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Dear CFUW Ontario Council Members
Welcome to the D&D issue containing the programs for the January 23rd, 2016 Standing Committees Meeting and Ontario Council updates.
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Standing Committees Meeting
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January 23, 2016
Standing Committees
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Joint Morning Session
Topic: Supporting Student Learning-Ontario's Health and Physical Education Curriculum
Speakers: Myra Stephen, Education Officer, Curriculum and Assessment Policy Branch, Ministry of Education; Anne Facey, Health and Physical Education Teacher, St. Mary's HS, Waterloo Catholic District School Board
This plenary session will include an overview of the curriculum review process in Ontario, key changes in the Health and Physical Education curriculum, and supports for teachers and parents. Key aspects of the curriculum such as approaches to teaching and learning related to healthy living and in particular healthy relationships and HIV/AIDS education will be explored. Speakers will provide a brief overview of related work such as the work connected to safe, inclusive and accepting schools and discuss how this connects to student learning through the curriculum. Finally, a current high school teacher will share some reflections about student needs, teacher needs and practical examples of curriculum implementation at the school level.
Myra Stephen:
Myra Stephen was the lead on the review of the Health and Physical Education curriculum and has also led and supported work related to the Arts, Mental Health, Financial Literacy curriculum reviews and implementation. Myra has worked in the school system as a teacher, a curriculum consultant and as a Vice Principal. She has taught at the elementary and secondary levels, in Toronto and in Japan.
Anne Facey:
Anne Facey was a member of the writing team for the revised Health and Physical Education curriculum and has been a part of several provincial curriculum writing projects. She serves on the executive for OASPHE (Ontario Association for Support of Physical and Health Education). After 33 years of teaching in both elementary and secondary panels, Anne continues to be passionate about promoting and empowering others to lead healthy active lives.
In the afternoon break out session members of the Education Standing Committee will have an opportunity to look more deeply at key areas of change in the curriculum, specifically:
- Mental health
- Healthy relationships and consent
- Online safety and the risks of sexting
- Inclusion and learning related to gender identity and sexual orientation
There will be an opportunity to look at the progression of learning from grades 1-12 and also review parent resources to support this learning.
Please join us for a very stimulating MORNING and AFTERNOON session.
Kathy Wosnick, Education Committee Chair
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January 23, 2016 Afternoon Sessions |
Status of Women & Human Rights Committee
Topic: Women and Leadership: Overcoming the "Imposter Syndrome"
Speaker: Janet Siddall, Retired Diplomat, and CFUW Peterborough Immediate Past President
At thirty-four years of age, Janet landed back in Canada as an unemployed single mom with a 5 year-old daughter. Janet will share what she learned about life, luck and leadership on her journey to the corner office. From the unique view that a career in the Foreign Service offered her, to the importance of mentoring and giving back, Janet will reflect on the wonderful opportunity that CFUW women have to take their place as leaders in building stronger communities and a better world.
Janet Siddall is a retired Canadian diplomat who spent most of her thirty-year career working in immigration and refugee affairs in Africa and Asia. She also held several senior positions in Ottawa, including that of Assistant Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
But it was her early experiences in the 1980s in Kenya that led to her abiding passion for sub Saharan Africa and the challenges facing its people. By the time she returned to Africa in 2007 as the Canadian High Commissioner (Ambassador) to Tanzania, she knew what she would do when she retired in 2009.
Now a proud grandmother of four, Janet is a self-confessed Stephen Lewis "groupie". She is active in the local Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign in her adopted hometown of Peterborough. The Grandmothers Campaign supports the Stephen Lewis Foundation by raising funds and awareness on behalf of the grandmothers of sub Saharan African who are caring for their grandchildren orphaned by AIDS. Janet is also an active participant in the Grandmothers Advocacy Network (GRAN) and co leads the End Violence Against Women Working Group. GRAN is a civil society organization that advocates on behalf of grandmothers, vulnerable children and youth in sub Saharan Africa.
Janet joined the CFUW in 2012 and served as the President of the Peterborough Club in 2014/2015. When she is not visiting her grandchildren in Whitehorse, Yukon, Janet is proud to join the wonderful like-minded women in her community who advocate for social justice and women's rights.
