Canadian Federation of University Women – Parksville / Qualicum
Our Theme this year:
Moving Forward: Seeking Solutions
April 2016
President: Perry Perry (250-752-5947)
Vice Presidents: Sheila Reed (250-954-2226), Jacqueline Russell (250-954-1868)
Club Address: Box 113 Qualicum Beach, BC, V9K 1S7 See: http://www.cfuwpq.ca/
April General Meeting: April 11, 2016 at the QB Civic Centre, 7PM
Greeters: Audrey Derrick
Refreshments: Wednesday night book club
To volunteer to bring refreshments to the April meeting, please contact Camille Lawson.
To volunteer as a greeter, please contact Marjorie Allen.
Program: Importance of Early Learning & Child Care Programme
Presenter: Teresa Gereluk, Instructor, N. Island College, Alberni
What To Look For:
President’s Message
Climate Change Report
Out and About Opportunity
Book Collection Update and Schedule
A Reminder from the Historians
Pictures Taken at the Last General Meeting
Book Club News and a Review
Information Sheet on Current Issues Facing CFUW Clubs
Scholarship and Bursary Trust
Our Lives in Colour Poster
Refugee Resettlement Information and Poster
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President’s Message
Our Extreme Spring – it’s here! And for CFUW PQ it is promising to be
a season of celebration and challenge.
Sunday, April 10: Celebrate CFUW PQ’s first collaboration with VIU
ElderCollege ~ Our Lives in Colour ~ with Dr Penny Le Couteur,
chemistry professor, author, and past president of the Society for
Canadian Women in Science and Technology. Please continue to
distribute the poster, circulated earlier, to your family, friends and
neighbours. Admission is $10 for general public, but free of charge to SD 69 students. (2 PM, QB Civic
Centre, followed by informal reception and conversation with Dr. Le Couteur)
Monday, April 11: Celebrate CFUW PQ’s commitment to Early Learning and Quality Childcare by
participating in our regular monthly program presented by an outstanding instructor from North Island
College’s Alberni Campus. Thanks in great part to the strength of the NIC program, Alberni early
childhood educators have undertaken some impressive initiatives. (7 PM, QB Civic Centre, followed by
CFUW PQ General Meeting)
Sunday, May 29: Celebrate your club’s 35th Anniversary with High Tea at VIU’s Deep Bay Marine
Research Station! Details TBA.
And, now to our time of challenge…on Monday, April 11, following the program and coffee (presented
by the Wednesday evening book club!), the general membership will open its consideration of the
proposed budget for CFUW PQ in 2016-2017. The budget preparation has been coordinated in
thoughtful detail by Treasurer Barbara Bond. The document reflects the collaborative consideration
of your Executive Officers and of your full Executive Committee. It honours the budget requests of
your committees and of the Scholarship and Bursary Trust. They have each undertaken a very
thorough consideration of your priorities and are making the plans necessary to meet them.
The budget also considers with care the implications of current budget and membership dues
consultations of CFUW National and of GWI. The CFUW PQ Executive Committee is taking every
step possible to plan ahead to meet our local, national and international commitments while building a
strong financial platform for moving forward. As you know there continue to be many uncertainties
nationally and internationally. We will get new information in late April, when Sheila Reed and
Jacqueline Russell, your delegates to the BC Council conference, will return with additional
information and any decisions made. Another benchmark will occur at the CFUW AGM in June,
when CFUW considers both its membership in GWI and the results of the pre-budget consultations
undertaken across Canada. And finally, a third benchmark in late August when the GWI AGM
considers its proposed dues increase and the way forward.
As challenging as these discussions have been and will be, what emerges is the strong sense of
mutual respect within our club and the considerable analytic skills you possess. After each go round,
the Executive Officers have concluded their remarks with “What a fantastic group of women!” It is our
honour to work with you.
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Students Passionate About Climate Change
Vancouver Island University students are passionate about educating others about climate change. Andrew and
Connie are two such students: on Wednesday, March 23rd, 12 CFUW members, one guest and one resident
artist attended a presentation at the Mc Millan Arts Centre facilitated by these two dynamic, knowledgeable,
enthusiastic VIU students. Andrew and Connie are members of ACER: a nationally funded university public
outreach initiative called 'Awareness of Climate Change through Education and Research'.
Thank you to our Environment Committee Chair, Betty Price, and her small but influential committee.
(Contributed by Mary Ellen Campbell)
OUT ‘N ABOUT EVENT:
A Teafarm Experience, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 10:30 am.
