General Information
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Metropolitan BPW was founded in 1964 by Ruth Moss Easterling, one of the first women to serve in North Carolina's state House of Representatives. Recognizing the need for a meeting time that was respectful of the demands on professional women's time, she created the first luncheon meeting of BPW in the country.

Today, Metropolitan BPW has more than 70 members representing a variety of businesses and professions. Monthly meetings focus on topics of interest to working women -- topics that promote both the personal and professional development of our members. Additional networking and learning opportunities are available at "After Five" events.

Membership in Metropolitan BPW isn't just about Charlotte -- it includes district, state and national levels. We offer scholarships, professional recognitions and conferences to provide opportunities for business and professional women. Since 1919, BPW/USA has been the voice of working women through legislative advocacy. A powerful network of members pursues the issues that matter most to working women.

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Mission, Goals, Platform:

The mission of Metropolitan BPW is to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information. This mission is shared by the North Carolina and national federations of Business & Professional Women.

• Elevate the standards for women in business and the professions,
• bring about a spirit of cooperation among business and professional women in the United States and
• extend opportunities to business and professional women through education.

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The following are Strategic Long Range Plans (2007-2012) that have been outlined by North Carolina Business and Professinal Women. Metropolitian BPW supports these iniatives, and will develop programming and events to reflect our support of one (or more) of these iniatives annually.

1. Metropolitan BPW will be a catalyst for empowering its members to fulfill their professional and personal potential.

• Commit to host meetings that empower members to advance careers.
• Encourage members to attend LO-sponsored events as well as district, state and national meetings and conferences.
• Commit to hold Individual Development programs in our district.
• Meet member needs; plan programs designed to attract and retain today's workforce and ask for meeting evaluations and suggestions for future topics.

2. Metropolitan will have a broad membership base that includes the socioeconomic, occupational, age and cultural diversity of the workplace.

• Develop a long-term membership plan, both retention and recruitment; identify target audience, define a consistent message, review competition and assess position in the marketplace.
• Have BPW members, leaders and future leaders view themselves as our LO's "sales team," with identified roles in closing new membership sales, orienting and mentoring new members, and renewing memberships; commit to diversifying local membership.
• Retain at least 90 percent of LO members.
• Conduct periodic needs assessment.

3. Metropolitan BPW will foster communications among its members and leaders to educate and strengthen their partnership and commitment to achieving the organization's mission and vision.

• Use the new logo on all communications; branding and recognition are keys to visibility.
• Maintain and refresh Web site. Use the Web site to help with communication to/from the membership.
• Make meetings count; continue to provide professionally conducted meetings and conferences that offer the best training and skill building workshops that empower our members to advance their careers and prepare them for leadership roles.
• Fully use the district training meetings, board meetings and transition meeting to develop officers and chairs; focus enthusiastically on fun and successes.

4. Metropolitan BPW will engage in strategic alliances that further its mission to achieve equity for women in the workplace.

• Continue to cultivate our alliances and build further community alliances (National BusinessWomen's Week, etc.).
• Form strategic alliances with other N.C. organizations in support of common issues and to highlight BPW/USA's position on workplace issues and economic equity issues.

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Metropolitan BPW also supports the legislative platforms adopted by BPW/North Carolina and BPW/USA, including passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. In addition, the organization supports:

Economic Equity -- ensure pay equity, equal educational and economic opportunities at all stages of life; and promote affordable, quality dependent care to ensure economic self-sufficiency.

Health -- ensure reproductive choice and full access to all reproductive health services and education; ensure funds for research into women's health needs; and encourage the development of a national healthcare plan.

Civil Rights -- ensure equal rights and remedies for women in all phases of their lives; support affirmative action; eliminate sexual harassment and violence against women

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Interested in joining? -- Call our hotline and request an application (toll free 1-866-851-9446) or e-mail our membership chair at membership@mbpw.org.