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

Submitted by: Barbara Dowding

How many of you know when WUCWO, World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations was founded? It was in 1910. How many members does it have? Almost 100 organizations active in over 60 countries including all continents and representing missions of Catholic women from every walk of life. Do you know when the League became affiliated with the International Union of Catholic Women, now known as the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO)? It was in 1921 and is an affiliation still enjoyed today.

All paid up members of the CWL are counted in this number and are represented at that international table by our own national President, Danielle McNeil-Hessian.

The mission of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO) is to promote the presence, participation and co-responsibility of Catholic women in Church and society in order to fulfill their mission of evangelization and to work for human development. The priority for 2006-2010 was Building a Culture of Peace through the alleviation of poverty. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Barbara Dowding

The role of a past president is a funny one and can be compared to many things. It’ s sort of like being a grandmother – we have all the fun of the experience, but don’t have to shoulder the main responsibility. We can enjoy more and worry less! We can speak up or stay silent; interfere or just be there.

Having experienced first hand how things work, we are in the best position to share some of what we learned (only when asked of course!~). Having gained some wisdom and faith, our passion and energy for the League can, and should, be channeled differently in this role. And, just as not all grandmothers are the same, neither are past presidents! From the annual reports it is clear the differences from one past president to another are as numerous as we are.

It is what we have in common that binds us together for the good of the League.

Servant leadership is a current buzzword but it really makes sense. Past Presidents, serve by offering trust, peer support and understanding, because they’ve been there and done that, so to speak. Even though it does not make us experts – far from it, it makes it clear how much more there is to learn! The view from the Past President’s window is much different – it’s broader, sharper and has great color and depth – like the grandmother who sits back and watches her children’s children on their own particular journey, we see our League sisters’ sisters embark on theirs. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Barbara Dowding

Dear Past Presidents,

Dear Lord, make me appreciative of the dignity of my standing committee and its many responsibilities. Never permit me to disgrace it by giving way to coldness, unkindness or impatience. Please bear with my faults, looking only to my intention, which is to serve you in the person of each member of the Catholic Women’s League. Increase my faith, bless my efforts and work ‘For God and Canada’.

I came across this Chairperson’s Prayer when I was looking through the Past President’s Handbook. I thought what a beautiful prayer for us in our role as we strive to assist and advise without being intrusive or overbearing. We all need to pray this kind of prayer from time to time. I especially liked the part about bearing with my faults….

ANNUAL REPORTS: Thanks for sending your reports on time. Now its my turn to get busy and send off to National. It is obvious you have been keeping busy and working hard for your councils. It was also very helpful that you shared your communiqués with me and each other as there are so many good ideas to share.

NOMINATIONS/ELECTIONS: While I touched on this in my last communiqué it is critical that we follow the nomination and election procedures as outlined in the National Policy and Procedure Manual. If you are the chairperson for your diocesan elections, work closely with the secretary to ensure all those eligible are contacted, that confidentiality is respected and the policies followed correctly. Your role too is to offer advice and speak to a candidate’s suitability from your experience. With so many parish presidents who are new and others who don’t attend many diocesan meetings, it is important to help the process with fair and kind observations.

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS: Nominations/election time is a good opportunity to focus on the little white booklet to education and inform all members about the process. Now that the manual of Policy and Procedure follows the C & B so well, it is easy to do a short information piece at a meeting. Allowing questions is an important part of the learning process. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Barb Dowding

Dear Past Presidents,

First of all sincere apologies for the long delay in writing! Between the preparation for National, the convention itself, my son’s wedding, a new job at work and life in general, here we are into Thanksgiving season and October!

Most of you are seasoned CWL’ers and know what to do, but I’d like to acknowledge and thank Lorrilee J, a very new past president from the Kamloops diocese for her wonderful and complete communiqué – well done!

While I’ve been remiss, Lorrilee has hit the target, covered everything and inspired her parish past presidents. With her permission, I enclose a copy for your enjoyment and inspiration.

A warm welcome as well to Susan and Evelyn to this special role. While you will notice a big difference from being President, I am confident you will be just as effective, but in a different way, as you were when you were in the Chair. It is a big adjustment, and those of you who are in your second term, can attest to that I’m sure! Still, it is extremely important and you are a valuable asset on your council.

For those of you facing the nominations/elections process, I am taking the liberty of quoting myself!

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.

I urge you to get yourself a copy of the Past President’s Handbook and Archives guidelines if you don’t have already – both available on the website.

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.”

Lastly if anyone is planning to make amendments to the National Policy and Procedure Manual, those must be received before December 1, 2009 to National Office.

