Happy New Year everyone! I hope you are all refreshed after the holidays and are energized to continue to work for God and Canada! I want to encourage you to ensure your new, proposed resolutions have been researched thoroughly and have the required backup material. You must complete the checklist in Appendix A of the National P&P binder.

This short communique is mostly just a reminder about upcoming dates.

January 25 Nancy Simms, Doreen Gowens and I will visit the Ministry of Health representatives in Victoria to present our resolutions and we ask for your prayers for our success.

January 31 Please send me the titles of your proposed resolutions by this date.

February 15 Your annual reports must be sent to me by this date. Please be sure to include a short report on the number of letters sent to government officials and responses received. Ann-Marie Gorman, the National Chairperson of Resolutions is particularly interested in receiving this information and I will include it in my annual report to her. I would also like to hear if you and your President (for those concerned) had the opportunity to visit your local bishop to present our resolutions binder to him.

April/May Resolutions passed at your conventions must be sent to me immediately following your convention, along with a suggested defence.

Prohibition of Practices re Human Reproductive Material

I would like to bring to your attention, resolution BC2011.02 Respect & Protection for Human Embryos and Human Reproductive Material.

On December 22, 2010 the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on the constitutional challenge from the Quebec government who felt that sections of The Assisted Human Reproduction Act of 2004 infringed on provincial powers. The Court deemed many sections of the Act exceeded the legislative authority of Parliament, thus in fact removing them from federal jurisdiction and placing them under the provinces and territories where regulations and/or statutes for human embryos, reproductive material and licensing do not presently exist.

In total, 10 sections of the Act are now under provincial jurisdiction and are presently without regulations. I would like to share with you in part sections 10 & 11 to clarify the importance of the need for statutes or regulations as well as licensing for human embryos and reproductive material. Section 10 (1) reads:

10. (1) No person shall, except in accordance with the regulations and a licence, alter, manipulate or treat any human reproductive material for the purpose of creating an embryo.

In other words, since this section is now under provincial jurisdiction and our province has no regulations, there is presently nothing stopping any person from altering or manipulating human reproductive material to create embryos. Section 10 (3) reads:

(3) No person shall, except in accordance with the regulations and a licence, obtain, store, transfer, destroy, import or export

(a) a sperm or ovum, or any part of one, for the purpose of creating an embryo; or

(b) an in vitro embryo, for any purpose.

This means that since our province, as well as other provinces is without regulations on this, any person could, without penalty, destroy embryos and/or import and export them anywhere in the world.

Human embryos are total, unique human beings that only need time for complete development. They deserve respectful handling and protection. Neither embryos nor human reproductive material should be treated as commodities. This would be tantamount to the allowance of human trafficking.

Section 11 (1) reads:

11. (1) No person shall, except in accordance with the regulations and a licence, combine any part or any proportion of the human genome specified in the regulations with any part of the genome of a species specified in the regulations.

Therefore, we are presently without regulations for scientists to combine human DNA with other species. The ramifications of not having regulations on matters as important as this are beyond imagination. And this is just part of two of the ten sections currently without statutes, regulations and licensing.

BC must immediately implement regulations that will provide protection and respectful standards in the handling of human embryos and regulations for the handling of human reproductive material as well as all the licensing required.

Also, to avoid competition between provinces and territories we would ask the government of BC to make efforts to meet with other provincial and territorial governments of Canada to develop consistent respectful regulations throughout the country.

In addition to asking for provinces and territories to create regulations and statutes, the national council of the CWL has a resolution, which is in your package today, urging the federal government to prohibit absolutely practices of alteration, manipulation and treatment of human reproductive material that result in the destruction of human embryos. During the 2010 court proceedings the Supreme Court of Canada noted that parliament could have absolutely prohibited these practises and therefore we are asking them to do so. But until this happens, each province and territory needs to develop the regulations and licensing to protect the handling of reproductive material and human embryos. The very essence of human dignity is at stake here and immediate action needs to be taken.

Trip to the BC Provincial Legislature

President Nancy Simms, Lorrilee Jordan Legislation Chairperson, and Pat Deppiesse, 2nd Vice President, Resolutions Chairperson are happy to report that they recently had the privilege of meeting with our elected representatives at the legislative assembly. What a wonderful experience it was, with the beauty of the parliament building – the upper rotundas, mosaic tile work, along with the stained glass windows and the rose gardens (that were still in bloom!).

The delegation was most graciously welcomed by the MLAs, both the Liberal and the NDP parties. During the meetings, the MLAs paid close attention to the presentation and were very interested in what was being reported on. They asked probing questions which the members were grateful for, enabling them to expand on CWL issues a bit more! When discussing Resolution 2011.02 “Respect and Protection for Human Embryos and Human Reproductive Material”, the MLAs expressed the concern that they had no idea about the fact that the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that important sections of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act 2004 had been removed from federal jurisdiction and placed under the provinces and territories where regulations and/or statutes for human embryos, reproductive material and licensing do not presently exist.

In our resolution, Prohibition of Practices re Human Reproductive Material, the MLAs were asked to assist us in any way they can, urging the federal government to enact statutes and regulations to prohibit absolutely the practices of alteration, manipulation and treatment of human reproductive material that results in the destruction of human embryos. Until this happens, each province and territory needs to develop the regulations and licensing to protect the handling of reproductive material and human embryos. The very essence of human dignity is at stake and immediate action needs to be taken.

The MLAs suggested that CWL representatives meet with the Ministers of Health in every province across the country to ensure they were aware of this issue. The members appreciated this suggestion and will now be working at getting an appointment with Hon. Michael de Jong, Q.C., B.C. Minister of Health, as he was unable to meet us at this time.

The MLAs suggested that when President, Nancy Simms gets her list of actions each parish council is taking in each diocese regarding our TLC project, that she forward it to their constituency offices. They would be happy to advertise and help us in any way they can to gather items for our “Toonies for Teeth”, “Loving & Warm” and “Care Kits”. The cold weather is upon us and everything we can do to alleviate the suffering of the homeless is urgent – now.

We also took the opportunity to meet with Archbishop of Vancouver, J. Michael Miller and the Bishop of Victoria, Bishop Richard Gagnon. We had a lovely visit with both of them, explaining our issues. They asked many questions and were very pleased to see what good work the League was doing on such important issues and were particularly interested in our focus on mental illness and poverty and homelessness (TLC Project).

Unfortunately, travel time and costs make it impossible for us to approach every bishop in BC & Yukon, therefore, the four other diocesan presidents and resolutions chairpersons have been requested to make an appointment to see their bishop in order to present a Resolutions booklet to him.

Greetings one and all! I am happy to report that we have had the privilege of meeting with our elected representatives at the BC Legislative Assembly this past week. What a wonderful experience it was for me as I have never visited the parliament buildings before. We were so in awe of the beauty of the parliament building itself, the upper rotundas, mosaic tile work, along with the stained glass windows and the rose gardens (that were still in bloom!).

President Nancy Simms, Lorrilee Jordan Legislation Chairperson and myself were most graciously welcomed by the MLAs, both the Liberal and the NDP parties. During our meetings, the MLAs paid close attention to our presentation and were very interested in what we were reporting on. They asked good questions which we were grateful for and which enabled us to expand on our issues a bit more! They expressed the concern that they had no idea about the fact that the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that important sections of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act 2004 are now under provincial jurisdiction. They suggested that we meet with the Ministers of Health in every province across the country to ensure they were aware of this. We accepted this suggestion and I will now be working at getting an appointment with Mike de Jong, our Minister of Health. Although we had tried previously, he was busy at that time and couldn’t see us.

The MLAs suggested that when Nancy gets her list of actions each parish council is taking in each diocese, that she forward it to their constituency offices. They would be happy to advertise and help us in any way they can to gather items for our “Toonies for Teeth”, “Loving & Warm” and “Care Kits”. I would ask that every President inform Nancy as soon as possible, as the cold weather is upon us and everything we can do to alleviate the suffering of the homeless is urgent – now.

We also took the opportunity to meet with Bishop Richard Gagnon while we were in Victoria and with Archbishop J. Michael Miller when we returned to Vancouver the next day, to present our Resolutions booklet to them. We had a lovely visit with both of them explaining our issues. They asked many questions and were very pleased to see what good work the League was doing in regard to such important issues, and were particularly interested in our focus on mental illness and poverty and homelessness.

Unfortunately, travel time and costs make it impossible for us to approach every bishop in BC & Yukon, therefore, I would ask the four other diocesan presidents and resolutions chairpersons to please make an appointment to see your bishop in order to present a Resolutions booklet to him. I have sent you the booklet by mail. You might also want to invite someone on the provincial executive to join you if they live in your area.

It made us think that all the bishops should receive our League Magazine and we urge every diocesan president to make sure he gets a subscription as soon as possible and that it is kept up each year.

I am attaching a copy of our oral presentation in the hopes that you will encourage your members to write letters, and it will give them the key words they might need. I know we always talk about this, but I am here to assure you, those MLAs do listen and they do read their mail! It would give us so much more ‘clout’ if they heard from you more often. Particularly, I ask you to write to the Health Minister, Mike de Jong, as I will be doing in the next few days. I will send him our full resolutions pertaining to his health portfolio, also a copy of our presentation on the health issues contained therein. In that manner, I hope to raise awareness so that he will perhaps meet with us in the new year. That is my new goal!! Please help us by committing some time to letter writing.

In closing, I thank you so much for the privilege of representing you and all of our grassroots members in reporting to the provincial government what The Catholic Women’s League of Canada is all about and informing them of our very important resolutions. I will keep you informed about any further visits and outcomes of our efforts.

Please remember that the deadline to submit the titles of your new proposed Resolutions to me is January 31, 2012. I look forward to hearing from you!

Write to the Federal Gov’t. to prohibit any practises of altering, manipulation or treatment of genetic material that would result in the death of a human embryo or the combining of species or genetic selection. Send a copy to your local MP.

2011.02: Children of Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women

Write letters to Prime Minister and MP’s urging the Federal Gov’t. to implement Canada wide support programs and services for children of missing and murdered aboriginal women. Send copy to your MP.

2011.04: Caffeine in Energy Drinks

Although the government made a first step in addressing this issue earlier this week many feel Ottawa has bowed to industry and that the announcement falls short. Energy drinks are now regulated as Food rather than Natural Health Product but the regulation will not take effect for up to two years.

