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Organization Communiqué - November, 2010

Organization Communiqué #1 - June 2011

Organization Communiqué #2 - November, 2011

Family is Important to Me

Do you want to join an organization that recognizes and celebrates healthy family life?

Your primary role as parent, provider and caregiver is respected and honoured by the CWL; attend meetings and events as your time permits.

Helping other people in your community allows you to live your Christian values and be a positive role model for your family.

You can take part in activites and fundraising efforts that promote family life and lovingly support life in its entirety, from fertilization to natural death.

You can apply for educational bursaries.

Your membership adds power to the CWL's voice as the League lobbies government on social justice issues on behalf of a national sisterhood of Catholic women.


How Can I Enrich my Faith?

Would you like to join women from all across Canada in an organization that can foster and celebrate your Catholic faith?

The CWL is rooted in gospel values and calls you and all members to holiness through service to all people of God.

You are invited to join League sisters as you pray for one another and walk the gospel road together.

Special CWL occasions are often celebrated at the Eucharist.

The CWL mottos is "For God and Canada". Mary is honoured as Our Lady of Good Counsel.

You are encouraged to deepen your spiritual understanding and study Catholic teachings -- an important CWL initiative.

As a CWL member, you joyfully affirm that God's presence blesses every aspect of ordinary life including meetings, volunteer projects and celebrations.


Time is Precious

Are you searching for something worthwhile that makes the best use of your time and talents? Consider the CWL?

Your commitment could be as easy as maintaining an inexpensive yearly membership, even when you are unable to attend meetings or other events. As time permits, you may enjoy helping with one project.

You will notice that prayer and a spirit of joy are important parts of CWL projects as members journey together in faith. Fresh ideas are always welcome; share them with the new friends that await you.

The benefits of the CWL are eternal! Life is a series of new beginnings; make the CWL a priority in your life!


I Can Make a Difference

Are you called to advocate for human rights and social justice? Add your voice/support to a national sisterhood of Catholic women who promote awareness and respond to political and social issues that affect all Canadians.

You can offer welcome and comfort to the vulnerable, the needy and the marginalized.

You can take an active role in the creation of resolutions that are presented to government annually on issues that impact families and communities at home and abroad.

You can improve your organizational and leadership skills through CWL training and service possibilities.

Through the CWL you become part of/join the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations representing Catholic women and the church around the globe. CWL outreach supports many initiatives in developing countries.

Through your efforts, prayerful service and sharing your gifts, you can be blessed with grace-filled moments. As the prayer of St. Francis says, "for it is in giving that we receive."

Come, join us!

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Organization Communiqué #2 - November 2011

Marge Szabo, Provincial Organization Chairperson

Greetings,
We’ve all enjoyed a nice fall season. The colourful leaves have fallen, and they are now carpeted with a blanket of snow. Of course, the snow helps to turn our thoughts to the liturgical season of Advent. At this time, we are also preparing to implement the revised translation of The Roman Missal into our mass celebrations.

Membership Renewal
It is time for membership renewal. Has your council tried a new recruiting technique? Here are a few ideas. Let me know if you have some other ideas.

1. Church bulletin insert, with eye-catching pictures and information
2. Announcements from the pulpit or your spiritual advisor’s invitation
3. Contests, a draw for a free membership
4. A visual poster to measure the number of renewals to date
5. Recognition of members that recruited a new member

All members should take an active part in recruiting. Remember to send in your members’ renewal to national as soon as possible. Do not wait till all renewals are in.

Leadership Development
We had a very successful Provincial Leadership workshop this fall. I’m hoping you will carry on this enthusiasm to your councils. In my first communiqué, I outlined why it is important to have leadership workshops. If your diocese did not have time to plan a workshop for the fall season, there is time for one in the spring. Leadership is not seasonal, so just pick a date. Funding is available from the National Development Fund.

Certificates and Awards
Councils are encouraged to make the presentation of all League pins and awards, a special occasion. Members receiving an award must be a current member with membership dues fully paid. If there is a lapse in paying dues, those years are not counted.

It is important that awards are recorded in the council minutes. A separate space in the archivist book would be a good place to keep this record. If this isn’t done, perhaps this is the year you could start. There is also a ceremonies booklet available from National Office, if you wish to choose to use it.

Criteria for awards are listed on page 21 in the Manual of Policy & Procedure.

