CFUW Mississauga Voices of our Past Presidents 2003-2014 – a continuation of the club’s efforts to document our history and achievements since its inception in 1953.
The following Presidents share their reflections of their year as President:
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CAROL HARE President 2003-04
My preparation for ending up in the CFUW President’s position included serving two years as Membership Convenor (one as assistant and the second on my own), then jumping into the 1st VP position as the need arose.
I attended a portion of the 2002-03 AGM in Vancouver and was pleasantly surprised to learn about the wider scope of CFUW and to meet women from across Canada. I was disappointed in the resolutions process that year because more time was spent arguing about grammar than content. I also learned that IFUW was holding its Triennial in Perth, Australia, in 2004 and made plans to attend if possible.
Lucille Deegan, 2002-03 President, was my mentor for the next two years (1st VP and president). She shared her knowledge, patience and support making my role much easier. .
Elaine Sutherns, incoming 1st VP, Gail Crawford Program Chair and I attended the 2003 Wolfville CFUW AGM. It was exciting and all of us learned more about the organization that you would ever imagine unless you have attended an AGM. Every evening Elaine and I would relax under the stars starting our conversations with “did you know.” We recognized that we wanted our club to become knowledgeable about what we called “beyond the social.” This thought evolved into our Issues Group a few years later. For the first time our new banner made by Jo Ann Wilton, Joan Milburn and Pippa Kossuth was displayed at the Wolfville AGM.
The 2003-04 executive was a talented group of women who started as friends and became even better friends before the term was ended. Elaine Sutherns was great support who discussed the agenda for meetings; Gail Crawford and Jean Sinclair arranged a program that was amazing, including Dave Broadfoot, comedian and author, and Jackie Maxwell, Artistic Director for the Shaw Theatre; Dale O’Hara, my next door neighbour, was treasurer which made getting cheques signed easy; Valerie Dobson created the newsletter; Dianna Perschbacker took care of meeting refreshments; the others who supported the executive team were Ann Kozak, Mary Honner/Eaddaoin Elliott, June Leslie, Marjorie Odell/Valerie Hume, Elisabeth Percy, Barbara Passmore and Jane Brown.
Until 2004, CFUW met at University of Toronto Mississauga Campus Senate Chambers. While we had comfortable seats, excellent vision and acoustics there was one problem -- the university staff members eyed this often empty room. Finally one staff member chose our Monday meeting night venue (when Jackie Maxwell was our speaker) to allow his class to write exams in the Senate Chambers. We had to make do in the faculty lounge which was not designed for speakers but the show had to go on.
Computer availability for resolutions research, newsletters, presentations etc. was rapidly invading all forms of activities and CFUW was not to be left behind. After agreeing with UTM regarding fees for the use of a power point project we found that membership technical abilities were now to be challenged. Ever resourceful, one member went into the hall and dragged/coached a source of expertise from the evening students.
This was the time of a huge expansion for the university and the expectation of several years of construction on campus made it necessary for CFUW to find a new home.
In 2004 the membership fee was $55 with the national fee at $37, and the Ontario Council $2.50. It was time for an increase which attracted considerable discussion. Arguments for and against an increase have not changed. CFUW offers eight dynamite speakers, thirty interest groups and a way to meet new friends. A dues increase was passed at our May banquet (uncomfortable for guests as well as me) at which we announced a special one-time scholarship to honour the mayor’s 30 years in office. From that time forward our AGM decisions have never been made at the banquet.
At the end of my presidential term I went to Perth, Australia, to attend the IFUW Triennial Conference, another eye-opener that I wish I had more opportunity to share. I learned about the projects many countries supported such as Education for Women and Gender issues, the same projects of the IFUW today.
Leaving the executive did not mean retirement. For the next three years I chaired the committee with reviews and amended the CFUW Mississauga constitution and By-Laws and wrote a set of Standing Rules to help guide the club. These were passed in 2010.
In the new By-Laws, the Issues Group established the positon of Issues Convenor who would sit on the CFUW Mississauga Executive Committee. One of my favorite projects was the Toonies for Toilets which provided funds to build a “10-hole toilet” for a school in Ethiopia. Keeping Girls in School had become an important part of the club’s aims.
In 2010 I became the VP Finance for the National CFUW Board of Directors, a position I held for four years. In 2014 I accepted the position of Assistant Treasurer (Canada) for the IFUW. I also became a member of the Charitable Trust Board of Directors.
It was an honour and a privilege to serve on the CFUW locally, nationally and internationally. I hope more of you consider trying this adventure in the future.
My preparation for ending up in the CFUW President’s position included serving two years as Membership Convenor (one as assistant and the second on my own), then jumping into the 1st VP position as the need arose.
I attended a portion of the 2002-03 AGM in Vancouver and was pleasantly surprised to learn about the wider scope of CFUW and to meet women from across Canada. I was disappointed in the resolutions process that year because more time was spent arguing about grammar than content. I also learned that IFUW was holding its Triennial in Perth, Australia, in 2004 and made plans to attend if possible.
Lucille Deegan, 2002-03 President, was my mentor for the next two years (1st VP and president). She shared her knowledge, patience and support making my role much easier. .
Elaine Sutherns, incoming 1st VP, Gail Crawford Program Chair and I attended the 2003 Wolfville CFUW AGM. It was exciting and all of us learned more about the organization that you would ever imagine unless you have attended an AGM. Every evening Elaine and I would relax under the stars starting our conversations with “did you know.” We recognized that we wanted our club to become knowledgeable about what we called “beyond the social.” This thought evolved into our Issues Group a few years later. For the first time our new banner made by Jo Ann Wilton, Joan Milburn and Pippa Kossuth was displayed at the Wolfville AGM.