Write letters to Prime Minister and Minister of Health and local MP’s asking that Health Canada engage in a program of public education focussing on the effects of caffeine in children and legislate stricter regulations, making it mandatory for manufacturers to clearly identify on its labels that the additives in energy drinks are stimulants; ensure these drinks are not marketed to children (teens); and to limit the amount of caffeine that is contained in the drinks.

Write letters to Premier Christy Clarke and Health Minister, local MLA and territorial legislatures asking that provincial/territorial governments enact legislation that determines where, how and to whom energy drinks can be sold in BC or Yukon.

BC 2011.02: Respect and Protection for Human Embryos and Human Reproductive Material:

Write to Prov. Gov’t. asking them to implement regulation to protect human embryos and to develop respectful standards for the handling of human reproductive material and all licensing required. Also, asking them to convene consultative meetings with their provincial counterparts to develop consistent and respectful national regulations in the handling of human embryos, reproductive material and all the licensing required. Send copies to your local MLA and MP.

BC 2011.03 Mandatory Abortion Reporting

Write to the Federal Minister of Health and the Minister of Industry (responsible for Statistics Canada) and ask for mandatory abortion reporting to Statistics Canada from all hospitals and clinics and send copies to your local MP and Prime Minister.

Write to PM and Bev Oda opposing governments support of Planned Parenthood of $6,000,000. Support should not be given to take the lives of the unborn, resources should not be reallocated and it is not in keeping with Canada’s position of the G8 program for maternal and health care.

(Note my email re Denied Funding for Matercare International Oct. 7/11)

This is my first opportunity to welcome those new chairpersons to the always exciting and challenging standing committee of Resolutions!! Please send your communiqués to me and also to the other diocesan chairpersons using email if you wish.

I will describe the disposition of the BC & Yukon resolutions that were passed at our recent convention in Penticton to be forwarded to the national committee.

BC & Yukon Resolutions adopted at national:

• Prohibition of Practices re Human Reproductive Material
• Other Resolutions adopted at national:
• Children of Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women
• National Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Registry
• Caffeine in Energy Drinks

All the resolutions passed at the national convention are on the national website, along with the brief and action plans. Now is the time to act.

BC & Yukon Resolution approved by the national committee for distribution to provincial councils for review and action:

• Respect and Protection for Human Embryos and Human Reproductive Material – I will take this to our provincial government when we go.
• Resolutions from other provinces that were approved by the national committee for distribution to provincial councils for review and action:
• Create a Regulated Drug Recycling Program – I will get a copy of this and send it to the appropriate standing committee representative to investigate if we need to take action in BC & Yukon.

BC & Yukon Resolutions declined by national:

• Mandatory Reporting of Deliberate Termination of Pregnancy – required more clarification and up-to date information.
• United Nations Funding for a CWL International representative of WUCWO – did not meet the criteria as set out in the National P&P.

I sincerely thank the Kamloops diocese for their gift of the four resolutions. They have been truly examined and have been declared worthy and are being sent back to the ‘grassroots’ level of the League for action. All of this wonderful work is for naught, without letter writing or contacting in person your MPs and/or MLAs. If you can, please let me know if you have written, how many letters, and who you get a response from. When I am in Victoria, I could then say quite honestly that our members have written!

Now, on with the work of putting together those new and all-important resolutions. I know a couple of dioceses are working on resolutions to be considered at your spring conventions. May I suggest the following, based on my experience so far with resolutions:

• If you have an issue you feel strongly about, express this to your parish council and form a committee to study and research that issue – you can make a difference! This committee should include your spiritual advisor to ensure compliance with the teachings of the church as it applies to your issue.
• Look up the register of past resolutions on the national website. Review them to see if they were in any way connected with your issue.
• Communicate with the provincial resolutions chairperson to give her the title of your resolution – she will be the central communication point for all dioceses – there may be someone else in the province also working on that issue and you could get together to make it stronger.
• Research, research, research. Get a team together – don’t try to do it alone!
• Make sure the information you are using is the latest and most up to date. We were turned down on one of our resolutions this year because the information was out of date.
• Use the professional members of your family, schools, parish, diocese, doctors, lawyers, judges, etc. asking them to review your material to help make it stronger (i.e., you may have noticed how effective it was at our provincial convention to have one of our nurses stand up and talk about her experience in regard to in-clinic abortion procedures).
• Contact your local Member of Parliament, (MP) member of the legislative assembly, (MLA) or government department or send a letter of request for information about your issue, such as copies of legislation, regulations and committee reports. Check Hansard.
• When you start to write up your resolution, there are very clear directions in the CWL National Policy and Procedures Manual – follow them, especially the checklist.
• Make sure exactly whether it is a provincial or a national matter and be sure your resolved clause reflects that.
• Attend any resolutions workshops being given in your diocese.
• Don’t wait until the deadline of December 31 to send me the titles of your resolution, because there may be someone else working on that same issue and I could let you know early. I implore you not to go to convention with a resolution that is incomplete, or something that you think could be made stronger. Instead, save it for the next year when you will have had time to do the extensive research required.

If you have any questions about any of the above, please do not hesitate to call or Email me for clarification, or any help I can give you.

At the time of writing, I have not yet received the date of our presentation to government and am continuing to follow up on this, hopefully in October or November. The executive members attending in Victoria will be Nancy Simms, President; Doreen Gowans, President-elect; Lorrilee Jordan, Legislation Chairperson and myself, each of whom will make an oral presentation. Please pray that we can make an appointment soon – we have lots of great issues! I’m expecting politicians will be very happy to hear from the over 9,500 members of the CWL in BC & Yukon!

I’m off to the executive mid-term meeting in Kelowna October 13-16, 2011. If you have anything that is concerning you, please let me know and I will bring it up at the meeting.

I would like to thank all the newest Resolutions chairpersons, for saying YES to taking on this standing committee. How many members in this room have been or are now resolutions chairpersons?

This year I am looking forward to working with: Diane from the Kamloops Diocese, Angelina from the Vancouver Diocese and, Betty from the Prince George Diocese

Along with those who have already served one year: Therese from the Victoria Diocese, Gloria from the Nelson Diocese and Edna from the Whitehorse Diocese

I also extend a huge thank you to the members of the Kamloops diocese who prepared four Resolutions to come before this convention! What great work you have done! CWL Representative at UN for WUCWO, Prohibition of Practices Re Human Genetic Material, Stats Canada Abortion Reporting, National Standards for Human Reproductive Material.

Thanks also to all of you that attended our Resolutions Dialogue prior to the convention. It is such a great way to learn more about how to write resolutions, and I do hope to receive many more next year!

Out of the 75 of 132 annual reports I received I was very pleased to note that you are making attempts to write letters to your local MLA’s and MP’s regarding our issues and also that you are endeavouring to have workshops and are hosting presentations regarding our issues. Our National Resolutions Chairperson, Ann Gorman, is requesting that you also keep track of how many letters you write and how many responses you get back from our elected officials. You may pass this information through your annual reports or your Diocesan Resolutions Chairperson and then on to me.

For those councils not submitting any Resolutions, I do hope you will embrace the ones presented at this convention and participate enthusiastically in the recommended actions.

This year, what with all the changes in government elections, etc., it was extremely difficult – even impossible to book a meeting with the government in Victoria. Now that our Premier has been sworn in, it should make it a bit easier. I am making every attempt to put together a fall meeting and will certainly keep you informed.

At the time of writing, I have not yet received the date of our presentation to government and am continuing to follow up on this

Happy new year everyone! Well, I

At our national convention held in August in Ottawa, Resolution 2010.01 Chrysotile Asbestos was passed (please see the full resolution on the national website www. cwl.ca under Recent Updates).

I am writing this second communiqué so quickly after my first one because there is a very good series of articles in The Province Newspaper beginning on Sunday, September 5th that I would like to recommend to all of you. The articles are written by Ethan Baron entitled “You Get Ripped Off of Your Life and on the following Tuesday, Dead Man’s Family Outraged by Canada’s International Asbestos Policy. This series of articles is well timed for us, both for issue awareness, and terrific back up for the Action Plan for our Resolution. You may also see the newspaper at your Public Library and/or by viewing the website  www.theprovince.com. I can also send you a copy if you like.

Here are some addresses for your use:

Federal Government – Mail may be sent postage-free to any member at the following addresses:

Right Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minster
80 Wellington Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2

Ministers:

House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Minister of Justice – Rob Nicholson, Attorney General of Canada
Minister of Natural Resources – Christian Paradis
Minister of Industry – Tony Clement
Minister for the Asia Pacific Gateway & International Trade – Stockwell Day
Minister of Health – Leona Aglukkaq
Your own Member of Parliament for your area.

Provincial Government:

Premier Gordon Campbell
P.O. Box 9041, Stn. Prov. Govt., Victoria, BC V8W 9E1

Ministers:

PO Box 9053
Stn. Prov. Govt.
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2

Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources – Hon. Bill Bennett
Minister of the Environment -Hon. Barry Penner
Minister of Health Services -Hon. Kevin Falcon, P.O. Box 9050
Your own local Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)

Please watch all the newspapers for future articles. I have sent Ethan Baron, the columnist for The Province, the CWL national website information so that he can pick up our Resolution 2010-01.

Wishing you all of God’s abundant blessings, love Pat

From the relatively familiar and very active position as your provincial secretary, I was totally surprised when our President, Nancy Simms announced at the Post-Convention meeting that I was her choice to be the Resolutions Chairperson! This is a very new and challenging position for me, and I thank Nancy so very much for her confidence in what I feel are my somewhat dubious skills in this area!

As this is my first Communiqué, I would like to introduce myself. To give you a bit of personal background, I am a happily married (47 years) mother of three and grandmother of eleven. Two of my children live in Calgary with their families and my husband and I visit there at least every 6-8 weeks so that our grandchildren will know us! I work part time at the Archdiocese of Vancouver Chancery Office, administering the Missionary Appeal Program and working for the Stewardship Office. I absolutely love my job!

