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Greetings!
Welcome to the  D&D issue containing the programs for the January 19th Standing Committees meetings and Ontario Council updates.
We invite your comments. [email protected]

January 19th, 2013
Standing Committees

 

Joint Morning Session

  

Topic:  Student College/University Math Preparedness

Panel:

  • Laurel Schollen, Director, College Achievement Project, Seneca College
  • Mary Jean Gallagher, Assistant Deputy Minister Student Achievement Division, Ministry of Education
  • Carol Carruthers, Professor, Faculty of Applied Sciencee and Engineering, Seneca College
  • Nancy Naylor, Assistant Deputy Minister, Postsecondary Education Division, Ministry of Training, Colleges and University 

 

The Education Committee's keynote session will provide information about the College Mathematics Project, a system wide research project, that has informed policy and practice in mathematics education in Ontario at the postsecondary(college) and board/school level. The study included all 24 colleges and all 72 Ontario school boards and investigated the mathematics achievement of first semester college students and worked with both college and school communities to increase student success. The success of the project has resulted in support for a larger project, the College Achievement Project. Laurel Schollen, Director, College Achievement Project, from Seneca College will be the presenter and also part of a panel along with Mary-Jean Gallagher, Assistant Deputy Minister Student Achievement Division, Ministry of Education, Carol Carruthers, Professor, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering Technology, Seneca College and Nancy Naylor, Assistant Deputy Minister, Postsecondary Education Division, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities .

We invite all clubs to send members for a stimulating presentation and discussion on what more can be done to support student success in Ontario right from Kindergarten to a career.

 

Education Committee  

 

Laurel Schollen from Seneca College will join us to continue the discussion of recommended changes to school curriculum to increase the probability of student success.

Before the presentation we are hoping that members will share with the group any advocacy efforts that their clubs undertook following the September presentation on Child Care in Ontario. These can range from making a report at your club, an article in your newsletter or initiating a new project related to child care. We can learn a lot from one another.

Myrtle Greve and Arlene Midriak

 
Legislation Committee

 

Beginning the Conversation about Finances

Do you ever wonder just what happens to those Resolutions that we pass at the CFUW National AGM? At the 2009 CFUW National AGM, a Resolution on Financial Literacy proposed by the University Women's Club of Montreal (UWCM) became CFUW policy. UWCM continued with their project, acquired some funding and developed 15 bilingual case studies geared for women aged 45+ to enhance their financial knowledge, confidence and problem-solving skills. All the case studies are open ended with the main goal being 'to begin the conversation about finances'.

 

Janice Napp, President of CFUW Orillia will be leading a workshop on Financial Literacy using these case studies. Together let us "Begin the Conversation about Money Matters". Hopefully you too will be able to share the activity with your Club members. (No, we do not need to be experts or professionals in finance to lead or be part of this activity.)

 

Status of Women &
Human Rights Committe

 
 

 

Topic: Women in Skilled Trades

Speakers: Mary Ferguson and Joanna Belajac

 

At our 2012 AGM, the Canadian Federation of University Women (National) adopted the following resolution:

Retention and Promotion of Women in Skilled Trades and Non-Traditional Occupations

RESOLVED, that the Canadian Federation of University Women urge the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial authorities concerned with education, employment and skills development to work with business, labour, and industry associations to address and remedy the underrepresentation and lack of retention of women in skilled trades and non-traditional occupations by adopting strategies to create and promote a workplace culture that is inclusive of women and prevents stereotypical barriers to women's successful entry and advancement.

  

 

In support of this resolution, the CFUW Ontario Council January 19th Standing Committee on the Status of Women and Human Rights has planned an agenda that will help expand our members' understanding of this issue and enable us to be more effective in our advocacy role on behalf of all women.  

 

Our agenda will consist of two parts;  

 

  1. A short (25 minute) film, "Standing on Her Shoulders," researched and produced by Margie Taylor on behalf of Rural Women Making Change, and featuring women members of CAW from the CAMI Automotive Plant in Ingersoll ON, including Cathy Austin, Past President of CAW Local 88 (2006).
  2. A panel of "Subject Matter Experts", including:
    1. Mary Ferguson, http://ekonomos.com; http://www.workplaceskills.ca/promisingpractices;
    2. Joanna Belajac (Simcoe County Women in Trades)
    3. One other (tbd)

Both Mary and Joanna were instrumental in working with CFUW Barrie as they crafted the above resolution. In collaboration with the panel, we will develop a short list of subjects/questions for us to explore. Please send suggestions to: [email protected].

