Greetings and Happy New year to everyone. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, a white Christmas for many this year, very different from the warm sunny days in Australia.

Provincial Development Fund

Fund #1 – Applications for subsidy to travel to the Provincial Convention in Williams Lake are now being accepted.
Assistance to send Delegates to the Provincial Convention will cover 2/3 maximum of the bus fare to the Convention site. The actual total amount of the grant available will be determined by the funds available this year. Other expenses such as hotel, meals and registration are the responsibility of the individual, the Parish or the Diocese.

Fund #2 – Diocesan Presidents are reminded that $1,000 is available for assistance to attend a National Convention if their Diocese cannot afford to send them. This grant is available once during a Diocesan President’s two year term.

Applications for both subsidies must be received by March 15th. Please send the completed forms to the Provincial Organization Chairperson, address below.

National Development Fund

All levels are encouraged to take advantage of the National funds available for education and training. Please remind parishes that they too can apply. Forms and information are available on the CWL website.

Recruitment & Membership

A new year and membership drives should be well underway. We came very close to reaching our goal of 10,000 members last year – more than last year but still falling short by approximately 900 members. A good try and maybe next year we can make it happen. Did any of the parish councils try something different this year that worked well for them?

Annual Report Forms

Reports from parish council organization chairpersons should all be in by now. In the event some are lacking try to follow up to see if you can assist them in some way. This is a great opportunity to see what is happening in some of the smaller councils, especially the ones that may be struggling.

Reminder: Diocesan annual reports due February 15th to Provincial
Provincial annual reports due March 15th to National

Provincial Development Workshop – “Leadership & Public Speaking”

The workshop is intended to help members, active in their councils, but feel they lack the necessary skills or confidence to take on a leadership role.

It is very important that we as Catholic women and as Canadian women, learn to communicate. We may be intelligent, we may be experienced in many fields, but if we cannot express our thoughts clearly, if we cannot pass our ideas on to others, our talents are wasted. This workshop will give a good working knowledge of the League and teach the skills to stand before a group to express ideas clearly, simply and effectively.

The Provincial Council is prepared to travel to each Diocese and extend an invitation to present a Development Day in their area. To date three dioceses have accepted our invitation and we look forward to hearing from the others.

Service Pins, Awards & Certificates

Councils should encourage their members to wear their League pin to all CWL events, particularly their monthly meeting. They might even consider having a supply of the League Insignia Pin on hand so that they may be purchased by members or, if councils choose, for presentation to new members. The League pin should be worn on the left side as a symbol of service “For God and Canada”.

As stated in the National P&P, “Councils are encouraged to make the presentation of all League pins and awards a special occasion”. There is something very special in being recognized for your contribution to the League and your council in particular.
If you have several pins to choose from, wear the one you select with great pride.

Bellelle Guerin Award

Information on the Bellelle Guerin Award has been sent to all Presidents by National Chairperson of Organization, Danielle McNeil-Hessian. Briefly, the award which was announced at the annual national convention in August is to be given to “an exemplary member of the League, who served at more than one level and does not and will not meet the qualifications for life membership. She can be nominated by her parish, diocesan and/or provincial council. The pin is a pewter stylized Madonna with the League crest overlaid. Nomination form for the Bellelle Guerin Award is available on the National website.

• Life Membership is presented to members who have been nominated by a diocesan and/or provincial council and who meet the established criteria.
• The Maple Leaf Service Pin is available for presentation to members who have served the League in an exceptional or meritorious manner. The member nominated for this award is not required to serve on more than one level of the League.
• Certificate of Merit in recognition to anyone, League member or not, Catholic or non-Catholic, male or female, who has aided the work of the council generally or with a specific project for faithful and exceptional service.

The full criteria for each award listed is outlined in the National Manual of Policy & Procedure, see page 19 and page A3-6.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel bless all your endeavours.

Your Sister in the League,

Marianna

Dear League Sisters and Father Terry,

Fall is fast approaching! The cooler mornings, the mist and fog, not to mention the spider webs everywhere tell me its time to get back to work.

I can see your Provincial Executive have been busy and thank them for the fine communiques filled with great pearls of information and ideas for action.

You will be receiving reports from Sheila Q…., 1st Vice President and Marilyn V………, 2nd Vice President on their view of the National Convention in Montreal. I can tell you that you will think you were there after reading the reports!

I was a very proud Provincial President when our three new Life Members were “inducted” at a moving and very meaningful service. Congratulations again to Marianna C, Sheila Q and Marilyn V.

While I was pleased that so many members from our province were in attendance, some accredited for their dioceses but many on their own, it made me think, once again, that we need to find ways of getting all our diocesan presidents to all the National Conventions. It is such a great learning experience and an important base for League growth. But there is another even more important reason and that concerns the election of national officers. If diocesan presidents have never even seen or heard of the women running for office, it makes for very difficult choices when it comes to nominations and knowing the people we want to elect.

