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Happy winter 2024! It’s February here in Ontario, yet the energy and ingenuity I see so many Ontario Clubs display is amazing! When I read the club newsletters I know that clubs are busy planning the rest of our meeting year with events of all kinds! At Ontario Council we are keeping up the pace too!
Many of you have already registered for OC’s next Speaker Series February 24 on AI (aka Artificial Intelligence). Our guest speaker comes at the subject from a philosophical background and this alone is intriguing enough to make it worthwhile. If you haven’t already done so, please register for February 24 for what we think will be a great learning experience. And many thanks to our Advocacy Committee for this event!
Recently OC held our “Welcome 2024” event and I want to thank everyone who attended. We heard from two very engaged women working to help other women and we spent time talking to each other about the good things happening in our clubs. I left the Zoom Party exhilarated and already thinking of next year’s!
Two big outreach events, of the many that happen locally this time of year are approaching fast. The Coldest Night of the Year (also February 24) is marked by so many clubs in the province. And of course, International Women’s Day (March 8) is right around the corner! Don’t forget to send OC News pictures of both events for our club news section.
OC is busy planning for AGM 2024 on May 24/25 in Windsor. We haven’t met at an AGM since 2019, so I am really hoping you plan to send your club delegate in person. In 2023 you told us in a survey we should wait for another year to meet in person. Well, 2024 is here!
Ontario Council has a few conference incentives already in place – we have a $1000 cash incentive for the club travelling the furthest to attend, we refund membership fees to clubs with 60 or fewer members if they send a delegate in person, and we are working on a few more, and asking our club presidents what they would like to see. We’ll also have membership awards with increased cash prizes!
The Windsor LAC is finalizing a program planned to entice you to come in addition to well-priced hotel accommodations and registration costs. This year we have two resolutions to debate, a few bylaw amendments to take care of, and some elections to hold, and of course, a party to host!
On the subject of elections – the “phrase “leadership fatigue” has many clubs worried. Thankfully, many have found great solutions to the issue – don’t give up, and don’t think we at OC haven’t the same concerns! The OC Nominations Committee will be meeting in February and if you are interested in a particular board position, please contact me! It’s important we have “new blood” too – just like in your club so don’t be shy and don’t think you’re not up to the task! At OC, I’ve seen how a team approach is so helpful, and I hope you’ll consider becoming an OC board member. Stay tuned for more details on vacancies and possibly a call from yours truly!
Thanks again for everything you do for CFUW!
Teresa Habs, OC President 2022-2024
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