BPW International

Dear all!

While in some countries it is still the last day of the year 2008, in other countries it is already the first day of the New Year 2009. It is time for me to reflect on the last 366 days of 2008.

We celebrated “Christmas time” with our families, with our friends and with our memories and souvenirs of childhood. We had time to sit together, to listen, to talk, to sing and to hold each other, to feel the warmth our world needs so much.

And as tradition wants it, we make good wishes on the last day of the year for the New Year waiting at the front door.

As newly elected 1st Vice President of BPW International during Congress in Mexico last October, this coming year will be a challenge for me, surely full of surprises and good moments, but my realistic thoughts are: This will be a year of new work and new engagements, different as in the past three years as I was the Regional Coordinator of BPW Europe.

I am very proud and honoured to carry this task, and with your support we will move mountains, that I am sure of. I am not a “one-woman mover”, I only can move with your support. Your requirements to me, your needs and wishes will encourage me to high goals.
Together we can, yes of course we can!
I am looking forward to a strong team-work.

You as BPW Member all over the world, you are the most important Women for me, you believe in BPW, you work for BPW, you life the spirit of BPW. You speak the BPW language without any translation. Without you, BPW would not be what it is.

We realize that not only recruitment for BPW is crucial and important, but the retention of all our Members, the respect of cultures, different ages, and not forgetting to encourage young women to join our BPW Organisation as they are surely our future.  We will work to offer adequate projects, seminars, ideas and proposal, to cover the different needs and expectations from our members.

Stretch out your hands, keep your eyes wide open, there is so much for BPW around us, we only have to see this chance. As I said above, yes we can!

Thank you! I wrap my “Thank You” in golden paper and put silver ribbon around it.
Thank you for giving me your trust, for encouraging me to go on with my work, for believing in me.

Please accept my New Year thoughts, rather long… I know… But they come from the bottom of my heart.

Wishing you a wonderful start, with your families, your BPW Members, your friends, at your work and daily life, I add the best wishes for the New Year 2009!

Let it become “THE Year of BPW!”
Love and peace to you all

Gabriella Canonica
1st Vice President, Chair Membership, BPW International