Why did you join CFUW? Was it for the varied and engaging interest groups? The generous acts of fundraising or donating to the scholarship funds for young women? The ability to give voice to women and girls in advocating for their basic human rights? The known fact that CFUW Ontario Council has the ability to influence public policy? To meet new, likeminded women in your area?
We had many reasons for joining and for staying! Ask those longstanding members who have supported the local clubs – both intellectually and financially – over the years of their continued involvement and active participation. And let us not forget those who served in leadership roles!
And those reasons are still very much the same today – despite our altered circumstances since March and lasting into the foreseeable future. We cannot allow this pandemic to change or alter our very own reasons for club engagement. Women and girls, less fortunate than us, need us. Our very own senior members need us and each other. We have to stay connected. We have to continue to support our local club – again intellectually and financially.
We are educated women. We adapt. We accept our challenges and overcome obstacles. That is what Ontario Council women do. We need to reach out to those who are not connected virtually or who feel disconnected. Remember when we used to deliver or send our newsletters in the mail???? When we talked to each other by phone???
I encourage all CFUW Ontario Council ladies to renew their membership – because your significant contribution is needed. And others count on you too. I found these very inspiring messages from two of our OC club presidents who know what the value of membership means in their clubs; I am sure you all will agree.
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"Over the past six months we have been faced with individual challenges adapting to the reality of the present Covid-19 situation. Our lives have changed in so many ways and we have had to learn to do things differently. With this has come a greater appreciation for what many of us have perhaps taken for granted at times: our relationships with family, friends and our community.
Caring for others has become more important than ever before when we see the inequities in the lives of people marginalized by factors such as family support, race, level of education, income, physical and mental health, to name but a few.
In renewing your membership this year you will be supporting the programs we have in place that help to improve the lives of women and girls: our scholarship and awards that help young women pursuing higher education, our fundraising for local women’s shelters and other activities that help our community at large.
How we will meet this year has changed; our mission has remained the same. We will continue in our pursuit of life-long learning with great “virtual“ speakers and the opportunity to discuss how we can try to implement this new knowledge to fulfill our club’s mission.
I encourage all of you to embrace being a club member in this new setting and to be part of a group of women using their education and life experience to care for others."
----Joanne Jamieson, President CFUW Etobicoke
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"An uplifting theme during this difficult time is the resilience of our members who have shown friendship, caring, and communication with each other. Having been in isolation for extended periods has tried our patience and mental health. Keeping in touch with others helps enormously. We have all had to increase our technology skills to meet virtually with family, loved ones, and friends.
I know that several interest groups have kept up with each other virtually during the spring and summer. It has been a challenging year with the Covid pandemic; the Black Lives Matter movement increasing our awareness of changes that must take place; the horrid conditions in some Long Term Care Facilities; the need [to address] climate change; and the need to fulfill the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Returning to school and universities is extremely problematic
I know it won't be easy this fall having virtual meetings, however CFUW North Toronto needs you more than ever. We urge you to renew your membership so that we can carry on the learning, fellowship, friendship and advocacy work that we do. We will be able to meet face to face again. We just don't know when. It has been determined that because of the changes, there will be no increase in dues this year. It has been such a privilege to serve this organization as president and work with such a distinguished, committed group of women. Thank you for this opportunity."
----Helen Penfold, President CFUW North Toronto
Stay Safe. Stay Well. Stay Tuned.
Sandy Thomson, President
CFUW Ontario Council