The 2003-04 executive was a talented group of women who started as friends and became even better friends before the term was ended. Elaine Sutherns was great support who discussed the agenda for meetings; Gail Crawford and Jean Sinclair arranged a program that was amazing, including Dave Broadfoot, comedian and author, and Jackie Maxwell, Artistic Director for the Shaw Theatre; Dale O’Hara, my next door neighbour, was treasurer which made getting cheques signed easy; Valerie Dobson created the newsletter; Dianna Perschbacker took care of meeting refreshments; the others who supported the executive team were Ann Kozak, Mary Honner/Eaddaoin Elliott, June Leslie, Marjorie Odell/Valerie Hume, Elisabeth Percy, Barbara Passmore and Jane Brown.
Until 2004, CFUW met at University of Toronto Mississauga Campus Senate Chambers. While we had comfortable seats, excellent vision and acoustics there was one problem -- the university staff members eyed this often empty room. Finally one staff member chose our Monday meeting night venue (when Jackie Maxwell was our speaker) to allow his class to write exams in the Senate Chambers. We had to make do in the faculty lounge which was not designed for speakers but the show had to go on.
Computer availability for resolutions research, newsletters, presentations etc. was rapidly invading all forms of activities and CFUW was not to be left behind. After agreeing with UTM regarding fees for the use of a power point project we found that membership technical abilities were now to be challenged. Ever resourceful, one member went into the hall and dragged/coached a source of expertise from the evening students.
This was the time of a huge expansion for the university and the expectation of several years of construction on campus made it necessary for CFUW to find a new home.
In 2004 the membership fee was $55 with the national fee at $37, and the Ontario Council $2.50. It was time for an increase which attracted considerable discussion. Arguments for and against an increase have not changed. CFUW offers eight dynamite speakers, thirty interest groups and a way to meet new friends. A dues increase was passed at our May banquet (uncomfortable for guests as well as me) at which we announced a special one-time scholarship to honour the mayor’s 30 years in office. From that time forward our AGM decisions have never been made at the banquet.
At the end of my presidential term I went to Perth, Australia, to attend the IFUW Triennial Conference, another eye-opener that I wish I had more opportunity to share. I learned about the projects many countries supported such as Education for Women and Gender issues, the same projects of the IFUW today.
Leaving the executive did not mean retirement. For the next three years I chaired the committee with reviews and amended the CFUW Mississauga constitution and By-Laws and wrote a set of Standing Rules to help guide the club. These were passed in 2010.
In the new By-Laws, the Issues Group established the positon of Issues Convenor who would sit on the CFUW Mississauga Executive Committee. One of my favorite projects was the Toonies for Toilets which provided funds to build a “10-hole toilet” for a school in Ethiopia. Keeping Girls in School had become an important part of the club’s aims.
In 2010 I became the VP Finance for the National CFUW Board of Directors, a position I held for four years. In 2014 I accepted the position of Assistant Treasurer (Canada) for the IFUW. I also became a member of the Charitable Trust Board of Directors.
It was an honour and a privilege to serve on the CFUW locally, nationally and internationally. I hope more of you consider trying this adventure in the future.
ELAINE SUTHERNS President 2004-05
The three years that encompassed my time as First Vice-President, President and Past President of CFUW Mississauga were incredibly busy and interesting. During these years I attended several National AGM’s, Ontario Council Meetings, Fall and Spring Gatherings, where I met a fascinating group of motivated women - motivated to make our country a better place for women and girls and thus for society. It was certainly inspirational and a great learning experience.
In the summer of 2003 I attended the National AGM in Nova Scotia. Many things were discussed out of which came some changes in our club. The most memorable event was a blackout that occurred in Ontario and the North Eastern part of the U.S. A. -- quite a frightening time as initially terrorism was a suspect. It was, however, faulty infrastructure. When will we ever learn that we need to collect taxes to keep the unseen infrastructure in good repair!
Thus began my first vice-presidential year. Under the guidance of the president and other members of the executive we successfully negotiated a forced change of venue when the University of Toronto Mississauga needed the space we had been using for many years. The first website, the creation of which was donated, came into being as the club began its foray into the modern technological age. Now look at us in 2015 with an updated and very active website that more and more members are accessing. Diane McCullough and I broached the topic of creating an Issues Group that would address local initiatives and try to synchronize our efforts with national and provincial initiatives. Now this group organizes the research, discussion and presentation of the national resolutions to the membership, thus providing support to our president when she goes to the National AGM and votes on our behalf. The group, in addition, learns of and pursues local and international initiatives.
September 2004 found me welcoming members to our new location at the Cooksville United Church just south of Dundas and west of Hurontario. That summer I had attended the National AGM held in Regina. It was there that I received on behalf of the membership the award for increased membership. CFUW Mississauga was one of the few clubs thriving as this organization continues to struggle to maintain its relevance in a world where younger women are extremely busy and now have many different organizations to which they might wish to belong. In Regina I not only learned more about a province I had not previously visited but also how it deals with issues associated with our indigenous population and our environment. In the Fall, the membership welcomed two award recipients from the Charitable Trust who were pursuing doctoral and master’s degrees at local universities. This gave members an opportunity to see and hear for themselves about the work done by the Charitable Trust. During the year we also successfully negotiated an increase in membership fees in order to meet fee increases at the national and international levels.
My year as Past President was dominated as it is for all Past Presidents in the effort to find suitable candidates to fill the upcoming Executive positions. I decided to try the committee approach, which worked very well and we were able to present a slate to the membership for their consideration.
As I reflect on these three years they were definitely an enlightening, exciting and busy time, successfully navigated with the help of a knowledgeable and supportive executive.
The three years that encompassed my time as First Vice-President, President and Past President of CFUW Mississauga were incredibly busy and interesting. During these years I attended several National AGM’s, Ontario Council Meetings, Fall and Spring Gatherings, where I met a fascinating group of motivated women - motivated to make our country a better place for women and girls and thus for society. It was certainly inspirational and a great learning experience.