Desired outcome:

 

  1. Increased awareness of the challenges faced by women in skilled trades and non-traditional occupations.
  2. Advocacy tools that clubs can use when talking with MPPs, civic governments and local businesses. 

President's Message
January 2013
    

Traditions.  But we have always done it that way.  It's Tradition.  No doubt you have heard this saying on a few occasions.  A family tradition we have is to write our hopes and dreams on January 1st, put them in an envelope, then in a decorated small wooden chest that belonged to my grandmother. The next year, we open the box on New Year's Eve day and read what each person had written.  When the children were young, we wrote their thoughts until the time came they could write their own.  For twenty years, one hope I wrote was to see a school friend, but as she had married a military man, we never seemed to be in a position to come together.  Then, one day a letter arrived from Mary Ellen saying they were transferred to my community of North Bay.  Although they are no longer here, for a short time we renewed our friendship in person.  What a joy that was.

 

The ideal is that for most hopes and dreams, we can take an active part in realizing what we set down to do and not leave it to chance.  Traditions have a place in our lives filled with sentiment and constancy. And from one generation to another may take on a different look .  As the times, they are achanging.

 

To be a dynamic progressive organization of educated women, we need to be open to change. CFUW looks much different today from its early beginning in 1919.  And rightly so for growth and endurance in years to come.  As we begin 2013, I ask you to consider what you are building on within your club for longevity. What legacy will continue in years to come?

 

The Ontario Council clubs have much to celebrate.  In the newsletter, you will be reading about members awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.  Members who have a passion for environmental issues and taken action on several fronts. An initiative to highlight the talents of local artists and profile CFUW. How a club took the lead to recognize the first International Day of the Girl Child by holding an event.  Regions who have hosted gatherings which brought clubs together for fellowship and learning from one another.  CFUW Ontario Council clubs have momentum and enthusiasm. 

 

Below I have written my hopes for CFUW Ontario Council in 2013. Is there one or more that you can identify as a goal for your club?

 

May we rejuvenate and reenergize our clubs with enthusiasm and commitment

May we take action on issues that call our name

May we grow our clubs with friendship and mentorship of members

May we build our capacity with partnerships and projects within our community

May we be the voice for women and girls here and far afield

May we participate in CFUW with renewed spirit and vision

May we remember to enjoy and value that which has been accomplished thus far

May we look to the coming year 2013 with anticipation and goodwill

 

To each of you, I extend my very best wishes for a successful, healthy new year.

Sincerely

Brenda

Ontario Council Advocacy

  • Letter sent to York Region Municipality, and copied to Minister of the Environment Jim Bradley,  to express our thanks and support for the work done in their planning to install a new state-of-the-art Sewage Treatment Plant as a vital component of the Upper York Sewage Solutions. View Letter
  • Letter sent to the Great Lakes Executive Committee Co-Chairs Michael Goffin and Susan Hedman onthe implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Act 2012. 
Club Events & Fall Gatherings
  

Ontario East Fall Gathering

Renfrew, Ontario, Saturday October 20, 2012

submitted by Barbara Moogk

 

We had our first planning meeting on September 19, 2012 and followed the format CFUW Ontario Council Regional Gatherings Guideline (May 2005) given to us by RD Monique Tougas.

 

On Saturday October 20, 2012 Renfrew and district hosted the annual ON East Fall Gathering at Trinity-St. Andrew's United Church, Renfrew, ON.

 

We were welcomed by President Barbara Moogk and then by Gail Cole, Renfrew Town Councillor, who had also arranged "Welcome Canadian Federation of University Women"  banners on two entrance welcome signs to Renfrew.  Then we were addressed by ON Council President Brenda Robertson.