Half-day field trip and tour of the Teafarm, an eleven-acre organic farm in the Cowichan
Valley. The visit includes a presentation and recent news about the farm along with delectable
Tea & Sweet Pairings. Cost (incl tax and gratuities): $18/person plus travel (carpooling). For
more information go to: www.teafarm.ca. Only 10 spots left, out of a maximum of 20
participants. Email Marie Randall ([email protected]) to get your name on the list (or
sign-up at the next meeting, if there is still space)
(Contributed by Marie Randall, on behalf of the Out and About committee.)
Book collection update
Our book collection is going well. We have about 100 liquor store boxes packed solidly and about 20 flats of
paperbacks that are in good shape. The storage is working well and is filling up. The garbage issue at Save On
is no longer a problem as they have moved the box to a different location. They wheel the box in and out of the
store daily so it is important to empty the box daily so it will not be too heavy to wheel easily. Thanks for
picking up books.
Book Sale Coordinator, Sheila Reed
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BOOK COLLECTION 2015 – 2016 SAVE ON FOODS
PLEASE SIGN –UP – STORAGE IS AVAILABLE
DATE
NAME
September 24 to October 4/2015
Mary Ellen Campbell
October 5 to October 18/2015
Sam Mason
October 18 to November 1/2015
Robin Robinson
Nov. 2 to November 15/2015
Valerie Gunn
Nov. 16 to November 29/2015
Carol Gemgembre
Nov. 30 to December 13/2015
Lise Sinclair
Dec. 14 to December 24/2015
Sheila Reed
Dec. 25 to January 10/2015
Shirley Sterlinger
January 11 to January 24/2016
Valerie Gunn
January 25 to February 7/2016
Jacqueline Russell
February 8 to February 21/2016
Barbara Thompson
February 22 to March 6/2016
Barbara Baker
March 7 to March 20/2016
Barbara Bond
March 21 to April 3/2016
Jackie Worboys
April 4 to April 17/2016
Jean Ogle
April 18 to May 1/2016
Claire Lightfoot
May 2 to May 15/2016
Vicky Burton
May 15 to May 29/2016
Nita Jack
May 30 to June 12/2016
Rosemary Patterson
June 13 to June 26/2016
Janet Farooq
June 27 to July 10/2016
Joan George
July 11 to July 24/2016
Betty Price
July 25 to August 7/2016
Juanita Sahl
August 8 to August 21/2016
Maureen Wood
August 22 to September 4/2016
Delores Saulter
Sept. 5 to September 18/2016
Cam Lawson
September 19 to October 2/2016
Perry B Perry
Please email me if you can pick-up books. [email protected]
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A REMINDER FROM THE HISTORIANS
As the Club year begins to wind to a close, this is a reminder to
members of the Executive, committee chairs, interest groups
and anyone who has generated documentation as part of Club
activities.
We will be collecting documents dated from June 2013- June
2014 or older at the next meetings. As well as documents, we
are looking for photographs of members, speakers and events;
electronic media, newspaper clippings and ephemera (e.g.
bookmarks, posters etc.)
So, look through your binders and boxes; make sure everything
is dated and relevant information of who, what, where and
when of photographs is noted on a sticker on the back (don’t
write on the photo); and bring them along to upcoming
meetings.
Please contact us to check if you are not sure if any items are
historically valuable.
Noreen Ballantyne & Maggie Hawes , CFUW P/Q Historians.
Fellowship at the General Meeting
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(Thank you to Shirley Sterlinger for the photographs.)
Book Club News
Joan George (of the Afternoon Book Club) says that the group read Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese in
March and for April the group is reading The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha
Mukerjee.
Bev Walls (of the Thursday morning Book Bags) has said for April the group is reading Ru by Kim Thuy and
for May, Massey Murder by Charlotte Gray.
(Contributed by Joan George and Bev Walls. Images from the Mulberry Bush Bookstore website.)
A Good Read With The Tuesday Afternoon Book Club
The book 'Medicine Walk' by Richard Wagamese reflects a deathing journey shared by father and son. It is a
story of reconciliation and discovery as it “looks squarely into the dark corners of the soul, into the human
capacity for love and goodness, no matter the stakes”. No, it is not a depressing read, it is captivating.
When Franklin Starlight, the protagonist, is asked by his estranged father to accompany him on his final journey
towards death in the traditional First Nation manner, he commits himself through love and dedication to a
difficult and challenging journey into the unknown. And along the way he learns about himself, the mother he
never knew, and his family legacy. Through his father's story, he learns of his Self.
One could say 'Medicine Walk' is a story about a story. But perhaps this story is not strictly fictional. After all,
as Wagamese states through one of his characters, “It's all we are in the end. Our stories”.