I became a member and founding president of the CWL at St. Pius X Parish in North Vancouver in January, 1995 with 60 members signing up. Talk about jumping in with both feet! I moved on up to the Vancouver Archdiocesan Council, working as Spiritual Development Chair, Secretary, President-elect and President. While President, I was Secretary of the Planning Committee for the national convention held in Vancouver in 2005. It was a difficult decision to move on to the Provincial level, but I do love the League and the sisters I have met over the years and I would miss them terribly if I wasn’t carrying on. So I became Provincial Secretary and now, Resolutions Chairperson. I hope I can do something to make the road a bit smoother for all of you, but realize you all have so much experience that you could probably teach me a thing or two! Anyway, we will all work together to ensure that we follow the guidelines laid out so beautifully in the national handbook and we can’t go wrong!

It is my hope that all diocesan resolution chairs will share communiqués, not only with me, but with each other. I would love to hear your history in the League at some time, perhaps at a convention lunch in the future!

While this Communiqué is a more ‘newsy’ and introductory letter, I assure you that having just returned from Ottawa attending the National Convention, I have been uplifted, revitalized and am ‘rarin to go’! We particularly enjoyed the presentation by Sr. Nuala Kenny regarding the particular gifts of women, and do hope to hear her again in our area. I understand her presentation might be put on the national website, and you should read it if you have the chance.

I would like to congratulate and warmly welcome Anne Gorman, our new National Chairperson of Resolutions and have just received her first Communiqué. Anne says “As there can be no peace without justice, this lesson provides a point of entry for resolutions chairpersons, not only as a task, but also as a privilege, to be the hands and voices of the helpless and voiceless.” Congratulations are also in order for our own Barb Dowding, the past Resolutions Chairperson as she assumes her new position as national 1st Vice President, Community Life.

2010 Resolutions – Provincial

I would like to extend sincere thanks to all who did so much work on the two Resolutions submitted and passed at our provincial convention. I especially thank our past Resolutions Chairperson, Sandra Stajduhar, who did such a great job for the past two years.

BC2010.01 “Strategies for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias” (Education & Health) was directed to the BC and Yukon governments, and is now an official BC & Yukon Resolution that can and should be acted upon. Please review this Resolution on our website cwl.bc.ca and get together with your members to study and act on the action plan provided.

This Resolution was also sent to national for distribution to all the provinces so that they could study it and determine if it was something they could pursue in their own province.

Our “Safe Haven Law” Resolution (Christian Family Life) was sent to national, and I received a letter from the then national chairperson of Resolutions, Barbara Dowding who wrote “it was determined that this issue would fall under provincial jurisdiction. Because the more effective action would be to pursue this issue provincially, the resolution will be forwarded to the other 10 provincial councils for study and action, as necessary.”

2010 Resolutions – National

Two resolutions were adopted at the recent national convention in Ottawa. They are:

2010.01 Chrysotile Asbestos (Community Life)

2010.02 Income Tax Credit for Participation in Arts and Cultural Activities (Legislation)

While you may or may not have ever submitted a resolution, we all need to pull together to review with your councils the resolutions and the action plans. Remember, working together is how we can effect change. Set aside time at your meetings to review these resolutions (which are available on the national website, HYPERLINK “mailto:cwl@national.ca” cwl.ca) and encourage your parish councils to act upon the action plans.

Welcome back after a lovely summer. May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide you in all you do “For God and Canada”.

Love and blessings, Pat

What is a resolution? The dictionary tells us that a resolution is ‘a firm decision to do something”. Our executive handbook tells us “A resolution is one member’s concern becoming the voice of the League” and that “Policies are established, programs are planned, or concerns and views are expressed through resolutions”. Appendix 1 of our National Manual of Policy and Procedure guides us through the process of preparing and presenting a resolution.

What does this mean to you – as a member of the Catholic Women’s League? What do you do when you are given the gift of a resolution? Do you put it away unopened? Do you open it; look briefly, and then put it away to gather dust? Or do you open it, learn about it, and use it – or, at the very least, “regift” it to someone else?

What is the study and implementation of a resolution? Resolutions are designated to specific standing committees, and chairpersons are to ensure that members are informed and to motivate members to action – and members then become responsible for further educating themselves and acting on the resolution. Do you remember how you worried about what the bishop might ask you at your confirmation, and how you prepared –how you tried to learn everything? I challenge each one of you to pick one resolution and educate yourself on that topic – pretend you are on the review committee and investigate every reference, and follow those references to other information. Progress from ‘knowing about’ a resolution to ‘knowing’ the resolution. Then – ACT – in whatever way you can. This year? Befriend a young, new mother; visit a seniors’ home; write a letter; educate one more person.

Perhaps you are called to be a giver of a gift – to research and prepare a resolution. Is there an issue that is calling you to act? This year we ranged from at risk newborns to older people suffering from dementia. Think of the many important issues in between! Gather some information, discuss it with your council, and go for it! Use the resolutions appendix, and tackle it step by step – with prayer. Do your best – our process allows for improvement at each level.

My personal decision as resolutions chairperson was that no resolution would be turned down on a technicality – such as parenthetical referencing not quite right or references not highlighted or some other oversight. The members should hear a concern that has motivated a resolution – even if it is not accepted.

I would recommend three plans for every resolutions chairperson:

• Prepare a workshop – doing this as my first official job helped immensely.
• Prepare a resolution – it is in the doing that we learn.
• Study a resolution as if you had to prepare for a government meeting – what questions will you be asked, what will be debated.

Every member should participate in a resolutions workshop, prepare a resolution, and study a resolution as if preparing for the Bishop.

To close:

Whereas, We are members of a national organization, rooted in gospel values, called to holiness through service to the people of God; and

Whereas, We are women of peace and hope; and

Whereas, We are called to serve with faith and joy; therefore, be it

Resolved, That, as members of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, we seek justice, peace and hope for all God’s people by forming and acting on resolutions with faith and joy.

BC & Yukon delegation to Victoria, meeting with Liberal and NDP MLAs

March 31, 2010 — For the fourteenth time, a delegation from our BC & Yukon Provincial Council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada met in Victoria with Liberal and New Democratic party MLA’s to present and discuss CWL resolutions. The delegation consisted of president, Marianna Caldwell, president-elect, Nancy Simms, and myself, Sandra Stajduhar, Resolutions chairperson. Legislation chairperson, Sheila Quinn, helped us in the preparation.

Information on the CWL and the resolutions was prepared and given to the MLA’s beforehand, and included all 2009 resolutions as well as information on some past resolutions still of interest. Briefs, bibliographies and action plans were included. In the oral presentation, specific items of concern, particularly in BC, were highlighted as we asked for ongoing support in resolving issues.

The government was commended on the recent legislation to ban the use of hand held cell phones while driving – the subject of a 2008 resolution. It was requested that more driver education be given, with the emphasis on safety. 2007 statistics on injury collisions show that driver inattention was the major contributing factor – 34.3%. A 2009 resolution asks that a province wide policy be made to govern the use of personal electronic devices in schools and that the policy be widely distributed to both students and parents. We were advised to work with parent and teacher groups to determine specific restrictions to be included in such a policy.

The resolution “Hate Messages” urges the federal government to restrict proceedings on matters of hate solely under the Criminal Code and to repeal section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act entitled Hate Messages. BC has similar provisions to section 13 in its BC Human Rights Code under section 7. Criminal Code proceedings require proof of beyond a reasonable doubt, whereas the Canadian Human Rights Act uses the lower civil standard of balance of probabilities. Persons charged under the Criminal Code are entitled to a presumption of innocence, but when a complaint is made under the Human Rights Act, the accused must prove their innocence. As well, the Criminal Code excludes persons who in good faith express or attempt to establish by argument an opinion upon a religious subject. One MLA commented that he would have thought that the Catholic Women’s League would be fighting for the victims of hate messages. It was emphasized that the Catholic Women’s League certainly does not condone hate messages, but urges that they be prosecuted solely under the Criminal Code of Canada.

There have been a number of resolutions on human trafficking. The resolution passed in 2009 asks for Protection and Support Services for Foreign Victims of Human Trafficking. Through temporary residence permits, victims are able to receive health care benefits and counseling, and to apply for a work permit. These measures are ministerial policy and need to be legislated into the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in order to give important service providers the framework to fully intervene.

Domestic trafficking is also a concern in Canada, with aboriginal women and children being the most vulnerable. They are often the victims of sexual exploitation. While some people are forced into prostitution by a third party, others do it to make ends meet, or to cope with a drug habit or a life marked by violence or incest. The resolution “Exit Strategies for Prostituted Persons” asks for a coordinated approach to identify and provide solutions for those persons who want to exit prostitution. Those most likely to be trafficked domestically or to enter a life of prostitution include youth and women who face poverty, inequality, violence and unemployment. The problems that lead to a life of prostitution also act as obstacles to exiting. Focusing on trafficking and/or prostitution alone, without fighting against the root causes such as poverty and unemployment, will only go so far in the long term. Related past resolutions included in the information package were “Children Living in Poverty”, “Affordable Housing for Low-Income Canadians”, and “Hunger in Canada”.

Two other past resolutions were included in the information package – “Assisted Suicide – a Criminal Offence” and “Hospice Palliative Care: An Integral Component of the Canada Health Care System”. Bill C-384 (Right to die with dignity) asked to legalize both euthanasia and assisted suicide. Fortunately, it was defeated but we know it will resurface. We need to protect the most vulnerable: the old, the disabled, the sick and the dying. One answer is good palliative care – not euthanasia or assisted suicide. The goals of palliative care are relief from suffering; treatment of pain and other distressing symptoms, psychological and spiritual care. Unfortunately, the aspect of spiritual care has been seriously undermined by the Fraser Health Authority’s decision to eliminate a dozen paid spiritual care coordinators from its acute care facilities. The government was commended for the Palliative Care Benefits Program and urged to fully support palliative care programs throughout the province.

MLA John van Dongen, Government Whip, introduced us and chaired the meeting with the Liberal caucus. There were twelve members present. The meeting with the NDP was an informal table discussion with four MLA’s – Michelle Mungall (Nelson-Creston), Diane Thorne (Coquitlam- Maillardville), Nicholas Simons (Powell River-Sunshine Coast), and Shane Simpson (Vancouver-Hastings). The meetings with both parties were interesting, informative and productive to both the MLA‘s and our delegation.