RESOLUTIONS:
We were all disappointed in the number of resolutions that came to the convention floor, but in the end it was a great learning experience. Further, at both the pre and post convention meetings, as well as during the Presidents’ roundtable discussion, the topic of resolutions came up. Presidents called for more consistency in applying the criteria when it comes to accepting or rejecting resolutions. It was noted that this must begin at the parish level. Dioceses must not accept resolutions just because a group worked hard on them or because feelings will be hurt. We have to teach proper adherence to rules and criteria to ensure success at the next level. In this regard I urge every diocesan council to commit to one workshop in the coming months on resolutions. It doesn’t have to be a long one, but there are many to choose from and many qualified provincial and diocesan executive members, as well as Life Members, who would be willing and able to do this. Our League is known for its work through resolutions; this year we have little to show. Let’s all make an effort to help Sheila reach her goal of putting BC back on the resolutions map!

NEWS FROM NATIONAL:
I’m really excited about the manual for Organization Chairpersons that should be ready soon. We’ve been pressing our National Council to revamp and review our training materials and I’m pleased to say it has come to be. I think you will really like it and I am sure it will inspire all Organization Chairpersons, particularly those at parish level. It might even encourage a member to take on this standing committee!

You will also hear more about a new pin designed to recognize service on diocesan and provincial levels when a member doesn’t qualify for or is not able to accept a Life Membership. The details will be clear and you might be surprised to find there are members in your parish councils who actually qualify…. Wait and see! (I will attach the draft criteria, but its for your information only at this time).

WUCWO:
Agnes Bedard reported that the voluntary contributions to WUCWO were up by 75% this past year. Plans for the Regional meeting next August are going ahead well and will be in conjunction with our National Convention. I am sure Pat Battensby will be getting and sending updates as they are available, but want to remind everyone to start thinking about the possibility of attending both parts.

FOCUS GROUPS RE STANDING COMMITTEES:
I’ve attached a power point presentation that was made by Danielle McNeill-Hessian at the convention. Most of it is self explanatory, but if you want any more information or details, please do not hesitate to contact me. The end result is that there are no pending changes to the Standing Committees at least for the time being. The great news, however, is that a special committee consisting of Lorette Noble, Danielle McNeil-Hessian, Velma Harasen and Kim Scammell has been struck to develop a strategy/marketing plan for the League.

Almost everything else new or coming out of the convention is being covered in the Standing Committee Chairpersons’ communiques. Please encourage your parish council presidents to eliminate the ‘no report syndrome’ at their monthly meetings. Teach them how to make reporting interesting and to help them remember that the League is about looking out in to the larger community and world as much as taking care parish needs. We need a good balance and with some creativity, enthusiasm and preparation, this can easily be achieved.

LEAGUE DEVELOPMENT DAYS:
Marianna C…….. will report in her Organization Communique about the Provincial Council’s commitment to provide opportunities in every diocese for education and training about our League and how it is relevant in today’s busy global world. I am asking each diocesan president to find one Saturday that can be dedicated to League Development. This will be a full day, from 9 to 3 and will be presented by members of the provincial council. You may find it interesting to note that the Kamloops Diocese has already booked three such days! Please contact me directly with your date as Marianna will be away for two months.

ANNUAL REPORTS:
Special appreciation to Marianna Caldwell and her hard working committee for fine tuning (once again) the report forms. Please accept them in the spirit with which they are sent – helpful tools to achieve our reporting goal – and encourage all your councils to strive for 100% reporting!

MID TERM:
Thanks again for your cooperation in sending your reports in advance and any suggestions or items for the agenda. We will have a working retreat this year with emphasis on working! Unfortunately, Father Terry can’t be with us, but I know Dodie B… will help us ‘retreat’ well and keep us spiritually on track as we prepare for another busy CWL year.

I look forward to hearing from all of you, particularly the diocesan presidents, as you communicate with your councils and plan your year. Remember, its not about us individually, but rather about how the Holy Spirit works with and through us to serve His people!

With love and prayers from your Sister in the League,

Barb

Madame President,

It has been another very good year in BC & the Yukon. Our numbers continue inch ever closer to the 10,000 mark and more and more members are getting out to diocesan and provincial conventions – further proof of the wonderful rewards of hosting a National convention!

Our first year has been a huge learning curve as we got to know one another and appreciate our various talents and gifts. Our TEAM theme worked well and continues to guide us as we walk humbly with our God. I notice, as we teach, evangelize, animate and motive one another to open and share these precious gifts, a renewed feeling of ownership in our vision and mandate. We are committed to developing leadership skills, spiritual growth and appreciation for the Catholic Women’s League of Canada.

Whether at government meetings, where this year delegates had to withstand intense pressure and anger or in presenting to the Knights of Columbus convention a picture other than us being in the kitchen, or gathered with our BC Bishops in collaboration of such important topics as trafficking and pornography, League members are prepared and proud of who they are and what they stand for. Our six dioceses truly represent the changing face of our League and all embrace creative ways to reach out and include ALL women.