Chair, Status of Women and Human Rights
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Legislation Committee
Topic: Strengthening the Retirement
Income System: The Ontario Registered Pension Plan (ORPP) - Update and Discussion
Speaker: Stephanie Woodward, Executive Director, Pension Innovation and Research Centre, Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University
At our meeting you will be provided with background information and an update on the ORPP (Ontario Registered Pension Plan). The lack of sufficient retirement income has been flagged by many advocacy groups such as CARP and the Older Women's Network, as well as financial policy experts. Many hoped the federal government would expand CPP capacity, a safe and stable option with broad population coverage. The ongoing erosion of employee retirement benefits, as well as changes in Old Age Security benefits, leave many Canadians vulnerable. Women are disproportionally affected due to the continuing gender wage gap and employment gaps resulting from time raising children. Financial security in retirement / old age is a factor in many of our policy issues, and is on Ontario Council's agenda. Last February, Brenda Robertson, our President, responded to a call for input from the Ministry of Finance, supporting the ORPP on behalf of CFUW Ontario Council. The Ontario Registered Pension Plan Act was passed after the consultation period. The story does not end here. There is still an implementation phase, dealing with the learning curve for both employers and employees, and the issue of CPP and how a change in the federal government could impact this.
Stephanie Woodward will enlighten us with her expertise on the complex landscape of pension options, alternatives and benefits. Prior to joining Ryerson, Stephanie was Director, Stakeholder Relations at the Ontario Pension Board (OPB), the administrator of the $23 billion Ontario Public Service Pension Plan. In her role at OPB, Stephanie was responsible for communication strategy and relationship building with OPB clients and stakeholders.
Stephanie will lead the discussion, focusing on the three pillars of retirement (government pillar, employer pillar, and personal savings), and how the ORPP fits in. Time will be spent talking about what is driving the need for the ORPP, how it connects with possible CPP expansion, and about how this pension plan will be structured, and what that means for the various stakeholders.
Sheila Lacroix, Chair, Legislation Committee
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President's Message
January 2016
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"A woman with a voice is
by definition a strong woman.
But the search to find that voice
can be remarkably difficult."
Melinda Gates
As we close the door to 2015, we take a breath with fresh purpose and renewed vision as we move forward into 2016. New beginnings can start anytime, but especially so at the start of a new year. Plans are made, anniversaries to celebrate and new endeavours to anticipate.
Our CFUW organization is approaching its 100th year. How remarkable is that! Efforts are already well underway to recognize the contributions made by CFUW, locally, provincially, nationally and internationally. We have this rich legacy of promoting education, the status of women and human rights. As a self-funded organization, we can advocate on a range of issues. Our voices are heard and our presence acknowledged in government consultations, at the United Nations, with our partners.
Our voices are all the stronger because of your participation. The strength of our organization is in the strength of each and every member. Working together we have accomplished much, and more is yet to come.
With the change in government, women's issues are front and centre. Nationally we have a Minister of Status of Women, a move forward on the inquiry for missing and murdered aboriginal women, efforts to put forth a new child care plan. Provincially, Ontario Council has been involved in consultations on Sexual Violence and Harassment and now the Gender Wage Gap. We have made presentations to ministers and the premier's office on Human Trafficking and Early Learning and Child Care. For almost a hundred years, we have been working on women's security and advancement, and we are not done yet. We celebrate each step and the occasional leaps along the way. We continue to be steadfast and perseverant in our efforts to ensure gender equality and equity whether in the workplace or society at large.
Internationally, we now have the opportunity to support refugees from Syria. In the fall, Ontario Council was contacted by the International organization's Hegg-Hoffet committee. This committee provides assistance to women fleeing war zones, or some other crises and who would like to continue their education in a safe, stable country. The young woman we were asked to liaise with had just been in Canada for a year and wanted to complete courses for accreditation in Human Resources. We did liaise with Yamna, and working diligently with the Hegg-Hoffet Chair, ensured that she received tuition funding.
We invited Yamna to the Ontario West Fall Gathering which she gratefully accepted. A young woman who will benefit her community and give much back to her new home, Canada. Other clubs in Ontario have informed me of their involvement in supporting Syrian refugees. Please share your initiatives and story of how your club is making a difference in the lives of our newcomers.