In the summer of 2003 I attended the National AGM in Nova Scotia. Many things were discussed out of which came some changes in our club. The most memorable event was a blackout that occurred in Ontario and the North Eastern part of the U.S. A. -- quite a frightening time as initially terrorism was a suspect. It was, however, faulty infrastructure. When will we ever learn that we need to collect taxes to keep the unseen infrastructure in good repair!
Thus began my first vice-presidential year. Under the guidance of the president and other members of the executive we successfully negotiated a forced change of venue when the University of Toronto Mississauga needed the space we had been using for many years. The first website, the creation of which was donated, came into being as the club began its foray into the modern technological age. Now look at us in 2015 with an updated and very active website that more and more members are accessing. Diane McCullough and I broached the topic of creating an Issues Group that would address local initiatives and try to synchronize our efforts with national and provincial initiatives. Now this group organizes the research, discussion and presentation of the national resolutions to the membership, thus providing support to our president when she goes to the National AGM and votes on our behalf. The group, in addition, learns of and pursues local and international initiatives.
September 2004 found me welcoming members to our new location at the Cooksville United Church just south of Dundas and west of Hurontario. That summer I had attended the National AGM held in Regina. It was there that I received on behalf of the membership the award for increased membership. CFUW Mississauga was one of the few clubs thriving as this organization continues to struggle to maintain its relevance in a world where younger women are extremely busy and now have many different organizations to which they might wish to belong. In Regina I not only learned more about a province I had not previously visited but also how it deals with issues associated with our indigenous population and our environment. In the Fall, the membership welcomed two award recipients from the Charitable Trust who were pursuing doctoral and master’s degrees at local universities. This gave members an opportunity to see and hear for themselves about the work done by the Charitable Trust. During the year we also successfully negotiated an increase in membership fees in order to meet fee increases at the national and international levels.
My year as Past President was dominated as it is for all Past Presidents in the effort to find suitable candidates to fill the upcoming Executive positions. I decided to try the committee approach, which worked very well and we were able to present a slate to the membership for their consideration.
As I reflect on these three years they were definitely an enlightening, exciting and busy time, successfully navigated with the help of a knowledgeable and supportive executive.
DIANE McCULLOUGH President 2005-06
I had not been a member of CFUW Mississauga for a full year when I was asked if I would let my name stand for Vice-President. I accepted the challenge and my learning curve began – actually it went straight up. It began with getting to know the local members and working closing with the few on the executive. It did not take long to become inspired and see the potential for getting involved. The accomplishment that is most significant to me is the establishment of the Issues Group. After attending my first Spring Gathering I felt our Interest Groups should deal with more than just the social aspects of the group. We began by looking at local issues and expanded from there. It has been gratifying to see how this group has grown and the direction it has taken.
My first term as President was not without its challenges. In June we had a full slate of officers and convenors for the executive. By August the membership convenor had resigned and later she was followed by the vice-president. As is their style, long-time members slipped into these positions and we were able to carry on. During my term as President CFUW Mississauga hosted the Fall Conference for Ontario South in 2006. A very capable group of individuals came together to plan a very successful event.
The knowledge I gained attending spring gatherings, fall conferences, Ontario Council Meetings and two Annual General Meetings (AGM) was invaluable. The highlight of my term in office was attending two AGMs – one in Saskatoon as Vice-resident and one in Oakville as President. It was an honour to represent CFUW Mississauga on both these occasions.
I had not been a member of CFUW Mississauga for a full year when I was asked if I would let my name stand for Vice-President. I accepted the challenge and my learning curve began – actually it went straight up. It began with getting to know the local members and working closing with the few on the executive. It did not take long to become inspired and see the potential for getting involved. The accomplishment that is most significant to me is the establishment of the Issues Group. After attending my first Spring Gathering I felt our Interest Groups should deal with more than just the social aspects of the group. We began by looking at local issues and expanded from there. It has been gratifying to see how this group has grown and the direction it has taken.
My first term as President was not without its challenges. In June we had a full slate of officers and convenors for the executive. By August the membership convenor had resigned and later she was followed by the vice-president. As is their style, long-time members slipped into these positions and we were able to carry on. During my term as President CFUW Mississauga hosted the Fall Conference for Ontario South in 2006. A very capable group of individuals came together to plan a very successful event.
The knowledge I gained attending spring gatherings, fall conferences, Ontario Council Meetings and two Annual General Meetings (AGM) was invaluable. The highlight of my term in office was attending two AGMs – one in Saskatoon as Vice-resident and one in Oakville as President. It was an honour to represent CFUW Mississauga on both these occasions.
JOYCE DELVES President 2006-07
In the fall of 2006 I began my second term as President of CFUW Mississauga, the first term being 1999-2000. I was pleased to represent our club at the AGM in Edmonton, accompanied by 1st VP Maureen Chorney and Past-Presidents Elaine Sutherns and Carol Hare. Edmonton was having a beautiful summer and during the times between AGM sessions and meetings we were able to enjoy some great walks around the lovely parks along the Saskatchewan River. Attending the National is always a stimulating and enervating experience. We met energetic and active women from many walks of life who devote so much of their time to extending the influence and importance of CFUW, not only within their local clubs but also at the national and international levels.
As always, the Club enjoyed a busy season with some excellent speakers at our monthly meetings. Significantly, our November Author’s Night featured Newfoundland writer Joan Clark, who is the sister of club member Gail Crawford. She gave us an inspiring talk on the joys and challenges of the writing process and treated us to selected readings from her new book, Latitudes of Melt.
It was during this term of office that the executive made the decision to move the location of our monthly meetings. The accommodations committee chaired by Gloria Thompson and supported by the Executive began to investigate alternative spaces. The Church of St. Bride in Clarkson gave us a warm welcome and offered space at a very attractive rental fee.