Thanks again to all for your dedication and love for our great League. Thanks for sharing with one another your successes and also your concerns. Communication is the best healer.

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

Presented by: Barbara Dowding

This is a short overview or history of trafficking, a brief background from the provincial point of view, some good news, Pat will tell of recent action and we’ll close with a meditation.

Trafficking update

In 2004 after a presentation to a CWL meeting by a member of parliament, League members were shocked to find out that Canada was involved in the trafficking of people including children.

What followed from that day, well, as they say, the rest is history!

The first resolution to come forward, called “End trafficking of children” – 2004.05 began its journey from a parish in Kamloops to diocesan, provincial, all the way to national. And it didn’t stop there – it went to WUCWO where it passed at their general assembly and thus received worldwide attention.

This is not the story of a solitary journey. Simultaneously, many other things were going along in the area of trafficking. The CWL was particularly active and our provincial council got involved in a significant way.

2004-06 – When Pat Battensby was president, she made it a point of having education about the issue of human trafficking and gave it priority status. Many of you will recall the workshops and presentations during that time, especially Sisters Pirette Boisse, CND and Nancy Brown.

Members were appalled, horrified and even put off with all the sordid details and graphic imagery that was so hard to take. Some felt it was an issue being forced upon us and, not unlike domestic violence, something many did not want to know about. Is this because it really is too awful? Or that we can’t possibly make it go away? That we are unable to fix it? » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Barbara Dowding

Madam President:

Jesus’ Team was made up of individuals as different as night and day. We know what kind of leader Jesus chose: Peter who was impetuous, flighty and denied Christ. Peter and Paul clashed often and yet both are saints and both made a great difference to the growth of the Church.

Our CWL councils are not unlike Jesus’ group. We are saints with different talents, passions and leadership traits – we often disagree but it is how we do this that makes the difference. The qualities of an effective team are trust, respect and a commitment to a common goal. I am really enjoying my new role as past president and seeing things from a different perspective. You may recall my focus as president was the TEAM theme (Teach, Evangelize, Animate and Motivate) and now as past president I am totally committed to support, affirm and coach as best I can. » Read the rest of this entry »

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! » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Barbara Dowding

Dear League Sisters and Father Tien,

September – back to school, new books, fresh start and CWL! Special greeting to Past Presidents in their second term: Anna May McCarvill, Maureen Sander, Jeanne Wilson and Pat Deppiesse. Welcome to the ranks of being ‘past’ to Agnes Geiger and Caroline Ann-Alter.

We have the unique position of being able to advise while at the same time being a mentor and supportive part of the executive team. As we hand over the reigns or pass the torch, it is important to let go and let go with grace. The beauty and strength of our great League is built upon the differences we have. I encourage you to have access to The Constitution and Bylaws where on page 12, Article X Section 2 -”Officers” it states that past president are officers of the executive level and page 18 Article 11, Section 7 clearly states our duties. Be sure to check out the National Manual of Policy and Procedure 2003 Page 41 for more outlines of our duties.

Among other things we are charged to care for the archives. Please go to the National website and look for Archives Guidelines for League History Provincial, Diocesan and Parish Councils – everything you need to know and more.

For the past two years we worked with the TEAM theme and it fits our role as Past President extremely well. Be sure to work hard at teaching, evangelizing, animating and motivating not only your new president but all your League sisters. Your joyful support and enthusiasm is the best gift you can give. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Pat Battensby

I have very much enjoyed working with the diocesan past presidents for the past two years. The single most Persistent issue that I have gathered from the reports is the withdrawal feeling. It has been difficult for some to move on and realize that our new presidents have ideas of their own and we have had our opportunities. I know that presidents will bear this in mind and occasionally ask their past presidents for an opinion. I myself, thanks to our president Barb, have been kept very busy and have enjoyed every minute of the whole two years. There was no lack of jobs to do and it was so great as always to work with such an innovative group of ladies. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Pat Battensby

Dear Father Terry and Sisters in the League,

Internet hugs to all of you as we start our new League year in service to God and Canada. I would like to welcome new Past Presidents Anna May M……… (Kamloops), Maureen S…..(Prince George) Pat D……. (Vancouver) and Jeanne W…… (Whitehorse) and welcome back to seasoned Past Presidents, Sandra S……. (Nelson) and Mary L……. (Victoria) I believe that all of you have each others information and I would encourage you to share communiques and situations with each other.

This standing committee is difficult for some of us to handle as the role of President had demanded full time involvement and the come down is sometime hard to handle but bear with it, you will gradually fill the bill. » Read the rest of this entry »