Education | Action | Advocacy |
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CFUW Ontario Council News |
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Ontario Council President's Message |
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Autumn colors abound, the weather is brisker, and leaves are falling. A beautiful time of the year to take in nature! Many of our CFUW Ontario Council ladies have been taking advantage of the bountiful season, as it offers crisp air, the ability to walk at a distance, the enjoyment of peace and tranquility, and watching with amusement the squirrels, chippies and blue jays prepare for their winter retreat (yes, I am guilty of feeding them peanuts!)
I am pleased to hear and read about so many clubs engaged and connected, despite the COVID restrictions. The creative ideas for fundraising, the sharing of online events with other clubs, the activism for a better province, a better country.
With respect to activism, the Ontario Council October 3 rd Speakers Series was very well attended and our speakers – Karen Henderson, Michele Harding, and Dan Levitt – enlightened us as to the current state of long term care (LTC), home care, and community living. Their presentations were timely as planned, given the CFUW Stratford and CFUW Oakville resolutions. Please read the recap of their presentations below and visit the OC website to view their presentations.
We are constantly learning about Zoom virtual technology, and October 3rd was no exception. We note the following:
- Ladies may not have realized they were in a waiting room prior to the program commencing at 10 a.m. We did receive feedback and for Nov. 21, we will ask members to join with their individual link at 9:45 a.m.
- It is suggested that ladies create a file for Zoom invitations. We were informed that individuals had to join by either going to the website or through our communications chair, Ingrid Sproxton. Once you register, the link is created especially for you.
- Once admitted to the event (the waiting room is a security feature of Zoom so as not to admit ZOOMbombers or demon dialers), everyone is muted. It does take a few minutes to admit everyone. We had over 200 registrants at the October Speakers Series.
- It is important not to unmute yourselves unless instructed to do otherwise, or unless there is a technical issue we can solve for you on the spot.
- Our speaker Karen Henderson had technical difficulties and Beth Haynes, our Technical Support Expert, was very busy trying to have her connect appropriately. Right up to the start time and into the program, she was working with Karen to fix her audio difficulties.
Hopefully the above will make your next Zoom experience less frustrating and give you some measure of comfort. Learning takes patience – and how well I know that!
On the whole, we received very positive feedback for the LTC program. And there is a call for action ladies! We have included a template letter from CFUW Oakville (see article below) based on their LTC resolution to write to your Members of Provincial Parliament. And the national advocacy package has been recently released. Take the time to write! Here is the link to your particular MPP: https://www.ola.org/en/members/current. Our November 21st Speakers Series will focus on “Women in a COVID Economy.” We will again feature three dynamic and respected speakers-Lorna Marsden, CM OOnt, Paulette Senior, CEO, Canadian Women’s Foundation, and Carolyn Ferns, Public Policy/Government Relations, Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care, who will focus on how this pandemic has affected women – the status of women, violence/abuse against women, and child care – all intersecting and highlighted during these altered circumstances. Please register now!
In closing ladies, I wish to thank you for your patience, understanding, engagement and learning with your club activities and Ontario Council. Let us continue to educate, advocate and take action as Women Helping Women!
Sandy Thomson, President
CFUW Ontario Council
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ZOOM Speakers Series
November 21st, 2020
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November 21, 2020 10 AM – 12:30 PM
Please register by 5 p.m. on November 19th
Plenary
WOMEN IN THE COVID ECONOMY
Our November 21st Speakers Series features three dynamic and respected speakers: Lorna Marsden CM OOnt, Paulette Senior, CEO Canadian Women’s Foundation, and Carolyn Ferns, Public Policy/Government Relations, Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care. The focus will be on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected women, specifically the status of women, violence/abuse against women, and child care.
Lorna Marsden will speak about the general impact of COVID-19, economic and otherwise, on Canadian women. Lorna, who is a Member of the Order of Canada and a Member of the Order of Ontario, is a Canadian sociologist, academic and former politician. She is the former President and Vice-Chancellor of both Wilfred Laurier University and York University, and a former senator.
Paulette Senior, CEO and President of the Canadian Women's Foundation, will focus on the impact of COVID on gender equity and gender-based violence. Paulette has worked with all levels of government and civil society to address issues including poverty, housing, gender-based violence, immigration and social justice.
Carolyn Ferns will speak about how the pandemic has impacted women through a child care lens. Carolyn worked for over ten years at the Childcare Resource and Research Unit, where she co-authored the Early Childhood Education and Care in Canada series. Carolyn has a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master's degree in Early Childhood Studies. She is a member of the Board of Directors of both Child Care Now of Canada and the Childcare Resource and Research Unit.
The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session when the speakers will address questions from the audience. We encourage you to submit your questions in advance to Lisa Long, Chair of the Legislation Standing Committee.
In September, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce published a report that may provide some context around women in the COVID economy. The report, The She-Covery Project: Confronting the Gendered Economic Impacts of COVID-19 in Ontario can be downloaded here.
