|
|
|
Dear CFUW Ontario Council Members
Welcome to the D&D News From Ontario Council issue containing reports from the January 23rd, 2016 Standing Committees Meeting and other Ontario Council updates.
|
|
Next Standing Committees Meeting
Register for our next
Standing Committees Meeting
|
|
|
January 23, 2016
Standing Committees
|
|
|
Joint Morning Session
Topic: Supporting Student Learning-Ontario's Health and Physical Education Curriculum
Myra Stephen, Education Officer in the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Branch, Ontario Ministry of Education, provided an overview of the day. She asked our members to share their questions about the new curriculum and to identify key issues facing young people today. Myra began the presentation with a historical framework of physical and health education in Ontario, based initially in military exercises. A summary of the curriculum review process, beginning with research and incorporating many layers of fact checking and consultation, demonstrate the depth and complexity of writing a new curriculum document.
Due to much public protest the 2010 curriculum was released without the Human Health and Development section. After further refinement and extensive consultation fully updated Elementary and Secondary documents were released in 2015, together with Parent Guides to clarify key topics, themes and overall expectations aligned with 21st century skills needed by Ontario students.
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 were explored.
Anne Facey, teacher at St. Mary's High School in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, and a member of the writing team for the revised Health and Physical Education curriculum, discussed curriculum from the school perspective. Teens are particularly vulnerable to peer influence and need a strong base of reliable information (built up from elementary through secondary school years), time to think and reflect and opportunities to develop and practice decision making skills. It is especially important to promote a healthy body image and develop positive self-esteem. Effective professional development for teachers, which has been provided through the Ministry of Education, has been vital to the process of implementation.
In the afternoon small group session, members had an opportunity to hear student voices and their reflections on the new curriculum. Students welcome opportunities to learn new skills and practice staying healthy and active. They want to be given facts about healthy relationships, how to recognize and maintain mental as well as physical health. Students are happy parents have been given resources to help prompt conversations, to keep communication open. Members looked at four key curriculum changes in a jigsaw activity: Healthy Relationships and Consent, Safe Online Communication and Risks of Sexting, Mental Health and Diversity-including Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation. Members were able to look at the progression of learning from grades 1-12 and review the extensive parent resources to support this learning. Additional information is available on the Ministry of Education website www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng and print copies. Documents can be ordered through www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/publications/.
Kathy Wosnick, Education Committee, Chair
|
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
Our afternoon speaker, Janet Siddall gave an awe-inspiring talk about her life and lessons learned as she thoughtfully tackled her topic. Janet used her life experience as a single mother working as a Canadian diplomat in the male-dominated world of Canadian Foreign Service to highlight problems women face. She quoted people such as Margie Wirrell, International Speaker and best-selling author of "Stop Playing it Safe, Find your Brave". Ms Wirrell explains in her book that the Imposter Syndrome is the domain of the high achiever.
Janet proposed four strategies to overcome the sense of imposter and to find your own brave:
Focus on the Value You Bring
- Find your passion
- Play to your strengths
- Giving your best not the same as being the best - perfection not required
Own Your Success
- You didn't get lucky by chance
- Women more likely than men attribute success to external factors rather than their own talent and hard work
- Acknowledge and claim your successes
- Seek out mentors
Cease Comparisons
- "Comparison is an act of violence against the self" according to author Ilyanla Vanzant
- Comparisons are always subjective, often biased, and rarely helpful
- Comparisons are actually comparing your insides with others outsides -i.e., comparing your weaknesses with others strengths
Hold Firm to Ambition: Risk Outright Exposure!
- "While playing safe removes the immediate risk of exposure, it opens up the greater risk of never knowing just how capable, deserving and more than worthy you truly are". Margie Warrell
- "Lean in to new challenges" Sheryl Sandberg
- Along the path, don't forget to have fun
And finally, Janet summed up her inspiring life lessons with the following conclusion:
"I really believe that it is time that the women of our generation claim our hard earned right to lead, to be the agents of change. We are among the best educated, healthiest, wealthiest, talented cohort of women on the planet. We have "arrived" at times to our own amazement. We have the time and the energy to give back, to mentor young women, to "shine our light" as Gloria Steinem has said. We have nothing to lose by claiming our power to speak out for what is just. I no longer feel like an imposter, I know I am the "real deal" and so are you.