That year we changed the format of our May annual banquet at the Mississauga Golf and Country Club. We decided to combine our AGM with the resolutions meeting in April. This new move allowed us to eliminate the business portion of the agenda allowing more time for our guest speaker and for social interaction. Changeover of the Executive continues to take place at the banquet and allows the event to be celebratory rather than business.
In October 2006 we hosted a highly successful Ontario South Fall Gathering welcoming representatives from all the CFUW clubs in Southern Ontario. Mayor Hazel McCallion honoured us with her presence as our guest speaker. The executive and many club members donated countless volunteer hours organizing venues, programmes, speakers, lunches and attending workshops.
In the fall of 2006 I began my second term as President of CFUW Mississauga, the first term being 1999-2000. I was pleased to represent our club at the AGM in Edmonton, accompanied by 1st VP Maureen Chorney and Past-Presidents Elaine Sutherns and Carol Hare. Edmonton was having a beautiful summer and during the times between AGM sessions and meetings we were able to enjoy some great walks around the lovely parks along the Saskatchewan River. Attending the National is always a stimulating and enervating experience. We met energetic and active women from many walks of life who devote so much of their time to extending the influence and importance of CFUW, not only within their local clubs but also at the national and international levels.
As always, the Club enjoyed a busy season with some excellent speakers at our monthly meetings. Significantly, our November Author’s Night featured Newfoundland writer Joan Clark, who is the sister of club member Gail Crawford. She gave us an inspiring talk on the joys and challenges of the writing process and treated us to selected readings from her new book, Latitudes of Melt.
It was during this term of office that the executive made the decision to move the location of our monthly meetings. The accommodations committee chaired by Gloria Thompson and supported by the Executive began to investigate alternative spaces. The Church of St. Bride in Clarkson gave us a warm welcome and offered space at a very attractive rental fee.
That year we changed the format of our May annual banquet at the Mississauga Golf and Country Club. We decided to combine our AGM with the resolutions meeting in April. This new move allowed us to eliminate the business portion of the agenda allowing more time for our guest speaker and for social interaction. Changeover of the Executive continues to take place at the banquet and allows the event to be celebratory rather than business.
In October 2006 we hosted a highly successful Ontario South Fall Gathering welcoming representatives from all the CFUW clubs in Southern Ontario. Mayor Hazel McCallion honoured us with her presence as our guest speaker. The executive and many club members donated countless volunteer hours organizing venues, programmes, speakers, lunches and attending workshops.
MAUREEN CHORNEY President 2007-08
On a personal level, I very much enjoyed my year as president, especially working with a fantastic executive.
Attendance at the CFUW AGM and the Standing Committee meetings of Ontario Council, provided me personal satisfaction and growth. I recommend that those who have not taken on roles on the executive consider volunteering. During the three-year presidency commitment, there is only one difficult task – that is finding new executive members. The president’s pin which I received at the end of the year, originally belonged to Barb Cameron (1985-86) who gifted it back to our club, when she moved west to BC.
As I reviewed the newsletters from my presidency year, I saw that many themes from 2007-08 continue today for our attention and action:
We also had a provincial election that year. Again CFUW Ontario provided a suggested list of questions to ask our local candidates in order to assist us in making informed choices.
Another of the highlights from the year was the uplifting presentation by Shirley Lewis, a member of our club and our executive that year, about her post-retirement time volunteering in Ethiopia, and her charity that she runs to raise funds for education, especially for young women. A few years later, our club raised funds to build toilets for female students so they could stay in school.
Katherine Barber, the word lady from Oxford University Press, was the speaker at our May annual dinner and we enjoyed her talk. I have mentioned just two of the programs from that year, but there were so many interesting speakers thanks to the program convenor.
My only regret is that my efforts as past president to find a person in our club for the 1st VP position were not successful. I put together a spreadsheet of executive members over the previous 20 years. My summary is worth remembering:
On a personal level, I very much enjoyed my year as president, especially working with a fantastic executive.
Attendance at the CFUW AGM and the Standing Committee meetings of Ontario Council, provided me personal satisfaction and growth. I recommend that those who have not taken on roles on the executive consider volunteering. During the three-year presidency commitment, there is only one difficult task – that is finding new executive members. The president’s pin which I received at the end of the year, originally belonged to Barb Cameron (1985-86) who gifted it back to our club, when she moved west to BC.
As I reviewed the newsletters from my presidency year, I saw that many themes from 2007-08 continue today for our attention and action:
- Climate change. The AGM 2007 in Vancouver held a workshop, with a ‘call to action’ with specific things each of us can do for climate change. I think that our country has not changed much in this regard over the past 7 years
- Women’s rights
- Peace
- Advocacy, as identified by our Issues group
We also had a provincial election that year. Again CFUW Ontario provided a suggested list of questions to ask our local candidates in order to assist us in making informed choices.
Another of the highlights from the year was the uplifting presentation by Shirley Lewis, a member of our club and our executive that year, about her post-retirement time volunteering in Ethiopia, and her charity that she runs to raise funds for education, especially for young women. A few years later, our club raised funds to build toilets for female students so they could stay in school.
Katherine Barber, the word lady from Oxford University Press, was the speaker at our May annual dinner and we enjoyed her talk. I have mentioned just two of the programs from that year, but there were so many interesting speakers thanks to the program convenor.
My only regret is that my efforts as past president to find a person in our club for the 1st VP position were not successful. I put together a spreadsheet of executive members over the previous 20 years. My summary is worth remembering:
- “You may have noticed that the same familiar faces seem to reappear year after year among your executive making announcements, organizing special events, making reports. The reason, of course, is that they have to fill in the empty spaces on the executive under different hats whenever we fail to find a replacement for a position on a new executive. We know we can count on them. Is this fair? Our club has 227 members this year. Over the past 18 years 133 club members have never served on the executive - some 65% of you. Only 32% of our current members have served, and would you believe this service record? Two of them have been on the executive for nine years since 1991, two have served for eight years, and so it goes. Same people stepping into the breach.
