The Northumberland Network www.cfuw

Canadian Federation of
University Women
April 2012
www.cfuw-northumberland.com
The Northumberland Network
Distinguished Civic Award for Community Service to Barbara Jean Taylor
Barbara Jean has been a highly dedicated volunteer in Cobourg and environs for almost 40
years. She was a leading member of the Victoria Hall Restoration Society, and continues to
be an active volunteer. Barbara Jean was a founding member and Past Chair of the
Northumberland Orchestra. For the past 20 years she has worked on the often elaborate
costumes required for every production of the Northumberland Players. She is a Past Chair,
and for many years has been an active volunteer of the Cobourg/Port Hope Association for
the Mentally Challenged. She was involved in the initial organization of Beyond the Blue
Box and a volunteer for 12 years. Barbara Jean was also involved in organizing Ten
Thousand Villages in Cobourg, and has been a volunteer at the store since it opened. We
are pleased to present the Distinguished Civic Award for Community Service to her.
Spring has sprung
Da grass has riz..
I wonda where da boidies iz..
Da boid is on da wing..
But dat’s abzoid!
Da wing is on da boid!
~anonymous
March has been
fantastic! The
crocuses have
started to peep
out, along with
the other early
Spring flowers.
Our Focus…..
 Fellowship and support
 Educational, cultural, and social
issues
 Special Interest groups
 Scholarship programs for
secondary students
What’s inside:
 President’s Report
 Fall Program
 Special Interest
Groups
 Members’ Corner
 Provincial and
National issues
 Executive Reports
Action Advocacy Education
President’s Report
From the President’s Desk:
Looking back to the past, Looking forward to the
future...
Wondering what to write about as my last
newsletter piece, I found myself thinking about
what stellar contributions so many of our
members have made to CFUW-Northumberland,
and especially those made by women who have
served on its executive. It is wonderful to note
that there are still active members who were on
our very first executive in 1991 and long
afterwards as well: Eva Nichols, Anne Tesluk,
Anne Warren, and Barb Winfield. Together they
represent many years of service and I am
indeed grateful for the foundation they laid and
the commitment they continue to demonstrate.
Compared to them I am a newbie indeed. I hope
however, that I have been able to make a
helpful contribution, before passing on the torch
to two more newcomers, Monica Sheridan and
Elizabeth Walker.
Yes, the club has grown and changed over the
last few years, as has the world around us.
Many women have moved to our community,
looking for mental stimulation, and hoping to
establish meaningful connections. When they
were able to find these at CFUW-N, they stayed
on, adding their energy and fresh ideas. While
our speakers have indeed been varied and
interesting, and email has made one sort of
communication so very easy, I believe that it is
the personal contacts that members have
established and maintained with one another
that have been at the heart of the club and one
key to its success, especially when they have led
to strong friendships and opportunities for
mutual support.
I moved to Cobourg in December of 2005, and
joined CFUW-N in 2006 after a personal
invitation to attend that year’s luncheon. Then,
when not very long afterwards I was approached
to be on the executive as vice-president, I
agreed, even though I was virtually in the dark
about CFUW, the club, and what would be
expected of me in the years to follow. Then why
did I agree? For one thing I was going to share
the job. For another, I decided that it could be
a way to get involved in my new community, to
learn something also new, and to meet other
like-minded women. And I was right about all
three.
What I didn’t anticipate was the time
commitment, and such a steep, though
April, 2012
interesting, learning curve. Happily I was not on
my own, and leaned heavily on Sandra Reisch
and Jan Howard. It turned out that there was a
lot to do behind the scenes: meetings to plan
and run, luncheons and resolutions to organize,
and advocacy to figure out, interest groups to
join, policies to update, archives to organize,
bulletin boards to prepare, newsletter articles to
write, problems to sort out, and, last but not
least, hundreds of emails to write and respond
to. Outside of our own club business, there was
finding out about Ontario Council, National and
IFUW, as well as reaching out to link us up with
other groups in the community. Thus I have
become involved with TEAM (Teen Education
and Mothering) at Cobourg East, the December
6 committee, and the committee that has
planned a film day to honour International
Women’s Day.