Register for the November 21st speakers series here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about joining the meeting. Please save your confirmation e-mail, as it contains your individual link to the ZOOM meeting, which you'll need to connect on November 21st. |
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Greetings from your new Advocacy Chair
Hello! I am Judy Gay, a member of CFUW Kingston.
We are certainly faced with many challenges this new season, not only the pandemic that is ravaging populations around the world, but also here in Ontario, the new policies derived from the Resolutions passed at the National AGM, improving the lives of children and the elderly as well as acknowledging an historic cultural genocide.
We have many large Clubs with much experience and expertise. They are able to ‘take on’ many issues. Our challenge in CFUW OC is the small club with declining numbers and ageing members.
To you I offer the challenge of taking on one issue. I know that in the past, you did expert research and accomplished much. Now, with the help of your Regional Director, and the OC Board, I urge you to ‘gird your loins’ once again; do the research, use your experience, meet with your M.P.P., your M.P., whether in his/her office or at one of your meetings. Do write them a letter.
If every Club in Ontario wrote one letter to one legislator, that would be a tremendous effort.
Be safe, keep healthy and good luck. Sincerely,
Judy.
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Update re Long Term Care
CFUW Windsor has sent a letter to Lisa Gretzky, MPP for Windsor West, supporting the passage of the More Than A Visitor Act. MPP Gretzky announced this private member's bill in September. The new bill enshrines rights for people receiving care, support or services in congregate care settings, such as long-term care and group homes, to ensure consistent, continuous and safe access to their essential caregivers. The bill has passed 2nd reading in the Legislature and has been referred to the Standing Committee on Social Policy.
CFUW Oakville, proposer of Emergency Resolution 2 Long-Term Care - Protect the Vulnerable, are ready to proceed with a letter writing campaign and have drafted a template letter to send to your Club's MPP.
All of the above can be viewed from the new Long Term Care page on the OC website. The LTC page can also be accessed from the website's Advocacy drop-down menu under What are the Issues? or Take Action!
Update re Payday Loans
CFUW Ontario Council has sent a letter to the Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, requesting more information on the Government’s plan to educate the public about the practices of payday loan companies, while also acknowledging the 2020 changes to the Payday Loans Act, 2008, especially the maximum interest rate of 2.5% per month on payday loans in default.
You can view the letter to Lisa Thompson from the new Finance page on the OC website. The Finance page can also be accessed from the website's Advocacy drop-down menu under What are the Issues? or Take Action!
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Update re Child Care
The Ontario government has completed its review of the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) and is soliciting feedback from all interested parties by November 20, 2020. (Under the Act, the Minister of Education is required to review the legislation every five years.) The OC Standing Committee on Education is preparing their submission regarding the Government's proposed amendments to the Act. They have a number of concerns including the proposed change that will combine infants and toddlers into one group, which will in turn affect staff-to-child ratios, especially for children aged 24 to 30 months. Education Chair Wendy Taylor is inviting all OC clubs to submit any comments they would like the Committee to consider for inclusion in the OC submission. Please send your comments to education@cfuwontcouncil.org. Please note that child care is one of the major issues affecting women in the COVID-19 economy and Carolyn Ferns from the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care is one of the speakers at the next Speakers Series on November 21.
Role of Municipalities vis-a-vis CFUW Advocacy - Judy Gay, Advocacy Chair
CFUW’s support for elected officials at the local level can bring about improvements at our own doorsteps. Knowing your local councillor, or being your local councillor, brings much-needed support to the municipal level. We can advocate at the local level. The municipalities play an important role in being the first gate-keeper to initiate and support positive change. Read more ...
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October 3rd Speakers Series
Elder Care - Protect the Vulnerable
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The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated the many problems with elder care in Canada, especially in Ontario and Quebec where COVID-19 hit hardest. Our first Speakers Series of the 2020-21 year included three presentations that addressed different aspects of Elder Care in Ontario, followed by a panel discussion.
Karen Henderson, CEO of the Long Term Care Planning Network, spoke about the issues in long term care (LTC). Michèle Harding, Chair of the Board of Directors for Care Watch Ontario, spoke about issues in community care and home care. Dan Levitt, Executive Director of Tabor Village, a community of more than 300 seniors, spoke about legislative issues in elder care, specifically pertaining to ageism. As well, the Standing Committee Chairs for Education, Legislation and the Status of Women & Human Rights have written reports about the October 3rd presentations, focusing on their Committee's perspective. All 3 presentations and the Standing Committee Chair reports have been posted on the OC website and can be accessed here. A video recording of the October 3rd meeting, hopefully, will also be available soon.
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CFUW's Parliamentarian, Elizabeth Haynes, has written an article about formulating concise, unambiguous motions that lead to direct positive action. Read more here.
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CFUW Sudbury has been using two online fundraising apps--Flipgive and Fundscrip. Flipgive partners with certain online sites so you can check out the vendors on their website to see if it would be worthwhile- and it probably involves reminding people to use it. It is Canadian out of Toronto and easy to use. You have to set up an account for your particular group--.the website is at www.flipgive.com.
