National Theme: Centred on Faith & Justice
Provincial Sub-Theme: Serving with Respect & Compassion
From the Catholic Women’s League National site:
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada (the League) was organized nationally on June 17, 1920 and granted federal incorporation on December 12, 1923. The League is officially recognized by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) as a lay association of women and is affiliated with the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO), a world-wide federation holding membership in the conference of International Catholic Organizations (ICO) and having consultative status with agencies of the United Nations.
An invitation is extended to all women to purchase a membership in the Catholic Women’s League of Canada. By doing so you will be:
- supporting the efforts of League members across Canada who are diligently working to promote the teachings of the Catholic church.
- part of the largest national organization of Catholic women in Canada with a tradition of service to others as expressed in its motto “For God and Canada.”
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada is an organization that contributes to the life and vitality of the church, family and community, both at home and abroad. While your presence at meetings is important, we realize that in this busy world it may not always be possible for you to attend. Be assured that your interest and support is as important as your attendance!
Included in your membership is The Canadian League magazine (published quarterly) which will keep you informed of League business and projects and in contact with other members across Canada.
For more details about the League, including links to articles from our magazine, please visit the National CWL site.
Comments on individual posts are welcome but we ask that you register as a member of the site first – instructions are in the sidebar. Communiques and other articles of interest may be submitted by Provincial Officers and Arch/Diocesan Presidents to our Communications Chairperson.
- to achieve individual and collective spiritual development;
- to promote the teachings of the Catholic Church;
- to exemplify the Christian ideal in home and family life;
- to protect the sanctity of human life;
- to enhance the role of women in church and society;
- to recognize the human dignity of all people everywhere;
- to uphold and defend Christian education and values in the modern world;
- to contribute to the understanding and growth of religious freedom, social justice, peace and harmony.
As an officer, you are a member of the executive and expected to attend all meetings and report regularly. If you will be absent, inform the president and arrange to send your report, if you have one, in advance of the meeting.
President
- Informs membership of the League’s position on current issues;
- Fosters open communication;
- Presides at all council meetings and conventions;
- Is a signing officer for all official documents;
- Provides active leadership;
- In consultation with the officers, initiates policy;
- Keeps fully informed on the operations of the League and reports annually to the membership;
- Be an ex-officio member of all committees except nominations and elections committee;
- Be the official spokesperson for the council;
- Appoint committees;
- Read and be familiar with the National Manual of Policy and Procedure;
- With the executive, be responsible for reporting activities to the next level;
- Perform other such duties as may be incumbent upon the office.
Vice President
- Become aware of organizational requirements and current activities of council in order to be prepared to fill in if both the president and president-elect are absent;
- Perform duties delegated by the president;
- Chair a standing committee, which shall be considered one office.
Secretary
- Assists the president in preparing the agenda for meetings;
- Lists all correspondence to be brought to meetings;
- Notify members of time and place of meetings;
- Distributes copies of the minutes of the previous meeting prior to the meeting;
- Records minutes of the meetings;
- Retains minutes as a permanent record;
- Brings the minute book containing past minutes to meetings;
- Is a signing officer for official documents;
- Is responsible for receiving written reports from the executive;
- Provides the president with a copy of the executive members annual reports to assist in preparing the president’s annual report;
- Is responsible for all council papers and records.
Treasurer
- Maintains the financial records of the council;
- Receives all League monies;
- Pays all accounts as authorized;
- Is a signing officer for official documents;
- Presents a report of revenues and expenditures at meetings;
- Prepares and monitors annual budget (January 1st to December 31st fiscal year);
- Has financial records audited or examined annually;
- Maintains an account book, receipt book, cheque book and deposit book;
- Keeps books updated, listing and itemizing each transaction;
- Retains cancelled cheques and receipts;
- Balances the account book to the bank statement monthly;
- Keeps cheques/statements of receipt and disbursement books on file for five years;
- Ensures per capita fees are remitted to national office by May 31st of each year;
- Collect and remits to diocesan council or national all donations made to the national voluntary funds;
- Ensures members approve all fund raising activities.
Past President
- Serves the council and president in a consultative capacity;
- Is responsible for the archives and history of the council;
- Facilitates and encourages the study and implementation of the Constitution & Bylaws;
- Files with the recording secretary a copy of monthly and annual reports;
- Advises the president when called upon;
- Responds to questions related to the interpretation of the Constitution and Bylaws;
- Prepares an archival index of all materials;
- Arranges for the safe storage of archival materials;
- Preserves the council history through scrapbooks, photo albums and minutes.
Standing Committees
Spiritual Development: spiritual growth of all members; study of Catholic teachings; role of women in the church; evangelization and mission assistance; lay ministries; ecumenism, interfaith endeavours.
Organization: recruit members and maintain membership roster; leadership development; League resource materials; annual reports; life membership.
Christian Family Life: marriage and family; sanctity of life; ministry to youth, disabled, seniors, widowed, separated, divorced; vocations.
Community Life: dignity and rights of persons; social and economic justice; refugees, immigration and citizenship; Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP); developing countries.
Education and Health: Catholic education – Catholic schools and catechesis – Rites of Christian Initiation; literacy and continuing education; scholarships and bursaries; wellness and sickness/disease; environment; genetics.
Communications: The Canadian League magazine; media – for evangelization – to promote the League – evaluation and promotion of good content – newsletters and bulletins; media relations; pornography.
Resolutions: research and preparation of resolutions and briefs; study and implementation of resolutions passed by other levels; at provincial and national levels, presentation of resolutions to government.
Legislation: monitor and study legislation at all levels of government; preparation of briefs and position papers on proposed legislation.
For All Standing Committees:
- Summarize memos or directives from other levels and include the summary in your report.
- Prepare a report of committee activities since the last regular meeting and incorporate recommendations and plans for the future.
- Have two copies of the report, one for your file and one for secretary.
About the Catholic Women’s League
About this site:
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About the Catholic Women’s League
How do I become a member?
All women, age 16 and up, are invited to take out membership in the Catholic Women’s League of Canada through their local parish. We offer both regular memberships for Catholic women, and Associate memberships for non-Catholics. Please see our National website for more information on membership.
How many members are there?
In British Columbia, we are edging closer and closer to 10,000 CWL members. In the whole of Canada, our membership is approximately 100,000.
What is the League Prayer?
We humbly pray You, O God our Father,
to bless The Catholic Women’s League of Canada.Bless our beloved country,
our homes and families.Send Your Holy Spirit upon us
to give light to our minds
and strength to our wills
that we may know and fulfil
Your great law of charity.Teach us to share with others
at home and abroad,
the good things You have given us.This we ask through Our Lord Jesus Christ
and the intercession of our patroness,
Our Lady of Good Counsel.
AMEN
Where can I find prayers or programs to use in our CWL council?
The National website has many programs and prayers available for download that are excellent resources for all members.
(c) 2012 Catholic Women's League of Canada | BC and Yukon Council. All rights reserved.