Education and training is a priority. Recent workshops on Standing Committee structure and the focus groups made it clear that many of our grass roots members do not see the big picture very well. Unlike you, of course, who are here today. By allocating extra funds, we will dispatch teams over the next year to cover the entire province as we respond to a pressing need for basic training and education around League structure and leadership. Our Development Days will focus on how the League is relevant in today’s world. With emphasis not only on our existing members, who are our bread and butter, so to speak, but also as an invitation to others to come and see.

We are committed to teaching the teacher. That way we can help every parish enhance its understanding and appreciation for the CWL. We will ask questions like, What kind of mentor are you for the League? Do you know the Mission Statement and are you committed to it? Do the Objects of the League determine your work for the League? Can you name them? And please, let us eliminate, once and for all, the ‘no report’ syndrome – how on earth can one know what’s going on outside the parish council if reports are considered tedious, boring or not relevant?

As president, I wanted each member to be proud of what the League stands for and to work tirelessly in affirming one another. If more of us were truly inspired to the kind of holiness that comes from the true meaning of service, AND if more of us were affirmed, pushed or shoved by a mentoring League sister, we wouldn’t have to search for or recruit more members. Women would want to walk with us as we find ways to Teach, Evangelize, Animate and Motivate one another and make the League strong and viable. How many of us have been so moved? Many I am sure, so now its up to us to do likewise.

We’ve been given a legacy of kindness and trust in the Holy Spirit. I hope to build on this by instilling a sense of urgency in our members to learn, to respond unselfishly and to collaborate not only with the Holy Spirit but with one another

As Judy so aptly reminded us, we should listen to our Mother Mary when she tells us to do whatever He tells us and respond with heartfelt fervour, Here I am Lord, use me!

Barb D…….

I am delighted to speak to you for a few minutes about the Organization Standing Committee. As you know, it is one of those committees with a bad rap so to speak. No one wants to do it, possibly because it often has strings to the presidency attached, or because it deals with leadership development and most of think we aren’t qualified.

What a state of affairs! For today, let’s take a little look and you can tell me what’s to be afraid of.

Each and every one of us is concerned about membership. Just look at the results of the focus group workshops. Sure enough, attracting and maintaining a solid membership base is a huge issue. But it’s not insurmountable! We also heard of many ways to interest women in what we have to offer – from the tried and true to some new ideas. Check out my report in the convention book. I don’t think it’s the ideas that are lacking, but rather enthusiasm. Only when we are truly convinced that the Catholic Women’s League of Canada is the best organization to belong to, will we be successful. Remember the early Church? Having just about completed another Easter season, we cannot help but be touched by the passion and energy of those first disciples. I wonder sometimes if we aren’t too cautious and careful in trying to keep all the good things about our League to ourselves. Unlike the early church where people couldn’t wait to share everything, we might find ourselves more comfortable doing things the way we’ve always done them and then complaining about the poor results. Hoarding the Good News never was an option!

Membership in the CWL is a privilege that carries responsibilities. We are the Catholic Church to the outside world – what do we look like? What do we sound like? If you believe that every Catholic woman should belong to the CWL, we better get busy. How about we start with 10,000? By this time next year, we could achieve this goal – but it starts with each one of us, one at a time beginning with ourselves. Look in the mirror and ask – do I strive to live out our mission statement? Do I know the objects of our League? Am I educated enough about our great organization to sell it to my friends?

You see, we are all involved in membership – so what’s so hard about Organization anyway?

Leadership Development is a priority for most members. They want more workshops and education – at least that’s what I heard loud and clear during the recent workshops. My question is then, why are those development days and training sessions so poorly attended?

Perhaps we want to have our cake and eat it too. As Catholic women we owe it, not only to ourselves, but to our families and our Church to be the best we can be. We all lead in one way or another. It is our role; it is what we are expected to do.

As attested by history past and present, women possess a singular capacity to persevere in adversity, to keep life going in extreme situations, to hold tenaciously to the future and finally to remember with tears the value of every human life.

We all know women like this. Are you one? Of course you, we, are!

Just look around today and see Jackie L………, Margaret B…… and Ann D…., to name only a few. What a journey their faith has, and is, taking them on. See how they love one another and how they lead others by example and with joy. They truly walk humbly with our God.

Yes, there are many parts to this Standing Committee, none of which is particularly scary. I think if more of us were truly inspired to the kind of holiness that comes from the real meaning of service we wouldn’t have to search for or recruit more members. Women would want to be part of what we do and who we are.

Look at your gifts, like the saints who were able to see beyond what human eyes could see, and trust that God has given each of us exactly what we need to do His will here and now. Come on, don’t be afraid, say “Here I am Lord, use me!”

Barb D………

Under the strong leadership of my predecessor, Pat Deppiesse, the Catholic Women’s League in the Vancouver Archdiocese continued to grow. Our four joy-filled General Meetings featuring topical presentations were regularly well attended. Members and priests enjoyed the Priests’ Appreciation Dinner with many councils generously sponsoring guest priests. Although on that night we were supposed to be the hosts, we received our fair share of appreciation in the gracious words of Monsignor Lopez- Gallo.

