Page 5 - BPW UK ANNUAL REVIEW 2021-2022 - PART I_Neat

OFFICERS’ REPORTS

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

I have been fortunate to be elected as the BPW UK President for the past year, and it has been
super getting to know more of you. Unfortunately, the resurgence of the Covid 19 virus has made it
hard to meet or to travel. But as we know we are nothing but the great adaptors and we have continued
to embrace new technologies where needed.

Except of course where nothing but meeting in person can replace the day, I
met PNP Stella Rule at her home in Redruth. It was wonderful to hear about the issues
which had been part of her Presidency, some of which we are still advocating for to-
day. Stella has been a member who has continued that work and contacted her local
Member of Parliament with the letter in March that BPW UK had sent to all members
concerning the issues that refugees had trying to enter the UK from Ukraine. Stella was
pleased with the reply she had, and I have no doubt she will follow this up with him.

The revised FEC structure has worked very well, and I want to extend a very large THANK YOU
to each member of the team. Office Manager and VP for Membership Ann Wiseall
continues to give wise words to this new committee, which has earned her the
zoom name Ann Wiseowl. Thank you also to VP Media and Marketing Jackie Frank-
lin for her patience on all things in her brief; to our Treasurer Sue Holtom for en-
suring the banks and insurance companies are fit for purpose; to our VP YBPWUK
Yasmin Knight who is helping us all understand more about the way the future of
BPW will be, but with always one eye on our heritage. We have also made history
with our first ever job share on the FEC, VPs International Jacqui Mcloughlin and
Ruth Galwey. Each new member has hit the road running, and we have worked
well together. Our VP Advocacy Liz Jowett has been a part of the FEC for the last
three years, and we thank her for the time spent on our behalf, whilst raising these issues beyond our
membership.

Finally, to the PNP Helen Ashworth who has continued to play an active part of the FEC and
started the green interest group and continues to be active with the green working group within Eu-
rope. Thank you, Helen, no one predicted the pandemic in our job description, but we got there….

This year has all been about building a strong foundation for the post pandemic future of BPW
UK. We have missed having the last two annual conferences in person, and our zoom account has kept
in contact with many of our members. For those of them that did not have access to a more modern
laptop or tablet the FEC worked with the MEF to loan those members a device to be able to still be a
part of BPW.

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