1. C O N S T I T U T I O NC O N S T I T U T I O N
Dr. Yasmín DarwichDr. Yasmín Darwich
Executive SecretaryExecutive Secretary
BPW InternationalBPW International
2011-20142011-2014

2. Why a New Constitution?Why a New Constitution?
 BPW International members decidedBPW International members decided
at the Congress in Luzern in 2005at the Congress in Luzern in 2005
that a review of the organisation’sthat a review of the organisation’s
structure and constitutionalstructure and constitutional
arrangements should be undertaken.arrangements should be undertaken.

3.  The structural review was undertaken inThe structural review was undertaken in
the 2005-2008 triennium.the 2005-2008 triennium.
 The Assembly at the 2008 InternationalThe Assembly at the 2008 International
Congress in Mexico, reaffirmed the needCongress in Mexico, reaffirmed the need
for Constitutional reform, and this phase isfor Constitutional reform, and this phase is
being undertaken in the 2008-2011being undertaken in the 2008-2011
triennium.triennium.

4.  In passing Congress 2008 ResolutionIn passing Congress 2008 Resolution
26, agreed that this is the right time26, agreed that this is the right time
to step back and look at theto step back and look at the
governance of our organisation, andgovernance of our organisation, and
to modernise and simplify ourto modernise and simplify our
Constitution, By-laws, policies andConstitution, By-laws, policies and
procedures.procedures.

5.  The resolution acknowledges that ourThe resolution acknowledges that our
current Constitution and By-lawscurrent Constitution and By-laws
constrain BPW and that theconstrain BPW and that the
organisational structure and decision-organisational structure and decision-
making arrangements need to bemaking arrangements need to be
reviewed and reformed.reviewed and reformed.

6. The Constitutional Reform WorkshopThe Constitutional Reform Workshop
recommended that the Constitutionrecommended that the Constitution
should:should:
 Enable rather than constrain.Enable rather than constrain.
 Be slim, simple, relevant, modern and highBe slim, simple, relevant, modern and high
level.level.
 And include organisational values, aAnd include organisational values, a
mission statement, simplified objectivesmission statement, simplified objectives
and definitions, and appropriate goaland definitions, and appropriate goal
statements.statements.

7. Who made the review?Who made the review?
 Constitutional Reform TaskforceConstitutional Reform Taskforce
Chaired by Dr. Jean MurrayChaired by Dr. Jean Murray
 Constitutional Advisory CommitteeConstitutional Advisory Committee
Chaired by Anne Todd Lambie.Chaired by Anne Todd Lambie.
 Expert Advisory PanelExpert Advisory Panel

8.  The Constitutional Advisory CommitteeThe Constitutional Advisory Committee
has produced a very short and simplehas produced a very short and simple
Constitution as required by the ResolutionConstitution as required by the Resolution
26, and a simplified set of Regulations. 26, and a simplified set of Regulations.
 Several terms have been changed inSeveral terms have been changed in
response to submissions, and theresponse to submissions, and the
language has been kept simple withlanguage has been kept simple with
particular attention to using language thatparticular attention to using language that
can be translated and retain its meaning. can be translated and retain its meaning.
Definitions have been provided. Definitions have been provided.

9. Important ChangesImportant Changes
 MissionMission
 AimsAims
 Type of OrganisationType of Organisation
 Entitle to vote maximum 15 delegatesEntitle to vote maximum 15 delegates
 Vice President Membership & UNVice President Membership & UN
 Finance Director, Executive Secretary andFinance Director, Executive Secretary and
Regional Coordinators can serve twoRegional Coordinators can serve two
terms.terms.

10.  Place of Intl. Congress to be decided by thePlace of Intl. Congress to be decided by the
Executive.Executive.
 DissolutionDissolution
New Important Mentions:New Important Mentions:
 LanguagesLanguages
 DatabaseDatabase
 Project participantsProject participants
 Name and logoName and logo

11.  Before 2011:Before 2011:
 Constitution: 13 Articles. +- 6 Pages.Constitution: 13 Articles. +- 6 Pages.
 By Laws: 15 Articles. +- 8 Pages.By Laws: 15 Articles. +- 8 Pages.
 Handbook: 20 Points. +- 40 Pages.Handbook: 20 Points. +- 40 Pages.
 After 2011:After 2011:
 Constitution: 8 C. Points. 1 Page.Constitution: 8 C. Points. 1 Page.
 Regulations: 24 Regulations. +- 8 Pages.Regulations: 24 Regulations. +- 8 Pages.
 Procedure Manual.Procedure Manual.

12. Next StepsNext Steps
 Review of the Procedure Manual by theReview of the Procedure Manual by the
Constitutional Advisory Committee, Chaired byConstitutional Advisory Committee, Chaired by
Past President Elizabeth Benham.Past President Elizabeth Benham.
 Procedure Manual approved by vote of theProcedure Manual approved by vote of the
Board of Directors.Board of Directors.
 New Constitution and Procedure Manual has toNew Constitution and Procedure Manual has to
be distributed and made available on our Webbe distributed and made available on our Web
Site to be fully implemented by the Affiliates.Site to be fully implemented by the Affiliates.

13.  Federations and Clubs review theirFederations and Clubs review their
Constitutions and make changes inConstitutions and make changes in
accordance with the new Constitution,accordance with the new Constitution,
Regulations and Procedure Manual.Regulations and Procedure Manual.
 Federations and Clubs send theirFederations and Clubs send their
Constitution to the Executive Secretary toConstitution to the Executive Secretary to
be reviewed and approved.be reviewed and approved.

14. Executive Secretary Work Plan.Executive Secretary Work Plan.
 Webinars Constitution Seminars.Webinars Constitution Seminars.
 Skype Constitution Seminars.Skype Constitution Seminars.
 Constitution Workshops at National andConstitution Workshops at National and
Regional Meetings.Regional Meetings.

15. Thanks !!!Thanks !!!
ydarwich@yahoo.comydarwich@yahoo.com