During her term Pat had installed two extra councils and witnessed the start up of a third. Two other councils were re-invigorated and gained full executives. A League Development Team was formed to be available on request for the training of councils, whether new, experienced or struggling. One of its first presentations dealt with Standing Committees, demonstrating their potential to bring alive and continually restate the mission of our League. By October we had aroused enough interest in our members to hold a two day Training Workshop with a Registered Parliamentarian, John Noonan, who took the fear out of Robert’s Rules of Order. Those present became better educated about efficient ways to run meetings and had a lot of fun doing so. Several council presidents began applying these principles in their own councils to good effect. In the New Year we anxiously awaited the return of the revamped annual report forms. While the number of reports did not improve dramatically, the quality and organization of the contents did. More recently we learned that we could add one more name to our list of Life Members, that of Marianna Caldwell.

These concerns about the well-being of our League did not overshadow our concerns about the needs of those at home and abroad. We responded generously to a request from the Sisters of Atonement for sheets and clothing for the homeless in Vancouver. We helped promote the play Lost In Traffic, an attempt to educate the Canadian public about the trafficking of women and children. We supplied the orphan children of Uganda with dolls and balls, and also expanded this collection with school and church supplies.

Three weeks ago when I was installed as Diocesan President at Westminster Abbey, Mission, B.C. some of my goals were clear, and since meeting with my talented new executive I have been able to devise a fourfold plan. First and foremost I aim to encourage my executive and our fifty councils in all their endeavours for God and Canada. Second, I will support and promote the work of the League Development Team entrusted to the capable leadership of its founder, now contentedly equipped with our recently purchased power point projector and happy in the knowledge that the funds returned to us from Vancouver’s 2005 National Convention may be accessed for the furtherance of this project. Third we intend to persuade the thirty+ pastors without CWL councils in their parishes, that the presence of our League in their parish will not only ensure that our synod’s proposition # 34 will be truly adopted, for the CWL has an strong tradition of time, talent and treasure stewardship, but also that legislative concerns will be addressed. And finally, we need to investigate better ways of serving our smaller councils e.g. by reducing the paper trail.

Inspired by the example of our Archbishop, Raymond Roussin, the care of our Spiritual Advisor, Father Craig Scott, and fortified by our new Diocesan theme, “Let Your Heart Take Courage”, Vancouver Archdiocesan CWL can face the future with much hope.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide us.

Evelyn R…. (Vancouver Archdiocesan President)

Dear League Sisters,

Happy New Year to you all!

Annual Reports – I trust by now you are working toward collecting the annual reports from your parishes. As the reports filter in you will be amazed at what is going on and has happened. I am confident that the new forms will generate really interesting reports that will enable you to also paint a brilliant picture of the activities and well-being in so many of our parishes.

Please be sure to adhere to the deadlines (parish reports are due to you January 15 and your reports to provincial by February 15). If at all possible contact those parishes from which you don’t hear. While this may be time-consuming and somewhat tedious, it is so very worthwhile – you’ll be amazed what you find out, and the fact that you called will go a long way toward encouraging responses.

Membership drives and February 28 deadline – please continue to focus and assist Organization Chairpersons and Treasurers at this important time. As previously mentioned, membership is going to be a topic for discussion as well as a possible per capita increase over the next months. I look forward to hearing how you are going to react to the challenge of tracking membership in your diocese (see last communique if you’ve forgotten!).

While this is the time to ‘market’ let’s keep in mind our target audience – those dedicated and loyal members we already have who need to be nurtured; those who have left the League and then ALL the rest – Catholic women everywhere who haven’t heard about the League, who deserve to belong. We need to preach the good news of the League – using words only when necessary! It’s up to each one of us.

Associate Membership – don’t forget to tell your members about this and consider offering gift memberships to non-Catholic friends or relatives. The National Manual of Policy and Procedure states that a non-Catholic woman 16 years of age or over may become an associate member, with voting privileges, but without eligibility for office by election or appointment.

Provincial Development Fund – applications for subsidy to travel to the Provincial Convention in Victoria are being accepted now. Please be sure everyone has the new forms – we won’t accept applications on the old ones.

National Development Fund – All levels are encouraged to take advantage of the National funds available for education and training. I trust you all have a copy and will remind parishes that they, too, can apply. Forms and information are available on the CWL website.

Standing Committee Restructuring – this will be the topic of diocesan workshops throughout Canada. More information will be forthcoming after the national midterm meeting March 1. I hope the response to Danielle’s survey was good. Do you have any further thoughts that you want me to take forward?

Pin Protocol – Danielle McN.-H. has asked that parishes talk about pin protocol. She states: The fact that the question of pin protocol on the death of a member was asked indicates that it should be an item on the parish agenda in order to inform members that they should be indicating their wishes to other League and family members.

Provincial Registration Packages and Parish registers – Please encourage Organization Chairpersons to work closely with the Secretary at parish level to ensure that all registers of the elected officers and standing committee chairpersons are mailed to Doreen G. immediately following parish elections or by February 1 at the latest.

