PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

 On behalf of the current management committee of Business Women Incorporated, welcome everyone to our 2011 Annual General Meeting.  I stand here very proud of the work we have done this year, especially in relation to the excellent forums we have held.  I am also proud of the increase in our member numbers over the last 12 months.  As a committee, we try to remain contemporary to the needs of business and professional women, by providing relevant, educational AND inspirational events.

 Looking back 12 months, who would ever have thought that a little women’s group on the Gold Coast could have attracted a speaker of the calibre of Ita Buttrose and gathered over 120 people to attend our February forum?  I think that really put BWi on the map and I hope that we can continue the trend of providing topics and forums to meet the demand of our current members, and to continue to attract new members into our ranks.

 I often say when I stand up in front of you at one of our events, that other people make my job easier.  Those people are our management committee –  a small group of dedicated volunteers, and I’d ask you please to acknowledge and thank them with me:

• Natasha Gray
• Robyn Burgess
• Nicole MacDonald
• Rehana Adcock
• Lydia Mudryj
• Jan Billett
• Judi Reid
• Angela Newstead
• Lisa Sommerville

Business Women Incorporated means different things to each of us.  To me, it means a caring group of women who come together regularly to be inspired not just by the presenters at each forum, but by each other.  It is so much about being a safe harbour to express and share ideas with each other, and to foster and develop friendships and business relationships.  It has been my very great privilege to be the President this last 16 months, and I hope your lives have been somehow enriched by being part of this group.

It is now my great pleasure to present an award to one of our committee who is retiring and not standing for re-election:  Jan Billett.  Jan has been a member of Business Women Incorporated since its inception, and has been a valuable member of the management committee for several years.  She has vast experience in business, has travelled the world extensively since her retirement, and is an invaluable repository of BWi provenance.  She will be sadly missed on the committee but I know she will continue to attend our events and support all our endeavours.  We are very pleased to bestow a Life Membership to Jan in recognition of her contribution and support of BWi. 

I would also like to acknowledge Angela’s contribution as secretary of BWi these past 6 years.  Angela is not standing for re-election to her volunteer position on the executive.  She will stay with us in her role as Administrator.  The position of secretary is a very onerous role and Angela has fulfilled the responsibilities most admirably and she is probably the only person who has been to all of the 60 forums that BWi has held.  Thank you, Angela.

Thank you

Susan Carter
President 2011 – 2012