Few of us perhaps can imagine, having a new beginning in a new country, a very different chapter than what was originally expected. Canada has opened its doors in welcome. CFUW clubs open their doors in welcome to all women who would like to join giving support and most special, fellowship to those who walk through the doors.
I would like to thank you, thank you for sharing your time, skills and talents with CFUW. My very best wishes for the new year to you and your clubs.
In closing, I would like to leave you with this thought by Marie Currie.
"We must believe that we are gifted
for something, and that this thing,
at whatever cost, must be attained."May we use our voices and gifts to make change happen.
Sincerely
Brenda
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CFUW Burlington
CFUW Burlington is sponsoring a refugee family!
At our October advocacy committee meeting, Isabelle Harmer raised the idea of helping out a refugee family saying she had an apartment in her home she could lend. Everyone liked the idea and so it was proposed at the next executive meeting. The executive agreed, provided that it would remain a self supporting committee to which members might choose to contribute or not. A refugee committee was struck and the membership informed at the October general meeting. The committee produced a short video, to put on line, asking for support, outlining our sponsorship, and a limit was set of accepting no more than 4 people in a family.
We opted to work through the Anglican diocese who, as many churches, do, had an existing sponsorship permit and will therefore share costs with the government. This means having to raise only $15 000 instead of $30 000. To date we have raised enough to fill out the official application December 8th. We are busy collecting household goods as well as exploring housing. Burlington has a 0.9 vacancy rate for 2 bedroom apartments so this will be the most difficult part. Isabelle lives in the country so she may host the family till we find something more central.
We were able to make an arrangement so we can hand out tax receipts and anyone interested can donate through our website. Closing the Gender Wage Gap CFUW Burlington had the opportunity to attend a consultation with the provincial wage gap committee when it came to Burlington. In preparation, the advocacy committee read the background materials on the committee's websitewhich were quite extensive and contained up to date information. The advocacy members jointly went over the 11 questions the committee wanted us to consider and will submit their answers in writing. CFUW Burlington is a member of AWH, a women's coalition in Halton with over 20 member organizations. Representatives of AWH were invited to a private meeting with the committee at 4pm. I was one of three selected to meet with the committee. To our surprise we had the committee to ourselves for an hour and presented our case. I addressed the fact that care giving plays havoc with women's careers, both while having young children and while caring for elderly parents. The remedies are well-known. Universal, accessible, quality childcare and better home care will free up women to be more active in paid careers and financially stable during work and in retirement. Precarious, contract and part time employment which many women in this situation resort to also contributes to the wage gap, e.g. women teaching at universities. Joey Edwarth (Community Development Halton) next addressed precarious employment. Over 50% of the GTA labours in this area, many individuals in the non-profit sector. All part time and contract work should have proportionate benefits and pensions. Unions make a great deal of difference in eliminating the wage gap as studies have shown. Care giving professions, which are dominated by females, should be valued with a living wage. Margaret Barrie (SAFE) presented a printed summary of our opinions as a group. She added attitudinal change, enforced abolition of harassment of women in male dominated workplaces, standardized hiring practices, open salary scales, government enforcement of rules rather than mere guidelines. The public consultation was well attended. Speakers took turns speaking. Midwives, PSWs, ECE grads, a single mom with 2 toddlers clinging to her knees, a disabled person, all pleaded their case.
The Committee will continue to accept individual stories, until February as well as submissions from groups until January15th,2016. They are primarily interested, they told us, in HOW to close the wage gap . The easiest way to submit would be to answer the 11 questions they listed on their web site.
CFUW Burlington's Response to the Closing the Gender Wage Gap Committee
On November 23d, this Ministry of Labour Committee visited Burlington. CFUW Burlington prepared for its attendance by pooling answers to the 11 questions asked by the committee, at its October advocacy committee meeting. The committee will receive written submissions till January 15th,2016 but it has also asked for individual life stories on its website which it will accept till the end of February so here is your chance!
1. Harassment of women in non traditional fields prevents many from working in them, just as low wages in female dominated sectors stop men from entering the female job ghettos.
