President’s Communique #1

What a wonderful experience it was to represent the BC & Yukon Provincial Council at the National Convention and so rewarding to have all six Dioceses represented so well.  I am sad to report that Nicole G. has submitted her resignation as President of the Whitehorse Diocese as they are moving to Kamloops.  While we will miss her and wish her the very best, I know that Kamloops Diocese will make her very welcome in her new home.   We send a big Provincial welcome to Edna L. as she steps into Nicole’s place as President of Whitehorse Diocese.

National Convention

Nancy Simms and Carol Penno attended the convention as Provincial Accredited Delegates and will be reporting their experience and observations on the convention.  However, as this was an election year I would like to mention your new National Executive:

President: Danielle McNeil-Hessian
President-elect: Velma Harasen, Organization
1st Vice President: Betty Anne Brown, Communications
2nd Vice President: Cecile Miller, Health & Education
Secretary/Treasurer: Peggy Roche
Past-President: Lorette Noble

Chairpersons:
Terri Scott, Spiritual Development
Pearl Bridgwater, Christian Family Life
Mary Nordick, Community Life
Barbara Dowding, Resolutions
Judy Lewis, Legislation

WUCWO Convention

The World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO) North American Regional Conference which preceded the National Convention had 331in attendance from all over North American.  President General, Karen Hurley of the United States gave an enthusiastic and inspiring presentation.  Barbara Dowding will give a more in depth report on this important event.

Resolutions (In review)

Ten were presented to Provincial; five resolutions were accepted for presentation to the Provincial Convention.  Of the five resolutions forwarded to National, one was accepted, another referred to committee for action.  The three that were not accepted have been returned and will be forwarded to the respective Diocesan Presidents.

The issue of withdrawing support for Amnesty International was brought to the Pre-Convention Meeting and discussed.  It is to be noted that Resolution 1981.13 Support to Amnesty International has been archived and can no longer be accessed on the website.  On July 11, 2006, Agnes Bedard wrote to Amnesty International advising that we could “no longer support the Canadian section of Amnesty International until its position on abortion has been clarified and unequivocally revoked”.   Although this letter was posted on the National website, it apparently was not followed up in a communiqué.  It was our recommendation that members who had chosen to withdraw their support of Amnesty International be encouraged to write them explaining it’s because of their pro-abortion policy.

League Theme for 2009 & 2010 – “Women of Peace & Hope”

The announcement of the new theme was made as a visual presentation.  The words are portrayed in a beautiful logo which President, Danielle McNeil-Hessian has made available in three different programs which I have attached to this email.  The new theme begins in January 2009.  All councils may use the logo without permission and it can be copied or reproduced as many times as they desire.

Leadership Development & Public Speaking Workshops in the Prince George and Nelson Dioceses are proceeding as planned on September 20th & October 4th respectively. Anyone wishing to plan a Leadership Development Workshop is asked to contact Nancy Simms to make arrangements.

Membership Lists

One area of great concern was the reporting of memberships to the National Office.  Since the installation of the new computer program, it will no longer accept any mistakes or incomplete information.  Kim Scammell reported that 95% of the membership lists submitted this year contained an error and had to be corrected before they could continue.  Since cheques could not be reconciled it caused a huge backup resulting in a delay in forwarding per capita to Diocesan and Provincial councils and parish council treasurers wondering why their cheques had not been cashed.

I know we can conquer this problem and ask all Councils to ensure that all relevant information is complete and correct, particularly postal codes, at the time memberships are collected.  With your vigilance, I know that this province will not be the source of any concern in this regard next year.

Fall Midterm Meeting

The Fall midterm meeting is fast approaching.  As many will recall, it is being held at the St. Elizabeth Seton House of Prayer in Kelowna which is something new.  After much consideration, we thought that instead of driving up, we would suggest that those of us leaving from Vancouver (8) travel together by Greyhound Bus to Kelowna.  The return fare is $69.30 (including tax) when purchasing the ticket 14 days in advance (otherwise the fare is much higher).

Thursday, October 23rd, Trip #0034 leaves Vancouver at 9:45am and arrives in Kelowna 4:05pm.  It also picks up in Langley at 10:45am and Abbotsford at 11:15am.  We would leave Kelowna Sunday 11:00am arriving in Abbotsford 3:35pm; Langley 4:10pm; Vancouver 5:30pm.  Let me know if you will be joining us on the bus or need to make different arrangements.

Please send your report on what has happened since the Provincial Convention in advance of the midterm meeting along with any concerns and/or items you would like added to the agenda. Secretary Pat Deppiesse will be sending the Notice of Meeting in the very near future.

It looks like Fr. Tran will be with us for the first part of our meeting and we will be able to begin with a retreat and have the pleasure of becoming better acquainted with our new Spiritual Advisor.

As we begin this new season, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

May Our Lady of Good Counsel bless and enfold you.