional renewing fee is set at 1/3 of the full renewal fee. From 1 July 2015 Members (concessional) will share the same rights and privileges as full Members including voting rights at the BPW Australia National Conference and eligibility to nominate for positions on Club Executive Committees and the BPW Australia Board.

The concessional fee is available to students (full-time and part-time/low income) and members who qualify for Commonwealth government concession cards [not state issued Seniors cards].  A concessional Member must be able to provide evidence to substantiate her status, if requested. 

Taking Action for Women’s Equality 

• Submissions and media releases  related to childcare, paid parental leave and other work-engagement policies
  
• Reporting UN Global Compact progress in Australia
  
• Conducting events that showcase programs such as the Women's Empowerment Principles
  

Renew your membership NOW and help to provide

• a united voice in our advocacy with government , business and the community
  
• advancement of the aims of BPW Australia to improve gender equality
  
• an opportunity to be involved in real change for women at all levels
  
• your chance to share club events and make lasting friendships and connections
  

You can now renew online.  Simply log in to your profile at http://www.bpw.com.au

The first time you access your profile on the new website, you need to set your new password.  Click on the ‘forgotten your password’ link at the top right of the main home page and enter your email – remember to use the email address that you have given BPW as your contact. You will be sent an email advising you to choose a new password. You will then be able to login in with your email <your email> and password.  You will now see your name displayed top right and you can click on ‘View Profile’ to renew and update your membership.  This login gives you access to view and update your membership details at any time during the year.

If you encounter any problems please contact us at bpwaust@bpw.com.au

The Board looks forward to input from all members, helping BPW Australia to continue to build a consistent and credible identity as a leading women's organisation presenting the collective views of members and taking action for equality at work, on boards and in leadership across Australia.