AGM 2012 Report by Doris Mae Oulton

This AGM was a huge success. Over 232 delegates were registered for the Friday sessions and the rooms are filled to overcapacity. Business started early, with the RDs and the Board meetings on Wednesday. Sightseeing was definitely part of the agenda before the serious work of the meetings started.

Opening Reception

The MC for the evening, Susan Lane, introduced Chief Dan Thomas who welcomed the delegates to the Esquimalt Nation. He urged CFUW members to reach out to First Nations. He cited the challenges to First Nations and said, with the support of groups like ours, he hoped in the future to see his grandchildren’s faces in a group like this.

Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, brought greetings from the Honourable Christy Clark, Premier of BC. Ms. Chong noted the importance of women voting – that this was a privilege that is too often taken for granted and needs to be protected. She recognised CFUW’s active involved in scholarships – and the role these scholarships, grants and bursaries play in making people’s dreams possible. She noted that the Victoria Club was founded over 100 years ago by women who had a vision – she challenged the group to think about what our vision is for the next 100 years.

A sponsor of the conference was the Personal Insurance Company and a representative, Victoria McKenzie, brought greetings.

Friday morning, business session

The session began with a welcome from Brenda Wallace, President, and included introductions of visiting delegates from IFUW, Catherine Bell, and the Women Graduates, USA, Florine Swanson.

It was a lively session with a dynamic debate over the AGM Standing Rules – usually pretty dull proceedings. A motion to allow debate on previously circulated amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws Revision was passed.

Patricia DuVal, VP, Membership

Introduced the winners of the Small Club Travelling awards: Cornerbrook, Kincardine, Portage la Prairie, Cranbrook. These award are provided to smaller clubs to enable a delegate from their club to travel to the AGM.

Membership awards

Abbortsford increase of 25% this year

Nelson and District 10% increase every year for five years for a total of 53%

Salt Spring Valley 10% increase

Cowichann Valley 16% increase; 54% over the last three 87% from 35 – 71 – doubled in size

Ontario

Perth, 21%, Grimsby 19%, Cornwall and district 16%, Barrie and district 12%, Markham/Unionville 11%, Owen Sound 10%, North Toronto – award for accumulated increases

Atlantic

Charlottetown – 25%, Fredericktown – 13%, Truro – 11% 6

Welcoming Address by Brenda Wallace, President

This has been a biennium of challenge and change; new approaches have been tried: for example for a shorter AGM in St. John’s last year and an AGM meeting in June this year – both of which meant cost savings. Over this biennium there has been a revision of the Constitution and Bylaws and a very lively resolutions process has continued.

Brenda reported that she had visited a number of Clubs; a new web site has been developed; the Week in Review has been developed; CFUW has become more visibly bilingual; the Advocacy Committee has worked to become more effective; and CFUW has remained a credible voice for women. Launching a virtual ‘members at large’ Club is being explored. We have continued to be an organization which has the right to speak and the responsibility to act. Brenda Wallace thanked members for thoughtful and informed decisions.

Report from Robin Jackson, Executive Director, CFUW

This has become a year that has been: developing the website; discovering asbestos at the (previous) office location; and moving accommodations. Some example of advocacy highlights have been: a new advocacy coordinator, Tara Fischer; the fight against the demise of the long gun registry; and lobbying for living up to the commitment for affordable medicine to Africans. Robin noted that Betty Dunlop, Fellowship Program Manager, has worked with the CFUW Fellowships Committee to process 437 applications resulting in 14 awards. Desiree Burns, membership services, has undertaken 7000 individual activities for members. A number of cost reduction initiatives have been undertaken: cheaper accommodations, securing a paying tenant, changing the credit card arrangements, changing postage procedures, and using a staff person, Ryszard Kowalski, (rather that an external consultant) to do the website. He has generously donated significant amounts of his time to this project.

Catherine Bell, IFUW, brought wishes for successful deliberations.

Florine Swanson, Women Graduates, USA, said the organization has impact on international issues. Main concentration is: education of women and girls – particularly new immigrants to the USA; the prevention of trafficking of women and girls; and peace

The Board and committees and the RDs were introduced.

Financial Report was presented: Carol Hare, VP Finance

Financial report, on the website, was accepted.

Saturday morning was a continuation of the Financial Report.

Debate on the fee increase was lively and a $10 increase was approved, applicable in 2014.