MELANIE EVANS President 2008-09
Being the president of CFUW Mississauga is, in reality, a three-year commitment. When I became President, I had already spent a busy year as First Vice-President on a steep learning curve. My first five years of club membership had been focussed on its social and interest group aspects. During my first year on the executive I learned a great deal about the more serious side of CFUW related to advocacy and charitable causes. I attended meetings of the local Issues Group and the Scholarship Fund Committee, the AGM of Ontario Council in Peterborough, a meeting on electoral reform at Ryerson University, the national AGM in Vancouver and the Ontario South Fall Gathering in Ancaster. All of these activities expanded my knowledge of CFUW as a provincial, national and international organization and helped to prepare me for the role of President.
In that role, I first represented Mississauga at the Ontario Council AGM in North Bay, bringing back information on the theme “Vision, Voice, Action – Human Rights and HIV Aids.” In collaboration with the Issues Group, I sent a letter to Mississauga MPs, reinforcing CFUW’s concerns about Bill C-484, The Unborn Victims of Crime Act. This bill was seen as an attempt to interfere with the rights of Canadian women to make choices. At the National AGM in Montreal, the theme was “The Right to Speak and Responsibility to Act,” and I voted in favour of an emergency resolution against the use of cluster munitions. That AGM also saw the beginning of changes in the criteria for membership in CFUW, to acknowledge that higher learning is not confined to degree-granting universities. The concept of “academic rigour” would still be reinforced in a somewhat more inclusive policy. I also attended the Ontario South Fall Gathering in Georgetown.
At the local level, I presided over the executive meetings as well as the general monthly gatherings. The Annual Card Night presented me with the fun of giving away lots of prizes as we raised funds for scholarships. I also established a “Bring and Buy” book exchange that ran for two years and contributed its profits to the Scholarship Fund. During the presentation of the planned budget at the club’s AGM in April, the members in attendance voted against a raise in the annual membership fees. It was suggested that the money in our rather large Reserve Fund could be used to offset rising costs.
The Reserve Fund became a major issue which I followed through as Past-President. A survey of the membership revealed that the majority did not want the Reserve Fund, which had been built up in the past, to be used to solve a current deficit problem. Rather, they wished to have the money distributed to appropriate needs within the club. As an example, $2,000 in “seed money” was advanced to the Book Project to assist in the early stages of what would become a highly successful club initiative. I chaired a committee that oversaw the disbursement of the funds with the approval of the general membership.
As I said at the beginning, being club president is actually a three-year commitment and a very challenging and worthwhile one.
Being the president of CFUW Mississauga is, in reality, a three-year commitment. When I became President, I had already spent a busy year as First Vice-President on a steep learning curve. My first five years of club membership had been focussed on its social and interest group aspects. During my first year on the executive I learned a great deal about the more serious side of CFUW related to advocacy and charitable causes. I attended meetings of the local Issues Group and the Scholarship Fund Committee, the AGM of Ontario Council in Peterborough, a meeting on electoral reform at Ryerson University, the national AGM in Vancouver and the Ontario South Fall Gathering in Ancaster. All of these activities expanded my knowledge of CFUW as a provincial, national and international organization and helped to prepare me for the role of President.
In that role, I first represented Mississauga at the Ontario Council AGM in North Bay, bringing back information on the theme “Vision, Voice, Action – Human Rights and HIV Aids.” In collaboration with the Issues Group, I sent a letter to Mississauga MPs, reinforcing CFUW’s concerns about Bill C-484, The Unborn Victims of Crime Act. This bill was seen as an attempt to interfere with the rights of Canadian women to make choices. At the National AGM in Montreal, the theme was “The Right to Speak and Responsibility to Act,” and I voted in favour of an emergency resolution against the use of cluster munitions. That AGM also saw the beginning of changes in the criteria for membership in CFUW, to acknowledge that higher learning is not confined to degree-granting universities. The concept of “academic rigour” would still be reinforced in a somewhat more inclusive policy. I also attended the Ontario South Fall Gathering in Georgetown.
At the local level, I presided over the executive meetings as well as the general monthly gatherings. The Annual Card Night presented me with the fun of giving away lots of prizes as we raised funds for scholarships. I also established a “Bring and Buy” book exchange that ran for two years and contributed its profits to the Scholarship Fund. During the presentation of the planned budget at the club’s AGM in April, the members in attendance voted against a raise in the annual membership fees. It was suggested that the money in our rather large Reserve Fund could be used to offset rising costs.
The Reserve Fund became a major issue which I followed through as Past-President. A survey of the membership revealed that the majority did not want the Reserve Fund, which had been built up in the past, to be used to solve a current deficit problem. Rather, they wished to have the money distributed to appropriate needs within the club. As an example, $2,000 in “seed money” was advanced to the Book Project to assist in the early stages of what would become a highly successful club initiative. I chaired a committee that oversaw the disbursement of the funds with the approval of the general membership.
As I said at the beginning, being club president is actually a three-year commitment and a very challenging and worthwhile one.
GAIL CRAWFORD President 2009-2011
Looking back over four years as an officer of CFUW Mississauga, I am struck by how many meetings I attended at the national, provincial and local levels. All were stimulating get-togethers with a wide network of CFUWers. At the national level, I attended six AGMs over the years: Wolfville 2003, Montreal 2008, Winnipeg 2009, Ottawa 2010 and St. John’s in 2011 where I was a volunteer on the registration desk. I also attended a portion of the Kitchener-Waterloo AGM in 2014.