You are doing a wonderful job in your dioceses – keep up the great work, excellent communications and lively enthusiasm for our League. I love to get your communiques and hope you are sharing with each other. If there is anything I can do to assist you in any way, please just ask.

If you need anything [while I am away], please contact Pat B.

Teach, Evangelize, Animate and Motivate!
Barb D.

Enclosure: “Stir a new Spirit of Enthusiasm” by Dodie B…, provincial sub chair for membership – enjoy. Thanks Dodie!

Dear League Sisters,

One of the most effective things Organization Chairpersons can do at this time in our League year is generate enthusiasm for membership. Encourage parish councils to do something different in an effort to raise awareness about membership in the most amazing women’s organization in the country (world!). It is so important to find ways to remind Catholic women of the many reasons they should be interested in and part of our League.

I challenge each of you diocesan organization chairs to find a way to track membership in your diocese. Ask the parish councils to assist and report to you their progress. All councils know how many members they have, how many they had and how many are brand new! Let’s see if each diocese could recognize one parish council for significant growth – either the most lapsed members returning, the highest percentage of new members or whatever you think is interesting and worthy of note. We will recognize these at the Provincial Convention in a special way. I leave it up to you, but now is the time to get thinking as memberships begin to pour in.

On the same note about membership, we all must be aware that our numbers across Canada are not increasing. We are still on target to get our 10,000 members in BC & the Yukon, but if the trend continues, there are consequences. If we are to continue to serve our members properly, we need to find more members or consider a per capita increase. I know everyone flinches at the thought, but it’s been a long time, 1993, in fact since the last increase nationally. Alternatively we can each take on the responsibility to bring one new woman to the League. Why wouldn’t we? It’s the best organization ever – how much do we care?

Don’t forget to share your communiques – I’ve seen awesome work and you will be enlightened and inspired by each other’s great work!

Development Fund:
New application forms will be out to you shortly for travel to conventions. Don’t forget to promote the National Development Fund to members who want to sponsor workshops and leadership days. All the information is available on the CWL website as well as in the National Manual of Policy and Procedure.

Annual Reports:
It’s that time and I know you all know, so I won’t nag. However, I do encourage you to look for the new or unusual, specific examples of success and/or ideas that touch you in some way. Doreen Gowans gave clear information on this in her communique. Again I thank her for that and for her part in getting the new forms to you. Please adhere to the deadlines.

Standing Committee Restructuring:
Every parish council was sent a survey on the Standing Committees and various aspects and circumstances relating to their own parish council. Danielle McNeil-Hessian, National Organization Chairperson says: “The standing committees are being examined in order to determine if the current structure meets the needs of members at the parish level.” She asks further that parish council responses reflect actual practice in the council at the present time. Unfortunately there was no return date – it is imperative that we get as many councils to reply as possible and as soon as possible.

I can’t say often enough that our Organization Standing Committee is much more than membership. Certainly without members we will not exist – but we owe our members so much if we are to be true to our mandate: “Calling our members to holiness through service to the people of God.” As we educate, lead, affirm and pray as one, we are able to recognize and accept the many gifts we’ve been given. Thank you for all you do to empower your League sisters through your dedication, example and love.

And finally, Christmas greetings, blessings and prayers to each of you and your families. I pray that your Advent is special and focused and that Christmas is a time of peace, joy and much happiness.

I look forward to 2007 as we prepare to embrace our new National theme: Love One Another and the Provincial sub theme: Walk Humbly with Our God.

Teach, Evangelize, Animate and Motivate!

Barb D.

Stir a new Spirit of Enthusiasm – from Dodie B. (BC & Yukon Membership sub-chair)

If we could all follow the League Calendar outlined in the “Leading the League Manual” we would all be on the same wavelength at the same time. What would we be doing together? We would be promoting all the things in life that are important; i.e. hospitality, openness, charity, generosity, strengthening our own personal faith both individually and collectively. At the same time we will be helping to make our own church stronger as well as our society.

It is up to each and every one of us to promote the League. Before we can do that, we must know and understand what the League is all about. I suggest that a time be set aside for training of new members. Then they will know what the League is all about. Our aims our purposes.

I have seen over the years members who bring members on board – get their dues – no training no explanation and guess what? We don’t see them again. It is one thing to pass out a welcome kit to the member who is new but I believe that when they get the kit it should go with some form of orientation.

When we buy a house, we look it over and if its what we want we buy it – because the people selling it took the time to find out what we wanted and they went about making it so – and they sold it. Maybe we should change the way we do things – first sell the prospective member by getting the present members to get a program together that is interesting and then rehearse until they know it inside out. Then have a lunch with a program and sell it to prospective new members.

We all have the words and tools at our fingertips. All we need to do is look to our League manuals and then just do it! Baby steps at first. Be excited about the League let the excitement show at what ever you do. This goes for all members, young, recycled, Catholic, Non Catholic. We must be proud members if we plan on attracting new members. We must be proud to belong to an Organization Rooted in Gospel Values.

We are people of faith bound by our faith, to welcome all women into the Catholic Women’s League.