Do I regret this commitment? No. Having
only recently retired, I was glad to have
something meaningful to do. I came to believe
that the purposes and work of CFUW were
indeed worthwhile. I have always been
convinced that the full and equal participation of
women in society is necessary for the kind of
world we would all like to live in. Educational
opportunities for women are a critical stepping
stone to getting there. And, yes, I have made
new friends. Was it always smooth going? No.
There have been some misunderstandings,
sometimes amplified as they were passed along,
and personalities that didn’t always easily mesh.
But I am happy to say that such problems are
well behind me, and putting in a third year as
president has been made easy by the support
and responsible hard work of each member of
the executive.
As I mentioned above, there are four current
members who were on our first executive: Anne
Tesluk, Barb Winfield, Anne Warren and Eva
Nichols. All of them went on to serve in more
than one capacity over many years. Barb,
despite her health challenges, continues to be a
valued member of the program committee.
Now, with so many new members since those
early years, I thought it would be interesting to
learn a little more about these women.
Eva Nichols has kindly agreed to let me share
a little about her. She has truly been an
effective female force in the community and the
club. Many of you will already know that. But
there is more to her story… cont’d page 5
Page 2
September 2011 CFUW-N Newsletter
The Spring Program ~
Programme Committee –Summary for 2011-2012
Please note our meeting time: Of course, you are welcome to come a little earlier to catch up with friends, and
please consider bringing friends who may be interested in joining us!
General Meetings: first Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 Port Hope High School Library | Jan. 9, Feb. 6, March 5 Cobourg East High School Library
Thanks to a team effort from CFUW members, Jane Davis, Ruth Kerr (chair), Catherine Lees, Carole Payne and Barb
Winfield, the upcoming year’s schedule has been established. We hope that our selections interest you and that you
will encourage friends to attend too. As usual, the Fall meetings take place at Port Hope High School and the others at
Cobourg East Collegiate.
Sept. 12/11 – “Getting Acquainted”
Marguerite Dorrity, Pat Page Hoisak, Monica Sheridan, Elizabeth Walker – a brief
sharing of members’ interests
Oct. 3/11 – “Exploring the Complexity of Poverty in Northumberland County” – Open
Public Panel in the PHHS Lecture Hall
Hunger– Adam Hudson / Homelessness – Diane Keast /
Community Response – Sam Majic / Response of Our Justice System – Deb O’Connor
Nov. 7/11 – Speaker –Tinie Evans
-advocate for the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s “Grandmothers to Grandmothers”
campaign supporting children in Africa orphaned by AIDS
Jan. 9/12 – Speaker – Megan Dersnah
- “Gender Violence” – how it is addressed in post-conflict transition to peace
Feb. 6/12 – Panel of CFUW-Northumberland members
-summaries of CFUW’s standing committees of Education, Status of Women, Legislation –
from workshop presentations in October/January, including personal response of members
to issues
Mar. 5/12 – Speaker – Joanne Bonnebaker
- co-founder of “The Learning Connection”
Apr. 2/12 – Resolutions Meeting: St Peters Church, Cobourg “Hutton Room” Potluck Dinner.
May Luncheon – Thursday, May 10, 2012 – Speaker – Gill Deacon
-environmental advocate, well-known broadcaster, author of “There’s Lead in Your Lipstick”
June 4th AGM – location TBA
Members:
We are always looking for volunteers to bring a bottle of juice or some
baked goods to the meetings. Purchased or homemade are both fine.
Please sign the volunteer sheet if you could help out in this way.
http://wallstreetstripper.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/pa0608_monster-cookies_lg.jpg
Page 3
September 2011 CFUW-N Newsletter
CFUW-N Presents
PROGRAMME COMMITTEE UPDATE
Thank you to our membership for supporting our choice of speakers
for the 2011-2012 general meetings. We have received a lot of
positive feedback and some great ideas for next year’s schedule.
After the May luncheon, our committee will meet and begin
incorporating your suggestions. We would appreciate your help
with any thoughts about a possible speaker for a May 2013
Luncheon, assuming that next year’s executive will follow that route
as a scholarship fundraiser.
Ruth Kerr
*~*~*~*~*
Apr 2nd Resolutions Meeting –
Location: Hutton Room, St Peters Church,
King St E, Cobourg (just past Victoria Park)
This is POT LUCK.
~*~*~*~*~
Thursday, May 10, 2012 – May Luncheon –
Speaker – Gill Deacon, Is There Lead In Your Lipstick?