Of all the venues, Winnipeg’s Fort Garry Hotel takes the prize. Newly refurbished to its former glory, it was splendid and a most appropriate venue to celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary. I especially enjoyed a dinner at Ralph Connor House, the club’s home for 75 years and a historic building of great charm on the banks of the Assiniboine River. The banquet guest speaker outlined the plans for the National Museum of Human Rights. Of special importance was the approval of affiliate memberships in an amended By-Law that affirmed that CFUW is now open to women who do not qualify for regular membership but espouse CFUW objectives and purposes. This category would not exceed 20% of the regular membership. Work also began on restructuring the national board and downsizing it.
At the Ontario level, I attended several Standing Committee meetings and learned just how hard-working and effective the Council is. My first lecture in 2009 was on the theme of family law, violence against women and the necessity for better information. With CFUW Ontario’s help, the Ontario Government passed reforms in Family Law Education for Women (FLEW) and CFUW Mississauga helped distribute information booklets available in eleven languages in our particular communities.
I attended the Ontario South Fall Gathering hosted by Georgetown in 2008, the Council’s AGM in Belleville in 2009 which was celebrating its 80th anniversary, Ontario South Fall Gathering hosted by Niagara Falls to mark its 85th birthday that same year, Ontario AGM in St. Catharines in 2010 and Ontario South Fall Gathering in cheerful Welland that same year.
Closer to home at our club level, I was pleased to see an increase in membership because CFUW clubs were asked to increase membership through recruiting drives. We produced a handsome, updated club brochure that was placed in public areas. In 2009, I conducted a series of interviews with club pioneers who were still active club members and which was run in UPDATE. Brainstorming for our book of profiles began in 2009 as well and after board approval, we began work on planning and research. The idea resulted from an AGM when clubs were encouraged to undertake a major project that involved members of their communities. The book, Extraordinary Lives: Inspiring Women of Peel, made its appearance in 2012. The club also purchased some new equipment to enchance our general meetings.
In 2012 I became Club Archivist upon the retirement of long-serving Pippa Kossuth. My first move was to sort through the massive files that Pippa inherited, collect the archives stored at the Central library, do a purge and in consultation with Region of Peel Archives, submit what it was prepared to take. It is now the official home of our archives dating back to our inception in 1953.
Looking back over four years as an officer of CFUW Mississauga, I am struck by how many meetings I attended at the national, provincial and local levels. All were stimulating get-togethers with a wide network of CFUWers. At the national level, I attended six AGMs over the years: Wolfville 2003, Montreal 2008, Winnipeg 2009, Ottawa 2010 and St. John’s in 2011 where I was a volunteer on the registration desk. I also attended a portion of the Kitchener-Waterloo AGM in 2014.
Of all the venues, Winnipeg’s Fort Garry Hotel takes the prize. Newly refurbished to its former glory, it was splendid and a most appropriate venue to celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary. I especially enjoyed a dinner at Ralph Connor House, the club’s home for 75 years and a historic building of great charm on the banks of the Assiniboine River. The banquet guest speaker outlined the plans for the National Museum of Human Rights. Of special importance was the approval of affiliate memberships in an amended By-Law that affirmed that CFUW is now open to women who do not qualify for regular membership but espouse CFUW objectives and purposes. This category would not exceed 20% of the regular membership. Work also began on restructuring the national board and downsizing it.
At the Ontario level, I attended several Standing Committee meetings and learned just how hard-working and effective the Council is. My first lecture in 2009 was on the theme of family law, violence against women and the necessity for better information. With CFUW Ontario’s help, the Ontario Government passed reforms in Family Law Education for Women (FLEW) and CFUW Mississauga helped distribute information booklets available in eleven languages in our particular communities.
I attended the Ontario South Fall Gathering hosted by Georgetown in 2008, the Council’s AGM in Belleville in 2009 which was celebrating its 80th anniversary, Ontario South Fall Gathering hosted by Niagara Falls to mark its 85th birthday that same year, Ontario AGM in St. Catharines in 2010 and Ontario South Fall Gathering in cheerful Welland that same year.
Closer to home at our club level, I was pleased to see an increase in membership because CFUW clubs were asked to increase membership through recruiting drives. We produced a handsome, updated club brochure that was placed in public areas. In 2009, I conducted a series of interviews with club pioneers who were still active club members and which was run in UPDATE. Brainstorming for our book of profiles began in 2009 as well and after board approval, we began work on planning and research. The idea resulted from an AGM when clubs were encouraged to undertake a major project that involved members of their communities. The book, Extraordinary Lives: Inspiring Women of Peel, made its appearance in 2012. The club also purchased some new equipment to enchance our general meetings.
In 2012 I became Club Archivist upon the retirement of long-serving Pippa Kossuth. My first move was to sort through the massive files that Pippa inherited, collect the archives stored at the Central library, do a purge and in consultation with Region of Peel Archives, submit what it was prepared to take. It is now the official home of our archives dating back to our inception in 1953.
KATHRYN WILKINSON President 2011-12
The president’s role is a strange one – by the time you learn the job, it is time for someone else to take over and while as president you are leader of the executive, many members know a lot more than you do! So, being president is a steep learning curve but a great opportunity to connect with other women across the country and to learn more about the work of CFUW at the national level. One of the responsibilities of the first VP is to be the liaison for the Issues Group and to attend the Ontario Council Standing Committee Meetings that are held three times a year in Toronto; speakers and topics are excellent and deserving of a wider audience. The Issues Group is the advocacy arm of CFUW and when my VP year was up, I remained part of Issues and have found it to be one of the most interesting facets of belonging to CFUW and through the Issues Group, I continue to be part of Ontario Council.
The opportunity to attend the AGM and to be a voting delegate is one of the privileges of the president. I attended my first AGM in 2011 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. As always, the Newfoundland hospitality was wonderful and the weather was awful. I was given a beautiful room overlooking the narrows and couldn’t see them through the fog! The conference was a great experience.