Lynn Franklin, Report for the Charitable Trust, reported $1,290,400 in assets. Seven notable fundraisers last year brought in $12,000. Donations to the Charitable Trust can now be made on line. 14 awards were made this year for a total of $84,000.

An Advocacy Minute; Montreal Inc. Brenda Shanahan, talked about the publication of their book, Beginning the Conversation – 15 cases on Financial Literacy. The information is available at www. uwcm.com/Financial_Literacy.html, available in English and French.

Pat DuVal, VP Membership presented the 2012 Special Project Awards

BC

Parksville Qualicum – project with the RCMP for intermediate grades (5-6) – how literacy relates to life.

Kelowna – selling Femina Coffee (fair trade coffee that supports women in South and Central America; neck supports for seniors in homes; and staffed a Salvation Army ‘kettle’

Nanaimo – municipal all candidates meeting.

Vancouver – Person’s Day event – Inspiring Women – Then and Now

Prairies

Calgary North – pneumonia prevention vests for premature babies in Africa and Asia

Edmonton – IWD eve event – woman mayor of Slave Lake- fund raising for Women’s Shelter in Slave Lake.

Susan Russell, CIR, presented the Care Canada award (the maternal child care project) to Wolfville for raising a total of $8329.70, the largest contribution made by any Club. This year’s project is Bina Roy IFUW International Partners Development Fund; information is available on the IFUW website www.ifuw.org/what/brpid/2001-projects/

Doris Mae Oulton, VP Communications and Corporate Secretary presented progress on the 100th Anniversary Project.

Patricia DuVal presented project awards:

Ontario

Thunder Bay – Public lecture and forum on sustainable energy in SE Asia

Niagara Falls – Historical fashion show and buffet dinner

Ottawa –Home Instruction for Parents of Pre-School Youngsters (HIPPY) Project

Belleville – Public Forum: Oka to Attawapiskat

Perth – Public Forum on the Power of Local Food/CFUW Open House

Kanata – Inukshuks and Igloos Food Drive with Retirement Home Residents

Guitar Groovers public performance (members playing and singing to raise funds)

Aurora Newmarket – Special recognition of their Flash Mob

Quebec

Sherbrooke and District – Townships walking calendar

Atlantic

Halifax – intergenerational climate change workshop with Dalhousie Students/

Fund raising concert featuring public school music students St. John’s – fresh start baskets for women living in shelters

Women on Tap (tap dancers) public performances

The Constitution and By-laws, chaired by Myra Willis, VP Ontario and Janet Goldack, VP Prairies.

Eileen Grant was resource person for a very intensive review and approval process of the proposed Constitution and By-Laws, including an extensive amendment procedure. The Constitution and Bylaws were passed on the Sunday morning session. Eileen Grant was presented with flowers and Brenda Wallace presented her with a lovely painting by Marion Evamy for all of her hard work in the past three years.

An Advocacy Minute: Judy Bridges, Vancouver, talked about their Advocacy project with four components: organization -they compiled a list of advocacy resources – lists of contacts, legislative Bills; how to build coalitions; knowing media; and the art of persuasion and education.

Resolutions Session was co-chaired by Liette Michaud, VP Quebec, and Karen Dunnett, VP Atlantic.

Judith Kashul, Chair of Resolutions, led the discussion on the six resolutions.

The resolution on Ensuring Food Security in Canada, proposed by CFUW Richmond, was passed.

RESOLVED, that the Canadian Federation of University Women urge the federal, provincial, aboriginal, territorial, regional and municipal governments

1. to create a comprehensive, legislated, coordinated national food security policy, with a dedicated budget, to ensure an affordable, accessible, nutritious, safe, and sustainable food supply for all;

2. to develop urban and rural food production opportunities, and in particular, to encourage new farmers, by identifying land suitable for agriculture, ensuring access to credit for land and equipment purchase, providing educational support, and facilitating infrastructure investment;

3. to adopt and enforce legislation that preserves agricultural land for food production.

Garantir la sécurité alimentaire au Canada, proposée par CFUW Richmond est adopteé.

IL EST DÉCIDÉ QUE la Fédération canadienne des femmes diplômées des universités

(FCFDU) exhorte les gouvernements fédéral, provinciaux, autochtones, territoriaux, region aux et municipaux à :

1.adopter une politique de sécurité alimentaire nationale globale, coordonnée, établie en vertu de la loi et disposant d’un budget particulier, qui garantit à tous un approvisionnement alimentaire accessible, abordable, nutritif, sain et stable;

2.créer des possibilités de production alimentaire pour les populations urbaines et rurales, et en particulier, encourager les nouveaux agriculteurs par l’identification des terres propres à l’agriculture, garantir l’accès au crédit pour l’achat de terres agricoles et d’équipement, fournir un soutien en éducation et faciliter les investissements dans l’infrastructure;

3.adopter et appliquer une législation qui protège les terres agricoles destinées à la production alimentaire.