(p. 103). Such is a fundamental concept ingrained in traditional First Nations storytelling culture.
So perhaps this story is not strictly fictional – and one could say, in a multi-dimensional sort of way, this too is
Richard Wagamese' story.
(Contributed by Juanita Sahl.)
Information Sheet on Current Issues Facing all CFUW clubs
Dear Parksville Qualicum Members,
The following information sheet was created for the Nanaimo club members. It is being reprinted here with
permission. (Ed.)
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INFORMATION FOR NANAIMO MEMBERS regarding CFUW membership in Graduate Women
International and other current issues.
1. Proposed Amendment to CFUW Articles - A proposed amendment to the CFUW Articles has been made. In June
2016, at the CFUW national AGM, a vote will be taken whether to withdraw CFUW membership in Graduate
Women International (formerly known as International Federation of University Women).
2. CFUW Nanaimo AGM May 30 - Direction to the CFUW Nanaimo Delegate to the CFUW AGM - CFUW Nanaimo
members provide direction to our delegate on voting at the CFUW AGM on resolutions and other voting matters. A
vote will be taken at the CFUW Nanaimo AGM on this proposed amendment and any other issues needing direction.
3. Club Process - The Executive has set out the following process to help you make this decision:
a) emailing information on the motion, the background, other research to members
b) informal discussion groups hosted by Susan Murphy. Susan can provide more detailed background and
knowledge due to her several terms on the national Board, including as National President and delegate to three
previous IFUW triennial meetings.
c) Information about GWI to be printed in the March, April and May newsletters and presented at the March and
April General Meetings
d) accessing more background. The websites of CFUW and GWI are available and 2 additional ones.
www.cfuwadmin.org. The login is viewonly and the password is cfuw4321 At the bottom of the home page, choose
GWI Going Forward and/or Graduate Women International
www.graduatewomen.org. Much information is on the public site and more is on the Members site. Click on
Members Corner and register to set up a user account.
www.friendsforgwi.org. Nine of the CFUW Past Presidents have expressed their concerns related to the proposed
amendment to the CFUW Articles and By Laws 2016 regarding deletion of Article 4.
www.cfuwvictoria.ca. CFUW Victoria’s website has responses from GWI and CFUW National
4. Informal Discussion Groups - Two sessions have been held with members to ask questions and learn more about
CFUW and GWI. If you would like to participate in an informal discussion group hosted by Susan Murphy, please
contact Jenny Webb, [email protected] or 250-758-1869. Future dates determined after expressions of interest.
5. CFUW BC Council April 23-25th - CFUW National has opened a consultation with all Clubs on its 2016/17 budget
priorities, options and consideration of a potential deficit budget for 2016/17. BC Clubs will have an opportunity to
discuss this at our Council meeting in Abbotsford. Our delegate will report back on the discussions at our April
meeting.
6. GWI Triennial - In August 2016, at the Graduate Women International Triennial meeting, a resolution will be
debated and voted to increase dues payable by GWI members - the approximately 60 national federations and
associations (NFAs) effective 2017 and for the first time since 2004.
The GWI dues formula is set on a sliding scale for NFAs depending on three factors - Gross National Income (GNI),
UN Human Development Index (UNHDI) and size of membership of the NFA. Because of its size as the largest NFA,
CFUW currently pays 15.5 Swiss Francs per capita (approx. $20.80 CDN) and the proposed increase would be to 30
SF.
CFUW is entitled to 10 votes at the Triennial and the CFUW delegates/alternates will vote in a block on all issues,
based on direction from the CFUW voting body at the CFUW AGM.
7.
Lots to Consider - As you can see, there are many issues of importance to CFUW members being discussed right
now. It is also important that your views and concerns are heard. Please get in touch with your Co-Presidents to
share them, and/or to participate in an informal discussion group.
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Qualicum Refugee Sponsorship Group
Helping a Refugee Family Create a New Home in Qualicum
Thank you to all who have asked how they can help.
Please email [email protected] and ask
Coordinator Carol Doering to refer your email to:
 Donation of Household Goods, Furniture and
more: Jerry Reed
 ESL Teaching & Tutors: Alice Marquardt
 Fundraising: Chris Ferris and Anna Grieve
 Monetary Donations: Ramsay Farran
You can also help by participating in The Yoga
Fundraiser with Charlotte Crowley at Eaglecrest Golf
Course on Saturday, April 9, 10 – 11 AM (see poster
elsewhere in newsletter) or attending HOME SWEET
HOME Benefit Performance on May 19, Qualicum Civic
Centre.
Submitted by Perry Perry, member, Qualicum Refugee
Sponsorship Group
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