History

FIRST ENGLISH SPEAKING BPW CLUB IN SWITZERLAND

LAUNCH OF BPW LAKE GENEVA

Founded in January 2010, BPW Lake Geneva is the 40th BPW Club in Switzerland and is the first English speaking BPW Club in this country. Launched by 14 founding members and in the presence of representatives of BPW International, BPW Europe and BPW Switzerland, more than 70 women attended the kick-off meeting in Chavannes-de-Bogis. By the end of the successful first year of BPW Lake Geneva, our small but growing club had 25 members, including Member of Honour Gabriella Canonica), BPW International’s first Vice President.

Our club is affiliated to the larger BPW structure and our membership base has grown to more than 50.

BPW Switzerland has around 2,300 members and BPW International has 30,000 members from all continents.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FIRST PRESIDENTS REPORT

For the General Assembly of BPW Lake Geneva on February 15th, 2011, covering the period of January 28, 2010, to February 15, 2011, BPW Lake Geneva President Anne Wood wrote:
The first year of the first Anglophone club of BPW Switzerland has definitely been successful and rewarding. The quality of interesting and dynamic speakers has been very high. To close the year, a lovely evening of fun and festivity was had by everyone who attended our first annual Christmas party. Starting off with a champagne toast to celebrate the successful first year of the club, we all sat down to a delicious meal prepared by the warm and accommodating staff at the Hotel Beau Rivage in Nyon, our regular venue. One of the highlights of the evening was a book exchange. Each participant brought a favourite book of theirs, explained why it was special to them, and then we all chose the book that seemed most interesting to us.
I would like to thank the following women who have helped to make the first year of our Club so successful:

• Sabine Baerlocher, our founder, who had the vision and the follow-through to start an Anglophone Club.
• Nicole Piaget, our treasurer, accountant and cashier, for her calm presence and sense of humour.
• Joyce Binder, for her loyalty and willingness to pitch in at any time, including joining the board.
• Petya Barraud for her enthusiasm and perfect attendance.
• Amelia de Kalbermatten for her contribution to our Christmas event.
• Kira-Destiny Prince for the time and energy she spent in being our first President.
• Susanna Gorga for her help with membership.
• Véronique Jarreau for the work done on the website.
• Cathy Savioz, past president of BPW Geneva, who has offered a lot of help on our website.