This month, the L3 team wants to share the history of the Lifelong Leadership and Learning program – 71 Years in the Making.

Lifelong Leadership and Learning - How it all began

Barbara J. Davis, Past State President-CFBPW, member NFBPWC L3 Committee

In 1954, the leadership of Sierra Mar District, a district in the California Federation BPW, felt there was a need for a specific aid for members’ leadership development and club orientation of Federation principles among their fifty-six clubs. In answer to this need, the Leadership Development Project was born. The initial course developed was seven months long and members attended a monthly training.

Credit for development of the program goes to Julia K. Arri. Ms. Arri was President of CFBPW in 1966-67, President of BPWUSA in 1979-1980, and served as International BPW Treasurer. Ms. Arri was dedicated to the cause of developing membership potential not only in the field of leadership but in the overall betterment of Business and Professional Women on the job and in their community.

The resource materials for the earliest courses were the California Handbook of Federation Procedures (CFBPW), Handbook of Federation Procedures (BPWUSA), “How To” manual (BPWUSA), Roberts Parliamentary Law, Sierra Mar District Procedure Manual, and “Time to Speak Up”- A Speaker Handbook for Women by Jessie Haver Butler (published in 1946).

The Leadership Development Project was renamed Individual Development Program in the early 1970s. The training materials were shared with other districts in California and State Federations nationally. Many of the districts added to the materials, topics important to their members and eventually a California Federation BPW Individual Development Program was developed and used consistently through California.

In July 1992 BPWUSA launched a three-year plan called BuildingWomenPower. This plan encompassed three aspects to increase working women’s total effectiveness: Politically – by supporting working women’s issues through BPW’s nationwide network; Professionally – by accessing the tools needed for career advancement and entrepreneurial success; and Personally – by developing skills through BPW’s Individual Development Program, the Young Careerist Program and the partnership of CHOICES.

The Individual Development Program was published in 1994 with a program developed by Rosemary Agonito, Ph.D. The program and materials were copyrighted in 1994 by the National Federation of Business and Professional Women. All Clubs and Federations were instructed to utilize this program rather than the separate programs previously used by Clubs and Federations.

Shortly after the 1994 update, the Individual Development program added a speaking competition which included progressive competitions with winners from Club competitions, going to State competitions and those State winners, participating in the National Competition. The prepared speech portion of the IDP was a challenge for many attendees. However, many attribute their ability to speak both at work and publicly because they overcame that challenge through IDP. The other portion of the speaking training was through impromptu speeches. The participants were given a topic, ten seconds to consider the topic, and then they were to speak on that topic for two minutes. I recall an instructor said the reason for impromptu speeches was “the fact that you didn’t leave home every morning prepared for questions you would be asked that day, so you needed to be able to think on your feet.”

In July 2004, the Individual Development Program was updated recognizing that the Individual Development Program was one of the key programs of BPW/USA and a testament to the belief in making a difference for women today and for the future of BPW. Dr. Trish Knight, BPW/MI, Past National President, was recognized for her leadership, dedication and hard work in updating and producing the materials.

At the 2005 National Conference, a training meeting was held for the Individual Development Chairpersons from each State Federation and any members who were seeking certification to conduct the IDP course. The materials were shared with that group on a CD which we were all delighted to take home instead of a 3” binder containing the facilitator’s guides, participants guide and resource handouts.

In 2020, the NFBPWC Individual Development Committee accepted the challenge to update the 2008 program, developing PowerPoint slides for easier presentation and update the programs. Additionally, the program name was changed to Lifelong Leadership and Learning (L3) Program.

The L3 Committee continues to update the modules as necessary and expand the topics. Originally the program consisted of lessons in conducting meetings, parliamentary law, and club leadership.

Topics such as Teamwork, legislation, BPW History and Women’s History, Officers and Chairs leadership were added over the years. Lessons for public speaking, both prepared presentations and impromptu topics, were also added.

In 2005, topics including Business Etiquette, Advocacy, Writing your legislators, and media relations were added. The current program includes fifteen topics with more topics being added to include The Art of Networking, Leadership vs Management, Time Management, Project Management, and Stress Management-Self-care.

If you ask some of your more seasoned members, they will likely respond that the Individual Development Program is one of the best experiences they have had during their BPW membership. The goal of the current L3 Chair includes working with all of the NFBPWC committee chairs to hopefully incorporate L3 programming with that specific committee’s goals as well as creating any new modules that would be beneficial for members.

Please follow the activity of the L3 Committee on the NFBPWC website and in the NFBPWC magazine. Members are encouraged to work with their State Federation or Club leadership to ensure L3 activities are happening for their state/club membership.

You can direct questions to L3Chair@NFBPWC.org

“The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you” B.B. King

NICOLE MPOULI

LIFELONG LEADERSHIP & LEARNING COMMITTEE CHAIR

(2025-2026)