We need to go back to our roots – we need to have present members educated and enthusiastic about the League in order for us to gain new members. The best way of getting new members is personal invitation. I can’t stress that enough. Be excited about sharing our faith.

By doing this we will have created a New Spirit of Enthusiasm!

Dear League Sisters and Father Terry,

And so we continue….refreshed from summer and energized from the National Convention, it’s time to get going again!

For those diocesan presidents whose meetings are imminent, I know you will have a list a mile long from the National Convention to report on. There were so many important issues to pass on from both levels, in particular Trafficking and the ‘rare second chance’ concerning the government’s promise to re-look at the definition of marriage. I am sure your enthusiastic reports to your members on both provincial and national will make for a great start to the new League year. Getting the message across about the wonderful camaraderie one feels at conventions is important but so are some of the important aspects of the work done. We look forward to the reports from Nancy S. and Marianna C. on their impressions of the National convention.Special thanks to all the Standing Committee Chairpersons for getting introductory communiques out on time. There’s a wealth of information and direction in them. (And you’ve made my communique so much shorter since all the critical items have been addressed!)

I can understand how hard it is to choose what to focus on. Presidents please remember neither you nor your executives can do everything. Do what’s important for your members and your community and do it the best way you can. Keeping members up to speed on the latest from National does not have to be laborious.

I am sure we are going to be using the Quick Response System over the next few months, especially on imminent federal issues (marriage definition, and other critical proposed legislation that affect life). We will need to be ready to follow the lead of our Bishops and the National CWL – time will be of the essence. Please be sure you know this is working BEFORE we need it!

Annual reports:
Thanks to Doreen, Pat D. and Agnes for the great job on the first round of annual reports for parish level. Presidents please assist your Organization Chairperson as she instructs and promotes these new forms. We know that we cannot please everyone, but the object of the exercise is to find out what’s working, what is innovative and/or different at parish level. The diocesan forms will be out soon and again, let’s make 100% reporting our goal.

Development Fund #2:
Further to the proposed changes to discontinue the fund to financially assist parish/diocesan councils to host League Training Days and/or Workshops, new forms and criteria will be ready for discussion at midterm. Thanks to Pat B, Carol and Elaine for their good work in preparing this so quickly.

Policy and Procedure Manual:
Pat B. is also working with Dodie B. on revamping the format for the Provincial P & P. Please bring whatever copy/edition you have with you to the midterm meeting.

Provincial theme:
Lorette Noble has chosen, “Love One Another” for the national them 2007 to 2009. This is a fine theme to follow ‘Companions on the Journey’ and in looking to our new provincial theme, it will be interesting to see how we follow up on Contemplating the Face of Christ. Bring your ideas with you to midterm!

Special thanks to all who gave me their “word’ – I wore your picture and word on my “hat” at the National Convention. It worked out very well thanks to Sheila’s idea and Pat B.’s creativity. I told you I’d take you all with me!

Mid-term News:
Our first meeting is fast approaching and I am working on the agenda. You will recall that we’re dealing with an abbreviated timeframe, so the challenges begin before we start! We’ll have lunch together at noon on Friday and begin promptly at 1 pm. … Some of the things I hope to cover include:

• spiritual enrichment
• TEAM building
• provincial theme
• timeline/calendar
• goals
• reporting
• roles and responsibilities
• diocesan conventions

Add to that some time for social interaction, to re-discover the art of conversation and get to know one another better. If we take our TEAM spirit seriously we should be totally energized by Sunday morning (or exhausted!).

Travel:

• Please refer to the Welcome book for details on expenses for travel to meetings. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me directly.
• Pat Battensby has sent information re transportation requirements – the sooner you can get the details to her, the better.

Reports:

• I would very much like to keep the practice of having reports sent ahead of time as it makes the meeting so much more efficient.
• Please e-mail your report to the whole executive by October 15 or earlier if possible and bring your copy with you
• This report should include anything new since the pre-convention meeting. If your report has three parts: (1) what’s happened (2) what’s planned (3) recommendations, you will be amazed how simple it is to write. Not only does it show you your goals, it will help you keep track! I encourage you to try it this format.
• Be sure to read all the reports ahead of time – we will address any concerns or questions arising from the reports during the meeting.

Agenda:
The tentative agenda will be sent to you shortly. If there is anything you want to add, please let me know as soon as possible.

Please bring:

• Liturgy of the hours
• Minutes from the convention, pre- and post- meetings
• Commitment booklet
• Copy of chairpersons’ and diocesan presidents’ reports
• A list of any dates that are pertinent to your Standing Committee and/or diocese for our Provincial Calendar.
• Workshop ideas/suggestions re: diocesan conventions

Yes, we’re going to have a busy time, but I think we can do it all and still have fun too!

And finally, Please continue to keep Jackie L. and Madeline K. in your prayers and add Margaret B. if you haven’t already. These women, past provincial presidents, have undergone major setbacks and health difficulties. They all forge ahead on their journey with faith and hope, just as they did when they served us. Let us hold them close in our hearts and let them know how much we value them as companions and mentors. May Our Lady of Good Counsel watch over all our League sisters, too numerous to mention, who are ill or suffering as well as Sr. Pierette B., CND and Sr. Shelley G., CND.

