The following are frequently asked questions and answers about the  Business and Professional Exchange.

What is the Business and Professional Exchange?

• An independent, not-for-profit, information and networking resource for middle and upper level managers and professionals in career transition.
• A volunteer self-help networking group of professionals involved in a job search.

Participants are generally supervisors, managers, executives or technical professionals involved in a career transition due to an unexpected separation or desired redirection from a previous employer.

Who Can Join?

• Participation is open to anyone involved in a job search.
• This includes professionals who are underemployed or unemployed due to downsizing, layoffs, budget cuts, transfers, etc.
• Agencies and/or companies searching for qualified applicants are welcome to attend meetings and may also become members.

How Much Does It Cost?

• An initial registration fee of $25.00 (includes $15 registration fee and first two quarters. Quarterly dues of $5.00.
• Alumni and resources: $20/year.
• Coffee is served at morning meetings for a requested donation of $1.00 per meeting.

As a volunteer, nonprofit organization, membership dues generate the only operating revenue.  The money is used for mailings, newsletter production, photocopies, and meeting room expenses.

When and Where Does BPE Meet?

NORTH SIDE CHAPTER: Every Monday at 7:00 AM at the St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 100 W 86th Street, Indianapolis. (One block west of Meridian on 86th Street.)

SOUTH SIDE CHAPTER: Every Wednesday at 8:00 AM at the Greenwood City Buidling, 2 North Madison, Greenwood. Located two blocks North of Madison Ave. and Main St.

BLOOMINGTON CHAPTER: Every Friday at 7:30 AM at the Bloomington City Hall, McCloskey Conference Room #135, 401 N. Morton St., Bloomington.

KOKOMO CHAPTER: Every Tuesday at 8:30 AM at the InvenTrek Center, Conference Room 1-A, 700 Fermin St., Kokomo.

LAFAYETTE CHAPTER: Every Monday at 8:00 AM at the TAP Annex, 2300 Concord Road, Lafayette

What is the Meeting Format?

• Every member stands and delivers a personal introduction of approximately 30 seconds in length.

The purpose of this introduction is threefold:

• it informs everyone in the room who the member is.
• identifies the member's background and what career objectives they may have.
• it helps people develop an effective introduction for use in informal networking situations.
• No one is required to introduce himself or herself. Many first-time participants simply observe the proceedings without speaking.
• Informal networking occurs before, during, and after meetings.
• People exchange leads, information about employers, and general information.
• Focus groups also form to discuss specific issues. These are informal groups and newcomers are not only welcome but encouraged to join in.
• Weekly speakers and workshops regarding, job search strategies, and other pertinent topics are presented by qualified speakers.

How Does This Organization Operate?

• A volunteer steering committee of BPE members sets policy and direction, as well as planning and conducting of the weekly meetings.
• A structure of volunteer subcommittees conduct all functions of the group, including newsletter production and distribution, data base management, external marketing, etc.

What Are The Benefits of Joining?

• Having name, address, phone number, and professional specialty placed on the active member roster. This roster is distributed regularly to members and is provided to agencies and companies searching for applicants upon request.
• Opportunity to participate on various BPE committees that create excellent visible networking opportunities.
• Opportunity to obtain job-search training and information from weekly guest speakers.
• BPE referrals to participate in classes offered by the Regional Reemployment Center.

What can I do to Help The BPE?

Volunteer for a committee.

• The BPE, by its mission, is a high turnover organization of volunteers.
• Our Goal is to lose members faster than we gain them. For this reason we are always looking for people with a variety of skills to serve on or lead various committees that sustain the organization.
• Additionally, volunteers enjoy a higher profile within the organization and a greater opportunity to network with peers and significant contacts outside of the organization.

Do I Have to Attend Every Meeting?

No, you may come as often as you like. However, the more meetings you attend, the more people you will meet, and the more leads you will receive.

Where Do the Speakers Come From?

The speakers are volunteers recruited by the Program Committee. They may be anyone helpful to your career search.

• Business leaders in our community.
• Experts in the executive placement field.
• Professional counselors.
• Motivational Speakers.
• You! BPE members are encouraged to speak.

What Are Other Benefits To BPE Membership Besides Networking AND Resume Distribution?

• Job leads -- businesses come to us with their job openings.
• Our announcements document -- offer information on meetings and organizations in the community that may assist in your job search.
• The opportunity to get involved -- we have many committees that work to improve BPE.  As a volunteer, you can give something back to the organization while you network with the business community.

Further Information?

Please attend a new member orientation, which follows each regular meeting, or call BPE at 317-252-9947.