BPW Terminology   

Annual Convention Held annually, usually in June, the Convention allows BPW-NC a time to come together, receive annual reports, conduct business, elect and install officers, and present educational workshops pertaining to women’s issues.

BPW-NC FoundationA Tax exempt 501(c )3 foundation set up to provide scholarships to enable women in North Carolina to get the education needed to realize their full career potential. At least 5 board members serve with the Chair (appointed by the Federation President) along with the BPW/NC Federation President, the BPW/NC Federation President-Elect, and the BPW/NC Federation Board of Trustees Chair.

BPW – Business and Professional Women. May be used to refer to members, a local club, or a State Federation.

CWOY – Career Woman of the Year. Using a set of guidelines, clubs submit candidates to receive this prestigious award.

Suggested Dress Code for Convention -

Business Casual- Women should wear a combination of skirt (not too short) or dress slacks, blouse, sweater, twinset, jacket (optional), and hosiery with closed toe shoes. 


Business Formal Dress Code Guidelines - In a formal business environment, the standard of dressing for men and women is a suit, a jacket and pants or a skirt, or a dress paired with appropriate accessories. Clothing that reveals too much cleavage, your back, your chest, your feet, your stomach or your underwear is not appropriate for a place of business. In our work environment, clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled. Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is unacceptable. All seams must be finished. Any clothing that has words, terms, or pictures that may be offensive to other employees is unacceptable.  


Business Dressy/After 5 – Dressy or semi-formal attire, might be something you would wear to a business party or to a religious event. Dressy dress, suit or pants suit. 

ERA The Alice Paul Equal Rights Amendment to the United States Constitution. The preamble wording of the ERA is: “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.”

Federation- The membership component of BPW/NC. The Federation Board of Directors is composed of the Executive Committee, Standing Committee chairs and Special Committee chairs who serve at the pleasure of the Federation President.

First Timers - Refers to a member attending the State Convention for the first time.

EC – The Executive Committee. Composed of the President, President-elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Parliamentarian of the Federation.

Green & Gold – Fund-raising activities for the BPW-NC Foundation including personal or corporate donations and special functions held during the annual conference.

Golden Key Club – The group within BPW which consists of the Past State Presidents of BPW/NC. The Past State President is inducted following her year of service as immediate past president.

ID – Individual Development. A structured course of study in public speaking and group interaction developed by BPW and available for use in Local Clubs.

Issues Management – The suggestions for programs for clubs to use to promote membership development. The coordinated programs, projects, and activities for the ensuing year in accordance with the objectives of BPW/NC developed by the Issues Management Chair, the State President and the SLRP chair.

Legacy Partners-BPW - BPW Clubs and state organizations that support the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation’s mission and goals and through signing a license agreement can use the BPW brand, BPW Signature Programs, trademarks, or copyrighted materials to enhance their work in support of working women

Legislative Platform - The document reviewed and developed by the State President and State Legislative Chair, and approved by the Convention Body at the Annual Convention. This document serves as a guideline for advocacy and issues clubs and members will use as a political focus for the year. Many state BPW Federations use a version similar to that of BPW/NC.

NBWW – National Business Women’s Week. Celebrated in October, usually the third full week, by all BPW clubs.

NCWU – North Carolina Women United- NC Women United (NCWU) is a coalition of progressive organizations and  individuals working to achieve the full political, social, and economic equality of all women across North Carolina. NCWU works to build women’s power through grassroots activism, community organizing, legislative advocacy, and engagement in the political process. The Foundation of BPW/NC holds membership in NCWU, therefore all BPW/NC members may participate in the programs of NCWU. 

NIKE –The figure of NIKE dominates the BPW Emblem. She is the Winged Victory of Samothrace, a symbol of strength, progress, freedom and triumph, facing squarely the winds and waves of prejudice and all other limitations. She is represented as standing poised, on the prow of a ship, courageously breasting the elements even as women today are taking advantage of opportunities and creating others all over the world; they are coming into their own business and the professions, overcoming all obstacles, slowly perhaps, but surely.

Non-Partisan- not partisan or aligned, esp. not affiliated to, influenced by, or supporting any one political party; not supporting or controlled by a political party, special interest group, or the like. BPW/NC is both Non Partisan and Non Sectarian.

Non-Sectarian- not affiliated with or limited to a specific religious denomination

PR – Public Relations. The means of promoting your club, your members, and BPW through the news media and in local publications.

Reality Store – A program developed by BPW/Indiana and licensed for use by BPW clubs in North Carolina. Designed to be used to teach young people the value of staying in school and getting an education by creating scenarios in which they will encounter some of the day to day expenses, choices and challenges they will encounter as adults.

SLRP – (Pronounced ‘slurp’) Strategic Long Range Planning, a process of planning, organizing, and setting both long- and short-term goals for the BPW-NC Federation.

Special Committees BPW/NC Special Committees as set out in the state Handbook are: Awards, Communications, Tar Heel Woman Editor, Webmaster, Governance, Hospitality, Information Technology, Leadership Development, Individual Development Program, Training and Development, Marketing, Nominations, Annual Convention Planning, Strategic Long Range Planning (SLRP), Historian

Standing Committees- The Standing Committees of BPW/NC are Finance, Foundation, Issues Management, Legislation, Membership, Public Relations, and Young Careerist.

T &D – Training and Development.

THW – Tar Heel Women, the official publication of BPW-NC. Published and currently distributed to members online.

WEE - An event held each year in a region of the state other than the region where the Annual State Convention is to be held. The Women Empowered and Enlightened (WEE) was established in 2009 to provide statewide opportunities for education and networking for BPW members and guests. Local clubs are invited to bid for the host duties, and receive a discount to the State Convention along with a monetary amount from the Regional Event Fund. Three dollars of the State Membership dues from each member is held in the Regional Fund for the benefit of members.

WJF – Women Joining Forces – A program established by the BPW Foundation (National) to help women transitioning to civilian life following military service. North Carolina BPW was an early adopter of the program (in 2009-2010) and offers a WJF Grant that was started in the 2013-2014 fiscal year for BPW/NC. Mentoring training opportunities are provided by the Joining Forces Mentoring Plus program. http://joiningforcesmentoringplus.org and Resources for women veterans and military spouses are found at www.bpwfoundation.org

WPEA - Women’s Professional Empowerment Alliance – the informal group established following the merger of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women with the BPW Foundation (USA) to continue to have an annual meeting for members and leaders from the Legacy Clubs to share information and ideas. The meetings rotate from state to state.

YC – Young Careerist. A program that recognizes outstanding young women (aged 21 to 35) in their field and introduces the Young Careerists to the ideals and standards of the Federation. YC's compete at the local level and advance to the state where one is chosen as the BPW/NC Young Careerist for the year.


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