President Communique #7

Submitted by: Barbara Dowding

Dear League Sisters and Father Terry,

Fall is fast approaching! The cooler mornings, the mist and fog, not to mention the spider webs everywhere tell me its time to get back to work.

I can see your Provincial Executive have been busy and thank them for the fine communiques filled with great pearls of information and ideas for action.

You will be receiving reports from Sheila Q…., 1st Vice President and Marilyn V………, 2nd Vice President on their view of the National Convention in Montreal. I can tell you that you will think you were there after reading the reports!

I was a very proud Provincial President when our three new Life Members were “inducted” at a moving and very meaningful service. Congratulations again to Marianna C, Sheila Q and Marilyn V.

While I was pleased that so many members from our province were in attendance, some accredited for their dioceses but many on their own, it made me think, once again, that we need to find ways of getting all our diocesan presidents to all the National Conventions. It is such a great learning experience and an important base for League growth. But there is another even more important reason and that concerns the election of national officers. If diocesan presidents have never even seen or heard of the women running for office, it makes for very difficult choices when it comes to nominations and knowing the people we want to elect.

RESOLUTIONS:
We were all disappointed in the number of resolutions that came to the convention floor, but in the end it was a great learning experience. Further, at both the pre and post convention meetings, as well as during the Presidents’ roundtable discussion, the topic of resolutions came up. Presidents called for more consistency in applying the criteria when it comes to accepting or rejecting resolutions. It was noted that this must begin at the parish level. Dioceses must not accept resolutions just because a group worked hard on them or because feelings will be hurt. We have to teach proper adherence to rules and criteria to ensure success at the next level. In this regard I urge every diocesan council to commit to one workshop in the coming months on resolutions. It doesn’t have to be a long one, but there are many to choose from and many qualified provincial and diocesan executive members, as well as Life Members, who would be willing and able to do this. Our League is known for its work through resolutions; this year we have little to show. Let’s all make an effort to help Sheila reach her goal of putting BC back on the resolutions map!

NEWS FROM NATIONAL:
I’m really excited about the manual for Organization Chairpersons that should be ready soon. We’ve been pressing our National Council to revamp and review our training materials and I’m pleased to say it has come to be. I think you will really like it and I am sure it will inspire all Organization Chairpersons, particularly those at parish level. It might even encourage a member to take on this standing committee!

You will also hear more about a new pin designed to recognize service on diocesan and provincial levels when a member doesn’t qualify for or is not able to accept a Life Membership. The details will be clear and you might be surprised to find there are members in your parish councils who actually qualify…. Wait and see! (I will attach the draft criteria, but its for your information only at this time).

WUCWO:
Agnes Bedard reported that the voluntary contributions to WUCWO were up by 75% this past year. Plans for the Regional meeting next August are going ahead well and will be in conjunction with our National Convention. I am sure Pat Battensby will be getting and sending updates as they are available, but want to remind everyone to start thinking about the possibility of attending both parts.

FOCUS GROUPS RE STANDING COMMITTEES:
I’ve attached a power point presentation that was made by Danielle McNeill-Hessian at the convention. Most of it is self explanatory, but if you want any more information or details, please do not hesitate to contact me. The end result is that there are no pending changes to the Standing Committees at least for the time being. The great news, however, is that a special committee consisting of Lorette Noble, Danielle McNeil-Hessian, Velma Harasen and Kim Scammell has been struck to develop a strategy/marketing plan for the League.

Almost everything else new or coming out of the convention is being covered in the Standing Committee Chairpersons’ communiques. Please encourage your parish council presidents to eliminate the ‘no report syndrome’ at their monthly meetings. Teach them how to make reporting interesting and to help them remember that the League is about looking out in to the larger community and world as much as taking care parish needs. We need a good balance and with some creativity, enthusiasm and preparation, this can easily be achieved.

LEAGUE DEVELOPMENT DAYS:
Marianna C…….. will report in her Organization Communique about the Provincial Council’s commitment to provide opportunities in every diocese for education and training about our League and how it is relevant in today’s busy global world. I am asking each diocesan president to find one Saturday that can be dedicated to League Development. This will be a full day, from 9 to 3 and will be presented by members of the provincial council. You may find it interesting to note that the Kamloops Diocese has already booked three such days! Please contact me directly with your date as Marianna will be away for two months.

ANNUAL REPORTS:
Special appreciation to Marianna Caldwell and her hard working committee for fine tuning (once again) the report forms. Please accept them in the spirit with which they are sent – helpful tools to achieve our reporting goal – and encourage all your councils to strive for 100% reporting!

MID TERM:
Thanks again for your cooperation in sending your reports in advance and any suggestions or items for the agenda. We will have a working retreat this year with emphasis on working! Unfortunately, Father Terry can’t be with us, but I know Dodie B… will help us ‘retreat’ well and keep us spiritually on track as we prepare for another busy CWL year.

I look forward to hearing from all of you, particularly the diocesan presidents, as you communicate with your councils and plan your year. Remember, its not about us individually, but rather about how the Holy Spirit works with and through us to serve His people!

With love and prayers from your Sister in the League,

Barb