WHO WE ARE
The American Business Women's Association (ABWA) provides opportunities for college scholarships, leadership, professional development, and education from seminars and conferences. ABWA was founded in 1949 by Hilary A. Bufton in Kansas City, Missouri. Since then, ABWA has provided vocational skills and career development training for more than 545,000 members in over 1,400 chapters, express networks, and regional councils nationwide.
The Eastern Michigan Council (EMC) of ABWA is comprised of eight chapters throughout Michigan. The council programs are designed to help members and leagues grow personally and professionally. We focus on ways to help chapters retain current members while gaining new ones, fundraising ideas, ABWA educational information, and business-relevant speakers. EMC became a registered council in 1997. The charter officers were President Linda Angus, Vice President Donna Lee, Secretary Mary Ann Steele, and Treasurer Carolyn Beam.
WHAT WE DO
Support, Networking, and Education.
The goals of the Councils are to enhance and support the mission of the Association and its Chapters and Express Networks; to support and improve the earning power of all members; advance working women by providing them with opportunities for professional development and facilitating the exchange of ideas and information among the Chapters and Express Networks in their areas and provide enrichment opportunities for area members. Councils serve as a conduit for information between local Chapters and Express Networks and venues for face-to-face connections between members affiliated with the Chapters and Express Networks that have membership in the Council.
EMC generally meets bi-monthly with meetings hosted by chapters within the council. In 2020 the council will meet on the 2nd Saturday in February, the 3rd Saturday in April, and the 2nd Saturday in June, July, September, and December. Special events include the Woman of the Year, Top 10 Nominee, and Protégé Celebration in April and the DVP Luncheon in July. Visit our Meetings page for the latest updates/changes: https://www.abwa-emc.org/meetings
ABWA National Mission
The mission of the American Business Women’s Association is to bring together business women of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.
EMC Vision
The council is known by member leagues as the place to go to share ideas and goals, and to help achieve, maintain and level up best practices. We’re also known for mentoring and coaching candidates for National board offices.
ABWA Proud Code of Conduct
Ethical dilemmas occur as a result of values in conflict. It is important that the values of the American Business Women’s Association are communicated to all members, and so Express Network and Chapter leaders are asked not only to communicate but also to embrace, support, reinforce and uphold ABWA’s Proud Code of Conduct.
ABWA’s Proud Code of Conduct was developed as a means of guiding all members in making ethical decisions. The broad statements of the code of conduct that are listed below are not expected to cover all conduct for all situations. This is why the Proud Code of Conduct was created as a living and fluid code.
1. All members will serve as goodwill ambassadors for the American Business Women’s Association.
2. Members will not allow their personal beliefs and convictions to interfere with the representation of ABWA’s mission.
3. Members will always treat their member colleagues, guests, vendors and sponsors with honesty, respect, fairness, integrity, responsibility, kindness, and in good faith.
4. Members will maintain compliance with ABWA National, Chapter and Express Network Bylaws.
5. Members will not use their personal power to advance their personal interests.
6. Members will strive for excellence in their professions by maintaining and enhancing their own business knowledge and skills, and by encouraging the professional development of other members.
Set of Core Values for the American Business Women's Association
1. Giving Members a Voice
2. Treat People With Dignity
3. Lifelong Learning
4. Focus on Creating Value for Members
5. Achievement
6. Visionary Leadership
7. Focus on the Future
8. Focus on Results
9. Manage by Fact
10. Manage for Innovation