Status of Women and Human Rights, Chair
|
|
Legislation Committee
Topic: Strengthening the Retirement
Income System: The Ontario Registered Pension Plan (ORPP) - Why, How and Where It's At
Speaker: Stephanie Woodward, Executive Director, Pension Innovation and Research Centre, Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University
The topic focused on the Ontario Registered Pension Plan (ORPP), within the broader context of the societal issue of financial security for older Canadians. The landscape has been changing and fewer have the benefit of reaching retirement with the security of a workplace pension. Added to this are the ongoing issues that more women than men face:
- Precarious employment meaning fewer benefits,
- Interrupted careers resulting from time off for child raising,
- Lower earnings, which is well documented from the gender wage gap data currently collected for the Ontario Government initiative.
To add to this, future retirees will be affected by the change in age eligibility for OAS benefits from 65 to 67, and workplace trends showing more frequent job and career changes which interrupt accumulated retirement benefits when available.
Stephanie Woodward was an ideal guest speaker on this issue. She came to the Pension Innovation Research Centre with extensive experience working in pension administration. She also brought an enthusiasm for a topic, which could be considered 'dry', as well as a 'big picture' societal approach.
As background, we were walked through the three pillars of retirement income: government, employers, and personal savings. This is a good way to identify insufficiencies driving the need for the ORPP, or an increased CPP, which is not imminent and was rejected by the previous federal government. The federal government currently provides the first pillar. Part of this is CPP, which provides a maximum income of $12,450 per year, although the average income in Ontario was $6,900 (2014 figures). The other source is OAS, which is income dependent. This is where the ORPP fits in.
The second pillar is income through employer plans such as defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans and other types of registered plans. However, only 35% of Ontario workers participate in a workplace plan and this figure drops to 25% for younger workers, 25 to 34.
The third pillar, personal savings, includes RRSPs, investments such as GICs, as well as equity in one's home and anticipated inheritance. There are concerns with this source as well. In Ontario there is $300 billion in unused RRSP contributions. Salaries have not kept up with inflation so it is a challenging environment for saving.
In a nutshell, declining workplace pension coverage, and inadequate personal savings are driving the need for a vehicle such as the ORPP. If the situation is not addressed, it could lead to seniors facing financial hardship, which has repercussions for economic growth, and the cost of social and health services.
Moving to the 'How', the guiding principles are to follow the model of CPP, a defined benefit plan. Key features are: sustainability, cost effectiveness, coverage for those without pension plans, fair, providing adequate coverage, and portable. The aim is to replace 15% of one's earnings to a maximum of $90,000. Starting at age 18, employers and employees will each contribute 1.9% of earnings, which are locked in with benefits accumulating until retirement. It will result in a predictable stream of income for life.
The Government of Ontario has an ambitious schedule for getting the ORPP off the ground. It is to start effective 2017 for large employers who do not offer a registered pension plan, followed by a phased in approach over five years to 2021 when all contributors will be contributing 1.9%. Ontario is looking at service delivery models aiming for one that is cost effective, simple and reliable. Partnering with one of the large public pension plans is an option. Ultimately, it is hoped that the ORPP will be able to be integrated in an expanded CPP.
The ORPP is not without opposition. This is an added cost to employers, some who see this as a 'tax', which it is not, because the funds go directly into the plan, not the general government coffers. How responsible should the employer be for the employee's retirement security? What about minimum wage earners? Is this an unfair burden? Is the government being too paternalistic? It certainly is a balancing act. Perhaps if the minimum wage were increased to represent a living wage, it would not be such a burden for employees.
Ontario Council responded to the Ontario Government's request for submissions about the ORPP in support of the proposed model as it provides a social safety net - one of many ways to reduce poverty and support a healthier society. The letter sent by President Brenda Robertson is posted on the Ontario Council web site.
On a positive note, the Conference Board of Canada did a cost benefit analysis of the ORPP and concluded that it will be good for the economy in the long run. Contributions will be invested in the Ontario economy and future retirees will have adequate retirement savings. Stephanie navigated us through a challenging topic and much lively discussion. At the end, we focused on the big picture - the over all benefit of the ORPP and how this type of government program is consistent with the mission of CFUW.