With love and prayers,
Barbara D…

Dear Sisters in the League and Father Terry,

A heartfelt big hug to all of you as we embark on another amazing League year. Welcome back to Doreen G…… (Kamloops), Dodie B….(Prince George), Gloria G……. (Vancouver) and Murielle B…… (Whitehorse). Special welcome to new past presidents: Joyce S…… (Nelson), and Mary L……… (Victoria) who join me in learning the contents of this new (to us) standing committee. When I receive permission from all of you due to the privacy issues, I will send complete information, i.e. addresses, telephone and e mail numbers to you all so you can all exchange communiques and information about happenings in your diocese. I look forward to this new role in the League. Every office that we hold in the League is another step in our development both personally and especially in the knowledge of the League.

It has struck me over the years in reading past president and other annual reports and listening comments from past president that there have been two main themes:

The first is a feeling of abandonment, being cut off and never being consulted as to the activities of your particular level of council.

The second common comment is that past presidents have a strangle hold on the council and keep putting a veto on anything new that is suggested out or planned; at times, we embarrass our president by making public comments about how they do things.

We do not want to be either of these people. We have climbed an amazing ladder rise up to president of whatever level we have held. For most of us it has been a an awesome and positive experience all the way. Hopefully we have made good long and short-range goals. Now we have handed over the presidency to someone new who deserves to experience this growth in her personal prayer and League life and to advance the League with her ideas.

Our job now:

Yes, to help the president learn by discreet and soft mention of something that she MIGHT have mistakenly done but never in public to cause her any embarrassment.

To be at the ready to do WHATEVER our presidents ask of us,

To be a mentor to anyone who asks us

To perform a teaching role whenever possible, to market the League by our personal demeanor,

To perform our tasks with great joy and happiness in our membership in our League.. By your very presence anywhere you represent the League.

Above all, always be kind to whomever we meet attempting to see the Face of Christ in all we meet.

Our duties are very well described in several League publications. I know that many of you have these items but some may have had them in the Presidents “Box” and perhaps you might be interested in purchasing them for your own reference:

The Constitution and Bylaws

page 12, Article X Section 2 -”Officers” states that past president are officers of the executive level.

Page 18 Article 11, Section 7 very clearly states our duties.

And page 32 Article 15, Section 3 may or may not pertain to us. In some Diocese, the {resident names the Past President as the Chair of the nominating committee but this is not written in stone. Please just tuck this away in case you receive this privilege

The National Manual of Policy and Procedure 2003

Page 41 outlines our duties as an officer

page 85 of the same publications describes Rules of Order which are necessary to conduct meetings in an orderly manner and should be a reference to us.

It is great to have some knowledge of parliamentary procedure in this position. We are fortunate here in Vancouver to be able to attend a course by a registered parliamentarian in October and this would be a most useful exercise. If you do not have access to this, I can give you the address of the National Parliamentarians Society and you can gain some help by correspondence if you are interested.

National also has a great little book written by Edith Mockler, Life Member and a registered parliamentarian that you might want to purchase.

Leading the League is also a most useful resource. And for those of you lucky enough to be old enough to have purchased

Training Part 1 and 2 from National office will have a wealth of resources for past presidents. Unfortunately it is no longer available.

The Executive Handbook September 2000 also contains a very accurate description of our duties, Please refer to these publications.

As you can see, we have much to do in our own portfolios as being always accessible to our president in the chair. She holds an office that should be very highly respected and is bringing new richness to the League by her personality, experience, ideas and spirituality. Please assist her in her onerous position in any way that you can.

I will attempt over the next two years to highlight one of our responsibilities in each communique. Of course this does not mean that we are not responsible at all times for each duty described but perhaps might assist you to some extent in formulating your short and long term plans.

I would like to highlight the study of the Constitution and Bylaws this month. I feel strongly that we should spend some time on this subject at each meeting and we should carefully plan what section of this document is most pertinent as the particular time of our League year. Please ask your president if you can have time on her agenda to do this and plan this time expediently. Some of you are starting this year with new executives, some are the second year but it would be advantageous for both groups to review the objects of the League on p.2 Article IV and the duties of Officers and Standing Committee Chairpersons. This perhaps could be broken down into two meetings to cover all the material and also to sable time and keep to time on the agenda. Very good and pertinent information for all levels of the League.

My next communique will cover the contents of Archives, another most important section of our League life.

I wish you God’s blessings on your new role and second year role in the League. I know that Our Lady of Good Counsel will be with us as we do her Son’s work and as we try our very best to perform the duties prescribed to us. Please review Barb’s motto at the beginning of this communique. It should be ever present in our minds for every League member whatever their position in the League. God bless you in your work for God and Canada.

Much love…..

