CONTACT:
Karen Turni Bazile, Executive Assistant to the President
St.
Bernard Parish
504-278-4280 or 504-874-0980
ST. BERNARD BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CLUB JULY GENERAL
MEETING FOCUS ON HURRICANE PREP 2008
The
St. Bernard Business and Professional Women’s Club will hold its
next meeting on Monday, July 21 at 6 p.m. at the Council on
Aging office, 8201 West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. Featured
guest speaker is David Dysart, Director of the St. Bernard
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Prepardness. He
will address what's new in hurricane preparation and evacuation
as the height of hurricane season approaches. The meeting is
open to members, potential members, and their guests.
“At our June meeting we brainstormed on what St. Bernard women
want from BPW. Although we generated a lot of ideas for upcoming
programs, we also recognized that living in a coastal area we
can't help but be on alert during the months of August and
September. With so many residents now back home and many new
residents since 2005, a refresher from the director on what's
new in storm preparation and evacuations would be helpful. It's
easy to get overwhelmed with information in the media, so we
appreciate an opportunity to have the director address us
personally," said Deborah Keller, BPW President.
“We also believe that everyone has learned something from the
Katrina experience. The meeting will also give an opportunity
for the audience to share some of the things they are doing
different with their family or business in regards to protecting
property, evacuating, communications, etc. In business, we talk
about mitigating against future disasters, preparations,
recovery, and continuity of operations plans, but we need to
bring that mindset to our personal lives, as well.
“And while the director will be focused on hurricanes, these
practices and procedures apply to many of the disasters that a
community could encounter, such as Mississippi River floods,
hazardous material spills, freezes, fire, and terrorism."
The National Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW/USA)
is a leading advocate for working women. Founded in 1919, it
addresses issues that affect their personal lives, such as
health care and finances, and their professional careers, for
those in the work force.
The St. Bernard local organization, chartered in 1961, has
provided such programs as the annual 4th of July Bell Ringing
Ceremony, the St.
Bernard Man and Woman of the Year banquet, National Business
Women’s Week, college scholarships, leadership and professional
training workshops, and the De La Ronde Cotillion.