They have also used Fundscrip which some liked better as you can buy many different kinds of gift cards for gas, groceries, etc. which can be used for gifts as well as for personal use. Website is www.fundscrip.com. It is Canadian as well.
Both are free to use and give a percentage back to the group.
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Can You Help?
Photos Needed!
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Please send posters and photos of your events to the Editor, so we can post them on our website and to our social media. A complete list of coming events can be found here.
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Women Helping Women
Our vision for Ontario Council can be summed up in the following key words:
Education. Action. Advocacy.
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CFUW Ajax-Pickering
The CFUW Ajax-Pickering newsletter for October included 2 interesting articles: Remembering Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Women of Science. Read more ...
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CFUW Guelph
CFUW Guelph worked with University of Guelph professor Dr. Catherine Carstairs and her students to create the exhibition Her Story: Trailblazers of Guelph and Wellington County at the Civic Museum in Guelph. The exhibit will continue until July 2021. You may visit in person or virtually.
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CFUW Orillia Reaches Out
CFUW Orillia has started a membership recruitment campaign, targeting women in their community who belong to various clubs or activities that can't meet because of COVID. Their Membership and Publicity teams have developed a couple of flyers and template messages that members can send out to friends and acquaintances who may be searching for things to do over the winter. Check them out at the links below to see if your Club could use a similar idea!
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CFUW Orangeville Virtual Women's Campaign School
Through a grant to the Town of Orangeville (funded by WAGE Canada in partnership with FCM), CFUW Orangeville & District successfully completed one of 20 Towards Parity Demonstration Projects in October 2020. Despite pandemic-imposed cancellation of in-person Inspiring Women and Women’s Campaign School events earlier this year, the project ended strong with an Equal Voice-facilitated pop-up virtual Campaign School event to celebrate Persons Day 2020 on Oct 18. Two lucky participants have been sponsored to attend Equal Voice’s National Online Campaign School from Nov 3-27, 2020. Why not join them?! |
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CFUW Muskoka, in partnership with Lakehead University, is hosting an interactive lecture series on how we'll engage with each other and the world post-pandemic. You can sign up for the series by sending an e-mail to cell@lakeheadu.ca. The series fee is $49 plus HST. For more information go to Third Age Learning Lakehead - Muskoka Lecture Series.
October 29, 2020 9:30 to 11AM
One Health/One Welfare - Moving Towards a More Humane Nation in the Wake of COVID
A leader in animal welfare, conservation and education, Barbara Cartwright will speak about the critical links between animal welfare and human welfare. This is especially important today as the relationships between animal and human health are considered in disease transmission and the origins of COVID-19.
November 5, 2020 9:30 to 11AM
Leading with Purpose in Tourism: The Quest for a More Sustainable Future
Dr. Karla Boluk is an Associate Professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at the University of Waterloo. She will speak about the unsustainable nature of tourism pre-pandemic and how we must think radically about the purpose of tourism for a more sustainable future.
November 12, 2020 9:30 to 11AM
Post-COVID 'Teardown': Creating and Engaging with a Better Democracy
Dave Meslin is an activist, organizer and author, and feels that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that "our democracy is a train wreck" with fierce partisanship, distorted election results and growing cynicism. He will speak about how we can shift our mindsets and change our systems to enable the better normal we seek to create in a post-pandemic world.
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CFUW Stratford November 4, 2020 @ 7PM ET
Why Basic Income YouTube Virtual Forum
CFUW Stratford is working with United Way Perth-Huron, the Social Planning and Research Council, and Huron Perth Public Health on promoting a universal basic income (UBI), a policy that CFUW has had on the books since 2013. The present focus of their work is the presentation of a panel through the Stratford Festival Forum on “Why Basic Income”. The panel will feature Senator Kim Pate, Ron Hikel, Mincome Project on Basic Income, Floyd Marinescu, CEO of UBIWorks, and Tracy Smith-Carrier, Chair of Basic Income London Ontario. For more information go to The-Forum-Basic-Income.
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UWC Toronto November 16, 2020 @ 4PM ET
“Lunacy: Life Begins At the End of Your Comfort Zone”
UWC Toronto welcomes all interested Ontario Council members to register for this ZOOM talk. Ian Evans, adventurer and inspirational speaker, will share lessons he has learned in some of the world’s most extreme and challenging environments, from the South Pole to the Australian outback. You can register by sending an e-mail to info@uwctoronto.ca.
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COVID Cancellations
Notice to members of CFUW Ontario Central: Due to COVID 19, the Memorial Luncheon, that was scheduled for December 4, 2020 at the University of Toronto Faculty Club, is cancelled. A Memorial Luncheon will be planned for December 2021 if all goes well.
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Ontario Council News is a newsletter for and about our Ontario Clubs.
- We receive news from so many of our clubs that we've decided to publish it on our website to limit the need for scrolling in the newsletter.
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Please note: Because Ontario Council includes close to 50 clubs, we are not able to publish club meetings, AGMs, scholarship winners and other charitable giving.
- To help you help us, click the link below for all the information you need about our publication schedule, submission deadlines, and preferred format.
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Save the Date!
February Speakers Series
February 27th, 2021
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