Find out what is really in our personal care
products at the 21st Annual Scholarship Luncheon
Thursday, May 10th, 2012
Best Western Cobourg Inn
Cash Bar 11:30 a.m. ~ Luncheon 12:00 Noon
Tickets $55 each, Available from
Avid Reader 905-377-9454 or CFUW members
Gill Deacon, award-winning environmental
advocate, broadcaster and author of
There's Lead in Your Lipstick and Green For Life
brings her informed and friendly style to the
subject that has long been her passion.
Gill will share how to navigate misleading
labels and ‘greenwash’, and ultimately arrive at
safer choices for a healthier family and a
healthier world. You'll learn how to identify
and understand the ingredients that are bad for
your body and damaging to the earth. This is an
indispensable review of personal-care choices
that are sustainable, both for your health and
for the earth.
Gill is a busy working mom and host of CBC-TV's
The Gill Deacon Show. She understands the
challenges of trying to "do it all" with a
smaller environmental footprint. As a breast
cancer survivor, Gill Deacon takes the issue of
toxins in body care products to heart.
(Continued from page 2…) Eva was a war
baby born and raised in the Czech Republic,
where war (being buried alive for three days
in a bomb raid!) taught her survival and
organizational skills. At age twelve she
arrived in Oakville with her parents and a
sister, brought in by United Nations as a
political refugee (Displaced Person), when
Communists took over the Czech
government. Clearly she adapted well, for
she later graduated from U of T, with a B.A.
and eventually an M.A. Eva’s career was
then spent as an educator. She finished up
as principal of Clarke High School. Prior to
that she was a course director at York
University for six years; published
educational materials, and took summer
courses in Germany and Switzerland
sponsored by the Ministry of Education. She
was seconded by the federal government to
cross Canada promoting experiential
learning. Here in Cobourg she founded the
Centre for Individual Studies. It’s certainly
clear that Eva believes in the importance of
education, as does CFUW. I just wish I had
half her energy!
Eva is also a firm believer in giving back to
her community. The following list takes my
breath away: United Way volunteer, Art
Gallery of Northumberland, chair of the
hospital board, member of Rotary, board
member, on the Central East LHIN, president
of OCEA and CESBA ( provincial associations
in education) , Northumberland Land Trust.
Eva has also served in several positions on
the executive of CFUW, especially about
twelve years off-and-on as treasurer. She
has made many lifelong friends in the club.
And, last, but not least, Eva has two
wonderful children (a son in Ottawa and a
daughter in Alberta) and six grandchildren.
She treasures the times she can spend with
them. She is interested in gardening
(raising gorgeous orchids!), nature and
wildlife, which may or may not include her
delightful dog, Logan. While she loved living
in Gore’s Landing, she downsized to Cobourg
after her partner, Ron Miller, died in 2004.
Well… Eva has set a fine example for all of
us. She epitomizes the CFUW motto: The
Right to Speak. The Responsibility to Act.
~ Margaret Schroeder, President, CFUW-N
* *****************
Page 4
September 2011 CFUW-N Newsletter
Special Interest Groups
Interest Group Convenor:
Thank you, IBM!
Sandra Parcher 905-885-8333
Please call me with your special
interests!
CFUW-N TEAM!
The skills to be focused on would be team building,
trust, self esteem and emotional resilience. This
would help give the moms the ability to develop their
own personal bank of resources to draw on when
faced with adversity.
Teens and babies with Linda Nicol, presenting cheque to
Dorothy Noronha
CFUW Member gets $1000.00 Grant for the CFUW’
sponsored Teen Education and Mothering program.
We submitted a plan to IBM that provided a day out
to Larryland Adventures in Keene that conducts team
building activities. The budget submitted was just
under a $1000 including the day for 12 moms and
transportation. The day out would take place in the
spring of 2012.
This required a group effort on the part of
-
Our president, who had to sign an IBM
Affirmation of Compliance stating that we
conduct our group without discrimination, that
the awarded funds would not be used to support
acts of violence or terrorism. A typical US
corporation requirement these days.
-
Our past treasurer, Eva Nichols, who provided
the financial report
-
Barbara Garrick, who provided a letter stating she
had audited our books
By Linda Nicol
The year 2011 marked the 100th anniversary for IBM.
As part of the IBM centennial events, they declared
an awards program that could be applied for by any
employee or retiree that volunteered in the
community. The awards for an individual application
were $500-$1000’s.
