DATE: October 9, 2020
FROM: Fran Lucas, National president-elect and chairperson of organization
TO: Parish council chairpersons of organization
To all presidents-elect, if you are in the third year of your position or were elected early this year, we know this year is going to be one for the books! This pandemic will have us reflecting on it in years to come. The differences we are experiencing because of isolations, social distancing, physical distancing, wearing masks, continual reminders to wash our hands, hand sanitizers everywhere, COVID-19 testing and waiting for the results, lack of in-person meetings and enhanced communication styles are all among the list of things that will be remembered.
Membership
Councils that have not yet sent in per capita fees for 2020 are asked to do so now. The need to have this happen cannot be emphasized enough as the upcoming year’s fees will soon be required to be collected and submitted. Organization communique # 11, dated June 15, 2020, contained a suggestion for current members to participate in the future activation of new members. It is an easy way for many members to make a personal contribution to membership in their council by saving a modest amount of money, regardless of amount, through less frequent personal indulgences (giving up a weekly coffee at a favourite café or an occasional manicure, etc.). Members’ contributions could then be pooled together to become part of a bigger giving of free membership(s) to parish members. Once the council is meeting again, all members could participate in deciding who to give the membership(s) to.
Independent of this initiative, one member in a parish council in British Columbia has already recruited five new members! This leads one to believe that the pandemic is a meaningful time to connect with others and invite new members on board.
League Development
GoToMeeting and Zoom videoconferences have filled the void for holding executive and members’ gatherings for many councils. This is a great example of leadership development. Get your executive or council on board by offering a simple “how to” training for this way of gathering.
The provincial presidents-elect and I have been developing an orientation session for executives on parish, diocesan and provincial councils. Please watch for further information in the next few months. The presidents-elect are excited, and as you will see, very creative in this work!
Participation in the national summer speaker series in August was very encouraging. Access each session on the national website at cwl.ca—click the “To Inform” tab, then “Videos,” choose the Summer Speaker Series post and select the presentation you would like to view. The presentation I was pleased to deliver, “The League of the Future: Year 2” on the strategic plan, is a must for all members to see. Please coordinate this in your council so that members are aware of the latest happenings and releases of the work the implementation committee and working groups have accomplished to date and are working on. As well, the Welcome Program portion will be available through your provincial counterpart.
League Resource Material
These days of less social interaction allow for time to visit the national website and to explore the various manuals available for use in your position and to advise others of those available for them. Everyone should be familiar with the strategic plan booklet, which is still available from the national office.
Annual Reports
Enclosed, please find several directives on the completion and submission of the 2020 annual report survey. Once again, there have been changes made. One difference you are sure to notice is the reduction of questions. As well, new questions have been added to specifically help the various implementation committee working groups. Age groupings will once again be asked for. Gather that information now so that it is at your fingertips when needed. Please take the opportunity to start your survey early as it will be available November 1st on the national website. And what about last year’s survey results? Has your council had the opportunity to work on any of the council challenges or recommendations identified? It is not too late to begin now.
Life Membership
The life membership grew this year with an additional 17 members honoured with that status. Please seek these members out in your parish, diocesan or provincial council and call on their help whenever you can. These women have a wealth of knowledge, skills and abilities. They would love to help—exercising their responsibility as a life member!
We have come this far through the pandemic and we can come out the other end when it is safe with a renewed energy and enthusiasm... I know we can! It will be exciting to see the actions that will result from that energy and enthusiasm!
Stay safe as Our Lady of Good Counsel guides us in your service “For God and Canada!”
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