We did not have an urgent agenda for this meeting, but arranged it to keep the continuity – to keep in touch. We felt that the attitude of the MLA’s that we met with was the same. However, we did feel that the meetings were beneficial. It is to be hoped that further meetings could be arranged directly with the MLA’s concerned. Diane Thorne complimented us on our professionalism, and offered two suggestions to take our meetings to the next level:

1. Try to get more resolutions directed to the provincial government – they can act on those.
2. Get feedback from other organizations to supplement what we bring – for example, when speaking to the PED’s resolution it would be helpful if we had information from school trustees, PAC organizations, BC Teachers. This makes sense, as we know that the cell phone legislation was promoted not only by the CWL but also by the BCAA as well as other groups.

Both the Olympics and Paralympics showcased our Canadian pride and British Columbians working together and supporting each other. Budget 2010 mentions that the Olympics are a launching pad for new partnerships, investments, business opportunities and building strong communities. We hope that the prosperous British Columbia highlighted in the budget will be built for everyone.

Hello all,

I hope that your Easter was blessed and that you are all ready now to share the “GOOD NEWS”.  This is more of a ‘note’ instead of a communiqué as I do not have a lot to pass on – but I wanted to wish you well at conventions (Kamloops and Prince George this week).  There is a resolutions supplement to the executive handbook on line (and attached). It is 37 pages, and repeats what is in the resolutions appendix in the P&P. Print only if you think it is necessary.

The government meeting went well, with no surprises. A full report will follow at the convention. Thank you for prayers – my flight was cancelled and rescheduled, but I made it. Very interesting flight to the Island (a few screams were even heard, but not from me!). I was glad to return before the other storms hit.

Resolutions: I am expecting a few resolutions – if they are passed at your diocesan conventions. The process can be overwhelming – but it is interesting and well worth it. Enjoy it – with a lot of prayer! Use your review committee – you don’t have to do it all and the decisions are group ones. Please follow the guidelines and checklist; if a resolution is to be sent to provincial, please send within a week of your convention – with all backup material. A sample submission letter is attached. Please send the resolution by email asap.

Kathy and Beth will be finishing their terms – we have learned together, and the two years have flown. I am glad that you each have a resolution to work on, as that is the only way we really learn. Thank-you and good luck – I hope you will continue on your diocesan councils.

Sheila, Gemma, and Sharon – it seems that I have hardly gotten to know you, but I am very happy with the communiques you have done – I’ve learned from them too. Ideally, it would be great if we could have done workshops together and actually put together a resolution. Thank-you and good luck in the coming year.

I hope to see you at the provincial convention in Richmond – please let me know if you will be there. I would love your help at the resolutions dialogue.

Thank-you for all that you do, and may Our Lady of Good Counsel continue to guide us.

God bless.

As the year draws to a close, I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for all that you do as Women of Peace and Hope, and to offer sincere wishes for a blessed Christmas season – followed by a new year of renewed enthusiasm for the work of the League!

Revisions to the National Manual of Policy and Procedure Appendix 1: Resolutions

On November 14th, at the fall meeting of the national executive, policies regarding resolutions were reviewed, revised and updated. The two major changes that will affect the writing of resolutions are (1) clarification of the use of parenthetical references and (2) revision of the Checklist for Reviewing Proposed Resolutions. The approved revisions are attached. The changes are designed to clarify and improve both the process and product of resolutions. Each level of the League will be responsible for passing on the new information and ensuring it is followed.

The study of revised policies and procedures will aid in understanding expectations and facilitate the resolutions process at all levels. Special attention to the revisions to the Checklist for Reviewing Proposed Resolutions is encouraged. It is hoped that the changes will make life easier, not only for the authors of resolutions, but for the reviewers as well.

Federal Government Visit

The government delegation is bound for Ottawa! National President Danielle McNeil-Hessian, National President-elect Velma Harasen, National Chairperson of Legislation Judy Lewis and National Chairperson of Resolutions Barbara Dowding will arrive on Saturday, November 28th with appointments scheduled through to December 1st. Please keep the delegation members in prayer as they bring the message of hope and peace to federal representatives.

Provincial Government Visit

Contact with the provincial government has been made, but a meeting date will not be set until January – and the meeting will probably take place in late March.

Resolutions topics and titles

We hope to continue to see proposed resolutions as a result of the workshops presented in each diocese. Now is the time for councils to be thinking about topics for resolutions. Please submit any titles before January 15th so the topics can be reported to the national chairperson.

If there will be proposed resolutions in your diocese, please form your resolutions review committee early.

What’s Happening With Resolutions?

Have you been monitoring government action in regards to resolutions? To recap some information sent previously:

BC & Yukon resolution 2008.01 ‘Ban Cell Phones While Driving’ legislation goes into effect in 2010 – check it out and write to your MLAs to show your approval.

Trafficking – Bill S-223 regarding temporary resident permits has gone to committee; Bill C-268 regarding minimum sentencing passed third reading; keep informed regarding trafficking/Olympics and keep praying for victims and law enforcement personnel.

I look forward to receiving annual reports, and reading about the great work done by all of our members.

Dear League Sisters and Father Tien,

Welcome back to another CWL year – hopefully full of enthusiasm and good ideas to share with members.  As Women of Peace and Hope, we can show leadership in developing and promoting resolutions that offer hope and encouragement to those in need as we work to make the world a better place.

2009 Resolutions

Although the resolutions are on the website (http://www.cwl.ca/resolutions/year.htm), and will appear in the Fall magazine, I have enclosed the resolutions and issue summaries for your use.  The explanation of the resolutions process details the fate of all the proposed resolutions.  I was both proud and humbled to find that the three resolutions presented at the national convention originated in B.C.  It was an awesome responsibility to defend these resolutions and follow their journey to completion.

To comment on the review process:  Do we recognize the resolution after it has been “reviewed”?  Having now been on both sides of this question – both reviewing and being reviewed – I can appreciate all of the hard work and genuine caring for the fate of the resolutions from committee members.  And I think we have a good system – ‘new’ eyes see the resolution at each level, and everyone brings their knowledge and background to the table – to make it as ‘perfect’ as possible.  I do want to add a word of caution though:  In our zeal to have a ‘professional’ product, worthy of being presented to our country’s leaders, we must not lose sight of the fact that it is just as important that the resolution be easily understood by our members across Canada.

To comment on the resolutions dialogue and debate on the resolution – I loved it!  My prayers before and during the convention kept me focused and able to accept all the comments, criticisms and amendments as sincere concern to make the resolutions the best they could be – truly a “national” effort for “national” resolutions.

As resolutions chairpersons, what is our job now concerning the 2009 resolutions?  Personally, we can follow the action plans.  As chairpersons, we can make sure that the information reaches all councils and that we ourselves understand the resolution, and we can work with the chairperson’s involved to promote action.

To recap the 2009 resolutions:

2009.01 EXIT STRATEGIES FOR PROSTITUTED PERSONS (Community Life)

(http://www.cwl.ca/resolutions/2009/2009-01.html)

2009.02 PROTECTION AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FOREIGN VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING (Legislation) (http://www.cwl.ca/resolutions/year.htm)

2009.03 HATE MESSAGES (Legislation) (http://www.cwl.ca/resolutions/2009/2009-03.html)

BC 2009.01 REGULATING THE USE OF PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES ON SCHOOL PREMISES (Health and Education) (http://www.cwl.bc.ca/archives/480#comments)

2010 RESOLUTIONS

While we continue to work on the resolutions just passed, and previous resolutions still not resolved, it is time to look forward – to encourage members to identify needs and, if warranted, propose a resolution.

The resolutions workshop presented at diocesan conventions was well received – I hope it will bear fruit.  Continue to educate our members (and ourselves!).  The workshop has been sent to national and is on the website – perhaps sections can be reviewed in parish councils.  National chairperson, Barb Dowding, is interested in compiling a list of available workshops.  Do you have a resolutions workshop in your files to share?

Please read the National Oral Report enclosed, and as Mary did, “let us recognize the needs of others and place those needs before the Lord”.  As I am writing this communiqué, I am listening to a CD that I brought home from St. John’s – and share the thoughts that we are “One big family together that is powered from above” and that we can “be daring and trusting and reachin’, believin’ and climbing and lifting and soaring above…where even seagulls dream”.  As women of peace and hope, we can soar – and extend that peace and hope to others.

Meeting With Government: March 25, 2009

Four members of the BC & Yukon Provincial Council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada met with Liberal and New Democratic party MLA’s to present and discuss CWL resolutions. The delegation consisted of Marianna Caldwell, president, Nancy Simms, president-elect, Sheila Quinn, Legislation chairperson, and myself, Sandra Stajduhar, Resolutions chairperson. A report has been sent to and printed in some newspapers – this report has more detail.

Information on the CWL and the resolutions was prepared and given to the MLA’s beforehand, and while the information and the oral presentation were the same in both cases, the two meetings varied. MLA Randy Hawes, Government Whip, introduced us and chaired the meeting with the Liberal caucus. There were about sixteen members present, with others joining us as other meetings concluded – followed by a photo shoot. The meeting with the NDP was an informal table discussion with three MLA’s – Claire Trevena (North Island) critic for women’s issues, Leonard Krog (Nanaimo) critic for the Attorney General, and Harry Bains (Surrey-Newton), Olympics critic. In both cases, our presentation was received with interest, and questions, comments and suggestions were offered in return. We attended the afternoon question period in the legislature and were introduced and thanked by both parties.

The information package prepared for the MLA’s included all 2008 resolutions as well as two past resolutions still of interest. Briefs, bibliographies and action plans were included. In the oral presentation, specific items of concern, particularly in B.C., were highlighted as we asked for ongoing support in resolving issues.

The resolution directed to the B.C. government was “Ban the Use of Cell Phones While Driving”. Some provinces have already enacted legislation, and 46 countries have such a ban in place. Studies show that cell phone use impairs driving in simulated environments to a degree similar to a blood alcohol level of .08%. Government members seemed to be in agreement with this resolution. We were asked if we had considered expanding the resolution to include other communication devices, and it was pointed out that eating while driving is also a dangerous distraction. The problem of enforcing a ban on hand held cell phones was asked. Our reply was that it would begin slowly but over time would be accepted similar to the seat belt law. NDP MLA Claire Trevena stated that the BCAA was also addressing this issue.

