Organization Communique #4

Submitted by: Nancy Simms

Dear Sisters in the League and Fr. Tran,

A warm welcome to our newest diocesan organization chairpersons, Lucille Wallace (Kamloops), Lorraine Thibeault (Prince George), and Jenny Shaw (Vancouver). And a special welcome back to a new fall season of The Catholic Women’s League to both Rose Sehn (Nelsen) and Daisy Mah (Victoria).

MEMBERSHIP

Last September I explained that my goal for our province was to increase our membership to 10,000 by the year 2010. For 2008 we reached 9,436 members which was a 4% increase from 2007! Thank you to all the parish councils that successfully increased their membership. As our national organization chairperson, Velma Harasen states, “You’ve proven that it can be done!”

The most recent figures I have for 2009 is for the end of July, which places us at a provincial membership of 8,284. For your information I have enclosed a spread sheet on the breakdown of membership in each diocese throughout the province. Also our national total membership as of August 26th was 93,170 and national’s goal is to reach 100,000 members by October 31st of this year.

Velma Harasen has issued a challenge for every parish council throughout Canada and I encourage all of us to take on this challenge and illuminate our enthusiasm for the League to the world! Her challenge is: “If a council’s current membership is…

• 25 or less, recruit ONE new member,
• Between 26 and 60 members, recruit TWO new members
• Between 61 and 100 members, recruit THREE new members
• Over 100 members, recruit FOUR new members.

Of course, MORE would be even better!”

Velma also asks that “When submitting the names of those new members to national office, please note that these are the “CHALLENGE” members.” A tally will be kept and after the deadline of October 31st 2009 there will be prizes! ~ Remember, most women don’t sign up as members on their own, they are waiting to be asked, so let’s step forward and ask! The more members we have, the stronger a voice we have in our work for God and Canada.

RECRUITMENT POSTCARDS

Hopefully everyone is now familiar with these postcards as a means of inviting women into the League and addressing some women’s concerns, such as, “But I Work Full Time” or “Meetings are Boring” or “But I Don’t Bake”. You can find them on the national CWL website under ‘Supplies & Forms’ – ‘Organization’ and then click on ‘CWL Invitation Cards’. They are a wonderful tool for recruitment!

PARISH COUNCIL MAILING

Parish councils will soon be receiving a mailing that will include four older brochures free-of-charge. PLEASE use these for recruitment of members and for our membership challenge! Also national is currently working on new promotional material to attract new members, help current members speak positively about the benefits of being a member, and enhance the League’s overall image. If you have any concrete, workable suggestions please let me know and I will pass them on to Velma.

BELLELLE GUERIN AWARD

I have enclosed the Bellelle Guerin criteria and nomination form. These forms are also available on the CWL website. Please note two minor changes; that the deadline has been removed and that “Life members are not eligible for the award.”

ANNUAL REPORTS

Enclosed are the annual report forms for parish councils and a suggested process sheet to assist in councils. Please destroy any report forms from previous years and use only the enclosed forms. Note that the due date for parish councils to have their reports completed and into diocesan is December 15th. If you as a diocesan chairperson have not received your report by this date contact your parish counterpart and go through the report with them getting as much info as possible. Let’s work together and get 100% reporting for our province so that the good works of the League can shine through!

LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS

Our provincial council has developed a new Leadership Development workshop and would love to present it in a parish near you!! Contact your diocesan president and find out if she has booked a workshop and encourage as many members as you can to attend. If you invite us we will be there!

May Our Lady of Good Counsel continue to bless us in our work for God and Canada.