As this is my first Communiqué as Secretary of the BC & Yukon Provincial Council, I would like to introduce myself.  To give you a bit of background, I am a happily married (45 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!  We very often spend Christmas in Calgary and experience the great outdoors, ice skating and tobogganing – a real old fashioned Christmas.  This year we were happy to be staying home with my eldest daughter and her family.  She just donated her kidney to her 15 year old daughter and they are still recovering (very well – thanks be to God!).

I became a member and Founding President in my own Parish Council at St. Pius X Parish in North Vancouver in January, 1995 with 60 members signed up.  Talk about jumping in with both feet! I moved on up to Secretary on the Vancouver Archdiocesan Council and then to President-elect and then 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.  We share so much and I would miss them terribly if I wasn’t carrying on.  So here I am, a Secretary again.I work part time at the Archdiocese of Vancouver Chancery Office and administer the Mission Appeal Program.  I absolutely love my job!  I often get called upon to help to organize the many events that happen in the Archdiocese – most recently, our 100th Anniversary celebrations.

As provincial secretary I hope I can do something to make the road a bit smoother for all of you, but realize that 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 the records of our various levels are kept in an orderly manner following the guidelines laid out so beautifully in the national handbooks.

One thing that I learned by being Past-President, is that the Archival material is very important and that it all starts with the Secretaries!  I learned that the materials that you collect over the year have a certain way to be filed.  For instance, The Handbook for Past President page 5 says: all material pertaining to each standing committee should be filed together and the file clearly marked with the name of the chairperson and years.  The annual reports of the president, secretaries and treasurer should be similarly filed.  Names of officers and years in office should be marked on the outside of each file folder.  I assume this means all Communiqués and attachments and oral reports, etc. as well. 

Now, I wonder who is filing in this manner?  Wouldn’t it be a good idea to start doing this as Secretaries and then be able to pass on the records to our Past-president in the proper format.  When I was the secretary for diocesan, I filed by meeting.  What are you doing?  Should we all try to file this way?  There are a couple of reasons why it is a good method.  It would certainly make the job of Past-president easier when she receives all our material to archive.  I think it also makes sense, because if you are discussing a subject around the table, you might remember that Mary Smith presented something when she was Chairperson of …. Standing Committee, but you certainly wouldn’t remember the meeting.  Therefore, you would simply go to the file of that chairperson and look it up very easily.  It might also be a good idea to include some pictures with that chairperson in them.

Let me know by return email what you are doing in your diocese and if you might like to try this method.  I am going to attempt to do this for my term as provincial secretary.  I’ll let you know how it goes!

I know some parish councils have had their elections and I would ask that you return a copy of the parish registers to me as soon as you can.  Please double check all the information with the incumbent to ensure it is correct.  If possible, a typed copy would be best.  I also ask that any changes that occur during the year be sent to me – Email is fine.

We have just purchased a new laptop computer for the provincial council and have been assured that it is powerful enough to do all the presentations that we require at the conventions and has lots of memory.  If only the one to be operating it is the same!!!  I will do my best.  We are in great shape now with a laptop and a printer.  The only thing we don’t have is the projector required to show presentations on the screen.  We will have to rent or borrow one at the site of the convention.

I am looking forward to working with my League sisters in Prince George to prepare the groundwork for the upcoming convention there.

Please note our new national and provincial themes at the top of this letter.  If you have any questions or if I can help you in any way, please do not hesitate to call or Email me.  I also look forward to meeting with each of you at the convention!  Please remember to send me your Communiqués if you write one.

Wishing you all a very happy new year in the Catholic Women’s League of Canada.

Dear League Sisters and Father Tien,

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

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

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

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

As Past Presidents you can advance the cause and understanding and appreciation for WUCWO by your keeping up to date with the latest via website and National updates. While this is fresh in my mind, I want to report briefly on the WUCWO North American Regional Conference in Winnipeg which was an eye-opening experience for the more than 300 attendees. Two highlights include the presentation by Nazanin Afshin-Jam on her work to save women and children from death row in Iran and Karen Hurley (President General)’s report. Both women gave passionate testimony in different ways. Nazanin is from Vancouver, former Miss Canada, singer and activist – she’s 29 years old, has a degree in International Relations and Political Science from UBC, has her pilot’s license, addresses the UN and as of February 2008, Nazanin was appointed by the Prime Minister of Canada’s office to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. Her story was introduced in the context of what one woman can do to make a difference as inspiration for us all. In her own words, “If you can, you must!”

Karen Hurley, President General of WUCWO, gave a wonderful report that challenged all of us to take more responsibility to do whatever it takes to enable the great work to continue. Her eloquence and ability to put a face to the WUCWO’s work make her a great spokeswoman. At the end of this communiqué are some key excerpts from Karen’s talk that I hope you will find inspiring and useful in promoting WUCWO.

