BPW International

International Federation of Business and Professional Women

Twinning

TWINNING

Welcome to BPW Twinning

This is the web page to find out how to build stronger and deeper connection with BPW sisters in other clubs.

What is Twinning?

Twinning is when one BPW club connects with another BPW club with a Twinning Charter. In the charter they agree to pursue some common interests, common goals and build a closer relationship between the two. Twinning is as varied as the clubs involved. Some twins connect to build a social exchange, others a cultural exchange and others have a common interest in an industry or profession. So for instance my home state, South Australia is a wine producing area so we might twin with a club in another wine growing area in another part of the world. Twinned clubs might visit each other, or have a member visit them, or they exchange newsletters. Most importantly they often get great ideas from each other. Twinning is an equal relationship with both clubs sharing and gaining. Beyond that Twinning is what you make of it. My club’s twinning came out of a friendship formed at congress and we exchange ideas, have hosted a professional and trade visit, are invited to return that visit and we mutually support a women’s project. For more details see the Twinning Guidelines

Why Twin?

While the world gets smaller the importance of twinning is growing. In our present time of globalisation it is definitely no longer good to stay contentedly in one’s own country or city without taking note of what the others do. This is especially true for members of our global association of Business and Professional Women. The immeasurable advantages of twinning should therefore be in all our minds. Twinning can be between clubs in different cities, in different countries and in different regions. It is up to you. Enjoy the rich return of exchange of experiences, joint activities and a greater understanding of each other’s cultures on an international level.

Who Twins?

There are currently 71 BPW twinned clubs, divisions and federations. Most twinning is between clubs but it can be from federation to federation. Sometimes an individual member in a country where there isn’t a BPW club has twinned with a club elsewhere. Twinning can be between clubs in one country, or between clubs of different countries, different continents. Have a look at the current 71 BPW Twinnings below.

How to Twin.

First

think about why you would like to twin and what you want out of it. That will tell you whether you want to twin more locally or internationally. It will tell you how important it is to club with another club that speaks the same language, or are you looking for a twinning of difference and diversity? If you hope to meet up is distance an issue or will you use Skype, email or social networking? What are your goals and interests?

Second

think about how long you want to twin for. Some clubs twin for two or three years, some longer. Some clubs twin for a couple of years with one club and then have a new twinning with another club. A club can have several twins too.

Third

if you would like more information and ideas about twinning and support to set up your twinning contact your regional committee representative:

Europe	Jutta Iten (Switzerland)	jutta.iten@bluewin.ch
	Nellina Basile (Italy)	nellinabasile1@virgilio.it

Africa	Tatiana Yabi-Mama (Benin)	ytatia@yahoo.com

Asia Pacific	Vivien Hazel (Australia)	vivien.hazel@bpw-international.org

North America & English speaking Caribbean	Marie Carmelle Lafontant (Haiti)	mariecarmellelafontant@yahoo.com
	Virginia Russell (USA)	sales@vipbasketstore.com

South America & Spanish speaking Caribbean	Currently vacant: Contact Nellina Basile

Fourth

find a club that you think will match your goals. You can do this a number of ways. Many twinning come from personal connections made at a BPW conference or congress. Or you might have a member who is an old school friend with a member in another club or women who have worked in different countries have friends in another BPW federation. Or you can ask on the Twinning Forum of the BPW International website, or contact the Twinning Committee through your regional representative. At the Twinning Committee meetings we can match clubs looking for a twin.

Fifth

complete the application to have your twinning approved (click here to download form) and your charter (click here to download charter) and send them both to the Twinning Taskforce committee chairperson vivien.hazel@bpw-international.org . The committee will endorse your twinning, send you your twinning certificate, invite you to send in stories and photos to go on the Twinning Website and say CONGRATULATIONS; YOU ARE NOW A BPW INTERNATIONAL TWIN! We can provide the forms in Chinese, Italian, German, or French as well as English if you request them from your regional representative.

Vivien Hazel

Chair, Twinning Committee

Twinnings