2007 Annual Report of
B.C. & Yukon Provincial Council
Barbara Dowding, Provincial President

Two years ago the provincial executive adopted a T.E.A.M. theme which has inspired members to Love One Another and Walk Humbly with Our God. Council presidents' reports reflected how the provincial executive taught, evangelized, animated and motivated its sisters across British Columbia and into the Yukon. Diocesan presidents covered a great deal of material in reports which reflected parish level difficulties as well as the diocesan perspective. The following is a compilation of those reports.

Membership
Increases in membership were reported with one diocesan council breaking the 4,000 member mark. New parish councils continued to be formed and others were re-activated, in large part to a strategic plan and a designated group consisting of past diocesan presidents and life members. Presidents reported benefiting from increased efforts encouraging members to attend meetings and take on leadership roles as well as a re-emphasis on spirituality. A number of parish councils used co-chairpersons and rotating presidents to keep the League alive while others reported learning to be more flexible with respect to meetings. One diocesan council focused on kindness, understanding and respect. All reports credited the high calibre of convention programs for keeping members interested and motivated.

Communication
Diocesan councils reported success in using telephone contact to keep members informed and connected, especially if they could not attend meetings. E-mail was used more frequently but mail was still considered very important for many members. Diocesan presidents also used communiqués and newsletters to keep parish councils informed.

One diocesan council produced and distributed 1,000 postcards against legalizing prostitution while raising awareness about the League and communicating its stand on this important issue. Websites were fast becoming the main information highway for members, with diocesan councils working toward having their own websites. The provincial executive renewed its website complete with registration forms and applications available online. Keeping the League in the forefront, one diocesan newspaper set aside a whole page for League news.

Leadership training
One diocesan executive updated an old League resource resulting in a new version of ?Why I am a member of the CWL.? Councils delegated responsibilities to different members to share and mentor, an important component of leadership training. All diocesan executives had or presented a variety of workshops on most aspects of leadership. One qualified parliamentarian gave a presentation on President's Job Description, Motions and Body Language while presentations on standing committees, policy and procedures, nominations and elections were given three times in different areas of a diocese. Diocesan executive meetings almost always had an educational component or workshop. Members appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the League. In attempting to fill executive positions and involve younger women, parish councils took advantage of League resources and ongoing education provided by other levels. Some members appreciated being encouraged to step outside their comfort zone.

Promoting the League
Diocesan presidents reported that the League was promoted in many of the usual ways. Pins and scarves were worn at all fundraising activities, parish events and community gatherings. Bursaries were awarded at all levels and articles sent to Catholic and local papers on League events and activities. Members took display boards and sent representatives to religious education conferences, the public forum on the prevention of human trafficking and other diocesan events. Parish councils hosted CWL Sunday, advertised by invitational posters throughout dioceses and having the diocesan and/or provincial president speak at masses. In one diocesan council, the president and spiritual advisor traveled to outlying parishes.

Challenges
Some challenges faced by diocesan presidents included the transient nature of small towns, especially those affected by work layoffs from mill and mine closures, and how to keep parish councils active. One diocesan council, consisting of only two parish councils, looked for ways to encourage younger members while trying to cope with being more than 1,000 miles apart! Finding members to chair standing committees and accept executive positions continued to top the list of challenges as well as managing to keep meetings balanced between spiritual, business and social aspects while adequately addressing the larger issues and actions around legislation and resolutions. One diocesan council faced a severe financial crisis prompting a major review of policies and expenditures. Other challenges included how to educate members, attract standing committee chairpersons, advertise the merits of the League and find time to do all that needs to be done.

Accomplishments
Diocesan presidents' reports were hopeful as they noted important areas of positive growth. For one it was as basic as ?just to keep the council going from month to month.? For another it was the situation of a parish council coming together to take care of everything when the president fell seriously ill. Other accomplishments included watching the personal growth of an executive, the success of a diocesan council's League development team, seeing a diocesan council website take shape and having resolutions and mini-workshops at general meetings.

Observing a sisterhood theme at the re-establishment of a parish council and observing the ?recognizable individual growth in some members who are sharing their appreciation of the League with others? were also cited.

Provincial perspective
Standing committee chairpersons reported remarkable work and volunteer hours in service to church and community at diocesan and parish council levels. Most will be included in the national chairpersons' reports, but some noteworthy highlights include:

•  the promotion of attendance at daily mass and time for adoration
•  extensive use of the national theme
•  ongoing work on human trafficking and protests against legalizing prostitution and brothels, particularly in relation to the 2010 Olympics
•  increased emphasis on health and wellness issues, genetics and the environment; members took better care of themselves and educated each other, particularly on health matters for women
•  enormous support for all pro-life issues and an opportunity to build a positive relationship with the Knights of Columbus in this regard
•  successful letter writing and e-mail campaigns in support of Bill C-2 An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts and the Telus Mobility situation when the company withdrew its offering of adult content service
•  renewed interest in the initiatives of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, as well as assistance for the larger global community, as parish councils supported individual activities and causes in India, Haiti, Peru and Darfur; care of children orphaned and hurt by war was a priority for many as was immigration
•  successful regular meetings with the provincial government and participating in the ministry of education's discussions regarding curriculum changes
•  increased membership for the sixth straight year
•  adding a second midterm meeting for the provincial executive

In keeping with the commitment to support the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations (WUCWO), the 60th annual provincial convention in Victoria was dedicated to the women of Africa. Presentations were made by:

•  Provincial Spiritual Advisor Rev. T. Brock who gave a passionate presentation on Imaculee which emphasized the freedom that comes from or with forgiveness
•  Dr. Nancy Reeves, whose ?Match Made in Heaven? inspired and taught how to discern God's call so members could unwrap their own gifts and grow into the people God meant them to be
•  Beverley Reid, producer of Anita's Africa, who explored fundamental ties that bind children and how a library in Uganda became a reality when ordinary people cared enough
•  Life Member Pat Battensby who, in her role as WUCWO representative, spoke of a successful parish council based project that managed to bring water to a small village

Spiritual nourishment came from Bishop Richard Gagnon of Victoria, and former provincial and diocesan spiritual advisor, who suggested spreading the gospel ?by letting God love others through us.?

Life members were treated to lunch and the focus of much attention in tribute to their service. A special slide show featuring life members, past provincial presidents and spiritual advisors made it clear how much they are valued and cherished.

Rev. Brock's letter to the bishops in British Columbia resulted in several opportunities for members and diocesan spiritual advisors to speak at clergy conferences on all aspects of the League. The bishops also supported the provincial council's initiative against human trafficking.

The provincial council increased the development fund significantly so more members could travel to conventions, attend workshops and meetings and take advantage of opportunities to grow in their knowledge and understanding of the League. This fund also covered the costs for provincial executive members to present development days in the dioceses.

Members were enthusiastic and cared deeply about the League as witnessed by the efforts to maintain and build membership. Members overcame a multitude of challenges to keep the League alive and growing. They are proud of being busy Catholic women with full lives and responsibilities. There is a hunger for spirituality, education and opportunities to serve. The League provides the food for the journey and thankfully sisters Love One Another and surely Walk Humbly with Our God.