Let’s encourage our League sisters to look at the bigger picture, to know that we can, and must, go outside ourselves if there is to be peace in the world. We can support, affirm and teach our women where they live and work of the important issues, to instill the belief and conviction of what we have and hold as Catholic women and to convince our sisters that we hold the key to hope and have the necessary gifts to build peace. Science won’t save society, but love will, for love convinces more than reason; it convinces in our soul. We have so much to be thankful for and have done so many good things. But there is so much more to do. We hear daily of stories from women around the world who suffer abuse, violence, war, degradation and submission. What will we do to help? Begin by learning more about WUCWO and find ways share the good news!

From Karen’s report:

Beloved Pope John Paul II told the participants of the 2001 WUCWO Assembly in Rome: “…Your Union… is present as a voice even in international forums, to insist that every life is a gift of God and deserves to be respected.  Working together, you must seek to provide increasing material and moral support to women in difficulty, victims of poverty and violence.  Never forget that this important work is rooted in God’s love and will bear fruit to the extent that your witness reveals his infinite love for every human person….Catholic women who live by faith and charity and give honour to God’s name in prayer and service have always had a supremely fruitful and indispensable role in transmitting the genuine sense of the faith and in applying it to all life’s circumstances.”

Each day WUCWO members demonstrate your amazing “capacity for the other,” through peace-building efforts which reflect Christian love for one another. Within the global mission for evangelization and human development WUCWO women advocate “for the other” in many areas of social concern which elicit life, encourage personal growth and build peace

There is a challenge and opportunity to secure funding for representation at international institutions and gatherings so that the voices of faithful Catholic women can be heard.  Major donations by some foundations and corporations assure that their population control and other anti-woman, anti-marriage and anti-family agendas can be advanced.  It is necessary to encourage Catholic and other philanthropists who share our moral values, to work in partnership with us to assure the means to proceed with efforts to restore God’s natural order to a conflicted world.

To my Canadian sisters and brothers in Christ I express my sincere appreciation for your generous donations to the Canadian Endowment Fund.  To each one present here today and all those across individuals, dioceses, religious communities across Canada, to the leadership and Campaign Cabinet. Because of your foresight, each year the interest generated by this endowment underwrites WUCWO programs which benefit women and children.  To my sisters in Christ from the United States of America, thank you for all that you are doing to emulate this successful campaign by launching a similar endeavour to leave a legacy for WUCWO’s next 100 years of faith, hope and charity.  Each one doing what we are able to do will assure WUCWO’s ability to meet the challenges of this moment in history and enhance the lives of the women, children and families God has entrusted to our care.  (Note from Barb: The American goal is 5 million dollars! That’s how important WUCWO is to them).

Each of us is called to go out to all the world and tell the good news of Jesus Christ and the good news of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations. We look forward to a future full of hope where the opportunities for women to promote a culture of life and peace exceed any challenges.  Increased collaboration with the Holy See, other Catholic-inspired Non-Governmental Organizations, other organizations of good will, as well as the media, can lead to a cultural and societal transformation which respects and promotes human dignity.  Being nourished by the Eucharist, availing ourselves of ongoing spiritual formation and continuing education in Church teachings are vital for our ability to transmit authentic Catholic Christian values to the world.  (Karen Hurley, August 10, 2008).

Bless you all for your fine work and love for our League!

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

Dear Sisters in the League and Father Terry,

I think it is safe to say that fall has indeed rushed in with a great flourish. Our province seems to under siege with raging overflowing rivers and lakes and rain, rain, rain. It seems really strange that everyone was talking about droughts during the summer isn’t it? This is really a busy busy season in our League’s calendar, parish activities so I wish you all good membership drives and successful bazaars.

I am going to give you a little quote from Margaret Ann J….. from the Toronto Archdiocesan Newsletter, which Sheila Q…. has kindly shared with me. Margaret Ann states:

One of the greatest gifts we give women in our parishes is the Gift of the League by inviting them to become members. One of the greatest Gifts we can give the League is the Gift of a new member.

Isn’t that really a nice quote especially in this time when we are both thinking of gift giving and membership drives. We must show great joy in our promotion of the League, and make it an infectious invitation so that women just can’t wait to see what we do that makes us so fulfilled and productive. So lots of prayers as you all undertake this task.

Just a reminder in our efforts to be really good past presidents is not only the execution of our duties as described in the League literature but also to thoroughly endorse and support our new presidents at whatever level we may be. Give her the affirmation and your confidence in her endeavors and thoroughly encourage her in whatever she is undertaking. This is the most important aspect of our roles. I know that you will all do so. Remember KINDNESS to all we meet as we seek to see the Face of Christ in everyone.

The Constitution and Bylaws
Now is the time of the year to be starting to think of elections. If your president has asked you to chair the nominating committee, then you can really get a head start on the proceedings. One of our tasks is to teach our members about our C & B.