Wishing you a Blessed Advent Season and a Merry Christmas time for everyone.

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Organization Communiqué #1 - June 2011

Marge Szabo, Provincial Organization Chairperson

Greetings,

I look forward to serve as your new chair of Organization for the Provincial Council. Along with many others before me, we said “yes” and were willing to share our gifts and talents. I too, am committed to the role of recruiting and maintaining memberships for this great organization of Catholic women. Good news, National staff has now processed more memberships as of May 31st than in past years. Hopefully, by National Convention time in August, we can announce and celebrate an increase in our national membership.

Our National Chair of Organization, Betty Anne Brown Davidson, is making leadership training a priority this year. Materials have been mailed to all provincial and diocesan presidents. She is asking that diocesan Organization Chairs, along with their president, promote a leadership workshop either at diocesan, regional or council level. Make plans now and apply for funding from the National Development Fund. Application form is found on page A3-22 of the Policy and Procedure Manual.

Why is leadership training important?

1. To develop the leadership qualities in each of us.
   “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He/she does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of their actions and the integrity of their intent.” Anon.
2. To provide continued leadership in our councils at local, diocesan and provincial levels.
   Leaders are not born leaders, “ If you can recognize leadership traits in others, then you must have them yourself”.
   It has been sighted that at most levels of the League, members are hesitating to take executive positions. Perhaps with leadership workshops, this will alleviate this problem and members would be willing to take up the challenge.
3. To improve our communication skills.
   Good leaders communicate well and inspire, praise and encourage others.
4. When providing good leadership, you then have followers.
   Leaders actively promote the League therefore inviting new members to join.

Saskatchewan Statistics: 2010 membership has declined by 508, with the total membership of 7415. It’s everyone’s responsibility to promote and recruit new members. Let’s make 2011 the year we can increase membership like other provinces have. We can do it!

Wishing everyone a relaxing summer.

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Organization Communiqué - November, 2010

Tillie Aessie, President-Elect and Organization Chairperson

Most parish councils are in full swing with their 2011 membership drive. I hope councils are making use of the on-line membership remittance. 250 out of 1263 parishes are using this new system. It is as easy as requesting your parish council’s unique entrance code, followed the steps, typing in the data of your paid up members, pushing the Send button, then sending in your matching cheque with the fees and it is finished. Diocesan Presidents please encourage your individual organization chairpersons to try this new system. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is. National office is making a video showing chairpersons how to access their council’s Membership. It should be available soon. There is also a system in place for Diocesan and Provincial Organization chairs to see what their membership totals are.

Some parish councils are concerned with the new $5.00 rate increase in Pre Capita Fees for 2012, bringing the fees up to $13.00 for each member. There has not been an increase since 1993. That is 17 years ago. Inflation alone of 26% could account for all the increase. The Knights of Columbus, Beta Sigma Fie groups and other organizations charge up to $50.00 per year. You know Ladies; $5.00 is only 4 cups of Tim Horton’s coffee a year. Think about it, we are getting a good deal. . It is anticipated that with existing programming and membership numbers, this increase should ensure that another increase by the national level will not be required for several years. For more information please read the article on Page 4 in the last league magazine.

To streamline the ordering of supplies and materials from national office, the national administrative Committee has decided that effective immediately, orders for supplies and products will be filled upon receipt of payment. Accepted payment includes cheques or credit cards. Please refer to article on Page 5 of the league magazine.

Why not plan a development day for your winter or spring meetings. For your resource people use your life members and standing committee chairpersons. This opportunity to teach the skills of leadership, share faith, have fun with your members can be funded from the National Development Fund. Check in the National Manual of Policy & Procedure for the criteria. I have received a workshop called “Why Bother” that gives members a chance to voice their opinions of where and how they would like the league is progress or if it is worthwhile continuing. It is a very thought provoking constructive workshop.

Another resource that is available at National Office is the new Handbook for Organization Chairpersons. I highly recommend that Diocesan Presidents order this handbook for their President Elect and Organization Chairperson. You won’t be sorry.

A membership survey was sent to every membership chairperson in the province requesting information on the status of their elderly members in care homes and nursing homes. We wanted to have an idea of how many councils paid for their members or if the family still continues to pay their membership fees. The results are very interesting, and when we have our meeting we will let you know the results.

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