News and Announcements

On June 13, 2017 Hally and Hugh Siddons hosted their annual Summer Evening Garden Reception.  One of the speakers was Patricia Leidl, an international Communications Advisor/Strategist and co-author of 'The Hillary Doctrine: Sex and American Foreign Policy'. Her comments on women's education, violence against women, and international peace were of great interest to those who attended. Patricia graciously agreed to provide her speaking notes. Click here to read.

On April 20 a special meeting of CFUW-Ottawa was held to provide local CFUW members with information concerning the three motions to be voted on by our club at our AGM on May 9 and subsequently at the CFUW National AGM in Richmond BC in June. Our President, Charlotte Rigby, and three former CFUW-Ottawa club presidents addressed those attending and provided their perspective on the issues at hand. What follows are the speaking notes for each speaker as well as a copy of the text of a recent email blast on this subject. For further information please contact any of these ladies.

Charlotte Rigby's Notes: click here

Mary Partington's Notes: click here

Dorothy Phillips' Notes: click here

Hally Siddons' Notes: click here 

Fee Increase Document from Stratford CFUW: click here

Text of email blast on behalf of Charlotte Rigby: click here

For further information on GWI projects and activities see the Focus on GWI: Our International Arm section of the Study and Interest Group page. 

Hally Siddons was one of a 20-strong delegation from Graduate Women International to the United Nations NGO Commission on the Status of Women – CSW61 in New York.  They were ably led by GWI President, Geeta Desai and were a mix of most interesting and inspiring members from Australia, Canada, the Congo, Egypt, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, Turkey, Uganda, and the USA.  It was an exciting and invigorating time as they discussed global issues among themselves and with many others from around the world.  The days and evenings were packed with multiple events at the United Nations, side events, parallel sessions off site, and special invitations to Permanent Missions.

To see Hally's full report click here.

Join fellow CFUW-Ottawa members to participate in this electronic meeting at the Riverside Church (3191 Riverside Dr.) The meeting will decide CFUW's Response to the GWI dues increase.  Voting delegates will vote electronically, as at the 2016 CFUW AGM. Decisions by this meeting will affect the future of CFUW. 

Come to our special meeting January 9 at 10 am (preceding our regular January General meeting) to learn about the background and issues.

For information: 819 778 3438;  613 220 1493; or cfuw-ottawa@cfuw-ottawa.org.

Article on UWHAW written by Dianne Rummery in October 2016 edition of CFUW newsletter, The Communicator (page 12).

At the Crossroads of Education, Gender and Human Rights:  the thought-provoking theme of our Graduate Women International Triennial in Cape Town, August 2016

There will be a detailed report going out about the GWI conference in September. Here is some preliminary information about the dues deliberations and voting results.

Like us, many NFAs (National Federations and Affiliates) felt the 35 CHF (Swiss Francs) increase in dues effective immediately, was too difficult to do. Several proposals came to the floor and after much discussion, the assembly voted in favour of an increase of 10 CHF in 2017, 6 CHF in 2018 and 6 CHF in 2019. There is no change in the dues formula for NFAs. 

The formal report requested at our AGM in St. Catharines will outline the implications for CFUW.

Geeta Desai, Graduate Women USA, was elected as president of GWI for the next triennium. We give our thanks to Cheryl Hayles for her standing as a candidate. She represented us well in her speech and her answers to questions posed.

Lastly, two of our three amendments to the amendments were passed.

This is just a quick update and of course more details will come after the conference.

Age Discrimination in Ontario Employee Benefit Programs. Click here for further information on this and other Policy Resolutions Originated by CFUW-Ottawa. 

CFUW-Ottawa members Hally Siddons and Susan Russell are attending. 

Click here for further information.

A procedure to permit proxy voting at the AGM has been put in place. The motions, form and instructions are here.  In particular, the President is looking for guidance  on the motion related to changes to CFUW National Bylaws.