As a member of the CFUW executive for two years, I
qualified to apply for the $1000 award. The trick was
to define a project that IBM would approve. I
decided to see if the teacher of our special project, the
Teen Education and Mothering program at Cobourg
East Collegiate , and I could define an activity for the
teen mom’s that would increase their skills in some
way.
The teacher, Dorothy Noronha, remembered that the
previous teacher had thought of taking the moms on
an outward bound type activity. The objective of this
experience would be to help them to understand how
to work within a team to achieve team goals. The
initial programme experience would be off-site
during the day.
The rest of the IBM volunteer award application
documentation was completed and submitted by the
November 15th deadline.
In early December, IBM approved the request and
sent CFUW president Margaret Schroeder a cheque
for $1000 to be used by the TEAM program.
Hopefully the teen moms enjoy their day out in the
spring. We may call on members to help babysit the
little ones at the school while the moms are away.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~
Page 5
September 2011 CFUW-N Newsletter
Members’ Corner @->-->---
Gourmet lunch group –Nov 2011
Back: Joan Prlja, Mary Park, Faye Richards, Donna
Smith, Margaret Robinson |Front: Pat Page-Hoisak,
Kathy Upper | Absent (cruising the Mediterranean!):
Hilary Walker
Walkers Group and "Zoe"
on the Port Hope Waterfront
Trail on November 8th, 2011
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Some pics of
Virginia Mair’s
Dragonboaters
New members
welcome!
In MEMORIAM:
DEAR (nee HOSSIE), Helen Marie - Peacefully, at the Golden Plough Lodge, on October 25th, 2011, in
her 88th year. Beloved mother of Allan (Angela), Pamela (Barbara) and daughter-in-law Patricia.
Predeceased by her husband John, and son Ian Gordon. Cherished grandmother of Matthew (Janette).
Loving sister of Lila Harting (Alfred). A service will be held at St. Peter's Anglican Church (corner of
College and King Street Cobourg), on Saturday October 29th, 2011 at 11 am. Interment at Heritage
Cemetery of St. Peter. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northumberland Symphony Orchestra
or the READ Center. Condolences received at www.MacCoubrey.com
http://yourlifemoments.ca/sitepages/obituary.asp?oId=546034
“Helen was a long-time member and strong supporter of CFUW. She made a significant contribution in all
areas, especially on the scholarship committee, the focus group, and the investment group. Helen was a
retired teacher and reading consultant – she worked for the Toronto School Board. In retirement, Helen
was a valued member of the Victoria Hall Volunteers and was an active volunteer in other areas of
Cobourg. Helen’s active life was curtailed due to a severe stroke in 2003.”
~ Submitted by Barbara Jean Taylor.
Page 6
September 2011 CFUW-N Newsletter
Regional, National, and International News
International Women’s Day was celebrated in film
this year with 3 offerings shown at the beautiful
Park Playhouse, King St E, Cobourg on Sunday,
March 11th . The three films were: Last Train
Home, Yesterday, & The Secret Life of Bees. Thanks
to all who came out to enjoy this free event.
Please consider other ways we could celebrate
International Women’s Day
National has improved their website!
Please visit at www.cfuw.org .
CFUW WEBSITES:
National Website:
www.cfuw.org
Provincial Website:
http://www.cfuwontcouncil.ca
Our website:
www.cfuw-northumberland.com
International:
International Women’s Day (IWD), which is
observed on March 8th, is a day to celebrate the
progress made towards gender equality in
Canada and around the world, and also to
recognize the many hurdles we have yet to
overcome as women.
For the past several months CFUW Clubs
across the country have been busy planning
events and various activities to mark the 101st
IWD. Last year with it being the 100th
anniversary, there were also a number of
exceptional events planned by our Clubs.
(From the March issue of the Communicator CFUW National)
COME AND JOIN US IN VICTORIA!
AGM and Conference 2012
June 21-24, 2012
Registration for the AGM and Conference in
June in Victoria is up and running! Just check
the national web site (www.cfuw.org) for a link
to the registration company, which provides
further links to the registration form and booklet.
January 21, 2012
Ontario Council sent a letter to Laurel Broten,
Minister of Education on Bill 13, an act to amend
the Education Act with respect to bullying and other
matters.