Pat

What a pleasure it is to report to you on behalf of nearly 9,000 members of the Catholic Women’s League in British Columbia and the Yukon. We are six dioceses ranging in size from the largest with 49 parish councils and the smallest only two. Distance, travel time and weather play a big part in how we meet and communicate. Our challenges are similar to those across this great country, but today I want to focus on the wonderful things going on out West.

The CWL is alive and well. For the 3rd straight year our membership has increased and we are inching ever closer to our short term goal of 10,000. The Provincial Convention in Whitehorse had an outstanding attendance especially since it was so far away for most and very expensive to get to. We believe this is a direct result of the enthusiasm and excitement generated from the National Convention last year.

We offer subsidies for travel to a provincial convention and again this year were overwhelmed with applications. As we had limited funds we were only able to help 9 members attend. Needless to say this is being reviewed and we hope to find more money to assist our members get to conventions, particularly accredited delegates, wherever and whenever possible.

We continue to honour our declaration to raise awareness about Trafficking. Thanks to a grant from the National Development Fund we were able to bring Sr. Pierette Boise, CND to Whitehorse where she gave an excellent workshop. The dioceses are still passing the video “Sisters and Daughters Betrayed” to parish councils and most importantly, all dioceses have agreed to try and bring the Trafficking Play “Lost in Trafficking” to their area.

Like last year, we presented all dioceses with the same workshop. This has proven to be an excellent idea. The topic ‘Discernment’ was perfect as we had been focusing on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We wanted to encourage members to recognize not only the gifts and charisms of others, but for themselves too. It gave people a chance to think in a different way. Members like to be affirmed and this workshop certainly made that easy to do.

We dedicated our convention to asking graces through the intercession of the servant of God, Pope John Paul II, for the healing of our League sister, Jackie L. Members were asked to pray the prayer every day. Jackie continues to battle, is cheerful as always and confident that God will hear our prayers.

The motion to increase the provincial per capita by $1.00 per member passed. This is to be kept aside to offset expenses expected when next hosting a national convention which we understand will be in 2015.

Building on the Pat’s legacy of Kindness, we are committed as a new executive to focus this term on TEAM, but with a new look. To TEACH, EVANGELIZE, ANIMATE AND MOTIVATE, not only our diocesan councils but one another. One of my goals for us is to really take ownership of the ‘teaching role’ of the provincial level. We want to train our members so they can go and train others.

I know we’ll hear a lot more about WUCWO during this convention but I must say, the privilege of attending the Study Days in Arlington, has to be the highlight of my League life so far. What a fantastic learning experience, one that I am most grateful for and will remember for a long time. I am committed to ensuring more exposure and awareness at all other levels of the League for the importance of this wonderful group of Catholic women.

One thing that particularly stands out for me comes from the talk by Fr. Polidoro and that is the need for conflict resolution and the importance of recognizing our own abilities to generate peace, to look for the positive – always – and to start, within ourselves, a cultural revolution for positivity and peace.

Can’t wait to share my hat with you on Tuesday – suffice to say I’ve brought each member of the provincial council with me. When asked what we should focus on this term these are some of the suggestions I received: Generosity, patience, wisdom, forgiveness, understanding, love, inspiration, joy and actuate and gentleness – what a team, indeed.

• There were eleven priests at this meeting. One from Victoria, one from Prince George, one from Nelson, one from Kamloops, and the remaining from the Vancouver Archdiocese.
• It is highly recommended that the CWL have an insert in the collection boxes in each parish. The inserted envelope allows members to keep up their dues, and informs (on an yearly basis) other women in the parish of the existence of the CWL. Some pastors might question why this insert should be given to all the parishioners when it only serves 40-90 women. The CWL has experienced this insert to be very valuable to keep membership alive with those women unable at this time to attend meetings.
• There is a need for a solid membership convener in each council. Pastors have a role in recruiting, but the primary role is with the ladies themselves.
• Afternoon or evening meetings? Some councils alternate meeting time to facilitate older and younger members.
• CWL is encouraged to send zealous ladies to other councils in order to encourage membership. One priest shared how he got two councils started this way and both continue to be active in their parishes at this time.
• Need to publish CWL materials in foreign languages, especially in oriental languages for Vancouver.
• The CWL by-law does not allow priests (or men) to join! Sorry guys!
• One priest from India spoke very highly of the CWL calling them the nerve centre of the parish.
• There was a lengthy discussion on priests attendance or non-attendance at the CWL conventions. Some priests feel that the attendance should be better while others realize that there are so many things that priests are called to do. What does the CWL as of your priests in regard to attendance at conventions? One thing priests can do, especially the priest called to a leadership role, i.e., spiritual advisor, is to promote the CWL at priest gatherings.
• Pastors see the need for CWL members to resolve their own conflicts and not to ask your priests to act as referees.
• The priest and CWL executive need to have a strong balance of leadership, i.e., each needs to reflect on their role.

A big thank you was extended to the CWL for the wonderful lunch provided for us at the Executive Hotel!

The eleven priests invited the waitress to join the CWL and she said, “Yes”! We are not too sure if she was after a bigger tip!

Submitted by
Fr. Terry Brock,
Spiritual Advisor, BC/Yukon