Provincial Convention 2008: Organization Oral Report

Submitted by: Marianna Caldwell

I would like to thank Barb for asking me to represent her at the Vancouver Archdiocesan Convention where I had the privilege of presenting the workshop on Communications. The members really enjoyed the workshop and felt it was very beneficial – especially the section on email etiquette.

There are two Provincial Development Funds. The deadline for submissions for both Development Funds is March 15th. The first is available to all Diocesan and Parish Council delegates who may apply for a subsidy to travel to a Provincial Convention. This year there was $2,066.88 available and only three applications were received for a total of $390.86. I hope that councils are aware that this money is available to help bring their presidents to convention.

Under the second Development Fund, there were three – $1,000 grants award to Diocesan Presidents to help defray travel costs and other expenses to attend the National Convention in Winnipeg. Councils are working hard to reach 10,000 members. We are now over 9,000 strong, an increase of 3 %. If we each increased our own Parish membership by 10%, we would exceed 10,000. We still have a ways to go but we are getting closer. Marilyn has been working with Campus Councils in BC and will be reporting on them in her report.

One thing to remember is although memberships should be sent in by February 28th, keep sending them in, in order to reach our goal.

Membership Award/Recognition

We know you have been working hard at this and would like give Honourable Mention to a number of councils that have made a significant increase in their membership. They are:

• Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Kamloops
• Sacred Heart, Williams Lake
• Sacred Heart, Merritt
• St. Martin, Oliver
• Christ the Redeemer, West Vancouver
• Most Precious Blood, Cloverdale
• Our Lady of Mercy, Burnaby
• Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Vancouver
• St. Ann’s, Abbotsford
• St. Anthony, West Vancouver
• St. Matthew, Surrey
• St. Monica, Richmond
• St. Theresa, Burnaby

There is one council that managed to doubled their membership. They are not only to be congratulated for the most new members but also the highest percentage. In acknowledgment of this wonderful achievement, we would like to present a Certificate of Award in recognition of the most new members for 2008 to St. Clare of Assisi, Coquitlam.

Development/Leadership Presentation

In response to the evaluations and your requests for more workshops, the provincial council made available a Leadership Development & Public Speaking Workshop. The workshop was originally set up to be present over six evenings but it was reformatted to be presented in one day. This workshop has already been presented in Nanaimo, Victoria, Vancouver and Kamloops and in every case has had an excellent reception by the participants. It is informative, fast-paced, requires your participation and is fun. Speak to anyone who has already attended one. The program is designed to give participants confidence and the knowledge to take on a position on their Parish Council and succeed.

At the end of the workshop, participants were asked to send in a two minute talk. This is easier than you think. As an example, we have brought a speech submitted from each workshop to give you some encouragement.

We have received invitations from the Prince George and Nelson Dioceses and plan to come to their region in September. Come and join us. You won’t be disappointed.