Probably my most distinct memories of being president are dominated by two major events: the launch of our book Extraordinary Lives: Inspiring Women of Peel and the club membership fee increase. Before I became president, we had a deficit budget and a proposal was made to raise our membership fees. As Mr. Micawber advised David Copperfield: "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery." No one likes to pay more for something without seeing an increase in service but there was no choice. Membership has declined in the past few years as many of our members age and we are not attracting and retaining new members at the rate we need. We tried 50-50 draws at the general meeting and asked members to pay for their refreshments but neither initiative was popular so a decision was made to ask for a fee increase. We also knew that national fees were going to go up the following year.
I have done a lot of theatre in my time but there is no performance harder that standing up in front of CFUW members. We can be a very critical audience but the motion was passed and included sufficient funds to not require a raise when national made theirs a year later. We banked the extra funds for a year and increased our reserve funds that had been depleted by the negative budget. The book was a harder project and in many ways a harder sell. Gail Crawford had returned from the AGM a few years earlier enthused by the idea of CFUW producing a book. Funds raised from the project would be directed to the CFUW Charitable Trust to fund post-graduate scholarships and fellowships. I had been part of the book as one of the writers and by the time I became president the book was close to being ready for publication under the vigilant care of Gail and Joan Barrett. There was one major hiccup. In the enthusiasm to get the book written, there was no business plan to pay for its publication. A number of avenues had been pursued for funding, including a grant from the Mayor Hazel McCallion’s fund but there was a major shortfall which is when Joan came to the rescue with her proposal for a Wine and Cheese Fundraiser. It was hosted at the beautiful Edgemere Estate in Oakville and was a very elegant and profitable evening. With funds in hand we could approach a printer. The decision was made to use Rose Printers in Orillia. Joyce Delves, Gail Crawford and I made the trip to meet with the printer, enjoyed lunch in the Mariposa Bakery, found a dress for me to wear at my son’s wedding and did some serious shopping in the outlet mall south of Barrie on the way home – a great example of multi-tasking and that perhaps sums up being president of CFUW Mississauga – the need to think on your feet, be prepared to be pulled in a number of directions, getting involved in different projects and enjoy the experience, whatever it offers.
The president’s role is a strange one – by the time you learn the job, it is time for someone else to take over and while as president you are leader of the executive, many members know a lot more than you do! So, being president is a steep learning curve but a great opportunity to connect with other women across the country and to learn more about the work of CFUW at the national level. One of the responsibilities of the first VP is to be the liaison for the Issues Group and to attend the Ontario Council Standing Committee Meetings that are held three times a year in Toronto; speakers and topics are excellent and deserving of a wider audience. The Issues Group is the advocacy arm of CFUW and when my VP year was up, I remained part of Issues and have found it to be one of the most interesting facets of belonging to CFUW and through the Issues Group, I continue to be part of Ontario Council.
The opportunity to attend the AGM and to be a voting delegate is one of the privileges of the president. I attended my first AGM in 2011 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. As always, the Newfoundland hospitality was wonderful and the weather was awful. I was given a beautiful room overlooking the narrows and couldn’t see them through the fog! The conference was a great experience.
Probably my most distinct memories of being president are dominated by two major events: the launch of our book Extraordinary Lives: Inspiring Women of Peel and the club membership fee increase. Before I became president, we had a deficit budget and a proposal was made to raise our membership fees. As Mr. Micawber advised David Copperfield: "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery." No one likes to pay more for something without seeing an increase in service but there was no choice. Membership has declined in the past few years as many of our members age and we are not attracting and retaining new members at the rate we need. We tried 50-50 draws at the general meeting and asked members to pay for their refreshments but neither initiative was popular so a decision was made to ask for a fee increase. We also knew that national fees were going to go up the following year.
I have done a lot of theatre in my time but there is no performance harder that standing up in front of CFUW members. We can be a very critical audience but the motion was passed and included sufficient funds to not require a raise when national made theirs a year later. We banked the extra funds for a year and increased our reserve funds that had been depleted by the negative budget. The book was a harder project and in many ways a harder sell. Gail Crawford had returned from the AGM a few years earlier enthused by the idea of CFUW producing a book. Funds raised from the project would be directed to the CFUW Charitable Trust to fund post-graduate scholarships and fellowships. I had been part of the book as one of the writers and by the time I became president the book was close to being ready for publication under the vigilant care of Gail and Joan Barrett. There was one major hiccup. In the enthusiasm to get the book written, there was no business plan to pay for its publication. A number of avenues had been pursued for funding, including a grant from the Mayor Hazel McCallion’s fund but there was a major shortfall which is when Joan came to the rescue with her proposal for a Wine and Cheese Fundraiser. It was hosted at the beautiful Edgemere Estate in Oakville and was a very elegant and profitable evening. With funds in hand we could approach a printer. The decision was made to use Rose Printers in Orillia. Joyce Delves, Gail Crawford and I made the trip to meet with the printer, enjoyed lunch in the Mariposa Bakery, found a dress for me to wear at my son’s wedding and did some serious shopping in the outlet mall south of Barrie on the way home – a great example of multi-tasking and that perhaps sums up being president of CFUW Mississauga – the need to think on your feet, be prepared to be pulled in a number of directions, getting involved in different projects and enjoy the experience, whatever it offers.
MARY COUSINS President 2012-13
The opportunity to work on the executive was a tremendous experience. I learned a great deal more about CFUW than I had ever known. I was also reminded over and over that the key to the success of this organization is the dedicated women I have had the great pleasure to work with. Truly the strength of an organization is its members.
I had to opportunity to be president during the 60th year of the club. What a great milestone, especially with some of the original members present at the events. It was lovely to live the history of this club with the founding members.
Who can forget the book project, the challenges, the milestones, the contribution it made to the scholarship fund.
I can say without hesitation that I am a richer person having been part of the organization.