With the Olympics being hosted in Vancouver next year, Resolution 2008.01 Preventing Human Trafficking at 2010 Olympics was well received. The correlation between international sporting events and increased human trafficking is well documented. The BC government was commended for establishing the Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons and MLA Colin Hansen (Minister for the Olympics) noted that a higher level of watch is needed and that hotels and restaurants have been approached to help in relation to this. One minister commented that she is concerned about the 2 – 3000 international exchange students in Vancouver. It was stated that there is a need to educate people and create awareness, and the NDP stated that an integrated approach is needed – to educate men on this issue and cut off the demand. It is encouraging to note that several MLA’s have spoken in the legislature on trafficking.

An overview was given of several resolutions. This was informative and received with interest. Regarding products containing triclosan, it was suggested that we work with the Canadian Cancer Society; regarding toxic substances in household products, it was agreed that dumping in the environment is a cause for concern; and accurate food labelling was deemed a federal issue. Resolution 2008.05 Transportation Tax Credit for Post Secondary Students was also presented briefly. Comments were made that it is not the best policy to single out one area (i.e. rural)

Information on hospice palliative care, a focus for CWL this year, was presented. While there has been improvement in this area, there is still a need for a system where quality of care does not depend on ability to pay and where hospice palliative care is designated as a core service and accessible across the province. Funding issues were raised, as well as the question of whether palliative care should be community rather than government driven. It was agreed that volunteers are necessary to provide adequate care. Hospice makes an annual presentation to the government, and MLA’s have made presentations on end of life care to caucus.

The final issue addressed was poverty, in particular child poverty. Statistics show that BC has a very poor record, and that poverty costs all of us. There is a need for improved income for both the employed and unemployed; better, affordable housing; improved childcare; and training and education. The statistics were questioned by some MLA’s (particularly whether rent subsidies were taken into account) and the Liberals stressed that improving the economy in general would show improvement in child poverty statistics. The NDP stressed that poverty in B.C. is a shameful situation – both morally and economically – and that a national policy and national housing strategy is needed. The challenge is for all of us to work together for a minimum 25% reduction in child poverty by the year 2012.

The national theme is “Women of Peace and Hope”, while our provincial theme is “Serving With Faith and Joy”. We tried to exemplify both in our presentation and in our manner, and the meetings with both parties were interesting, informative and productive to both the MLA’s and our delegation. We were commended for our presentation – that it was well thought out and researched – and for the presentations by the BC & Yukon executive over the past 13 years.

A year ago, the resolutions standing committee was brand new to me, and I thank our president Marianna for the confidence she had in me, and for the opportunity to learn something new. And, to sum up the past year, it has been a year of learning – not only learning the “job” of resolutions but the educational value of resolutions.

This education begins the moment a member presents a topic for discussion. The discussions, the research and the preparation of a resolution present so much information – which branches off into other topics, and more information. And no matter what level a resolution reaches, this information is shared and people are educated – through discussions in parish councils, sharing with family and friends, or reviewing it as a committee.

If accepted for presentation, then our members at conventions hear of the concern and the reasons behind it. And if a proposed resolution is not accepted, it has still educated many, and perhaps encouraged action on a concern – just not as action on a “resolution”.

Resolutions have been described as gifts to the League, and one member’s concern being given a voice. A resolution truly is a ‘gift’ – open it, use it, share it, and learn from it.

This year, six proposed resolutions were considered – four were accepted at diocesan conventions, one was resubmitted at the provincial level, and one was prepared by the provincial executive – this in response to the opportunity to resubmit a resolution to the national level. All of these resolutions were accepted and have been or will be presented at this convention. Your thoughtful deliberation on the resolutions presented is appreciated.

I thank all of those who members and councils who were involved in forming resolutions – for the ideas, the research and the time and hard work involved. You are truly women of peace and hope – sharing the good news, and your many gifts.

Thank-you to the members of the review committee – for sharing your time and expertise; and thanks also to my many mentors for their patient guidance and practical help.

Many blessings on all of you in this Lenten season. This will be a very brief note to update a few items.

GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

We met with both the Liberal and NDP MLA’s on Mar. 25th. It was a very successful meeting and a full report will follow at the convention and be posted on our website.

The national delegation will be meeting with the federal government on March 30th. Continued prayers, please.

2009 PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS

There is a new communique from our national chairperson, Barb, posted on the national website. Please take a look as it lists proposed resolutions from across Canada.

The proposed resolution on the hazards of energy drinks will not be presented this year, as more documentation is needed.

Resolutions become very important to their creators, and there is sometimes hard feelings when a resolution is not accepted. Please emphasize to your members that the work on a resolution is never a waste of time – no matter what level it reaches, the work done and information collected has educated many during the process and may still encourage members to undertake action of some kind.

CONVENTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS REVIEW COMMITTEES

I hope that your committees are in place and that you are giving them ample time to study and critique the resolutions. Please review the resolutions appendix on the proper way to present resolutions. If a resolution is accepted, please adhere to the deadlines – the resolution, back-up material, check list and cover letter sent to me within one week. I would very much appreciate the resolution itself (with brief and bibliography) sent by e-mail even sooner. Note that parenthetical referencing is still asked for (instead of footnotes) even though the P&P has not been updated to this effect. We will work together on this as we are still very much in a learning situation!

Members of the provincial executive will be presenting a resolutions workshop at your diocesan conventions. I hope that members will learn from it, and that it will give them the confidence to work on a resolution for next year. The best way to learn is in the “doing”.

 May you have fun filled, educational and spiritually enriching conventions.

In closing, I would like to share a question from my Lenten reflections – it seems very appropriate as we live our mission statement ” calling its members to holiness through service to the people of God”.

Is our highest reach for God the person within arm’s reach? (Daybreaks – Daily reflections for Lent and Easter Week: John F. Kavanaugh, SJ)

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

Dear League Sisters and Father Tien,

A brief note to wish all of you a blessed New Year, with the hope that 2009 will truly be a year of peace and hope.  I have received a communiqué from our national chairperson, Barb Dowding, and I quote her introduction:

“To be Women of Peace and Hope, we must first be women who love and are loved.  Remembering who we are in God’s eyes and His plan will enable us to reach out, affect change and help each other believe in ourselves. One of the many aspects of feminine leadership comes in the form of confidence, not necessarily self confidence, but rather the confidence that comes from trusting in God. The quote attributed to Nelson Mandela, “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others,” reminds me to use Jesus as the ultimate model of leadership. Called to love and be loved in this world, I must lead with my heart, trust my informed intuition (feminine genius?) and make manifest the glory of God. As Women of Peace and Hope, we cross all barriers when we extend a hand, a hand of comfort and welcome, of friendship, understanding and compassion. Resolutions: Shining our lights as Women of Peace and Hope, how blessed are we?”

The entire communiqué will soon be on the national website – please take the time to read it.We continue to be unsuccessful in setting up meetings with either the provincial or federal governments.  Provincially, we are hoping for a meeting near the end of March and will continue to work toward this.  Please pray with us.

Two reminders at this time:

Annual Reports – thank-you to Mary for her report, and I look forward to receiving the others by Feb. 15th at the latest.

Resolution Titles – please send the titles to me by January 31st.  And, if there will be resolutions presented at your diocesan convention, form your resolution review committee now and keep them informed as the resolutions progress.

In my next communiqué, I will outline the process of submitting resolutions to the provincial convention – in turn, you can review the process for your diocesan review committee.

Our provincial website now includes the resolutions that are directed to the Provincial government.  Please review BC 2008.01: Ban The Use of Cell Phones while Driving  and work with your Communications chairpersons to encourage action on this.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel continue to guide us in our work as we serve with faith and joy.

Dear League Sisters and Father Tien,

Greetings to all of you on this beautiful November day – cold but bright! Welcome to the Resolutions chairperson from the Nelson Diocese, Beth B.

Remember to share your communiqués with each other as well as with me – we can all learn from each other.

A parish mailout from National included a message from our National Resolutions chairperson, Barb Dowding. If you have not received it from your president, it can be found on the National website at http://www.cwl.ca/recentupdates/pcm%20fall%202008%20resolutions%20memo.htm

Also on the website is a link to a complete list of Members of Parliament. If anyone needs help accessing this list and addresses please let me know.

At this time of the year, our committee has two focuses:

The first is to encourage work on current and past resolutions. The ‘gift’ of resolutions that we have received needs to be opened and used – and the action plans show us the way. Work with the committee chairpersons involved (e.g. Community Life for 2008.01 > Preventing Human Trafficking at 2010 Olympics) to promote following the action plans. Encourage parish councils to spend some time at each meeting on resolutions, or if able, to devote one meeting to reviewing the resolutions – letters could actually be written at this meeting. A council may choose just one resolution to concentrate on – one that is most relevant to their council or their area. When letters are written, consider copying them to your own MP – let him/her know your concerns and educate them on the issues.

The second focus is on the development of new resolutions. Is there a special concern that you would like to see addressed? Can we raise awareness on an issue or educate our members? Spend ten minutes at a meeting in open discussion – determine if there is an issue that could and should be formulated as a resolution. If the answer is ‘yes’, take that next step – consult your Resolutions Appendix in our P&P, ask questions, and come up with a plan. Consult the Resolutions chairperson at the next level, and use your Life Members.

The provincial deadline to receive the title of a proposed resolution is January 31, 2009. Please set your diocesan deadline accordingly. If there will be a resolution submitted in your diocese, consult our resolutions appendix and form a review committee – AND be available to advise the parish councils involved.

As yet, we have not been successful in setting up meetings with either the provincial or federal governments. Please pray that our resolutions may reach our government representatives and that meaningful dialogue with them be achieved.

Wishing you all a blessed Advent as you prepare to celebrate Christmas with family and friends. And thank-you for your ‘yes’ to serve as Resolution chairperson.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide us in our work.

Sheila Quinn, outgoing Resolutions chairperson, has been busy finishing up all of the work on the 2008 resolutions – so I have been able to enjoy the summer with nothing more to do than read the Resolutions appendix from our P&P.  Thank-you, Sheila!  Now, with Resolutions from National, a communique online from the outgoing National chairperson, the appointment of our new National Resolutions chairperson, Barb Dowding, and Fall meetings coming up – it’s time to get busy.

Summary of Resolutions Work to August 15, 2008

Outgoing chairperson, Betty Anne Brown, sent out a communique July 21, 2008.

This communique is on the National website for your information – it deals with this year’s resolutions and some information on review committees, referencing, etc.