The Resolution on Retention and Promotion of Women in Skilled Trades and Non-Traditional Occupations, proposed by CFUW Barrie and District, was passed.

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.

Rétention et avancement des femmes dans les métiers spécialisés et non traditionnels, proposée par CFUW Barrie and District est adopteé.

IL EST DÉCIDÉ QUE la Fédération canadienne des femmes diplômées des universities (FCFDU) exhorte le gouvernement du Canada ainsi que les autorités provinciales et territoriales qui se préoccupent de la formation, de l’emploi et du développement des compétences, à travailler avec les associations commerciales, professionnelles et industrielles, afin de s’attaquer à la sousreprésentation et à l’absence de rétention des femmes dans les métiers spécialisés et non traditionnels et d’y remédier en adoptant des stratégies qui permettront de créer et de favoriser un milieu de travail inclusif pour les femmes, qui élimine les obstacles stéréotypés et qui leur bloquent l’accès et l’avancement.

Climate Change: Mitigation, Adaptation and the Inclusion of Women, proposed by CFUW Halifax, was passed.

RESOLVED, that the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) urge:

1.the Government of Canada to demonstrate leadership by providing financial assistance to other levels of government within Canada and to the poor countries of the world to help them to mitigate and adapt to climate change, ensuring that women are included and gender sensitive approaches are taken in all stages of decision-making and action nationally and internationally;

2.all levels of government within Canada to develop gender sensitive mitigation and adaptation strategies to address the negative impacts of climate change on people and communities, paying particular attention to vulnerable populations and the inclusion of women.

Changements climatiques: atténuation, adaptation et inclusion des femmes proposée par CFUW Halifax est adopteé .

IL EST DÉCIDÉ QUE la Fédération canadienne des femmes diplômées des universities (FCFDU) exhorte:

1.le gouvernement du Canada à faire preuve de leadership en accordant de l’aide financière à d’autres ordres de gouvernement au Canada et aux pays pauvres en vue de les aider dans l’atténuation et l’adaptation aux changements climatiques, afin d’assurer l’inclusion des femmes et que des approches non sexistes soient prises à tous les niveaux de prise de décision et d’actions aussi bien à l’échelle nationale qu’internationale;

2. tous les ordres de gouvernement au Canada à élaborer des stratégies d’atténuation, d’adaptation et de sensibilité au genre en vue de se préoccuper des effets négatifs des changements climatiques sur les gens et les communautés, en accordant une attention particulière aux populations vulnérables et à l’inclusion des femmes.

The resolution on Temporary Suspension, Research and National Regulations Needed for the Site Placement of Industrial Wind Turbine Developments, proposed by CFUW Kincardine, was defeated.

RESOLVED, that the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW), strongly urges all levels of government to institute a temporary suspension on the construction of industrial wind turbine developments until such time that evidence-based, impartial, scientific research identifies issues relating to site placement, human health, and the environment resulting in the development of national, uniform standards and regulations.

Suspension temporaire, recherche et réglementations nationales requises pour le choix de site d’implantation d’éoliennes industrielles, proposée par CFUW Kincardine est rejectée.

IL EST DÉCIDÉ QUE la Fédération canadienne des femmes diplômées des universities (FCFDU) exhorte avec vigueur tous les ordres du gouvernement à procéder à la suspension temporaire de la construction d’éoliennes industrielles jusqu’à ce qu’une recherche scientifique impartiale et fondée sur des données

probantes identifie les problèmes reliés au choix du site d’implantation, à la santé, à l’environnement et à la rentabilité économique et qu’elle aboutisse à la création de normes et de réglementations nationales et uniformes.

Resolution on Toward a Mental Health Strategy for Canada, proposed by CFUW Oakville, was passed

RESOLVED that the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) urge the Government of Canada, in collaboration with its Provincial, Territorial, Municipal, and Aboriginal governing bodies, to support the development, adoption and implementation of a mental health strategy for Canada that is based on the work of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) and promotes mental health, prevents mental illness and responds to the needs of those suffering from mental illness.