2. More people would join non traditional fields if encouraged by good guidance councilors, role models, mentors, sponsors and access to informal networks at work.
3. To protect women from gender related workplace discrimination, more female judges, MPPs, CEOs, work supervisors and Board members would ensure penalties for non enforcement of regulations.
4. Care giving responsibilities can be supported by subsidized childcare, flexible hours, time off without penalty, maternity and paternity leaves without penalties, compassionate leaves and better home care.
5. Barriers that prevent women from being hired, promoted to leadership positions are not enough female executives, Board members and CEOs.
6.Employers could equalize opportunities by offering encouragement in the form of mentors, breaking down internal barriers, publicizing opportunities, holding management accountable, creating inclusive work cultures, making compensation transparent and complying with legislation rather than working around it.
7. Mandatory progress reports, setting targets, timelines and penalties and applying a gender lens to all legislation to confirm with the Beijing Platform for Action to which Canada is a signatory would go a long way to eliminating gender wage gaps and imbalances.
8. Yes, some groups such as the disabled, First Nations and immigrants are affected more than average since they are over represented in precarious, contract and part time employment. Work place standards should apply to them as should benefits and pensions prorated for all time worked, not just 25%
9. Changes in attitude can be created through education, giving people voice at the table and by the affected people speaking up for themselves. Unions are a big help in this regard.
10. All of the above should be part of best practices.
11. The main barrier has been lack of political will. Just do it. It's 2015.
Marianne Singh-Waraich
CFUW Burlington
CFUW Saugeen
The Club's workshop on "Communicating with Clarity" was a great success. Debera from QUILL and Leah, the facilitator, were pleased with the attendance, although I had hoped for more people! We had two sessions-morning and afternoon- with representation from community agencies and organizations. Grey County, Hanover Parks and Recreation, YMCA Employment, both school boards, St. John's Ambulance, United Way, CAS, Saugeen Economic Development, ODSP, Four County Planning Marketing Board and private businesses sent participants. Most of these organizations sent more than one person. The feedback was positive and in fact Debera has told me that one municipality has since requested a workshop for their employees. I made community connections with possible future partnerships. Dave Barrett, coordinator of Skills Work for Women Career Exploration, for both the public and the separate school boards, invited me as a CFUW member to the Career Exploration Event in Chesley on November 26. He was impressed with our mandate and felt we could partner on promoting trades for young women. The event highlights careers in the skilled trades and technologies. I also had conversations with many of the participants who knew nothing about CFUW. Debera introduced me as a partner and as the president of CFUW Saugeen. I gave a short background about our organization and about the "Plain Language Resolution." We also had pamphlets and programs as handouts. I was given the opportunity to speak at the end of each workshop as well and I charged everyone to promote the use of clear writing and to pass on the message. I was invited to the QUILL 20th Anniversary AGM last week and had another opportunity to promote CFUW. The highlight of the event was when Debera, the Executive Director of QUILL, introduced our club, CFUW Saugeen, as a new partner. She talked about the workshop and our collaboration to the 50 people at the AGM. Most of them are in the Literacy field, and included 4 people from the Ministry of Universities and Colleges. More positive exposure. I will be writing a letter to the editor thanking everyone who participated in the workshop and especially QUILL for their support in making it possible. Trudy Baran, President, CFUW Saugeen CFUW Orangeville & District
CFUW Orangeville recently gained local support when this article appeared in the Orangeville Citizen:
Sunday is National Day of Remembrance
Sunday is the National Day of Remembrance on Violence Against Women.
Fourteen young women were senselessly murdered at École Polytechnique on December 6, 1989. As we take pause to reflect on the inequality and beliefs that caused this tragedy, we are reminded that violence continues to be a reality for far too many women and girls in our community and across Canada every day.
Not enough has been done on the issue of violence against women in Canada. We are reminded of this when, 26 years after those horrific acts in Montreal, three women in Wilno, Ontario, were targeted and murdered by their former partner, a man known to the police as being violent and who had been harassing his victims for some time.
The current response to violence against women in Canada has failed to lower the levels of violence, to adequately protect and educate the population.