A brief recap of the tremendous amount of work done from the parish level up. There were 10 resolutions forwarded to the Provincial Resolutions Committee.  Four of these were not accepted for presentation at the Provincial convention and the Diocesan presidents who submitted the resolutions have been given letters with the reasons detailed and two with suggestions for further work.  BRITISH COLUMBIA & YUKON RESOLUTION
One resolution directed to the Provincial government was carried and is now BC & Yukon Resolution 2008.1 – BAN THE USE OF CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING.  The resolution, brief, bibliography and action plan are attached.  I encourage members to follow the action plan this Fall.

RESOLUTIONS FORWARDED TO NATIONAL CONVENTION
Five resolutions directed to the National level were carried at the Provincial convention.  Of the five forwarded to the National Resolutions committee, three were not accepted – and, as at the provincial level, councils have been advised by letter.

Awareness, Prevention & Treatment of Depression was not presented to be voted on as a resolution but has been given to the National Chairperson of Education & Health for further action.

Preventing Human Trafficking at 2010 Olympics was modified as requested, and was presented to the National convention and was carried (2008.01)

The following resolutions were adopted by national council at the 88th annual national convention, August 10-13, 2008 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

2008.01 > Preventing Human Trafficking at 2010 Olympics
2008.02 > Restrictions on the Sale of Products Containing Triclosan
2008.03 > Toxic Substances in Household Products
2008.04 > Accurate Food Labeling
2008.05 > Transportation Tax Credit for Rural Post-Secondary Students
2008.06 > Revision of the Youth Criminal Justice Act

Please check the website for details. These resolutions will be included in the next League Magazine, and are attached for copying if desired. Action on 2008.01 (Preventing Human Trafficking at 2010 Olympics) should begin as soon as possible.

I congratulate all councils who submitted resolutions.  To those councils whose resolutions were not accepted at any level – please do not be discouraged.  The very fact of working on and presenting a resolution has educated many on the resolutions process and, more importantly, has brought the issue to the attention of many other members.  Thank you.

NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON
How lucky can I (we) get?  My prayers were answered and the National Chairperson of Resolutions is BARB DOWDING.  I look forward to working with and learning from Barb over the next two years.

There will soon be a communique from Barb, and I will share it with you – but for now I think that becoming familiar with the 2008 Resolutions in order to help members follow the action plans is a good starting point.  I also ask that you promote resolutions workshops in your own dioceses – and ongoing education at the parish level.

Please share your communiques with me and also with the other diocesan chairpersons – I hope to learn from you.  My preferred means of communication is by email – but I will gladly send printed material if requested.  If any of you do not have good internet access, please let me know – in the interests of giving you enough material to do your job without overloading you, I tend to reference/give links to information.

GOALS

RESOLUTIONS!!  Why me?
I must confess that was my first reaction.  Although my parish council works well with the ‘finished’ product, I have never been involved in forming a resolution other than at workshops.  But here I am, so I will do my best to learn all that I can – and I know that I can count on all of you to help me out.  I can definitely “walk humbly” as I try to lead those who I’m sure know a lot more than I do.  AND – if I want to really learn the job, I need some resolutions to work with – so I am counting on our members to address their concerns in the form of resolutions.

At the beginning of any term of office, we try to set goals for ourselves.  My term needs to be one of education for myself, and hopefully I can communicate what I learn to all of you.  I would like to take some of the ‘fear’ out of Resolutions.

Practical concerns, other than studying the 2008 resolutions and passing information on to the dioceses, will be to begin work on arranging a meeting with government.

I welcome your questions, and promise to do my best to help in any way I can.  I look forward to working with all of you, and hope that we can offer the education and encouragement our members need to turn their concerns into resolutions.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide us in our work.

In March this year the provincial delegation, Provincial President, Barb Dowding, Past President, Pat Battensby and myself made our way to the Legislature building for our meetings with both Liberal and New Democratic Party members to present and discuss the League’s resolutions.

We were warmly welcomed by the Liberal Caucus whip Mr. Randy Hawes for the first meeting attended by twenty-two members and three interns who were each given booklets listing the resolutions, briefs and recommended action plans in order for them to follow the presentation.

I began by introducing our delegates, giving a brief outline of our organization, and thanking the members for the work they do for our province. The following three resolutions were directed to the federal government, however we were asking that they give support to them:

Government Funding for Police Record Checks – people volunteer, many of them League members so is it fair to ask them to pay for these checks?

Global Accountability for Canadian registered Mining Companies. Mentioning that the League had withdrawn holdings from these companies and inviting them to consider this option.

Hospice Palliative Care, An Integral Component of the Canadian Health Care. To this, one member stated that end-of-life care is ‘spotty’ but a top priority   We were informed that it is a challenge to elected members each year and a struggle to put more monies into health care, but the good news is this year 2/3rd of monies is going into health care.  While they agreed with us we were asked if our organization would support the government to be sustainable in completely different ways of attacking this.

Banning the Use of Hand-Held Cellular telephone and Telematic Devices While Driving. How many have used their cell phones while driving their cars was the question asked by Barb, several members responded by a show of hands. We were advised that the Solicitor General will be looking into this matter, however I have since been informed that due to the recent Solicitor General transition this has been put on hold at the present time.   They stressed the level of awareness needs to be raised in regard to using electronics while driving. On several occasions members referred to us as ‘the conscience’ for the politicians.

With the alarming rate of violent abuse a previous resolution, Link Between Violent, Graphic Imagery and Aggressive Behaviour and the Mechanics of Killing was next to be presented. This was followed by The Abuse and of Residents in Long Term Care Facilities, which has been very much in the news recently, assurance was given that all complaints are and will continue to be investigated. Seniors helping seniors programmes are needed. This is already in place in many communities.

Human Trafficking remains and is currently a huge concern we agreed to make this the main focus of our presentation.   In her 15 minute presentation Pat gave trafficking figures from a UN report, referred to details when Germany hosted the World Cup and in her closing statement stated that Vancouver is already known as a gateway city but 2010 (Olympic Games) will mark Vancouver as a market for trafficking. As citizens we must become aware of this huge problem!

Members listened intently, appeared very interested in this particular issue, asked several question and made comments.   One member said how shocked she was seeing on TV trafficking of children as well as other documentaries related to trafficking. We were thanked for our presentation and commended for the excellent research, especially in relation to trafficking.

They were not in a rush to end our meeting, several members came forward, introduced themselves, spoke to each of us, then it was time for the annual “photo shoot” and our good-byes.

Hurrying along corridors to reach our next meeting room we realized we were already late for our scheduled meeting with the NDP members therefore our presentation would be shorter so we decided that trafficking would be the major focus in light of the approaching 2010 Olympic Games.

Again members in attendance showed a genuine by the questions and comments made, obviously they were listening.   We learned from one MLA that each municipality has the authority to change the law regarding sex establishments and this law was enforced in one area resulting in the closing of a brothel. Extra booklets were requested for members who were unable to attend and we were thanked and congratulated for the research and information given.

All too soon our meeting was over, however one member (a woman) spoke with us as we leaving and advised that we take our concern re: trafficking, prostitution and brothels during the 2010 Olympics to Colin Hansen.   She suggested if we were unable to make an appointment with him to get back to her and she would assist us.

During lunch in the legislature dining room we were in agreement that our viewpoint was respected, dialogue was good, this was by far the best meeting ever, especially after last year’s experience and that we had stepped forward in ‘faith and action’.

It is important to continue to establish meetings with our politicians to reflect the view of not only 9,000 plus members in our province but of all League members across Canada.   Our voices can be heard through resolutions!

What an exciting year to date this has been!

My goal was to receive a resolution from every diocese, well that didn’t quite happen however the good news is that three dioceses researched, prepared and submitted a total of greater than six. Thank you for the gift
of these resolutions.

Formulating resolutions at the grass roots level is the birth of a resolution. Passing them at each convention level is the beginning of the resolution’s journey. Following the action plan is important otherwise it is only words on paper, presenting them to federal and provincial governments takes them one step further thus making our voices from coast to coast heard.

Bill C-2 raising the age of consent from 14 to 16 was finally passed by the senate recently proving that perseverance, and prayer combined with action does work and as Michele Dow, President of United Mothers & Fathers reminds us in part of his statement ‘”sometimes it takes several seasons to see the fruit of our united labours”.

Check out the national website listing resolutions, set a goal to follow the action plan on at least one resolution before the end of the year, making sure you include this in your annual report.

Resolutions workshops are highly recommended and are beneficial in educating members in how to prepare, research and present a resolution and are available. The resolutions dialogue provides another opportunity to discuss and become more familiar with resolutions.

Chairpersons of this standing committee may find the first year to be a challenge, however let me assure you by the end of your term you will realize it has been both an educational and learning experience.

Preparing for convention I received the following meaningful message from my national counterpart, Betty Anne Brown – ‘We are God’s organization, He knows what He is about – all we are is putty in His hands. Do your best and He will do the rest.”

Greetings,
Thought I’d send a ‘mini’ to share the good news in case you missed it!

In communique #9 you may recall that at the request of the Secretary of State, Hon Jason Kenny, League members were asked to write letters to MLA’s in support of Bill C-484 An Act To Amend The Criminal Code injuring or causing the death of an unborn child while committing an offence, a private members’ bill sponsored by MP Ken Epp.

Well the good news is that in an update from United Mothers, Fathers & Friends just received states the bill passed the 2nd reading by a narrow margin on March 5th therefore is still alive! Now the bill moves on to Justice Minister and Human rights Committee and finally if the bill returns to the house it will face 3rd and final reading which hopefully will happen before summer recess. Please continue to pray for the success of this important bill.

A few questions have arisen in relations to new guidelines for resolutions and hopefully they’ve all been ‘ironed out’. Remember to make sure your diocesan resolutions committee has an up to date check list. Any questions please get in touch with me.

May your be filled with the joy of Easter.

Your League Sister,

Sheila

Greetings,

Now that clocks have sprung forward next comes March 20th which heralds the first day of Spring, a time of spiritual awakening, a time of new life, trees blossoming, flowers starting to bloom, baby goats and little lambs frolicking around and hopefully sunshine and warmth.

Spring is also the time we think, plan and look forward to our diocesan conventions, a time of learning, sharing and meeting new and longtime League sisters…

Congratulations and thanks to the six diocesan resolutions chairs for their annual reports!

Exciting news – to date two dioceses are currently working on several proposed resolutions, a combined total of eleven.