Sheila Lacroix, Legislation Committee, Chair
|
CFUW Barrie & District
WILL YOUR CFUW CLUB SUPPORT OUR PROPOSED RESOLUTION?
"Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls - Ending the Marginalization of Indigenous Women in Canadian Society"
WHY WE HOPE YOU WILL:
- When the newly elected Liberal Government announced the plan for an inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, CFUW Barrie offered to withdraw this resolution.
- CONSENSUS OF THE NATIONAL RESOLUTION COMMITTEE: GO FORWARD WITH THIS RESOLUTION!
- WHY? We need policy on this issue! Government needs to know the CFUW position, speak to our point of view, know we are watching and expecting action.
- A recent Toronto Star review of more than 750 murder victims suggests that acquaintances, strangers and serial killers murdered 44% of the women.
As caring Canadians, we must:
- Acknowledge the seriousness of the problem.
- Support research into the extent and causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls.
- Provide resources for police to make prevention of violence against Indigenous women a genuine priority.
- Address the social and economic factors that lead to Indigenous women's extreme vulnerability to violence.
- End the marginalization on Indigenous women and girls in our society.
From CFUW Newsletter December 2015
CFUW Responds to Speech from the Throne, December 7, 2015
CFUW is a fervent advocate for the inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous women and girls. We support the government taking action in establishing a two-year national inquiry, and in doing so, we urge them to:
- Examine the deeper, systemic issues underlying why indigenous women are at such great risk of violence, including explicit exploration of racism, sexism and colonialism
- Research and highlight the specific effects of colonialism and how they are contributing to this systemic discrimination
- Empower women and their families to take the lead: ensure that all stories are heard by providing transportation and access to the hearings
- Approach the inquiry with the aim of empowering indigenous women and families, and establishing concrete steps that can be taken to heal the wounds of colonialism, support Canada's indigenous peoples to live in safe and healthy communities
CFUW Barrie & District Proposed Resolution Resolved Clauses
RESOLVED
that the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) urge the Government of Canada to adopt and implement the recommendations of the Amnesty International 2004 report: Stolen Sisters: Discrimination and Violence Against Indigenous Women in Canada.
RESOLVED
that CFUW urge the Government of Canada to engage the expertise of Indigenous leaders and women's organizations in order to establish effective mechanisms to combat violence against Indigenous women and girls.
RESOLVED that CFUW urge the Government of Canada to provide a status
report to Canadians outlining progress made in reducing violence against Indigenous women and girls by January 2017 and annually thereafter.
|
CFUW Owen Sound & District
On December 8th, 2015, CFUW Owen Sound held a noon hour buffet at Legacy Ridge Golf and Country Club, to commemorate 25 years of CFUW in the Owen Sound area.
Forty-nine energetic women, including Founding and Life Member, Alma Wilson, attended. Alma, and Norah Egener, placed an announcement in the newspaper in 1990 to see what interest there might be in setting up a local club of this national organization of university graduates. Twelve of the past presidents also attended the luncheon, nine of whom are still active members.
To commemorate 25 years, the press was invited to attend and record the announcement of the transfer of the CFUW Scholarship Fund Guaranteed Investment Certificates to the Community Foundation Grey Bruce. Accepting the transfer were Kim West, Chair of the Board of Directors and Aly Boltman, Executive Director of the Foundation.The guest speaker, Ernestine McKenna, was Past President of CFUW Owen Sound in 1992-93. It was also fitting that, as a driving force for the start of the Community Foundation in this area, she was present to witness the formal transfer of the CFUW Scholarship Fund to the Community Foundation. The following was written by Past President Judy Gay, as a summary of Ernestine's address to us: "Ernestine referred to the beginnings of the Canadian Federation of University Women in 1919, as providing opportunities for women to advocate for education and pay equity. In the 1960's, the membership was 20,000 women in Canada; currently the membership is 8,200. The challenge, for us is to present professional women with a reason for joining our organization. There are three million university degrees granted annually to women. We must present "galvanizing" reasons for women to join us. McKenna suggested that no one single issue would suffice but large issues such as climate change, the poverty of children in this country, water and violence should be taken on, not only locally but also nationally.'
All of the CFUW clubs should join in one issue', was the rally call of Ernestine. Our Resolutions, which are presented to the Federal Government, should not be solely women's issues but human issues and of national interest. Ernestine's closing advice to us was 'to be bigger than ourselves, relevant, current and dynamic.' A strong message for the new year."
