Columbine Chapter
Columbine Chapter is the southern-most chapter of the Rocky Mountain Region located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Columbine Chapter of FEW was chartered on 11 December, 1976, to provide an opportunity for Federal employees working and/or living in Colorado Springs area to participate in training workshops, monthly meetings, and other activities during the year. The women and men that belong to the Columbine Chapter are mostly employed or retired from Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Base, Air Force Academy, Fort Carson and NORAD.
Our chapter supports the mission of National FEW, a national professional women’s organization established in 1968 in Washington, D.C. The Columbine Chapter strives to eliminate sex discrimination in the federal government, enhances opportunities for career advancement of women, establishes and maintains a working relationship with federal agencies, improves the quality of life for women by influencing Congressional and Administration actions through their legislative program, and works continually to achieve a unified and diverse membership from the many federal government agencies in the Colorado Springs area.
As a national professional organization, FEW has the flexibility of influencing Federal legislation. Through a memoranda of understanding, FEW works with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and supports the objectives, programs, and activities of the Federal Women’s Program (FWP) and FWP managers.
In the training area, FEW sponsors annual Regional Training Programs (RTPs) in 11 regions and an annual National Training Program (NTP) each July.
We have, over the years, given our support with monetary contributions and/or other donations of much needed articles for everyday living and time/effort to:
- The Center for Domestic Violence (a place of refuge for battered women and their children)
- The Jirah House (now renamed New Kidz Hope) for teenage girls that have been in trouble and are on the verge of jail/prison. The Jirah House provides a home for the girls that teach life skills and train them to be productive citizens.
- League of Women Voters
- Make a Difference Day
- Dress for Success for women in need of business attire in order to obtain and hold a job.
- 9-11 Fund
- Newborn Hope (our latest endeavor as of October 2005) for preemie babies.
MEETINGS: The Columbine Chapter meets September through June at Bennetts BBQ on North Academy Blvd. We have an informal hour from 5:30-6:15 with dinner starting around 6:15. Each month we host a guest speaker except in December when we have a silent auction and Christmas party (including Top of the Peak Chorus), and in June when we hold an installation of officers meeting.
Speaker and topics range from legislative issues, retirement and Social Security benefits for Federal employees, conflict management, job searches, interview techniques, personal safety, humor in the workplace, physical and mental fitness, EEO updates, special observances to include Native American month, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and many more.
MEMBERSHIP: Columbine Chapter Membership dues are $35.00 per year.
We invite anybody that is a Federal worker, retiree, or anybody else that supports our mission to come to one of our meetings to see if this is an organization you would be interested in joining. One important thing to mention is that we are women helping women. This is accomplished by helping members advance their careers through networking, providing a scholarship to a Regional Training Program, or supplementing the fees for attending the National Training Program each year. We sometimes help just by listening to one another’s problems and by putting our heads together to offer solutions to problems. Once you visit, I’m sure you will want to join us on a regular basis.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: About FEW and the Columbine Chapter, please contact any of the following officers:
President – Karen Beatty 719.638.2656
Vice President – Joanne Jones 719.333.2463
Secretary – Julia Bigbee 719.333.4261
Treasurer – Carolan Bickford 719.591.2170