2017 Resolutions memo from Joan Bona, national chairperson of resolutions:

As Canada celebrates its 150th year as a country, the League is fast approaching 100 years as an organization of Catholic women. During the 1922 national convention, members were encouraged to “take up some work of a national character that affects into the life of the whole country”. Fresh from another annual national convention, where four resolutions were adopted, the League’s historic experience of advocacy remains as true today as it did in 1922. The work continues. The resolutions will be featured in the fall issue of The Canadian League.

Please find enclosed in this mailing the 2017 resolutions-at-a-glance. Encourage members of your council to actively engage and follow-up on the action plans. Many hours of hard work, research, consultation and discussion have been contributed to bring issues to the forefront. Support this work through advocacy and awareness. At the time of writing this memo, national office has been actively pursuing meetings with federal government officials about the adopted 2017 resolutions.

The town hall held in conjunction with the annual national convention in Prince Edward Island was a profound experience. It was a truly remarkable and innovative avenue for members to be involved. Technology provided members across the country and in the convention hall the opportunity to be part of the process of planning strategically. The connectivity and the culmination of responses allowed the voices of all participants nationwide to be heard as the League embarked upon a new frontier. Advocacy and social justice were common themes generated through the responses.

The annual reporting process begins in the near future with online reporting as the only mechanism available to parish councils to provide responses. Although it is anticipated that some of you may be challenged for technological reasons, you may always reach out to members who do have the expertise to assist.

One common challenge presented in the 2016 annual reports for this standing committee was the inability of councils to recruit a member to take on a position due to fear and a lack of understanding resolutions. To combat this concern, lean on diocesan and provincial councils to assist with workshops and perhaps organize a resolutions dialogue at conventions or leadership development days throughout the year. Consider teaming up with neighbouring sisters in the League to organize a learning event. These are some avenues that help engage members to take up some work.

As a new year of meetings and planning emerges, I want to express appreciation to you for taking an interest in advocacy and social justice through resolutions. It was wonderful to witness members actively engaged and who took a valid interest in resolutions through concerns and proposed amendments at the annual national convention. Women of God, inspired by the Spirit and called to action through resolutions – let us continue “to take up some work “that affects the life of the entire country.

May the Spirit enfold your work with fervour and zeal.

Blessings.
Joan Bona
National Chairperson of Resolutions