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

Submitted by: Sandra Stajduhar

Dear League Sisters and Father Tien,

Prayer for Resolutions Chairpersons
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, for the gifts You have given us and especially the precious gift of togetherness in The Catholic Women’s League of Canada. Help me to appreciate my journey as chairperson of resolutions, and the various responsibilities during my term of office. Lord, be with us as our Counsellor and our support as we encounter obstacles and setbacks. Help us to work with enthusiasm, patience and understanding, sharing the joy and strength we, as CWL members, can offer each other. May the tasks we share in the resolutions standing committee be a reflection of the love You alone can give. Let Your love touch others through our lives, deeds and actions. This we ask in the name of Jesus, Your Son, through the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel.   Amen

After ‘coasting’ along as resolutions chairperson for the last little while – learning I hope and getting the background information – the work is about to begin, and I will keep this prayer in front of me.

From the three annual reports received to date, I have noted two requests.  The first is a list of government contacts – I have enclosed one, and ask that you add local contacts pertinent to your diocese and share these with your parishes.  The second is a request to get information on proposed resolutions out to members “sooner”.  I will comment on this as we review our resolutions procedure later in this communiqué.
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT MEETING
We have received appointments to meet with both the Liberal and New Democrat parties on March 25, 2009.  Our president Marianna Caldwell, president-elect Nancy Simms, legislation chairperson Sheila Quinn and I will present printed information on current resolutions and some past resolutions of continued interest, and as well will make an oral presentation and answer questions.  Please continue to pray for us and for a successful meeting.

2009 PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS
Please note that these are “proposed” resolutions – the submitted titles.  They become resolutions only when passed at the highest level to which they are directed.
Victoria:      Restricting the Use of Cell Phones/Electronic Devices In Schools In The Province of BC (Comm)
Offering Hope to Prostituted Persons Through Exit Strategies and Rehabilitation (CL)
Vancouver:      Health Hazards in Energy Drinks (E&H)
Nelson:      Call for a Binding Commitment to End the Exploitation and Abuse of Migrant Workers (CL)
Kamloops:      Stop Child Executions in Third World Countries (CL)
Repeal Section 13 of the Human Rights Act (Leg)
Re-submissions:  Provincial level – Protect Unborn Victims of Crimes (CFL)
National level – Making Protection of Human Trafficking Victims a Priority (CL)

I accepted two titles after the deadline of January 31st; no more will be accepted for presentation to the 2009 review committee unless they deal with a situation or concern that occurs or develops after this date.  Thank-you for these “gifts”.

If you will not be having any resolutions at your diocesan convention, please include on the agenda a chance to educate on and encourage resolutions.  This could be as simple as a ‘brainstorming’ session on potential resolution topics – this might lead to future resolutions.  There are a few “fun” resolutions to use as practical examples also.

When presenting resolutions at your conventions, please present them in a way that will educate your members on the process.  Send the ‘proposed’ titles out to your parishes NOW so members can think ahead on the topics.  If possible, get the draft copies to the parish councils ahead of the convention – at the latest, have them available at your pre-convention meeting.  We want and need our members to make informed decisions on the resolutions.

Unfortunately, our review committees usually do not meet until the day before the convention – making it imperative that deadlines are met and all information submitted as soon as possible.

WHAT TO DO NOW?
Through reading notes from past resolutions chairpersons and discussion at our Fall meeting, it seems apparent that we need to educate our members and to hold each level accountable for submitting the resolutions in the proper manner – including meeting deadlines.

Please review the Resolutions Appendix in the P&P.  At each level, when a resolution is submitted it must be accompanied by a letter of verification (sample provincial letter enclosed) and a completed checklist (page A1-19, A1-20 in the appendix).  This checklist is a useful tool to guide you through the resolutions process.

Diocesan chairpersons – SET YOUR DEADLINE DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF A RESOLUTION, allowing yourself and your review committee time to review the resolution, make any necessary changes, and prepare printed material for members at your convention.  The deadline for submission of resolutions passed at your diocesan convention to the provincial council is one week from the end of your convention – this includes an electronic submission of the resolution and brief with references and the mailing of the resolution, all back-up material, check list and verification letter.

FORM A RESOLUTIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE
As resolutions chairperson you would be the chairperson of this committee.  It is suggested that it include the legislation chairperson, the president-elect and two other knowledgeable members (perhaps life members), as well as a secretary.  The president and the spiritual advisor are included in a non-voting ex officio capacity.

Copy material to the committee as it is received and share information and suggestions before your meeting – so that at the time of the meeting everyone is prepared to fine tune the resolution and decide whether it will be presented at the convention.

If possible, I would like to receive electronic copies of the proposed resolutions as you receive them from parishes – that would help me prepare as much as possible ahead of time.

Again – please use the Resolutions Appendix as your guide, and I would be more than happy to answer specific questions to the best of my ability.

To quote our national chairperson – “Resolutions enhance our image as Women of Peace and Hope from parish level to international and every level in between.”  May we be guided by Our Lady of Good Counsel in bringing the gift of these proposed resolutions to all of our members.

GOVERNMENT CONTACTS FOR CWL RESOLUTIONS 2008

PROVINCIAL/YUKON
Re:  BC 2008.01 Ban the Use of Cell Phones While Driving

Premier Gordon Campbell
PO Box 9041
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 9E1

John van Dongen
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
PO Box 9053
STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9E2

Premier Dennis Fentie
PO Box 2703
Whitehorse, Yukon
Y1A 1B2

Suggestion:  copy letters to your own MLA; diocesan chairpersons may wish to provide a list for their diocese.

FEDERAL
Mail may be sent postage-free to any Member at the following address:

House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1A 0A6

Applicable National Resolution number in brackets after name of MP

Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism (2008.01)
Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health (2008.01, 2008.03)
Tony Clement, Minister of Industry (2008.04)
Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway (2008.01)
Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance (2008.05)
Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism (2008.01)
Gary Lunn, Minister of State for Sport (2008.01)
James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and 2010 Olympics (2008.01)
Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice, Attorney General of Canada (2008.01, 2008.03, 2008.06)
Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment (2008.02, 2008.04)
Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food (2008.04)
Josee Verner, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs (2008.01)

Suggestion:  copy letters to your own MP and to Prime Minister Stephen Harper