The following guidelines must be adhered to:

1. resolutions are accepted by a majority vote at diocesan conventions
2. checklist for Reviewing Proposed Resolutions, one checklist must accompany each resolution
3. one copy by e-mail in ‘Word’ format
4. a hard copy by snail mail
5. official letter of adoption by a majority vote at diocesan convention
6. a one page brief
7. Parenthetical reference
8. Have a broad spectrum of backup material, not just from one source and certainly not only from newspaper clippings and Wikipedia, go back to the original source
9. Action plan suggests effective things that all members can do to act on resolutions

Please note – resolutions to forwarded to me as soon as possible after your diocesan conventions and no later than Monday, May 12th.

Betty Anne Brown, National Resolutions Chair states in her recent communique that:

Draft the Bridging Clauses has been inserted into the National Manual of Policy and Procedures, Appendix1, page A1-5 (which I previously sent as an attachment to you) in the hope that it will help to avoid disappointment from having resolutions submitted that really do not belong at the national level.

Perhaps some issues could be strictly provincial in nature, or they may only require education or study by a standing committee. Please make sure you have this Appendix, and checklist, if not contact me. It is important that councils preparing resolutions are aware of the new guidelines.

Provincial council is given the responsibility to decide where to direct the resolution.

Government Meeting

On March 5th the Provincial delegation had a very successful meeting with both the Liberal and NDP caucus members to present, discuss and answer questions on our resolutions, a more detailed report will be given at a later date. Your prayers were very much appreciated.

No doubt you are all aware of the good news – Bill C2 Age of Consent has been raised from fourteen to sixteen. Letters, e-mails, phone calls and prayers have made a difference. This shows how important it is to follow the action plans suggested on resolutions not yet resolved.

Continue letting your fingers be your voice through letters and e-mails, stating your concerns and please encourage parish council to do likewise. There is strength in numbers! Most importantly don’t forget to -

P ray

U til

S omething

H appens

Last year at provincial convention I had the opportunity to meet a few diocesan resolution chairpersons, this year at Williams Lake I hope to connect more names to faces.

May your Holy Week be one of prayer and reflection as you companion Jesus on his last journey and may Easter be a time of peace and blessings.

Your League Sister,

Sheila

An Irish blessing in honour of St. Patrick -

May good St. Patrick bless you

And keep you in his care

And may Our Lord be near you

To answer every prayer.

Greetings on this blustery Shrove Tuesday,

First of all I share with you the exciting news, to date I have received titles of nine proposed resolutions from two dioceses.   Should the other four dioceses be contemplating submitting a resolutions(s) the titles must be sent to me right away so that they can be forwarded to National by February 15^th.

New Criteria

From my last communique (with enclosures) you would have received the updated check-list and guidelines for resolutions being presented this year which I trust have been forwarded to parish counterparts.  Parish council committees working on resolutions  must  have these guidelines to follow in order to avoid disappointment and frustration when resolutions are not accepted.

National Resolutions chairperson reminder ‘background material and research must be from original sources, not from newspaper clippings, opinions or website information.   Material cannot be plagiarized and credit must be given to the originating sources’.

Annual reports.

Thanks to the five diocesan chairpersons who have already sent me their annual reports prior to the deadline date.   Well done!   There is still time for the sixth diocese to meet the deadline date of February 15^th, so please share your resolutions news with your League sisters, not only in our Province, but across Canada.

Possible Resolutions Titles

National Chairperson, Betty Anne Brown’s communique received to-day states that  the  following titles of possible resolutions have been received  from Ontario Province:

• Human trafficking
• Strategy to end poverty
• Speedometers and limiters
• Unborn victims of violence
• Aging in place and senior friendly communities
• Informed consent
• Tax Discrimination: married couples, stay-at-home parents
• Violent videos/games: classifications, labeling, laws to protect

Please note that if your diocese is working on a similar topic, or if you have useful information to strengthen theses possible resolutions, the suggestion is to contact me and then contact will be made with Marlene Pavletic, Chair of Ontario Resolutions.

March 5^th as previously mentioned is the day the Provincial delegates present our resolutions to both government parties, please pray for the success of our visit.

To coincide with this visit make March meetings a time to focus on resolutions and follow the action suggested on previous resolutions or at least on one.

Action speaks louder than words!

If you are about to finish your term now is a good time to start cleaning out and preparing to pass on files or boxes to the next chairperson.   Provincial executive have a policy re files/boxes with a list of items to leave in them which is a useful guide.

Rev. Martin Luther King said “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter”.   Resolutions are a way of expressing our faith in the way of justice.

Communicating between levels of the League is important so please send me a copy of your mail out including any feedback you received from parish councils.

May we experience God’s love and presence every day of our lives and May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide us in all that we do.

Your League Sister,
Sheila

Greetings and Happy New Year,

The start of a new year brings with it a time for making resolutions which off times are never fulfilled however we can make our resolutions a reality by careful planning, preparation and following the guidelines.

I am forwarding recent attachments received from National for the National Manual of Policy and Procedure as well as an excellent report on resolutions talks with the government which will be in the next issue of the Canadian League should you be unable to open it.

1. Checklist for Reviewing Proposed Resolutions (replace pages 5 & 6)
2. Resolution Section (replace pages 17 – 19b)
3. Parliament Hill Revisited (keep scrolling down till it appears)

While the pages may at first glance look similar it is important to note the additions/changes in order to follow the correct procedure for resolutions to be acceptable at all levels. .

The next three articles are taken from Betty Anne Brown, National Resolutions Chairperson’s December communique.

Parenthetical Referencing – What is it?
In a brief, this is the easiest way to identify the source of statistics, direct quotes and ideas. Immediately after they are quoted or referred to, the name of the source is put in brackets e.g. (Tremper), then another item of back up, perhaps another source might have been quoted e.g. (Zummach). If Zummach is quoted again, immediately afterwards, the brief would have been (Ibid), meaning the same source. Then at the end of the brief, those sources are listed alphabetically according to the author. It would be printed:

References
Tremper… identify the names of collaboration, the name of the article, where it appeared
Date
Zummach …

An effect of a Resolution
In an effect to be authentic, after the acceptance of Resolution 2007.02 Global Accountability for Canadian Registered Mining Companies, the national executive voted to divest the League of all investments in mining companies with overseas operations in developing countries.

How are Things Connected?
Prior to the national convention in August 2007, the federal government contacted the League inviting its input on their planned pre-budgetary consultation across Canada. During the convention, National Chairperson of Legislation, Mary Nordick and Resolutions Chairperson, Betty Anne, seized the opportunity to review all past resolutions in this fiscal light. A brief was produced which was forwarded to the government committee by the deadline. National president Lorette Noble appeared before the pre-budget consultation in December when it was held in Montreal. Yes, our voices are being heard through resolutions, it is important that we continue to follow the action plan for resolutions still requiring action.

Good news!

Bill C-2 An Act to amend the Criminal code (also known as Tackling Violent Crime bill) includes Age of Consent passed the House of Commons on November 28. This bill is currently before the Senate having passed the second reading on December 12 and has now been referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. If passed by the senate, C-2 will raise the age of consent from 14 to 16.

Bill C-484 An Act to amend the Criminal Code injuring or causing the death of an unborn child while committing an offence) is a private members bill sponsored by MP Ken Epp. It was moved by him that the bill be read a second time (anticipated date Feb 29th) and the expected vote date on whether it is referred to Justice committee or dies, is March 5th. During the League delegation visit to Parliament Hill, Secretary of State, the Hon. Jason Kenny requested the support of League members in sponsoring this bill as he feels it is pro-life as well as pro-choice as the mother has chosen to give birth to her child. Please encourage members to write to their MP’s to vote in favour of this bill now.

Titles only of proposed resolutions from your diocese should reach me by the new date of February 4th and as previously mentioned councils can still be working on resolutions up till your cut off date, Please emphasis that the rules and criteria for resolutions must be adhered to in order to eliminate any misunderstandings and avoid hurt feelings should a resolution be rejected.
Offer your assistance and invite a Life Member in your diocese to assist.

Goals
Will I reach mine of at least one resolution from every diocese? With your help and encouragement to parish councils in your diocese it can happen!

Hoping that you have received a good response to the annual reports and I look forward to receiving yours by February 15, in order for me to compile mine for March national deadline.

May 2008 bring peace, joy and hope and may Our Lady of Good Counsel guide and bless us each and every day.

Your League Sister,
Sheila Q….

Greetings,

During Advent let us try to set aside time from our busy lives to pray, reflect and focus on the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord.

Resolutions 2007.02 Global accountability for Canadian Registered Mining Companies The D & P card given out in parishes recently asking that we sign and send to the Prime Minister is a great way to show further support for this resolution and D & P. I sent a copy of this resolution to the Social Justice co-ordinator in my diocese, please consider forwarding it to the contact person in your diocese mentioning that it will be including in the resolutions presented when both national and provincial levels of the League meet with Federal and Provincial governments.

All 3 resolutions passed at Montreal national convention appeared in the fall issue of the League magazine and it is important that members follow the suggested action plan not only on these three but also on previous resolutions which can be found on the national web-site www.cwl.ca. One suggestion for council resolutions chairpersons could be to set a goal of getting members at meetings to follow action on at least one resolution a month. Action speaks louder than words!

Now to proposed resolutions for 2008, titles only from your diocese should be submitted to me by January 31 in order for me to forward them to my national counterpart Betty Anne Brown. Please remind parish councils they can still be working on and perfecting their resolutions which hopefully meet the criteria for acceptance by diocesan resolutions committee before being presented on the convention floor and don’t forget to offer assistance if needed.

Can we reach my goal – at least one resolution from each diocese?
Yes, we can by encouraging councils to air their voices on the many issues and concerns we feel strongly about in the form of a resolution.

Environmental news – Paper or plastic? Recent articles in papers and magazines state the good news that some grocery stores offer plastic bags that are bio-gradeable also provide recycling bins for returning plastic bags which are recycled into plastic siding for new home construction as well as offering 3 cents for each bag returned. Another grocery chain is the first major grocery retailer in BC to go plastic-bag free, they sent householders in the area reusable bags made from 85% recycled water bottles, while yet another chain store has a program “Bags fund trees” the 5 cents charge on single use bags are donated to Trees Canada to fund tree planting. All of this helps reduce the number dumped in landfills by a billion a year. You will have noticed as you Christmas shop that many stores have displays with their material bags for sale. Check with stores you shop at, commend them if they are doing something positive for the environment and if not make a suggestion for them to consider.