Also in December 2015:
CFUW Owen Sound and Area partnered with The Roxy Theatre in a Dramatic Reading of Charles Dickens', "A Christmas Carol", directed by Michael Rea.
This fundraiser was in support of the local Scholarship Fund, on-going in Owen Sound since 1993. The scholarship provides a yearly gift to a qualified female graduate from each of our three High Schools to assist them in attending University.
A grateful CFUW thanks the Board of "The Roxy" for their generous decision to partner with CFUW for a very worthwhile cause. They allowed us to use the theatre and the expertise of their capable staff. The numerous hours from the volunteers of the Owen Sound Little Theatre, combined with the musical and acting talents from the community, provided the audience with a lively, professional and engaging afternoon as they participated in this wonderfully written 1843 classic.
Ruth Henderson,
President, CFUW Owen Sound - 2015-16
|
- 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)
|
October 22, 2016
Ontario East
Hosted by CFUW Kanata
November 5, 2016
Ontario South
Hosted by CFUW Burlington
November 12, 2016
Ontario Central
Hosted in Toronto by Central Region Clubs
|
| 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
|
2016 Ontario Council AGM News
|
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
|
May 13 & 14, 2016
All Ontario Clubs Are Welcome in Orangeville for the AGM!
|
CFUW - Orangeville & District is hosting the 2016 Ontario Council AGM and Conference this year.
Please mark your calendars for May 13 and May 14, 2016. It will be held at Hockley Valley Resort in the beautiful hills of the Town of Mono, just northeast of Orangeville. This resort has a lot to offer in each of the four seasons, but springtime is especially verdant and vibrant. The theme for our 2016 conference is Building Bridges - Creating Connections. You will be able to begin connecting immediately at the Friday evening Welcome Reception and Leadership Workshop. The entertainment that night will be both delightful and meaningful, culminating in a bonfire to spark new friendships and warm our souls with reconnections. Please keep in mind that the mantra of CFUW-Orangeville is "Wine,Women and Song"! On Saturday, Building Bridges and Creating Connections will focus our energies on two goals: To Honour the Truth & Reconcile for the Future and To Reduce Poverty. Our speakers include: Jodie-Lynn Waddilove, Legal Counsel, Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, Aboriginal Justice Division [To Honour the Truth & Reconcile for the Future] Karen Glass, Executive Director, Poverty Reduction Strategy Ontario and Laura Cattari, writer and community advocate Hamilton [To Reduce Poverty] The conference ends at 4 pm on Saturday. You may wish to visit Orangeville with its award-winning main street or walk the gem of a trail at the Island Lake Conservation area. No matter your interest, there is something in the area. Such as fab restaurants! CFUW- Orangeville will offer some wonderful foodie-friendly dinner destinations for those staying longer. Or you may wish to avail yourself of the services of the luxurious Hockley Valley Resort Spa or play a round on the Resort's championship links-style golf course. The Hockley Valley Resort is offering a special OC rate for overnight accommodation plus buffet breakfast for $189.00 Single Occupancy (per person, per night) + taxes & gratuities and $101.50 Double Occupancy (per person, per night) + taxes & gratuities. To ensure the OC special rate, please make your reservation on or before April 8, 2016 - reference CFUW Orangeville and District, Ontario Council AGM - event number 35590. For reservations, call 1-866-HOCKLEY(462-5539). If your club would like to reserve a table for displays/sales, please contact OC President Brenda Robertson to identify your interest and any questions you may have. We are asking members to try to register no later than May 6th. The registration fee covers leadership workshop, welcome reception, business meeting, plenary sessions, debriefs, lunch on Saturday - Friday/Saturday registration fee $110 per person or Friday night welcome reception only - $25 per person. Play to Win! There is an Early Bird Draw for those registered by April 27th. We look forward to connecting with you on May 13 and 14** |
|
Standing Committees Meetings
|
March 12, 2016
September 24, 2016
Register Now!
|
|
2016 AGMs and Conferences
|
|
Ontario Council AGM and Conference
May 13 and 14, 2016
Orangeville, Ontario
CFUW AGM and Conference
June 23-25, 2016
St. Catharines, Ontario
|
|
|
|
|
