Report on the 2008 National Convention

Submitted by: Nancy Simms, BC/Yukon Organization Chair

After we were well rested from the WUCWO regional conference, with our hour and half lunch break the 2008 National Convention began in Winnipeg with an invigorating resolutions dialogue meeting. Women from all corners of Canada came together to educate themselves on the resolutions that would be presented to the floor of the convention. Six resolutions were given to us to read through and discuss and it is amazing how fast two and a half hours can go by! We then took a short dinner break before heading across the street to the beautiful St. Mary’s Cathedral for the opening mass where I was honoured to carry up the Yukon flag in the opening ceremonies.

Monday morning began with liturgy of the hours and then a thought provoking presentation by a panel of three keynote speakers. Dr. Moira McQueen, Executive Director of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute spoke to us about decision making at end of life. She told us how “Dying is the most important thing we do.” Therefore, it is extremely important that patients’ rights are honoured and that they are told the truth about what is happening to them. Patients should be involved in decision making, whenever possible, regarding treatment or withdrawal of treatment, ordinary/extraordinary measures and what is proportionate or disproportionate for what the patient and the family can bear. Dr. Moira also educated us on Pope John Paul II’s statement on Artificial Nutrition & Hydration. Summarizing it by explaining that in all that we do for the dying we must remember Veronica whom Jesus met on His way to be crucified, she did not pretend to take away what He had to endure, but only relieved or gave affirmation to the suffering. Veronica reached out in compassion as we all must do.

Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition informed us on the differences between euthanasia and assisted suicide. Euthanasia is the intentional omission to cause death and assisted suicide is when someone kills themselves with another person providing the means. In June 2008 Bill C-562 was introduced to legalize both euthanasia and assisted suicide. This bill is not what we need; we need a society that protects people at the most vulnerable time in their life. “We need to care, not kill.”

Senator Sharon Carstairs spoke to us regarding palliative care or hospice. She informed us how most cities have the availability of palliative care, yet at present rural areas do not. Only 37% of our society has access to quality end of life care. Presently the government only provides six weeks employment insurance to look after a dying family member and in 1995 the average time a medical student learnt about end of life care was one hour in their four years of education. Palliative care is about living well until the end; it attends to the medical, spiritual and emotional needs of the person. It is up to us to communicate to politicians how important hospice, palliative care is and that it must be at the top of their agendas or we will cast our vote to a politician that will place it there!

Dr. Moira and Alex then lead us in an informative and thought provoking exercise within our individual tables to discuss example situations that would require end of life decisions and each table had to come to conclusions on how to answer the questions that were presented with the situations and then share these conclusions on the floor.

After this discussion we broke for lunch and then returned to begin the opening of the business sessions of the convention. Our National President Lorette Noble warmly welcomed us in her friendly, down to earth manner and our National Spiritual Advisor, Archbishop Richard Smith encouraged us and told us how the League must be a forceful voice for life, love and truth! He also announced at that time that Archbishop Martin Curry would be our new National Spiritual Advisor for the next five years.

Donna Prevost, Alberta Mackenzie president reported an increase in membership totalling 9,904 members in five diocese and they have five Catholic Girls Leagues. Their province has been “working together to make changes to society as they come to grips with social issues and, through knowledge, resolve to act.”

Marianna Caldwell, our BC/Yukon president reported that we have increased our membership to over 9,000 and how our provincial executive have been active in our teaching role through our provincial workshops. She also reported on the provincial delegates meeting with government and the new life members book A Journey of Memories as well as many other wonderful works our members have been doing throughout the province.

Suzanne Kiazyk, Manitoba’s president informed us that Manitoba celebrated its 60th anniversary in the League. Manitoba has three dioceses that are strong and dedicated in their work for the League.

Julie LeLievre, president of the Military Ordinariate explained to us that an ordinariate is a diocese with a special jurisdiction and that they are located anywhere in the world where Canadian military personnel are stationed and there are presently 15 active councils. Their members are a large part of chapel life on the bases and serve their churches in any manner that is needed. Please continue to pray for all the military and their families and continue to wear red on Friday’s to show our support of the troops.

Jacqueline Waye, New Brunswick’s president told us that they have been seeing a decline in membership and are now just below 3,000 members with two councils just disbanding. Even with this decline, members still continue to do the many works of the League. They also had a delegation meet with their provincial government and produced a history of their provincial council.

Ellen Kilfoy, president of Newfoundland and Labrador brought greetings from their 950 members in 27 parish councils. Their province is working on developing leadership workshops and finding ways to recruit and maintain members. They are also looking forward to hosting the 2009 National convention.

Nova Scotia’s president, Marian Hepditch-Littlepage gave her report on behalf of their 5,000 plus members. She informed us how successful their annual provincial workshops have been as they have grown and expanded in the five years since they began. Their province also celebrated their 60th anniversary in the League and their members are very active in all aspects of the League.