On that note I wonder how many councils/parishes have discontinued the use of styrofoam cups and plates, perhaps you could check in your diocese and send me numbers of councils who have.

National President, Lorette Noble wrote to Prime Minister Harper expressing disappointment re Bill C22 after reaching the 2nd reading. This is now Bill C2 and is included with a number of other bills and name changed back to “age of consent”.

Some new guidelines for resolutions will be coming from national regarding submissions of resolutions which will be forwarded to you as soon as I receive them.

The League’s national delegation meeting with the government was hopefully to take place late November, news of this will be shared when available.

Exciting news flash! A date has been set in March for our Provincial CWL delegates to meet with both the Liberal and NDP caucus in Victoria to address and discuss League resolutions.

Hopefully your mail box will be full of parish annual reports by Dec 15th !

As we await the coming of the Christ Child let us give thanks to God for our many blessings. May the peace and joy of Christmas be with you and your families and may 2008 be one of good health, happiness and loving one another.

From your sister in the League,
Sheila

Dear League Sisters,

A day after I mailed communique #6 I received one from my National counterpart and as diocesan Fall meetings are planned thought this is an opportunity to pass on the following information from her:

Criteria for National Resolutions
As a result of discussions held on the convention floor in Montreal more discerning work needs to be done to Appendix 1 of the CWL National Manual of Policy & Procedures.

It is hoped that the resolution advisory committee will have worked details and suggestions for improvement which will be presented to the national executive at their November meeting. These changes will deal mainly with issues of national interest that would normally be dealt with by a/territorial level of government, e.g.education/and or some health issues.

New information will be mailed as soon as it is available.

Diocesan meetings are a great opportunity to encourage parish councils to start planning resolutions for next year. Make sure they have a copy of the National Manual of Policy & Procedure with Appendix 1 where all the information of preparing and presenting resolutions is listed, offer any assistance needed and I am also available.

Hope your meetings will be productive and well attended. What an opportunity to talk up resolutions with enthusiasm, invite councils to “take up the challenge” to produce a resolution this year.

Your League Sister,
Sheila

Greetings,

Fall appears to be here, conventions at all levels are over, now it is time to prepare for League meetings, to share what we learned at conventions, to get the message out to parish councils the importance of following the action plan on both new and old resolutions, all of which are on national website, www.cwl.ca.

Welcome back resolutions chairpersons serving their second year – Ann M….. (Nelson), Whitehorse members, Blanca S….. (Victoria). Welcome to first year chairpersons joining us – Mary M…..(Kamloops), Betty R….. (Prince George), Anne S…… (Vancouver). I look forward to receiving your communiques with resolutions news in your diocese.

This year at our Provincial convention we did not have any resolutions brought to the convention floor. The two proposed were not accepted by the resolutions committee for various reasons and disposition letters stating the reason for non-acceptance were sent to the diocesan presidents to be forwarded to the submitting councils.

At National convention in Montreal fifteen proposed resolutions were discussed by the national resolution committee, five were accepted by them, discussed at the resolutions dialogue then these five were presented under the relevant standing committee on the convention floor. Amendments to the amendments were made, more up to date data was given resulting in only three being adopted by the convention delegates and as mentioned above are on the national web-site and the two which were not accepted will appear in the League magazine under the appropriate standing committee with suggested action plan.

Last year at National convention Archbishop Smith asked the question “how do we make real, at every level, the resolutions that are adopted at national level?” We need to make it get back “down the ladder” back to the parochial level.

Although a few councils do not have resolution chairpersons that should not prevent councils from following the action plan on at least one resolution.

In the world of today we encounter many issues/concerns that as Catholic women living out our faith we feel strongly about so let our voices be heard through resolutions!

Now is the time to plant the seed of a resolution and watch it grow. Remember only a title needs to be forwarded to me in January, work and research can continue till the cut-off date for acceptance. There are several resource members in each diocese or contact me, either by phone or e-mail should you need assistance or perhaps a workshop.

Did you know that both diocesan and provincial councils can form a resolution for consideration by the resolutions committee?

My Provincial convention oral report states my goal for the year is at least one resolution from each diocese, to reach that goal I need your assistance. Let’s put BC & Yukon Province back on the resolutions map, together we can achieve that goal!

One diocesan counterpart in her annual report suggested having resolutions report given at the beginning of council meetings rather than at the end, certainly worth a try.

September 21st is World Peace Day, please offer a special prayer for peace in our troubled world, not only that day but every day.

May the Holy Spirit inspire us and May Our Lady of Good Counsel bless all members and their families.

Your League Sister,
Sheila

The provincial delegation of Marilyn V………, Nancy S…., Gloria G……., and myself arrived at BC Legislative Building for the March pre-arranged meetings.

We checked in, obtained security passes, proceeded to the first meeting with members of the New Democratic Party, the critic for health, critic for mental health and critic for the environment.

Booklets with the 2006 resolutions were given to them in order to follow our presentation. After introductions resolutions addressed were – 06.01 Religious Freedom, 06.02 Legal Protection for All Those who Object to the Solemnization of Civil Marriage for Same-Sex Partners, 06.03 GST Exemption on funeral Services and 06.04 Renewable Energy.

They appeared interested, asked questions and made a few comments. The environment critic pointed out that Canadians are among the highest consumers of energy in the world and suggested we encourage our members to start conserving energy by turning off unnecessary electric devices in our homes. The one hour allotted for our meeting was up, we took our leave feeling things had gone well, quickly made our way to our next meeting where we were greeted by the Liberal Caucus Co-ordinator who distributed our booklets.

Randy Hawes, Caucus Whip introduced us and in my intro I pointed out while most of the resolutions were directed to the Federal Government for action we were asking for their support in addressing these issues.

Nancy began with Religous Freedom. The question to this “did we feel the ladies had the right to wear veils”, our reply was YES they should as their religion dictates. Nancy also referred to “banning the use of styrofoam” and commended the government for not using disposable dishes in the building.

As Legal Protection etc was being addressed by Marilyn, one member voiced a strong objection to this “disgusting” resolution and stormed out. Another member added her objection and also left the room.

The rudeness left us a little shaken, however after a moment or two we regained our composure and continued with Increase in Old Age Security which Gloria spoke to tying it in with the need for more low-income housing for seniors being offered by provincial government.

I followed with Renewable Energy – response was, commitments regarding seniors and the environment were given in the Throne and Budget Speech also that BC is working closely with California on environmental issues.

The Caucus Whip commented on 06.05 GST Exemption on funeral expenses stating that “the tax exempt would have to be on a base level only and in regard to 06.06 Labelling and Disposal on Pest Control Products that pesticides in Delta and Richmond leak into ditches, bugs caught with nets are tested and the US uses a lot more than we in Canada do.

Having a little time left allowed us to touch briefly on global warning, poverty and pornography. We were informed that a document entitled “Child Safety Act” has been developed but has hit several political roadblocks, suggestion made that the CWL might consider writing a resolution regarding this issue. Several members thanked and complimented us for an interesting presentation then posed for pictures.

Reports of our next two meetings will be given by Nancy and Marilyn.

Next it was time to go to the spectators gallery where we were introduced to the house by Marilyn’s brother-in-law the Hon John van Dongen, Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations. Issues debated during question period were interesting, lively, and somewhat noisy At one point the speaker couldn’t control them. Dare we suggest the “bell” or card system?

Our day finished with a visit to Hon John van Dongen’s office who shared with us what a day in the life of an MLA entails. He said how impressed he was in what we had accomplished in a day and highly recommended Judith Reid’s book “The Effective Advocate”. Judith was a speaker at a Provincial convention in Vancouver.

Back at the hotel over coffee, all agreed the day, while busy, had been exciting, productive and a learning experience. All four of us wore our Maple Leaf Service pins to show proud how we were to be members of the Catholic Women’s League representing our Province in presenting your concerns in the form of resolutions.

Let us continue to make our voices heard through Resolutions!

Respectfully Submitted.

Sheila Q…..

Becoming acquainted with resolutions has been a challenge! We can only learn by doing! The past year has indeed been an educational and learning experience. Implementation of resolutions is a large part of the annual work of League members and to quote National Resolutions Chairperson, Betty Ann Brown “we are all in this together as we strive to live out the League’s Mission Statement”.

A resolution is one member’s concern becoming the voice of the League.

Resolutions are only words on paper, action speaks louder than words! Check out the ones still requiring action on the national web-site, dating back to 1998 and encourage your council to act on at least one.

When inviting Catholic women to join the League promoting resolutions with the recommended action informs them of the power of the League in working for social justice.

Only one of our resolutions was passed at National last year. To councils who formulated and presented resolutions, both last year and this year which were not accepted for various reasons, you are to be commended for your hard work and effort. Pray this will not deter councils from considering future resolutions.

A suggestion from an annual report – have resolutions report at beginning of meetings, creates more awareness and interest. Another was demand rather than request a workshop. Workshops advise and educate members on how a resolution is born, grows and is presented. Previous reports confirm that fewer resolutions are presented when workshops are NOT held, so why not invite Provincial council to facilitate one? Could we make that one goal for the following year and the second goal – a resolution from each diocese.

We are living in demoralized times! The internet is becoming more brutal and graphic, images depicting violent abuse has risen four-fold since 2003 according to a British newspaper. We don’t have a Canadian review, what can we do about it? Continue to write letters, create awareness in our parishes, inviting parishioners to support the WRAP campaign.

Premier Campbell recently said “we have an obligation to protect children and their lives” referring to poverty but this can also be applied to pornography which is also linked to Human Trafficking.

Many large cities have organized crime groups involved in trafficking especially those in border towns.

A recent article stated that Canada is an “International Embarrassment” on Sex Trafficking.

On the topic of seniors, recently the Legion told the house of Commons standing committee on finance that Canada must NOT ignore its aging population, it must take measure to make sure that older people can retire with dignity. On that note, League Honorary Life Member, Irene Lefort has been invited to represent the League on the Prime Minister’s Seniors Advisory Council.

As good stewards let us step forward in faith by voicing our concerns through resolutions and in action by writing letters.

Respectfully Submitted,

Sheila Q….