RESOLVED that CFUW urge the Government of Canada to ensure that its mental health strategy includes, but is not limited to:

1. Programs that promote mental health and reduce the stigmatization of mental illness;

2. Programs that advance and coordinate research activities by social scientists, health care professionals and neuroscientists into the causes, triggers and treatment of mental illness;

3. Education and training on mental health for health care professionals, educators, families, law enforcement officers, emergency personnel and the military;

4. Access to age, language, and culturally appropriate early diagnosis and evidence-based treatment for mental illness;

5. Facilitation of the recovery of patients and their supported inclusion in the community;

6. Adequate designated funding to implement and sustain the mental health strategy;

7. An accountability framework that uses performance indicators to measure clinical and financial outcomes and reports regularly on the effectiveness of the mental health strategy.

Vers une stratégie en matière de santé mentale pour le Canada, proposée par CFUW Oakville, est adoptee.

IL EST DÉCIDÉ QUE la Fédération canadienne des femmes diplômées des universités (FCFDU) exhorte le gouvernement du Canada, en collaboration avec les autorités provinciales, territoriales, municipals et autochtones à appuyer la création, l’adoption et la mise en oeuvre d’une stratégie en matière de santé mentale pour le Canada qui repose sur le travail accompli par la Commission de la santé mentale du Canada (CSMC) et qui fait la promotion de la santé mentale, prévient la maladie mentale et répond aux besoins des personnes atteintes de maladies mentales.

IL EST DÉCIDÉ QUE la FCFDU exhorte le gouvernement du Canada à s’assurer que sa stratégie en matière de santé mentale comprenne, sans s’y limiter :

1. des programmes qui favorisent la santé mentale et qui diminuent la stigmatisation de la maladie mentale;

2. des programmes dont la coordination est assurée par des spécialistes en sciences sociales, des professionnels de la santé et des neuroscientifiques qui font avancer les activités de recherche sur les causes, les éléments déclenchants et le traitement des maladies mentales;

3. de l’enseignement et de la formation sur la santé mentale pour les professionnels des soins de santé, éducateurs, familles, agents de la paix, personnel d’urgence et militaires;

4. accès à un diagnostic approprié en fonction de l’âge, la langue et la culture et à un traitement fondé sur des données probantes pour la maladie mentale;

5. une facilité de rétablissement pour les patients et un support à l’intégration dans la communauté;

6. un fonds désigné approprié pour mettre en oeuvre et soutenir la stratégie en matière de santé mentale;

7. un cadre de responsabilité qui se sert d’indicateurs de rendement pour mesurer les résultats cliniques et financiers qui fait état régulièrement de l’efficacité de la stratégie en matière de santé mentale.

The resolution on Full Accessibility and Barrier-Free Environments for Persons with Disabilities proposed by CFUW Ottawa, was passed.

RESOLVED, that the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) urge the federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and aboriginal governments to meet Canada’s commitments as a signatory of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) by:

1. establishing and meeting national standards to promote, protect and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities; and

2. adopting and enforcing regulations to ensure that all persons with disabilities can participate in society to the fullest possible extent and enjoy full equality under the law.

Accès complet et environnements faciles d’accès pour les personnes handicapées proposée par CFUW Ottawa est adopteé.

IL EST DÉCIDÉ QUE la Fédération canadienne des femmes diplômées des universités (FCFDU) exhorte les gouvernements fédéral, provinciaux, territoriaux, municipaux et

autochtones à respecter les engagements du Canada en tant que signataire de la Convention relative aux droits des personnes handicapées des Nations Unies (CRPD) en :

1. établissant et en respectant les normes nationales pour promouvoir, protéger et garantir le plein exercice des droits des personnes handicapées et en ;

2. adoptant et appliquant des règlements qui garantissent que toutes les personnes handicapées puissent participer pleinement à la vie en société et qu’elles jouissent d’une pleine égalité juridique.

Susan Russell received acceptance from the delegates for the 2010 AGM resolutions that are being taken forward to IFUW:

Non-State Act of Torture

Prostitution

Aboriginal education.

Charitable Trust: Eileen Grant announced that the Silent Auction with other donations and activities have raised $10,000 for the Charitable Trust.

Advocacy Action Minute: Anne Douglas, Oakville

Presented on asbestos outlining Canada as a pariah state on chrysotile asbestos and has opposed international action. She noted the Campaign toolkit on the CFUW website and urged its use.