On any given day, over 8200 women and children are living in emergency shelters and transition houses to escape intimate partner violence in Canada. Over 400,000 women and girls 15 years of age and older report they had been sexually assaulted annually. We know however that approximately 90% of all sexual assaults go unreported to police.
The United Nations called for all countries to implement a National Action Plan on Violence against Women by 2015. With the new government's promise to implement a National Action Plan, CFUW Orangeville & District calls for this plan to be comprehensive, coordinated and meaningful: to be reached through consultations with women's groups and Indigenous groups in particular.
Gender-based violence is something we can prevent and work towards eliminating in Canada. Won't you join us in supporting local groups working towards this vision, and in calling for a National Action Plan?
Ingrid Sproxton, Jennifer Gohn, Presidents
Canadian Federation of University Women Orangeville
CFUW Southport
Southport was so pleased to have such wonderful coverage of our Dec. 6 Vigil in the Saugeen Shores Hub:
The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) - Southport held their annual vigil on Sunday, December 6. Approximately 40 people came together to remember the 14 young women who died in 1989 at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal: Anne Marie Lemay; Anne Marie Edward; Annie St-Arneault; Annie Turcotte; Barbara Daigneault; Barbara Klucznik; Genevieve Bergeron; Helene Colgan; Maryse Laganiere; Maryse Leclair; Maud Haviernick; Michele Richard; Natalie Croteau; Sonia Pelletier.
After entering a classroom, separating the women from the men and telling the men to leave, a gunman declared that feminists had ruined his life and went on a 20 minute shooting rampage, before taking his own life.
In 1991 the Parliament of Canada established the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women to honour those 14 young women. CFUW members lit candles for the victims of the Ecole Polytechnique tragedy and for all women in Canada who continue to be abused or killed most often by their male partners.
CFUW Southport President Pat McCutcheon addressed the crowd, "Last year 427,000 women in Canada over the age of 15 reported they had been sexually assaulted. With police statistics confirming that only one in 10 assaults are reported the actual number is staggering," she said. McCutcheon continued, saying that on average every six days a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner and Indigenous women are three times more likely to be the victim of a violent crime and four times more likely to be murdered than their non Indigenous sisters. "The CFUW is relieved to see the new Government of Canada taking action on Missing and Murdered Aboriginal women. We urge them to work closely with Aboriginal Groups, women's groups and the RCMP to find long lasting solutions to end the violence," said McCutcheon.
McCutcheon believes that the deeply rooted beliefs and systemic inequality that played a role in this act of violence 26 years ago, continue to go unexamined in Canadian society and that overall little has changed.
Last year the Canadian network of women's shelters released their first pan-Canadian survey results on the state of emergency shelters in Canada. On an average day the 242 shelters in this country assist more than 4,000 women and their children. In Grey Bruce there are emergency shelter services available through the Women's House Serving Bruce and Grey. If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship and needs help, please call 519-372-1113.
CFUW Southport is a non partisan, not for profit group actively working to improve the socio- economic status of women and girls with a focus on education.
For more information, find them on Facebook or visit their website CFUW Southport.
Pat McCutcheon
President, CFUW Southport
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CFUW Welland and District
We are very proud to announce the celebration of our 75th ANNIVERSARY in 2016. We have partnered with our local Museum to present an historical exhibit at the Museum June 11 - July 23, 2016. It will include archival material such as original hand-written Minutes, newspaper clippings, photos and scrap books. Items from the Museum such as ladies' hats and garments and other artifacts from the time will also grace our exhibit. Our members will provide period items from their personal collections
At our Annual Book Sale each October we sell hundreds of books to the Welland and district communities. The citizens look forward every year. We actually personally call more than 100 people who have given us their contacts so that they can be notified. Many more attend. Proceeds support 8 scholarships for local female high school graduates. The efforts of our convener and members is extensive but reports are that everyone enjoys working together.
Many of our members host a "Breaking Bread" lunch or dinner each year with menus provided by the members. Cash donations from the participants support women teachers in Afghanistan (2015 donations paid a year's salary for 2 1/2 teachers.) The name of the charity is CW4AW Afghanistan Women.