Margaret Ann Jacobs, Ontario’s president informed us how members of their executive attended various educational events ranging from bioethics to clinical care to poverty reduction and many others. Their council’s presence was noted at the National March for Life in Ottawa and many other public functions. Their 55,000 members from all thirteen diocese are very active in their work for the League and continue in their work with the encouragement of leadership and spiritual workshops.

Marion Marshall, president of Prince Edward Island reported on behalf of the 2,500 plus members in 44 parish councils. She explained to us how new members of the provincial executive have been paired up with life members who will offer their wisdom and support. They have also started a project to study two councils that are doing well and two that are struggling, find out what works and what doesn’t to improve on individual parish councils. PEI’s greatest challenge is the amalgamation of parishes.

Quebec’s president, Ellen Peterkin informed us of the Policy & Procedure workshop that was given at their provincial convention to help their 27 parish councils understand the importance of having a P&P. Their executive council also developed a motion book for themselves this year.

Yvonne Colleaux, Saskatchewan’s president was proud to tell us that their council had purchased a well in a developing country as a means of commemorating their 60th anniversary in the League.

After a short break we were treated to our National President, Lorette Noble’s report. Lorette told us that over the past two years she had attended 28 conventions and that through her travels she has witnessed the many positive effects of mentoring. She suggested other ways to encourage interest in the League is for councils to choose a topic that will touch the hearts of its members and focus their efforts on that project for a year or possibly two. We were also informed that the CCCB has requested our support regarding their resolution on the death penalty as it affects Canadians abroad. She informed us on their delegation that met with the federal government and how government officials were “blown away” by the range of topics and the amount of knowledge the delegation spoke on. Also a letter was sent to the governor general of Canada expressing members’ distress on the awarding of the Order of Canada to Dr. Henry Morgentaler and asking that this award not be presented.

Thus, ended the business sessions for Monday although we still had the pleasure of a spiritually uplifting mass and delicious dinner.

Tuesday morning began with the Eucharistic celebration again in St. Mary’s Cathedral and then we were back down to business.

Peggy Roche our national secretary-treasurer informed us that for the third year in a row the per capita fees were not enough to cover the expenses and this has been caused by the decline in membership.

Kim Scammell, our executive director introduced us to the staff that was present at the convention and informed us on their various jobs. There is one office employee to every 15,000 members!

Next Betty Anne Brown our national resolutions chairperson reviewed the resolutions process before we began with the standing committee chairpersons reports. She reported that 13 resolutions had been submitted to the national council and six were being presented to the floor while two were being forwarded for action.

Spiritual development chairperson, Cecile Miller challenged us to evangelize and share the joy of the Eucharist. She shared with us the wondrous experience of being involved in the 49th International Eucharistic Congress and encouraged each of us in this year of St. Paul to study his teachings and his life.

Organization chairperson, Danielle McNeil-Hessian spoke to us about the new Handbook for Organization Chairpersons and she encouraged councils to use the many workshops available in this handbook. Our national membership for 2007 was 97,472 members in 1,321 parish councils. Five provinces increased membership and one remained the same. In 2008 14 life memberships were awarded and 29 members received the Bellelle Guerin Award.

We then broke from business to listen to a guest speaker on the Buy-A-Net program and the presentation of the new Life Members which unfortunately I was unable to be at due to a small change in plans whereupon I needed to take some time to develop a defence for the resolution from our province that was going to be brought to the floor that afternoon.

After a hasty lunch while developing our resolution defence we were back in business sessions with Archbishop Smith sharing with us the results of the spiritual advisors lunch with 25 in attendance. He expressed the deep appreciation of the spiritual advisors for the work that we do and that growth of the League is vital. He stated that there was a concern that some councils feel a lack of support from their spiritual advisors and stressed that most do support yet, are unable to attend meetings, etc. due to their busy schedules and others may just need to be educated on what the League is really all about.

Christian Family Life chairperson, Ann Doucet encouraged us with news on how the young people of our society are actively doing and speaking Gods word! She spoke to us on life issues and the work that needs to be done and the work that our members have faithfully been doing. She also informed us on the Catholic Girls League and that there are currently 17 CGL councils operating in Canada. ~ At this time three young girls that are presently members of the CGL were introduced to us!

Community Life chairperson, Dr. Rayleen De Luca congratulated members on all the work accomplished in community life. Child poverty continues to be a focus and she suggested every council “adopt-a-child” and we can fight poverty one child at a time. She announced that every province has developed a plan regarding trafficking of women and children and that the national voluntary fund for Development and Peace raised $77,161.46 in the past year. She reported that when meeting with the federal government they stated our position on elder abuse and homelessness for people with mental illness. She also reminded us to commend the government when they have taken steps to eradicate injustices. ~ We then held a moment of silence for all those in the military.