 

Our first speaker was Mike Nickerson.  We took our theme Sustainability from his book "Life, Money and Illusion" . . .Living on Earth as if we wish to stay.  The second speaker was our local CEO of Renfrew Hydro, Tom Freemark who spoke on 100 years of Renfrew Hydro, the new micro-fit program and the Smart Meter System.  Yvonne Powell, a director on the Ottawa Valley Food Co-Op explained how it worked and related how supporting local producers helped in sustainability.

 

Included in their bag of welcome items each member received  donated Canadian Geographic Magazines for April 2012 "Niagara Power" and June 2012 "Energy Smarts" which fit right into our theme.  An Almost 100 Mile Lunch was prepared by the ladies of the church.

 

After the ending wrap up, RD Leila Metcalf presented a 55th year certificate to president Barbara Moogk and then Liela and ON Council President Brenda Robertson presented life membership certificates to founding members Ruth Aikenhead and Dorothy Cooke.

 

Founding Members of Renfrew and District receive Life Membership
Founding Members of CFUW Renfrew and District  Ruth Aikenhead and Dorothy Cooke Receive Life Membership

Following the presentations we celebrated with cake and cider and closed our day with the ladies who opted for the tour.  They were escorted to visit our local McDougall Mill Museum beside the Bennechere River Second Chute and across from the Renfrew Hydro Station and Historic Swinging Bridge.

 

CFUW Ontario West

Guelph, Ontario

submitted by June Ayrhardt

 

CFUW Guelph was very pleased to host the Ontario West Regional Fall Gathering 2012 on the theme: INSPIRING GROWTH: innovation, imagination and i-clouds. We were thrilled with the positive responses of attendees who appreciated the time to network, share and learn from others. 55 CFUW members attended representing 15 clubs, 6 of which were from other regions. We were happy that our Ontario Council President, Brenda Robertson was also present and spoke to the group. 

 

The summation of the day including the Power Point presentations from our very practical workshops can be accessed at http://www.cfuwguelph.on.ca/fall-gathering-2012/home.html. The many ideas generated for improving our local clubs can be found by clicking on PROGRAM; then, Now It's Your Turn. It is important to note three recurring points of view throughout the activities of the day:

  • That the name CFUW should change as part of a more inclusive branding (i.e. remove the word "university").
  • That recruitment and retention of members is critical; attendees are concerned about how to attract more diverse representation to our clubs.
  • There is also concern over how to increase member knowledge and interest in advocacy.

It is the recommendation of the Ontario West Fall Gathering Local Action Committee that each club create an Ad Hoc committee to study the ideas and suggestions brought forward and make recommendations to their local Executive on specific ideas to implement. Following that, other committees can be set up as necessary to plan for the implementation of the innovation or modification taking into account the CHANGE process as presented on Saturday.

 

Participants also had an opportunity to view the two quilts, made by the Fabric Arts Interest Group of Guelph that are being auctioned off to support our Scholarship fund. The on-line auction can be accessed through

www.cfuwguelph.blogspot.ca/p/quilts-for-scholarships.html..

 

Thank you to the eight Guelph members and Terry Hamilton RD, who made up the Local Action Committee and spent a great deal of time to make this event a welcoming and meaningful experience for all in attendance. Without these women, this event could never have happened.  

 

Ontario South Fall Gathering

 

Many friends from the region and beyond joined us on October 20th at Greystone Golf and Country Club. It was a wonderful day full of eternal ideas such as "growth" and "fulfillment". The theme: "Places to Grow and Glow" was chosen because the town of Milton appears on the Places to Grow list and so do many of the towns in Southern Ontario. Learning about the opportunities and impact citizens can have in the situation of a growing community provided a connection for the clubs that attended the Fall Gathering.

 

A simple theme such as "Places to Grow and Glow" reminded us that we are all on the "Places to Grow" list either literally or spiritually and in that place we have the power to glow as we grow.

The keynote speaker, Jennifer Reynolds -Director of Community Services, addressed managing growth and development in the town of Milton and set the stage for the key points which were developed in the workshops.

