| 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.
BLOOMINGTON
CHAPTER: Every
Tuesday at 7:30
AM at the Johnson
Creamery Building
Room 108, 400 W.
7th St., Bloomington
LAFAYETTE
CHAPTER: Every
Monday at 8:00 AM
at the TAP Annex,
2300 Concord Road,
Lafayette
CONSULTANTS
MEETING:
Meets
every other Friday
morning. The
meeting location
is the Glen W Sample
Meridian Center
on the Ivy Tech
campus at the corner
of Meridian and
Fall Creek.
What is the Meeting Format? 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. |
