Catholic Women’s League of Canada | BC and Yukon Council

Submitted by: Barbara Dowding

Well the New Year is well and truly underway and I am only just getting my wishes and prayers out to you all!  As we look forward to a new calendar year and League year, we are also reminded that our work as Past Presidents is ongoing and continuous regardless of the time of the year!

Elections:

Many councils are preparing for elections and I expect, as is normally the case, that the Past Presidents are involved in that process. Your involvement, enthusiasm and care for your diocesan council should prompt you to take the personal approach as much as possible. We all know that an invitation from one League Sister to another is the single best way to coax a reluctant or shy member to try.  Letting one’s name stand for election takes courage but more than that it takes the support of others. We owe it to those members who have gone before and to the future success of our great organization to find and encourage women to step forward.

If you are on the nomination committee, be sure to include members that have experience in the League but who also know your members. Elections are a serious and important part of our League’s constitution and bylaws. Every effort must be made to follow the established procedure using the National Manual of Policy and Procedure (Article XV: Eligibility, Nominations and Elections, pages 85-93) as well as referencing your own diocesan policies.  Be sure to work closely with your Secretary who is responsible for keeping the Register of Eligibility up to date.

If you have any questions or concerns on any part of this, please contact me.  The ‘rules’ are here to help us not to make things difficult!

Constitution and Bylaws

One of the duties we have as Past Presidents includes, according to our Executive Handbook, is “to encourage members to become knowledgeable about the Constitution and Bylaws and to respond to questions related to the interpretation of the Constitution and Bylaws.” Ours is a teaching role and I would suggest that the time of elections is an important teachable moment. Using the C&B as your guide, you could do a great service to your members by explaining the procedures step by step.  How wonderful would it be to have a convention where everyone understood what was happening?

WUCWO

There is a short article in the League Magazine on WUCWO. In encourage you to review it and encourage members to do likewise. If you are interested in keeping up with WUCWO, I have the Magazine which I am happy to share or you can subscribe yourself on behalf of your diocesan council. The WUCWO website is also a valuable source of information or for subscription information contact Joann Hildebrand at: denouncer5@comcast.net

It is fitting to note that the WUCWO Board Members have selected Mary, Queen of Peace, as the title of the new patroness of the World Union. As Karen Hurley wrote: “This is particularly meaningful as the Pontifical Council for the Laity’s Decree of Erection of WUCWO as a public international association of the faithful was dated January 1, 2006 which is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and also World Day of Peace.”

May we as women of peace and hope continue in all humility to reflect and bring to others Christ’s peace to all.

Annual Reports

Last but not least, I remind you about the annual reports due to me by Feb. 15 and look forward to hearing from each of you with the goings on and good things from the Past President’s perspective in your dioceses around the province and in the Yukon. Thanks to those who have sent already!

“Hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord!” (ps. 27:14)