  • Workshop #1 with presenter Gail Crawford of CFUW Mississauga explored the concept of women as agents of change, specifically in Peel County and how these "Extraordinary Women" shaped their communities through involvement. The book created by CFUW Mississauga to highlight these women was made available to participants for purchase. Proceeds from the sale will go towards the National Scholarship Trust.
  • Workshop #2 offered by Andreia Rolo, Senior Policy Advisor, Early Learning Division, Ministry of Education, unpacked the "Modernizing Child Care in Ontario" document, a topic about which many families in Ontario have a personal story.

The "Open Space" session, a new format to facilitate discussion, allowed for problem solving of issues club leaders regularly encounter in their role as club president or as a member of the executive. This session nurtured building capacity and most importantly established networks for future conversations.

Congratulations to CFUW Milton and District for hosting the 2012 Fall Gathering.  

 

Submitted by Cheryl Hayles, Chair LAC

 

Club Anniversaries

Please join us in celebrating the following club anniversaries:  

 

CFUW Kitchener-Waterloo  90th

CFUW Peterborough 75th

CFUw Norfolk  60th

CFUW Etobicoke 60th

CFUW Mississauga 60th 

CFUW Aurora Newmarket  55th

CFUW Renfrew 55th

CFUW Burlington 55th

CFUW Milton and District 50th

CFUW North Toronto 35th

  

Club News And Articles
 
 
International Day of the Girl Child:  Friday October 11, 2013
Cheryl Ambrose, CFUW Guelph

 

The mission of the day is "to help galvanize worldwide enthusiasm for goals to better girls' lives, providing an opportunity for them to show leadership and reach their full potential." The UN's 2012 theme was "End Child Marriage".

 

CFUW Guelph decided rather late in the game to honour the first International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, 2012. There was considerable enthusiasm among our members, so we met to plan what we hoped to accomplish on that day. We worked within the usual constraints: no budget and little time. We decided to screen relevant films in the afternoon, and arrange for a speaker in the evening.

 

Venue: We met with a very enthusiastic Kitty Pope, chief librarian at the Guelph Public Library. Unfortunately, we did not enter the race early enough to access all of the facilities we hoped for. We were offered the use of a `theatre` with equipment for the afternoon. We scaled back our plans to fit.

 

PR: We were too late to avail ourselves of the types of PR the library is able to provide, so we made do with what we could get from local media. We were given the opportunity to submit a guest editorial, however, these are reserved for pieces with local (civic) appeal. Two of our films (Shannen`s Dream and Mohawk Girls) were Canadian, but not local. The other two (A Walk to Beautiful and To Educate a Girl), were internationally focused.

 

Collaboration: We made a connection, through one of our members, with Women in Crisis, who loaned us Shannen`s Dream. We completely missed the fact that Take Back the Night was also scheduled for October 11. There was an IDGC event sponsored by the University that was pitched at high school girls. Both ours and theirs were featured in the local news paper.

 

I did not count heads. We had a decent turnout for our films. We were well supported by our membership and a few women who had learned about the event in the paper stopped in. We had a couple of technical challenges, but we prevailed. We served refreshments.

 

 

Next year:

  • Start planning in January 2013.
  • Research 2012 successes.
  • Engage like-minded groups in the community. Even if this is the date for `Take back the night 2013` we can work with them.
  • Engage City Hall (we do want to turn it pink - they did it in Toronto, its just a light show)
  • Reserve the library immediately so we can take advantage of all they can offer us.
  • Arrange for a speaker for the evening.

Maybe make it a fundraiser. Decide on a charity to receive proceeds (could be one related to the speaker)

 

 

CFUW Members Awarded Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal

 

Guelph MPP Liz Sandals presented the Diamond Jubilee medal to Mary McEwen at the CFUW Guelph September 2012 meeting in recognition of her many years of community service to the community.
  

 
"Mary has been a cheerful, tireless volunteer in our community for many years. Her work with the Canadian Federation of University Women - Guelph has focused on violence against women, while her work with Homewood Health Centre focused on addiction. Her strong moral and social compass seems to guide her to help the weakest in our society. Mary has held many leadership positions but she has also worked quietly on less glamorous projects such as drafting bylaws for both the Enabling Garden and the Volunteer Centre, and writing the policy handbook for the CFUW. Guelph YMCA/YWCA named her Woman of Distinction in Voluntary Community Service."

