This time last year our council did not have a President-Elect so for the first time an election for President had to be held.  Here I am, the new president happy to report we have a full slate of officers.

To date, through marketing the League and creating enthusiasm we have reached over 9,000 members and continue to grow.  In order to celebrate parish council successes in building membership we brought back the practice of presenting a special certificate, which this year was awarded to a parish council that attained 50 new members, doubling their membership!

Another goal set was to take ownership of the teaching role at the Provincial level as education is paramount. A workshop encompassing the different facets of Communications was presented in each diocese. But most importantly we have now taken our comprehensive Leadership Development & Public Speaking Workshop around the Province providing an opportunity for members to gain the knowledge and confidence to ‘step forward’ and accept an executive position.

Making inroads into the public sector and making our voices heard on current issues is critical, especially now in BC with the Winter Olympics approaching in 2010. While the Catholic Women’s League has always worked well with the Knights of Columbus, we are now enjoying a truly collaborative relationship and shared objectives such as human trafficking.   Together we have undertaken a huge letter writing campaign and brought our concerns regarding brothels at the Olympics to the attention of Mayer Sam Sullivan of Vancouver.  Just imagine the impact if all Catholic men and women across Canada joined forces to support family values and the protection of the most vulnerable.

The burning interest members have in these issues were apparent by the 10 resolutions received this year.  In March, the provincial delegation met with both Liberal and NDP caucus members to present and discuss our resolutions.  The positive reception received, the interest in our concerns about trafficking, etc and the comment that our visits are like ‘their consciousness’ made for a successful meeting.

“A Journey of Memories” a mammoth project preserving the testimony and resourcefulness of our Life Members and their journey in book form was undertaken, successfully completed and published thanks to Life Member, Thelma Varcoe.   Life Members are hoping to establish a “Cultural Award” that will recognize and celebrate Catholic artists and authors.

For everyone who is familiar with the work carried out by Domestic Abuse Services-Our Lady of Good Counsel Society in Vancouver, I am pleased to announce that they have purchased a safe house to be used as secondary housing for women fleeing domestic violence.

I continue to be astounded at the work and successes in our dioceses – from the smallest and most remote to the bustling metropolitan councils, the CWL manages to ‘get the work done’.  The challenges are clear but I believe if we keep our members informed, encouraged and educated we will reap the rewards.  My goal is to build and fine tune the programs already in place, to meet local needs and to care in a special way for our existing members.

Under the protection of Our Lady of Good Counsel we continue to work for God and Canada.  May God bless all our endeavours.

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