Resolution 08.01 Preventing Human Trafficking at 2010 Olympics was then presented to the floor upon which I then read the defence. The resolution was discussed, voted on and passed.

Education and Health chairperson, Judy Lewis informed us that in the past year we had raised $36,766 in donations for MaterCare and $28,317.71 for the Coady Institute which presently has 59 participates from all over the world. The total value of national bursaries distributed to 26 recipients was $10,780. ~ Judy then made a motion to extend the MaterCare voluntary fund to 2010. Motion was passed

At this time an announcement was made that the mass collection in the amount of $2,066.05 would be given to the Alpha House in Winnipeg.

Resolution 08.02 Restrictions on the Use of Triclosan was presented and with much discussion and amendments was finally voted on and passed.

Resolution 08.03 Toxic Substances in Household Products was presented and again with numerous amendments voted on and passed.

Resolution 08.04 Accurate Food Labelling was presented and after much discussion ensued on this resolution it was tabled to the next day when everyone was rested and able to think clearer.

Thus ended the business sessions for Tuesday. Although, we still had a wonderful dinner that we enjoyed sharing with all the members from BC/Yukon.

Wednesday morning began with liturgy of the hours then back to resolution 08.04 Accurate Food Labelling. Discussion again ensued the resolution was voted on and passed.

Communications chairperson, Velma Harasen informed us the The League Magazine was first published in the fall of 1920 and in 1958 it was sent to every paid member for a cost of $0.20 a copy. The magazine is still a great bargain at $8.00 per year! The national executive is presently working with a marketing firm that is helping the League look at; where we are, where do we want to go and how do we get there. More details will be coming to us in the future. Velma also informed us that the WRAP campaign would not officially be taking place this year due to staff shortages and therefore kits will not be sent out, yet we are encouraged to still continue on with the ribbons and do what we can within our councils.

Resolutions chairperson, Betty Anne Brown explained to us that as God’s chosen people it is our responsibility to announce the news and be the voice of the many voiceless throughout the world. She informed us that six provinces reported meeting with their provincial governments and encouraged us to support Bill C484 Unborn Victims of Crime. We are women of power through the resolutions process!

Legislation chairperson, Mary Nordick informed us that in the latest session of parliament 463 Bills were introduced although, most will not actually receive Royal Assent. Mary explained that legislation is made up of laughter, laws, letter writing, lobby, learn, link (work with other chairpersons) lead on issues of importance and love.

At this time Mary brought forward a motion that a letter be sent to our Prime Minister with copies to chair of committee and two vice chairs regarding Bill C484 Unborn Victims of Crime. This Bill has passed second reading yet is still not on the agenda of the committee. This letter would urge the committee to place the Bill on their agenda. Motion passed.

Resolution 08.05 Transportation Tax Credit for Rural Post-Secondary Students was presented where at this time I presented a motion to amend this resolution explaining why the tax credit was originally implemented. My motion passed as well as a few more motions. The resolution was voted on and passed.

Resolution 08.06 Revision to the Youth Criminal Justice Act was presented discussion and amendments were made and the resolution was voted on and passed.

Laws chairperson, Agnes Bedard explained to us the importance of our archives and how easily they can become damaged or lost. It is important to review archives and keep them safe. Agnes share with us her personal journey with cancer within this past year and encouraged all within the room that were cancer survivors to stand and be celebrated. It was an amazing moment with many ladies standing. We are an extraordinary organization of women!

International Relations chairperson, Lorette Noble expressed her delight that so many of our members attended the WUCWO regional conference. The total donations of the national voluntary fund to WUCWO for the past year were $8,328 which was presented to the President General of WUCWO at the conference. Lorette shared with us a story of how action that was taken by the League 25 years ago for the people of Argentina is now being share and celebrated in a book entitled Testimonies of the International Solidarity.

After our lunch break we were treated to a wonderful song invitation from the members of Newfoundland to come and join them in St. John’s for the 2009 National convention! I know I will be there. Will you?

Danielle McNeil-Hessian then announced our new national theme for 2009-2011. The theme is; Women of Peace and Hope, this theme also includes a beautiful picture that can be viewed on the CWL website.

We then had the registration report that informed us that there had been 735 people in attendance at the convention. This report was followed by the Rite of Elections which was a prayerful time to reflect on the service these ladies give to the League. The full details of the elections can be again found on the CWL website.

The convention was then adjourned for another year. Yet, we still had the joy of a spiritually uplifting mass at St. Boniface Cathedral where we had the installation of new officers and I again had the honour of carrying out the Yukon flag at the end of the mass. We then enjoyed the marvellous food and company at the gala banquet and said our goodbyes to set out for another year renewed in the spirit of knowledge, love, fellowship and joy! Until we meet again next year!