Article XV “Eligibility, Nominations and Elections” on Page 29 is the place to be. Our members have to be educated as to this very important function of our League. Please ask your president for time on her agenda to go over this part of our constitution. . It applies to every level of the League from parish right up to the national level and every member should know these facts in and out. I find that many people are still asking how you run for National office, who is eligible and also emphatically stating that they have Honorary Life Members in their councils. This section of our constitution states very clearly all that you ever want to know about elections. The important thing for you to stress is the critical nature of informed voting. It is so important that we know the reputation and performance level of their past work in the League of the candidates. If we do not know then it is important that we find out from someone who does know. Nominees for political office are certainly not slow or backward about extolling their virtues and yet to me our work is just as important and certainly has some lasting implications in the hereafter. So find out about your potential leaders before you vote for someone just because you have heard their names.

Plan your nominations procedures. Ask your secretary for her updated list of the members who are eligible. We are familiar with the way that your parish/diocese has always done things, but perhaps trying another approach might be more fruitful. Confer with your president to see how you mutually can decide the best course of action. A further great resource to the nominations and elections process is the National Policy and Procedure, which gives great guidance on Page 61 of the revised edition. Check it out it really gives us all of the details.

Archives
In my last communique, I suggested that I would give you some information on archives. Past National President, Lucille Cullen has some excellent content re archives. You can find her complete document on the national web page under programs and it is the very last entry. If you have access to a computer, please check it out but I will highlight just a few items: “Archives should be kept in a locked filing cabinet on church property or in a secure facility at the diocesan archive location.”

Parish Archives should include:

• Original Charter
• Minutes of executive/general meeting minutes should be kept in a binder and dated
• The recording secretary should retain copies of the minutes from the previous two terms only, all other minutes should be transferred to the archives in marked and dated binders.
• All accounting records including cheques and receipts should be kept for five years.
• A separate binder should be kept with important information related to the life of the parish council
• List of parish presidents and spiritual advisors with their addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses as well as their years of service.
• List of recipients of Maple Leaf Service pins/League pins with names and dates of presentations, a record of anniversary dates of all members.
• Additional items for archives:
• Written histories.
• Scrapbooks and/or albums labeled by date and event.
• Annual Reports
• Special project file with financial statements.
• Samples of newsletters if applicable.
• Each past president should be encouraged to write a 2-3 page story with highlights of her term as president

This gives you a good starting list of items what should be retained in your archives.

Thank you Mary L……. for your past presidents communiques. I encourage all of you to share your communiques by communicating with each other. We can make our role as past president much better with these other ideas. Please exchange your communiques with all diocesan past presidents and I personally would love to read what you are doing. Mary sent as an attachment an excellent printout from Mary Jane S….., Christ the King Parish Council in Courtney B.C.

This is titled:

“Archives, Taking Care. General Information From a practical Viewpoint.”

This is excellent information so please access your copy from Mary’s last communique.

WUCWO News
Barb, our provincial president has given me the privilege of being he WUCWO representative on the provincial council. I am not sure if each of the diocesan presidents have carried on with the same appointment, but from time to time, I will be reporting on the WUCWO scene. I just talked to Barb who returned yesterday from the national mid term meeting in Winnipeg and she reports that Agnes Bedard was present for only Friday night of the meeting then Saturday morning was off to Rome for the WUCWO executive meeting. As you may or may nor know, Agnes was elected North American Vice President of WUCWO at the General Assembly in Arlington Virginia in June. We are so proud of this appointment and know that we will now be receiving first hand information regarding the World Union Of Catholic Women’s Organizations. I very much want to share the wonderful privilege that we as League members enjoy as being part of this organization with women from Catholic organizations from 55 countries sharing our concerns and professing joy in our faith. The WUCWO Assembly last June accepted two Catholic Women’s League of Canada resolutions: Trafficking of Women and Children and the Ratification of the International Covenant on the Death Penalty. They both passed at the Assembly. I know once you get into reading more about WUCWO you will enjoy their news. are all members by virtue of our membership in the National Catholic Women’s League so let’s embrace their work and learn all we can about them.

I encourage you to subscribe to their magazine: “Women’s Voice”. The subscription rate is $15.00 U.S. for a minimum of three issues. You will find the form and the address of the treasurer on the WUCWO web site. www.wucwo.org

Please pray for Agnes and the other Board members of WUCWO who are at this moment meeting in Rome. I know we will have a lot more news to pass on when Agnes returns and I will get it off to you A.S.A.P. The North American Assembly will be held in Winnipeg in 2008 concurrent with the national convention so please plan to go to the national a little earlier and catch some of WUCWO’s sessions. More news on that later as well.

This will be my last communique to you in 2006. It has been a big big year and my prayer for you and your families is wonderful family get togethers, beautiful joyous Christmas liturgies, lots of yummies and a blessed Christmas.

With love and prayers,

Pat