Membership, Patricia DuVal

Teleconference workshops have been tried for small clubs and these will be expanded

Next Year’s AGM – Marlene Chatterson and Margaret Hendry, extended an invitation to come to Saskatoon for next year’s AGM, July 11-14. Living Skies – Women Soar. Theme will be Women in Action – Agents of Change. The conference will be held at the Sheraton Hotel.

Thank-yous - Brenda Wallace officially thanked this year’s AGM, Paddy McGowan and Dawn Jones, co-chairs for their work for such a successful AGM. The co-chairs thanked their committee, national office, all the volunteers.

The new Board and Regional Directors were introduced.

Susan Murphy, new president of CFUW, addressed the delegates and talked about focusing on ‘Action, advocacy and education’. She urged Clubs to find a group to help move us forward to the next decade. She talked about the importance of a positive plus attitude, about the important work that CFUW does in the area of scholarships and the over $1 million that is distributed annually to support education. This is a group of dedicated women who can move forward to strengthen CFUW.

Workshops

A number of excellent workshops were held. One of the outstanding was Women and Politics. Elizabeth May, who is a member of CFUW Saanich Peninsula as well as the leader of the Green Party, and Carol James, former leader of NDP in BC. They both talked about the positive effect that women have on the behavior within political parties. Elizabeth May spoke about the important role that the national office of CFUW has in bringing forward issues.

Aboriginal Sisters: Understanding, Support, Dialogue was first rate and heartwarming. It gives a great foundation for Clubs continue to educate themselves about Aboriginal history and issues.

Voices in Art talked about the role of art in a Region

Voices of the Ocean was a workshop given by a group of young scientists outlining the implications of recent ‘learnings’ on the future of our ocean and their impact on us.

Voices of Immigrant Domestic Workers with speakers from Chile and Philippines on the role of domestic workers.

Forty interested members joined the Afghan Group Lunch Gathering Friday noon to discuss ways we could use the CFUW network coast to coast to work together to help Afghan women with their ongoing efforts. Because of the size of room several members were ‘turned away’. Contact Hally Siddons at hally@siddons.ca to add your name, to receive a copy of notes from the session and to receive a Resource Kit with lots of useful information and ideas for action.

The Silent Auction held some outstanding articles:

Celebrations

The celebrations last night were worthy of the best of Victoria hospitality – even though the weather reflected a Victoria winter (rain, fog and a definite nip in the air). Tour of the Dockyard, wonderful dinner – in the mess hall, speech by Rear Admiral Jennifer Bennett (host of the evening). She is the only female Reserve Admiral in the Canadian Navy. She gave a history of women in the military.

Trust Breakfast

Louise Adams introduces Fellowships

An outstanding speaker. Lori Waters, the 2004 recipient of the CFUW Beverley Jackson award, talked of ‘Basking in biology, biota, and bathymetry’. She described her journey from a budding artist at the age of five to Canada’s answer in the scientific world to Steven Spielberg. She was fabulous and she described her work in the medical field,

the biosphere, Canada’s Parks, illustrating flora and fauna and making information in all of these fields more understanding. We had a previous CFUW scholarship winner, Virginia LaVallée-Picard joining us at breakfast as well as an applicant who placed first runner-up for awards this year, Kathryn Humphries.

With Many thanks to Sandy Millen for her generous investment of time and fabulous photography skills.

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And now a word from a volunteer:

Hi My Family and Friends,

I have just spent the last 6 days volunteering at the CFUW (Canadian Federation of University Women) Annual General Meeting, this year organized by and held in Victoria.

I packed Conference bags, distributed Credentials (voting cards), was a Teller (vote counter) at the Business Meetings, guided “O Canada” on opening day, and hostessed in the Hospitality Suite.

The experience was a fabulous one! 250 delegates from the 112 CFUW groups across Canada attended CFUW is part of IFUW (International Federation of University Women with affiliates in 62 countries plus individual members in 40 more) with a mandate to support girls and women throughout our world. We do this primarily through education scholarships, as a government voice, and as a voice at the UN.

I felt so Canadian-just like singing at international choral competitions! I gained awareness of our CFUW role within Canada and throughout the world. I was astounded at the dedication, hard work and wisdom of our CFUW Canadian women! It was such a pleasure to meet women from coast to coast!

A joyful, exhilarating, mind-opening experience! Websites: www.cfuw.org and www.ifuw.org Next year the Annual General Meeting is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Meet me there?! Marjie xo