The opportunity to work on the executive was a tremendous experience. I learned a great deal more about CFUW than I had ever known. I was also reminded over and over that the key to the success of this organization is the dedicated women I have had the great pleasure to work with. Truly the strength of an organization is its members.
I had to opportunity to be president during the 60th year of the club. What a great milestone, especially with some of the original members present at the events. It was lovely to live the history of this club with the founding members.
Who can forget the book project, the challenges, the milestones, the contribution it made to the scholarship fund.
I can say without hesitation that I am a richer person having been part of the organization.
NANCY RABBAT President 2013-14
My commitment to the CFUW executive began with a very exciting trip to Vancouver Island to the 2012 AGM with President Mary Cousins and Carol Hare, Director of Finance for CFUW National. The Saturday meetings at the beautiful Laurel Inn opened my eyes to the debate and discord among various CFUW factions which can easily derail a productive session. After a harrowing first day, however, things all came together smoothly and we were able to achieve all we’d planned. One of the highlights of this conference for me was the talk by Elizabeth May, leader of the Green party, who is a CFUW member. Her insights into the parliamentary system were amazing, partly because of her extensive experience, beginning with her work on Parliament Hill during the Mulroney years. I came home from this trip with a fabulous Indian Chief’s head dress, won in the Charitable Trust silent auction which I will always cherish.
I also learned a great deal about CFUW from my involvement, beginning that year with the Issues Group, an interest group which involves itself in many very worthwhile causes especially those affecting our own community. My introduction to Ontario Council was another eye-opener; this group meets in Toronto three times a year, bringing very illustrious speakers on a variety of pressing issues and is a truly enriching experience for those who can attend.
One of my duties as VP was attending monthly executive meetings which were an opportunity to meet those who make our club work and to learn about the contributions of those who do the jobs needed to keep us functioning.
My presidential term began with a trip to Saskatoon to attend the AGM. These meetings are always inspiring with a large variety of workshops to choose from and amazing speakers from many disciplines. It’s also a chance to meet and learn from members across the country. A visit to the Ukrainian Museum was a highlight for me.
I took part in several teleconferences to discuss issues we all struggle with such as declining membership and in a meeting of club presidents in Ontario South held in St. Catharines. Vice President Anne Fabierkiewicz and I attended the Ontario AGM in Barrie where we unanimously passed a resolution concerning Urgent Educational Supports for Ontario’s Children and Youth in Care.
As a member who participates in one or two interest groups, we often are not aware of the hard work going on by many of our members across the country to address serious issues and needs. It was only when I joined the executive that I was awakened to the valuable work being done by so many groups including our own.
As Past-President, my responsibilities included collecting funds for various charities including Armagh. I was given a tour of this impressive facility by Lynn Ward, the director. It is stunning to realize that this is the only facility of its kind in Peel or Halton for abused women and children. The lucky few who are able to live in the supported housing with their children are given the tools they need to become established on their own during a transition year.
My interest in the Issues Group continues not because I am obliged to attend but because this group is involved in such interesting and important projects. Now that I know what’s happening, it’s hard not to be a participant.
What I’ve learned over my term is that CFUW is not just a bridge group! We are part of a national organization that looks out for the vulnerable and gets involved to raise awareness of issues that affect us all and to find workable solutions.
My commitment to the CFUW executive began with a very exciting trip to Vancouver Island to the 2012 AGM with President Mary Cousins and Carol Hare, Director of Finance for CFUW National. The Saturday meetings at the beautiful Laurel Inn opened my eyes to the debate and discord among various CFUW factions which can easily derail a productive session. After a harrowing first day, however, things all came together smoothly and we were able to achieve all we’d planned. One of the highlights of this conference for me was the talk by Elizabeth May, leader of the Green party, who is a CFUW member. Her insights into the parliamentary system were amazing, partly because of her extensive experience, beginning with her work on Parliament Hill during the Mulroney years. I came home from this trip with a fabulous Indian Chief’s head dress, won in the Charitable Trust silent auction which I will always cherish.
I also learned a great deal about CFUW from my involvement, beginning that year with the Issues Group, an interest group which involves itself in many very worthwhile causes especially those affecting our own community. My introduction to Ontario Council was another eye-opener; this group meets in Toronto three times a year, bringing very illustrious speakers on a variety of pressing issues and is a truly enriching experience for those who can attend.
One of my duties as VP was attending monthly executive meetings which were an opportunity to meet those who make our club work and to learn about the contributions of those who do the jobs needed to keep us functioning.
My presidential term began with a trip to Saskatoon to attend the AGM. These meetings are always inspiring with a large variety of workshops to choose from and amazing speakers from many disciplines. It’s also a chance to meet and learn from members across the country. A visit to the Ukrainian Museum was a highlight for me.
I took part in several teleconferences to discuss issues we all struggle with such as declining membership and in a meeting of club presidents in Ontario South held in St. Catharines. Vice President Anne Fabierkiewicz and I attended the Ontario AGM in Barrie where we unanimously passed a resolution concerning Urgent Educational Supports for Ontario’s Children and Youth in Care.
As a member who participates in one or two interest groups, we often are not aware of the hard work going on by many of our members across the country to address serious issues and needs. It was only when I joined the executive that I was awakened to the valuable work being done by so many groups including our own.
As Past-President, my responsibilities included collecting funds for various charities including Armagh. I was given a tour of this impressive facility by Lynn Ward, the director. It is stunning to realize that this is the only facility of its kind in Peel or Halton for abused women and children. The lucky few who are able to live in the supported housing with their children are given the tools they need to become established on their own during a transition year.
My interest in the Issues Group continues not because I am obliged to attend but because this group is involved in such interesting and important projects. Now that I know what’s happening, it’s hard not to be a participant.
What I’ve learned over my term is that CFUW is not just a bridge group! We are part of a national organization that looks out for the vulnerable and gets involved to raise awareness of issues that affect us all and to find workable solutions.