"Her spirit of contribution is fittingly recognized with this Diamond Jubilee medal, and we are lucky to have her in our community," said Sandals in a news release.

The medal pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II's 60 years on the throne by recognizing those who have made significant contributions to the province and Canada.

  

 

On June 21st, 2012, local MPP Liz Sandals presented Pat McCraw with The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, which pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II's 60 years on the throne.

 
Pat has been a community volunteer for over 50 years and an advocate for women's participation in civic affairs. She helped found the Guelph Women of Distinction Awards, is a founding board member of the Guelph Community Foundation, past president of Family and Children's Services, past president of the national board for Save the Children Canada, a board member of the local Y and a public member of the Ontario College of Pharmacists.
 

 

Promoting CFUW Through Members' Artistic Talent

Valerie Hume 

  
  
Central Region's art show at the CoverNotes Tea and Coffee House in Richmond Hill featured 5 artists from 2 different clubs. Each artist displayed 6 paintings. There was a framed 8 X 10 poster giving an overview of CFUW that listed the national website for those interested to follow up.  In addition, there were bookmarks, also with CFUW information, at the cash register and on the tables.   
  

 

The show ran from November 9th to December 1st with an Opening Night on November 9th where cafe patrons could meet the artists. This was my attempt to promote CFUW in the wider community in an inexpensive way, but one that would have benefit for both the artists and the coffee house. One painting was sold on the second day. The artist received the money and the coffee house received a small commission.  Even people who did not buy a painting, stopped to appreciate the art and read about CFUW. Total cost for the Dollar Store picture frame and printing of the flyers was approximately $20.  

  
Elizabeth Gibson displays her artwork.
Advocating for a Better Local Environment the CFUW Way

Peggy Land, CFUW Perth and District   

 

Our local chapter of the CFUW in the small town of Perth has established a well-earned reputation for hard work on behalf of women and girls, with a strong emphasis on education, all in a spirit of friendliness, inclusion and co-operation. Many have found it to be the ideal club to join as new-comers to this mecca for retirees, like myself, three years ago. And it had an Environment Committee which had already been working at trying to persuade the Town Council to bring in an anti-idling bylaw. The tradition of holding an annual public meeting on an environmental theme of the committee's choice was also attractive to me. So when I was asked to consider becoming chair of our Environment Committee I realized that this would require a more local focus than what I had become used to, but tired from, long and sometimes bitter but at least partially successful wide-spread campaigns against lawn and garden pesticides and more recently against uranium mining. When I accepted the position my main environmental concern was climate change and it still is, with the challenge to think globally but act (even more) locally. 

 

Our first order of business was to try for a second time to convince the local Town Council to pass an anti-idling by-law. We emphasized the inefficiency and expense of idling to warm up our cars, the fact that idling engines have minimally active emissions controls and even more importantly, the growing need to reduce greenhouse gases by for example, limiting idling. We got a bylaw that sets no allowed time for idling but a fine of only $8, same as for a parking ticket, but this is Perth!  We co-produced educational bookmarks about reasons not to idle and have distributed them widely as well as visited elementary schools to spread the word. Our surveys of parents and bus drivers at local schools have revealed good awareness of reasons to stop idling but it is hard to know how successful this bylaw has really been.     

  

Then we decided to revive another campaign, initiated by another group, with the aim of cleaning up the local Tay River for swimming. It is no longer tested in Perth by the Health Unit because of persistently high e-Coli levels at the outdoor pool-within-the-river, and not officially open for swimming for the past fifteen years.  

 

None of this has stopped many adults and children from playing and swimming in the river as it flows right through the middle of Town in Stewart Park. We worked closely with the Friends of the Tay Watershed Association and held our public meeting called "Treasure the Tay: what can we do to make it safe for swimming?" and invited six speakers to tell us about what needed to be done and why, and out of that came a plan to meet again and a coalition of groups determined to make some progress on this. When Council later turned down our request for at least warning signs that the river might not be safe for swimming, citing lack of proof and fear that this could affect tourism, we raised funds for extensive testing to be done in keeping with local Health Unit standards and worked closely with the Friends of the Tay Watershed, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the Health Unit to design the testing program. The results were very educational, showing some e-Coli but generally not at levels that would be considered unsafe for swimming. That is until it rained, and then right after that, the levels rose dramatically to dangerous levels, coinciding with untreated and typically e-Coli polluted storm water gushing into the river. As well, tests repeated in higher temperatures all showed significantly higher eColi levels, another reason for concern related to global warming.