From a social point of view we enjoy many interest groups such as book clubs, bridge clubs, 'out and about' lunches as well as enjoying each others company at our monthly meetings. Our 2015/16 monthly program includes speakers on the "Holland Experience" Veteran's Day; Welland's Economic Development; and Wellspring Niagara (women's cancer support). Carol Sernasie CFUW Welland and District
CFUW Owen Sound & District
Owen Sound is making the news with investing in the community fund for their scholarships. They got great press coverage with this article:
New Endowment Fund Set Up -
Women's University Group donates $20,000 to new Education Fund.
A new education endowment fund has been created for students in Grey Bruce.
The Canadian Federation of University Women Owen Sound & Area donated $20,000 on Tuesday to the new fund which will be held by Community Foundation Grey Bruce.
The donation was announced at Legacy Ridge Golf prior to the groups 25th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon.
CFUW Owen Sound & Area worked with the Foundation to arrange a transfer of ownership of GIC's to create the endowment .
It will create a permanent endowed fund that will provide annual scholarships for local high school graduates to support post-secondary education in perpetuity.
Community Foundation Grey Bruce will match the donation fifty cents on every dollar, adding $10,000 to the education endowment fund.
For a quarter century, CFUW has provided educational opportunities for female high school graduates residing in Owen Sound & area who are pursuing post-secondary studies.
Community Foundation Grey Bruce is a public charity and grant-making organization serving charities and not-for-profit organizations in Grey and Bruce Counties.
The Foundation has granted upwards of $600,000 in 2015, the largest annual distribution in its 21 year history.
http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2015/12/08/group-makes-donation-to-create-scholarship-fund http://owensoundhub.org/life/1648-local-women-create-education-endowment.htmlRuth Henderson CFUW Owen Sound CFUW Saugeen  A 30th Anniversary Celebration!CFUW Saugeen's local paper The Post carried this article by writer Mary Golem:
The power of women working together.
It's what the Canadian Federation of University Women organization is all about and glancing through an archival display at the Saugeen group's 30th anniversary celebration September 28th at the Saugeen Municipal Airport, it was obvious the local group has lived up to its mandate.
Over the years, the group - which has had different names, different members and different meeting locations - has had one thing remain constant - their desire to ensure that "all girls and women have equal opportunities and equal access to quality education within a peaceful and secure environment where their human rights are respected."
The awarding of scholarships to over 100 deserving graduates, fighting for plain language on documents, promoting literacy and offering opportunities for women to socialize, develop leadership skills and work together toward common goals are just some of the group's accomplishments since its inception in 1985-86.
"Our program is diverse and enlightening as we educate ourselves on the issues and challenges facing women and girls" the group's anniversary program read. "With knowledge, we can educate."
The organization's vision includes a world where poverty is reduced, discrimination eliminated, where there are equal opportunities for leadership, employment, income, education, careers and the ability to maximize potential.
The women's advocacy group is self-funded with 54 clubs in Ontario and 5300 members.
The Saugeen group, although small in number, "are seen as leaders in their community", Ontario Council President Brenda Robertson of North Bay said, adding the group's long-standing commitment to ensure all documents are written in plain language for all to understand "is a good example of the group's determination and purpose."
On Friday October 23, CFUW Saugeen is presenting a Communicating with Clarity workshop at the Walkerton Agricultural Hall. The workshop will teach participants how to write messages, design documents and communicate with others in a clear, concise manner, For more information on the workshop, or to register contact QUILL Learning Network at 519-881-4655 or CFUW Saugeen at 519-364-4015.
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- Letter sent to Premier Wynne regarding the passing of Bill 66 Great Lakes Protection Act amendments
- Material on Early Childhood Education and Child Care from the Atkinson Foundation sent out to Ontario clubs
- Advocacy material sent to clubs on the Grandma Asked me to Vote campaign
- Received letter from Ministry of Education re: OC submission to consultations on the new Physical Education and Health curriculum
- Advocacy material sent to clubs on consultations by provincial government on Gender Wage Gap
- Attended consultations on Gender Wage Gap.
