Provincial Convention 2009: Communications Oral Report

Submitted by: Doreen Gowans

Madame President, members of the League and guests:

In my first year as Provincial Communications Chair I found the term to be filled with faith, fun and fulfillment as well as challenging and educational. Starting my term last June, and on to the National Catholic Women’s League Convention in Winnipeg last August. I was met with my first challenge as we were informed that C.A.S.E. or Canadians Against Sexual Exploration were unable to send out the annual “Ribbon of Signatures Kit” due to lack of funding. Returning home I researched the dilemma, wrote letters to C.A.S.E. and our new National CWL Communication Standing Committee Chair Betty Anne Brown, sent out a communiqué informing everyone that C.A.S.E. suggested we make our own kits. I am happy to report that most councils responded in a positive manner. This year C.A.S.E. will once again be supplying the “Ribbon of Signatures Kit” for a suggested donation of $25.00. The date for the 2009 Campaign is Sunday October 18 – 25, 2009. As a result of the proliferation of pornography and its alarming growth on the Internet, the ribbon campaign will focus on Internet Service Providers (ISP’s). For more information, or to order your 2009 kit, or to make a donation, go onto the C.A.S.E. Web site at www.4case.ca and download the information provided.

I invite you to browse our National Web site www.cwl.ca, and our own Provincial web site, www.cwl.bc.ca as they contain a wealth of information. If you are looking for something to report on under your standing committee or just want to be educated and informed, go to one of the web sites and you will amazed at what you will find. Currently on our Prov. Website you will see a picture of Sheila Quinn – Provincial Legislation Chair, Nancy Simms – Provincial President Elect, Marianna Caldwell – Provincial President, and Sandra Stadjuhar – Provincial Resolutions Chair along with various MLA’s as they met together with our Provincial Government. Find out more about the issues raised at the meeting on the web site. The picture and a write up also appear in the BC Catholic. The League Magazine features excellent articles written by Barbara Dowding and Nancy Simms – make sure to take the time to read these informing articles.

CWL Peace & Hope Activities Kit – what has your council done with your kit? Has every Standing Committee had an opportunity to participate in one or more activities? I extend a personal invitation for each council to send me a write up with or without a picture of your events for our next Provincial newsletter. The deadline for the next edition is September 1, 2009.

The National CWL e-newsletter is hot off the press with the second edition and is available to all members free of charge. Check it out on National’s web page. Ryan Quesnel has been hired as the director of development and he has lots of exciting ideas as reported by Betty Anne Brown, National Communications Standing Committee Chairperson. Ryan offers this monthly publication as a means to celebrate parish council news, ideas and shared memories. You may contact Ryan at marketing@cwl.ca. Should you wish to see the e-newsletter I have a copy of the first 2 editions with me.

Have you seen the invitation cards designed by our very own Provincial Webmaster, Rebecca Gebeshuber? These post cards speak to all the women in your parish who think they have a reason for not joining the League. Reasons like “but meetings are boring…” but I’m a Mom…” but I work full-time”, or but I don’t bake”! On the back of the card is a continuation of the excuse along with a written message of reply from the League. The cards are informative and very well done. Samples of each of the four designs of the CWL invitation cards are being sent to each parish president. Should you desire more cards you may download them from National’s web site. Use them to promote the League by giving one to every member in your parish community who is not a member. We are women of Peace & Hope serving our members by communicating with Faith and Joy!