2006 Annual Report of
B.C. & Yukon Provincial Council
Barb Dowding, Provincial President

Membership
All diocesan presidents were concerned about the ongoing difficulties in getting new members and keeping existing ones. Two diocesan councils reported increased membership with the others not reporting. The challenge remained to get younger women involved.

Most parish councils spoke at the masses during membership time; some pastors added their own affirmation and encouragement. All the tried and true membership methods produced decent results, but everyone agrees that personal invitation is the best way. Parish councils hosted welcome receptions for new parishioners, socials, luncheons and teas to reach out to new women. Some had CWL Sunday as often as once a month, with council members hosting, doing the readings, ushering, etc. A variety of handouts were produced, one with emphasis on associate membership. New Catholics were given a card to welcome them to the parish and invite them to join the League.

One diocesan president reported beginning with three struggling councils and, as her term ended, only one was still struggling. Another reported success in restarting an inactive council and used the mentoring team (Dream Team) to visit another struggling council. This diocesan council added two new parish councils and had prospects of two more. One parish council formed a team of eight members to visit senior members who could no longer attend meetings.

Communications
Parish bulletins and newsletters got information to more than just paid-up members. In one diocese, the two councils are more than 600 miles apart. They met only once a year at the diocesan convention, so communiqués were the main source of communication. Others used the Internet to do business where all communiqués and important notices were sent via e-mail. The quick response system was a good example of how modern technology was used to get important news for action out quickly. Using an e-mail or phoning tree made keeping members informed easy. Some parish councils had a link added to their parish website for the League. One diocesan council tried something new: its executive mailed a monthly newsletter, which included all communiqués, news and updates, to each parish. Another diocesan council used a large calendar for planning events, making it easy for all to see what was going on.

Leadership/Training
Members from all across the province attended the parliamentarian training course held in Vancouver. All diocesan presidents reported having workshops at general meetings from resolutions to leadership training; some aspect of education was included with the business. Life members and provincial executive members including the president were often asked to speak at diocesan meetings as part of the provincial teaching role. Having a supporting and involved spiritual advisor, as well as enthusiastic parish council presidents, made for good leadership training. One president noted that those councils that follow an agenda, have a spiritual component as well as some fun, met with success.

Using new member kits, mentoring and some teaching at every meeting about standing committees would ensure that members understand the League. One diocesan president used the Forgiveness and Healing workshop in her visits to parish councils. Other leadership opportunities included working on convention planning committees and, in one case, planning for an Episcopal ordination. Presidents who ran good meetings without stress and with joy were teaching leadership by good example. All presidents cited attendance at the national convention as the best leadership training of all!

Policy
Diocesan councils set policy on a number of issues, including adding money to a development fund to assist members in travelling to parish councils. This would be used to fund the team that offered support and education at the parish level. One diocesan council was just beginning to develop its own policy and procedure manual, using one from another diocesan council as a guide, while another reported having one that was used at every meeting. Parish councils were also encouraged to have a policy and procedure manual.

Promoting the League
One diocesan council reported that writing letters on the issues of Bill C-338 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (procuring a miscarriage after twenty weeks of gestation) and Bill C-49 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (trafficking in persons) in response to resolutions adopted at the national level was a good way to promote the League. Discussions on issues such as euthanasia and assisted suicide, same sex unions, violence against women, trafficking of women and children, fair trade, etc., educated members so that they were prepared to speak to these matters in an informed way. Councils worked with diocesan newspapers to promote League events and report on activities.

The provincial president believed that she was promoting the League at all the opportunities she had to speak at masses, meetings and even funerals and teas to advance the League's mandate and mission. Members wore their name tags and League pins when serving/working in their parishes and outside. New executive members were installed and celebrated at parish masses.

Biggest challenges
Diocesan presidents offered the following challenges:
•  accommodating the distance between councils
•  restoring diocesan funds that had been depleted
•  attracting and retaining members
•  keeping the councils happy
•  completing report forms
•  making the League more relevant in the lives of young mothers
•  finding a time for meetings that would accommodate working women
•  finding members who would accept executive positions
•  overcoming the perception by some parishioners that the League was too political, too far reaching and too ecumenical
•  keeping the meetings interesting and short, while providing social and spiritual emphasis

Greatest accomplishments
Diocesan presidents reported many accomplishments. More members were reading, studying and acting on resolutions. Members were encouraged to be more kind and stayed healthy. They supported women and children in Cucuta, Columbia. Many members signed up for the standing committee they were most interested in. Several councils established a calendar of events and some started a prayer shawl ministry. Two new parish councils were organized. The provincial council initiated the Dream Team for League development and 13 members attended the parliamentarian workshop. Diocesan meetings were used as teaching opportunities, with good participation using workshops and guest speakers. Members were pleased to see an increase in the spiritual component of meetings.

Comments/Suggestions
Diocesan presidents suggested that:
•  members continue to work ?For God and Canada ? and carry on doing the best they can
•  accredited delegates have a more active role at conventions
•  parish presidents serve at the diocesan level
•  the Dream Team expand and grow

Provincial observations
The provincial executive exemplified the meaning of TEAM as everyone pulled together to cover the duties of the organization standing committee. The provincial council and diocesan presidents showed great creativity and energy. Executive members continued to ask the Holy Spirit for inspiration and direction in filling this important position.

The executive was committed to developing leadership. They continued to look to the national executive for new ideas and direction in this area as well. They believed that training members to teach other members is the best way to develop leadership and healthy situations at all levels.