- Ontario Council sent in written submission on Gender Wage Gap
- Attended two day provincial Summit on the government's strategy "It's Never Okay" Sexual Violence and Harassment in Toronto November 19-20
- Ontario Council response sent on A Blueprint for Change: A Proposal to Modernize and Strengthen the Aggregate Resources Act policy framework (EBR #012-5444)
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CFUW Ontario North October 24, 2015
Empowerment - Letting Your Power Out
CFUW Orillia hosted a very successful and enjoyable Ontario North Fall Gathering Saturday October 24th 2015 at the Fern Resort in Orillia. Fifty eight delegates registered for the Gathering. The programme was well balanced, the speakers were outstanding and the venue was excellent. It was a great day for gathering new ideas and meeting women across the North. CFUW Orillia is very proud to have produced a deficit free Fall Gathering.
The Local Organizing Committee (LAC) of Barbara Jones and Jeanne Page, Chairs, and committee members Karen Thorington, Roline Maconachie and Joan Gordon, did an outstanding job. The vision of the LAC was to organize a Fall Gathering that was educational, memorable, beneficial, good value for the dollar and above all fun. It was all of these and more!
Ontario Council President, Brenda Robertson gave a morning address to the assembly, bringing greetings and talking about our purpose in CFUW.
The programme featured excellent speakers and focused on the theme of empowerment. Annabel Slaight, the co-founder of "Owl and Chickadee", gave an honest and humorous address on the theme of empowerment. She shared 5 legacy items that she and the Ladies of the Lake learned from their experiences:
1. Always be for something never against
2. Welcome the unexpected
3. Concoct recipes for projects with weird and wonderful ingredients
4. Keep an eye out for new friends and partners
5. Never be boring and always have fun
Susan Clarke demonstrated how yoga can empower the mind and body. She encouraged people to do as much as your body is able. People left her session relaxed and energized.
Carol Ivey, Director & Vice President of RBC Dominion Securities focused her presentation on Financial Empowerment in 3 areas
1. How to build wealth
2. How to retain wealth
3. How to grow wealth
Attendees were empowered and inspired by her presentation.
Sarah Csekey, a professional public librarian working out of the Orillia Public Library encouraged us to learn how to use social media platforms to engage in the world and promote our ideas.
Corey Hoch Bullen, a graduate in Sociology and Social work spoke about "Life's Journey" and the three things that limit us from achieving our full potential:
1. Regrets over the past
2. Resentment and envy in the present
3. Fear of what the future holds
She left attendees with many ideas on how to take steps to live a happier and more fulfilling life.
The afternoon session ended with "Two Minute Presentations" during which Clubs had the opportunity to share a successful idea or event. CFUW Orillia presented their new governance model for the executive and management of general meetings.
CFUW North Bay presented the Kick Off event for celebrating the Club's 75th Anniversary in 2016, a Silent Auction Fundraiser, and the recognition of the International Day of the Girl Child Oct. 11th with a presentation by Hannah Bywater a 15 year old changing the world one project at a time. CFUW Haliburton Highlands presented their new governance model for Club leadership titled The Three Part President.
CFUW Thunder Bay presented their Walk A Mile Project and their basketeer initiative.
CFUW Muskoka presented the Club's initiative to support and maintain the presence of Nipissing University in the community.
On behalf of the Ontario North Clubs I thank you for hosting such an empowering Fall Gathering!
Kaarina Tulisalo
Regional Director, Ontario North
CFUW Ontario West October 31, 2015
Women on Track - All Aboard !
On October 31st 2015, the CFUW clubs of Ontario West hosted their first Fall Gathering in 3 years! With the support of several other Ontario West clubs, CFUW St Thomas President Diane Marcou and her team took charge, arranging the venue, the menu and one of the plenary speakers. Her members came together to handle the budget, the morning refreshments and the seasonal center-pieces on each table.
Earlier in the summer, representatives from CFUW St Thomas, London, Stratford, Cambridge, Guelph and Kitchener met at the Canada Southern (CASO) Station to preview the venue, agree on a theme and choose the menu.
Diane welcomed 55 members and guests and Ontario Council President Brenda Robertson brought greetings from CFUW.