January 23, 2012
Ontario Council sends a letter to Premier McGuinty
asking that he pressure the federal government to
both maintain the records that have already been
collected with the long gun registry, and to
denounce the potential changes that have been in
place since 1977.
February 22, 2012
Continuing the work done by the Great Lakes
United concerning the Great Lakes Water Quality
Agreement, letters have been sent pushing for this
agreement. CFUW Ontario Council is a signator.
Charlottetown lawyer Daphne Dumont has been appointed a
member of the Order of Canada. She was honoured for her
contributions as a lawyer and volunteer with various legal
associations.
Dumont earned her law degree at Oxford University in 1976,
becoming the first woman admitted to study law at any of the
Oxford men's colleges. She became the third woman
president of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA), and its firstever president from Prince Edward Island. She has devoted
countless hours to volunteering for community groups,
including the Community Legal Information Association and the
Canadian Federation of University Women, providing advice on
family law, legal aid and access to justice.
IFUW International Colloquia IFUW 's
international colloquia project is identifying
barriers to women's access to decision-making
positions in Higher Education (HE). The
deadline for IFUW national federations and
associations to submit proposals to join the
project has been extended to 31 March 2012.
Mary Rose Suzanne Boyer B.Ed., PGDEA ,Cert.Comm.Dev (
1946 - 2012} Mary Rose, a Metis citizen of Saskatchewan, was
born and educated in the Macoun -Estevan - Roche Percee area.
After receiving her degree, she taught school in several
Saskatchewan locations and was chair of several educational
organizations. She also earned certificates in Aboriginal Cultural
Awareness, Life Space Crisis Intervention Interviewer,
Community Development, Human Rights Legislation
Implementation and Assessment Employment Counselor.
Page 7
September 2011 CFUW-N Newsletter
Endnotes:
The Executive
MEMBERSHIP
Women who have a university degree, or equivalent from an
accredited university anywhere in the world, or have earned a
professional qualification that currently requires a university or
college degree, are welcome to become members of the Canadian
Federation of University Women (CFUW). In addition, CFUW
Clubs offer associate memberships for women without a degree,
who support our goals and objectives.
Presently our annual dues stand at $100.00.
The dues not only include membership in our local Club, but also
the Provincial Council (CFUW Ontario Council), the national
Federation (CFUW), and the International Federation (IFUW).
Members attend our monthly meetings and social functions and
may join as many interest groups as desired, some free – some
paid.
In addition, members are invited to start up new groups reflecting
their own specific interests. They will also receive our newsletter
"The Northumberland Network" published three times annually.
To join us, please call our Membership Chair,
Virginia at 289-252-0461, e-mail: [email protected]
or send an e-mail to [email protected]
Our members are all amazing ladies!
Ask us where we’ve been, and how we spend
our time…
The Executive:
President:
Past-President:
Co Vice-President:
Co Vice-President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Membership:
Program:
Newsletter:
Communications:
Awards:
Special Interest Groups:
Social Convenor:
2011-2012
Executive Meetings:
3rd Monday of the month
at 7:00 p.m.
Margaret Schroeder
Jan Howard
Monica Sheridan
Elizabeth Walker
Christine Sharp
Lynn Patry
Virginia Mair
Ruth Kerr
Nancy Fairweather
Patricia McCaw
Charlotte Majic
Sandra Parcher
Sharon Holmes
If you are interested in being part of the
Executive team, please contact the appropriate
person above. We would be happy to
collaborate, train, or otherwise work with you!
Spring Song by Robert Louis Stevenson
THE air was full of sun and birds,
The fresh air sparkled clearly.
Remembrance wakened in my heart
And I knew I loved her dearly.
The fallows and the leafless trees
And all my spirit tingled.
My earliest thought of love, and Spring's
First puff of perfume mingled.
In my still heart the thoughts awoke,
Came lone by lone together Say, birds and Sun and Spring, is Love
A mere affair of weather?
Brenda Thompson of Palisades extends thanks for
CFUW-N patronage of their facilities, and warmly
welcomes us back for future events. 
http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/robert_louis_stevenson/poems/2101.html
The next newsletter submission deadline will be August 10th, 2012.
Any errors or omissions are unintentional.
For corrections, submissions or ideas Contact: Nancy (mob) 905-269-0702
Email: [email protected]
Page 8
September 2011 CFUW-N Newsletter