REPORT OF B.C. & YUKON PROVINCIAL PRESIDENT
PAT BATTENSBY?The example of Mary is relevant here. She is the ideal type of woman who knew how to unite tenderness with power. She stood under the cross. She had previously concerned herself with the human condition, observed it, understood it! In her Son's tragic hour, she appeared publicly. Perhaps the moment has come for the Catholic woman also to stand with Mary and the Church under the cross.? ( Edith Stein by Freda May Oben, PhD)
These words have stayed in my mind since reading this book for the first time. St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross is such a saint for today's woman and the League. Members of the provincial council truly stood with Our Lady of Good Counsel at the cross as they worked for social justice, family values and the preservation of the traditional definition of marriage. Members were proactive in writing letters, petitions, visiting members of parliament, members of the legislative assembly and letting elected politicians know their opinions. Members truly cast out into the deep and moved forward with hope and courage.
Membership increased to the total of 8,624. This brought the provincial total closer to the goal of 10,000 members by the year 2006. Diocesan presidents were aware of the fact that, not only should they recruit new members, but what is done with them after they register is critical. Parish councils presented welcome kits, orientation programs and recognized new members in a variety of ways. Members aggressively went after those who had not renewed and made it their crusade to get them back and make them happy and valued. Membership drives were held in most parish councils, some continued from the previous fall and others reported unique and effective ways of recruiting. Overall, the increase in numbers was quite encouraging.
A lack of basic League knowledge seemed to be at the root of the problem of finding members to take office. Once again, education was the key and members tried hard to accomplish this feat. Many councils reported recycled presidents who seemed to have the attitude ?Oh, we tried that and it doesn't work here,? and this illustrated the point that new officers were the way to go. As councils changed constantly, more members were brought into the fullness and richness of the League. The lack of members wanting to stand for office, I am convinced, was because they were afraid of the unknown. It was the provincial council's task to make the unknown known, and to teach and encourage and keep supporting members and councils.
Many diocesan councils were committed to hosting multiple workshops throughout the year and bore the fruit of this education process. A provincial policy states that, if the provincial president or her representative attends a diocesan convention, she should facilitate a workshop. This seemed to be very effective at the diocesan conventions and the provincial council will continue with this mandate. Provincial executive members also had workshops at their mid-term meetings and will do so again in the future. All councils reported asking for more education. Helping members attend conventions at all levels seemed to be happening more which helped many councils raise enthusiasm and awareness of League activities.
Spiritually, councils were very active indeed. It was clear to me that spirituality is what sets the League apart and what gears up members' engines. Members were active in so many venues in parish life and their communities. They constantly tapped the rich resources of their magnificent faith, and their resourcefulness was amazing.
Many councils devoted a lot of energy toward supporting seminarians. One diocesan council took lunch to their local seminary and told these prospective spiritual advisors a little about the League, its work and the great part that parish councils play in the life of the parish. This same council sent little gifts and cards at Christmas to keep the League ever in seminarians' minds.
One diocesan council, realizing the stress and pressures of parish priests, hosted an annual priests appreciation dinner with entertainment. This has been hosted for about 10 years and attendance increases annually. The same diocesan council also held two very successful sisters appreciation dinners and plan on perpetuating this on a biannual basis.
The provincial council took the words from the prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel to heart: ?Teach us to share with others at home and abroad the good things you have given us.? Five hundred dollars was donated to the Southeast Asia Disaster Fund through the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, with the request that the donation go specifically to help children in orphanages.
The provincial council was very proactive in the campaign to barrage the federal government with emphatic notice that members wanted the definition of marriage to remain as the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. Many diocesan councils participated in multiple means of communicating this message and members will continue to be urged to review the manner in which their elected member cast his or her ballot for future elections.
As I wrote this report, we were preparing to host the 85th Annual National Convention in Vancouver, British Columbia. What a distinct joy and privilege as we prepare to welcome members with open and warm arms as we celebrate the League and the privilege of membership.