The theme for the day was community collaborations. Margaret MacPherson, Centre for Research & Education on Violence Against Women and Children (CREVAWC), talked to us about "Building a Bigger Wave", an Ontario network for Violence Against Women Coordinating Committees.
Concurrent breakout sessions followed, one on Community Connections, lead by CFUW Guelph's Advocacy Chair, Isobel Boyle and the other on Membership, lead by RD Ontario West, Cheryl Ambrose.
Isobel introduced CFUW Guelph's Community Connection project, a partnership with Bridges out of Poverty that grew out of the club's concern about poverty and their 2013 resolution entitled Moving Canadians Out of Poverty which advocates for the creation of a Basic Income Guarantee. The club held a visioning meeting later that fall and members voiced not only strong ongoing support for scholarships, but a desire to advocate for and connect with local initiatives, particularly those with links to poverty. "When we identified organizations in the community who were involved in actions against poverty, we were introduced to an exciting initiative in our community Bridges Out of Poverty http://wwwwdgpublichealth.ca/?q+bridges. It seemed a perfect fit for CFUW Guelph, who already had a small fund-raising initiative - pre-meeting dinners - that the club channeled towards an annual project. This fund was redirected to support a 3-year minimum commitment to a "community connection". After a delicious lunch, Hilary Vaughan spoke on the importance of self esteem for girls, followed by Cheryl Hayles, CFUW VP International, who presented information and led a roundtable discussion on GWI.
The gathering ended with acknowledgements and closing remarks and everyone was home in time for Halloween Eve.
Cheryl Ambrose,
Regional Director, Ontario West
CFUW Ontario Central November 7, 2015
Ontario Central's Clubs met at Yorkminster Baptist Church in Toronto. The theme of the day was Talk It Out. That is what Presidents, Vice Presidents and Club chairs for Advocacy, Membership and Program did.
The groups were chaired by the following members: Kathy Wosnick (Vaughan) Presidents/VPs; Peggy Pinkerton (Etobicoke) Advocacy; Pat Cleland (Etobicoke) Membership; Cathy Vendramin (UWCNorth ) Program.
Patricia Joyce, Regional Director and organizer of the day welcomed the 52 delegates from 12 of the 13 Clubs in the region.
VP Ontario, Brenda Robertson brought greetings and encouragement from Ontario Council and National CFUW.
Margaret McGovern, Chair of the Toronto Caucus explained who this group is and their work on early learning, now a National initiative.
Then the groups "Talked It Out" about successes, concerns and solutions for the rest of the morning.
The day ended at noon with groups going off to local restaurants for lunch.
An evaluation showed that it was a highly successful event and should be continued.
I congratulate and thank all that helped and attended this event. The cost was low and the participation high! I have booked the event again for 2016 on Nov. 12!
Patricia Joyce,
Regional Director, Ontario Central
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| Club Anniversaries in 2016 |
Congratulations!!
CFUW St. Catharines 1921 95
CFUW Welland & District 1941 75
CFUW North Bay 1941 75
CFUW Windsor 1946 70
UWC North York 1951 65
CFUW St. Thomas 1951 65
CFUW Scarborough 1961 55
CFUW Brampton 1961 55
CFUW Georgetown 1971 45
CFUW Kincardine 1991 25
CFUW Owen Sound & Dist. 1991 25
CFUW Northumberland 1991 25
CFUW Grimsby 1991 25
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2016 Ontario Council AGM News
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CFUW Ontario Council Annual General Meeting 2016 May 13 & 14, 2016 Hockley Valley Resort 793522 3rd Line EHS, Mono (just northwest of Orangeville)
Friday May 13 Welcome Reception & Leadership Workshop Saturday May 14 Business Meeting & Plenary Sessions
Building Bridges - Creating Connections
- To Honour the Truth & Reconcile for the Future
- To Reduce Poverty
Registration fee Friday & Saturday - $110 per person
Friday Welcome Reception only - $25 per person
Hosted by CFUW - Orangeville & District
Brochures/Registration Forms available in January
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Standing Committees Meetings
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2016 AGMs and Conferences
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Ontario Council AGM and Conference
May 13 and 14, 2016
Orangeville, Ontario
CFUW AGM and Conference
June 23-25, 2016
St. Catharines, Ontario
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