 

Council is taking this issue more seriously now and is currently pondering this information. We have given notice that we will be repeating our testing program this coming summer regardless. We have recommended better storm water management, prevention strategies to limit e-Coli pollution and educational signage.

 

 

The second year we held our public meeting entitled The Power of Local Food and invited local food producers to speak about their challenges and their products. Again we worked closely with another local group, Lanark Local Flavor and this all worked well to highlight the importance of supporting our local mostly-organic farmers market, local farm gate sales and restaurants that feature local food. In theses ways environmental and economic benefits were both emphasized and linked. Again Climate Change is of concern as many local farmers experienced drought this past summer especially and wonder how they will cope if this warming trend keeps up.  

 

This year we are currently planning our April meeting to be called "Protecting the Future of Perth in the Changing Environment: what can we do now?" and it will be about both adaptation to and remediation for Climate Change. The opportunity to bring together scientists from various levels of government as well as local politicians is we think what is needed to help us face this one head on and publicly. Climate Change is bad enough but that there is no plan outlined in our new Lanark County Sustainability Plan is even worse. Under Climate Change it only says "Opportunity for dialogue with local partners". Unfortunately this does not seem to be happening. So we will give it a try as our next project. We continue to think globally and act locally, all in a spirit of friendliness and co-operation, even when most of us are at times worried and even enraged at times as protective Mother Bears and Gramma Bears, aware that our children and grandchildren are facing a very uncertain future on this threatened planet, as never before. The support we give and get from each other is what makes it all possible.   

Depression in the Elderly: Why Should You Care? 

written by Victoria Skalin,  CFUW Oakville's, Sheridan College Journalism student submitted by Lyndsey Thom, CFUW Oakville.  

 

Dr Anne Braun, Associate Clinical Professor, in the Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry at McMaster University, addressed a   combined audience of Canadian Club members and Canadian Federation of University Women at the Oakville Conference Centre, November 22.     

 

In her presentation she addressed the issue of depression, referring to it as "the silent illness in the elderly", and adding that, " depression is a biochemical change and there is always a clinical reason for it."   Dr Braun, in her early career, noted that older patients and care givers often accept depression in the elderly, however, she emphasized that it is important to realize that depression is not a normal consequence of aging. It needs to be recognized, treated and monitored.    

 

Late life depression is becoming more prevalent as the population ages, and it will become more of a public health issue.   Dr Braun stated," Dementia changes the equation and poses more difficulties."The first onslaught of depression in seniors, where there are no medical stressors, can often be the beginning of dementia. "The older we are, the more vulnerable we become," said Dr Braun.  

 

Mental health issues tend to run in families and it is important to be aware of changes occurring in our loved ones. Changes in mood or somatic symptoms, poor responses to medical treatments, poor motivation to participate in treatment, and general lack of engagement need to be addressed.   

 

Dr Braun urged her audience to be prepared for the future, to be aware of changes in those close to them, to talk about catastrophic illness in families, and to follow-up. "If you haven't done a power of attorney ... then do one," she advised.  

 

Over the years, Dr Braun has been involved in a multitude of geriatric conditions, dementia, osteoporosis, and late onset psychiatric disturbances in the elderly. She has held multiple positions of leadership in several hospitals in the Central West Region of Ontario. Currently she is Medical Director of Geriatric Medicine and Complex Continuing Care at Brantford General Hospital and the Brant Community Health System. She is also a consultant geriatrician for St Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton as well as a consultant for Hamilton Health Sciences.   

 

CFUW Oakville is committed to promoting and supporting a mental health strategy both locally and nationally.  

 

Upcoming Meetings

2012 - 2013
Standing Committees Meetings
September 29, 2012
January 19, 2013 
March 16, 2013

 
CFUW OC AGM 2013
MAKING CONNECTIONS, MAKING COMMUNITY
HOSTED BY CFUW SUDBURY
JUNE 3-4, 2013