Making a Difference Our Way

In This Issue:

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Feature Article: Congress Report, Mexico City 2008

Congress Report - Mexico City 2008 by Doris Hall, Delegate and Moderator

Mexico City with a population of 30 million consistently faces economic crises and daily protests. In fact when Linda Davis and I arrived in the city from the airport, we were delayed by approximately 1500 SWAT police maintaining control over a protest. Was it comforting to know there were so many officers ensuring a peaceful demonstration? We were told that extra police were on duty during our stay to ensure our safety. At the opening ceremonies, I was asked to carry the Canadian flag among 70 other countries. It was spectacular but we have no photo because the flag was blocking the view.The opening included an introductory slide show which featured our own, Sheila Crook, among other Women Making a Difference. It was a great thrill for us to have her included with these women from around the world.

Doris Hall - Moderator	Doris Hall and Linda Davis

At Congress, a new executive for BPW International was elected with Liz Benham, from New York, as President. Having met Liz on my first and subsequent visits to the UN, I am confident that she will be a good leader for BPW International in the next triennium. She was first vice president for the past triennium and has lots of international experience to bring to the position. Jill Worobec, Past President BPW Canada, was elected the new Regional Coordinator for North America and the Non-Spanish Speaking Countries of the Caribbean. She is eager to participate on the International Board.

Twenty-two by-law amendments were proposed, plus three that were left over from the last congress. Many of these amendments were referred to a by-law task force or deferred to the next congress. The amendment to increase the age limit for Young BPW to 40 proposed by the Young BPW Representative, failed, so the age limit remains at 35 and under.

Click to view the list of resolutions passed at Congress.

Workshops:
There were many, many workshops but unfortunately, I was only able to attend a few (Cervical Cancer, United Nations and Health)since I was a delegate and needed to be in the business sessions to cast my vote. Click to reada brief glimpse at the workshops I attended.

Congress 2011 and 2014:
The next congress will be held in June 2011 in Helsinki, Finland. Start saving your pennies now to visit this beautiful country.
In 2014, the congress will be held on the island of Jeju in South Korea.

Triple One Crown Membership Challenge!

Click to view the list of Clubs who successfully participated in the Triple One Crown challenge. The members of these clubs who brought in a minimum of three new members received a Triple Crown pin. Seventeen members stepped up to the Challenge of recruiting 10+ members and their names were entered into a draw for the free airline ticket.The pinswere awarded at Congress and I am sure that these members will wear them proudly and know that all BPW members will see and benefit from their accomplishment!

First Vice President, Liz Benham initiated this program which yielded great success in increasing the membership of BPW around the world.

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President's Message by Carole Orchard

Our club has chosen to focus it efforts around development of a resolution related to Poverty. With a particular emphasis on its impact on women. As I read over materials related to both the Provincial direction to reduce Poverty and the City’s strategic plan I was struck by some key points.

• "almost 19% of families with children in London have incomes below the low income cut off line almost 4 of the 10 are long parent families”
• “Of these families 40% use the London Food Bank”
• “Between 2001 and 2006 the city’s shelters served 13% more female lead lone parent families”
• “ Many of London’s low-income families are working but they are not being paid a living wage”
• “ Half of our recent immigrants and over 40% of Aboriginal people are living on low incomes.”
• “Almost one out of every four low-income families in London is a lone parent family”
• “Women who are lone parents have lower incomes than men who are lone parents.”
• “Their children are less likely to succeed in school, work and life”
• “In 2008, 870 children are in the care of Children’s aid society” (compared to 445 in 1995).
  
  Source: Child and Youth Network(2008) The best for our children, youth and families: The first three years of London’s child and youth agenda to 2015. London.

The report stresses the inability for our current social programs to help in reduction of low income and moving most families out of their current poverty. Our social assistance programs provide insufficient funding to assist families with the resources they need to build savings and to work their way out of the poverty trap in which they find themselves. How can we lobby to make a difference?

There appears to be three foci from with we can choose our efforts to address one of four areas.

• Structural issues such as how to assist these women in obtaining funds for training programs to develop marketable skills.
• Social and cyclical factorsthat prevent these women from having the self-confidence and dignity to fit into the larger society.
• Cultural and geographic factorsthat marginalized poor neighbourhoods stigmatized by the broader society. Stigma that turns these women into social outcasts.
• Individual factorsthat limit women’s ability to have options to change their current life situation.

Let’s take on this huge problem in our society and help to make a difference in the lives of these women through a focused resolution to change those existing values that cause them to be marginalized in our affluent society.

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BPW London, Ontario Member - Doris Hall: A Shining Example of Community Service

Doris Hall, a long-standing BPW London member has been awarded the 2008 Leading Women Building Communities Award. This award is sponsored by Deb Matthews the Minister Responsible for Womenʼs Issues. The Leading Women Building Communities award celebrates, recognizes and honours women whose leadership and contributions have helped to improve the lives of others in their communities.

BPW London is very proud of Dorisʼ accomplishments as she is an exceptional women who continues to make extraordinary contributions to her community. (Click link for details of Recipient Contributions).

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20th Anniversary Pay Equity Conference Report by Sheila Crook

Please find attached a PDF version of my summary report from the 20th Anniversary of Pay Equity Conference. As you will see it was a very information intensive conference. I have since had the opportunity to have further discussions with the Pay Equity Commissioner and share some of the recommendations noted in the last 4 pages of the report.

It was a pleasure to represent BPW Ontario at this conference and I trust that should any clubs or members wish to receive further information they are free to contact me. Although not all speakers supplemented their discussions with a power point presentation, I have received copies of several of the more statistical related presentations. I expect that at some point these presentations and video of the conference will be made available on the Pay Equity web site.

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Women's Community House - Holiday Heroes Light Up a Life, Submitted by Susan Dill

Have your company or colleagues sponsor several lights on our outdoor Christmas tree to Light Up A Life at our shelters. Lights are just $25 each and your name appears on a Holiday Heroes gift tag hung on our indoor Christmas tree at the Wellington Road shelter.

Holiday Heroes is not just about dollars and cents and it’s much more than presents under the tree. It’s about human dignity for 60 families, a roof over their heads, food to eat and safety from fear and anger. Simply put, Holiday Heroes reflects the best of our community. Be our hero!

Click to view more ways to help and be a Holiday Hero.

CALL THE HOLIDAY HEROES HOTLINE
WOMEN’S COMMUNITY HOUSE
519-642-3003
Pamela – extension 2252

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Creating Your Own Leadership Tool Box - District 1 Meeting - October 18, 2008, Stratford, Ontario

Below is a summary of the October 2008London Executive Minutes. At the end ofthe summary there is a link to the complete version of the minutes.

October 2008

Business Arising

• Doris Hall has received good input from her committee on Human Trafficking but due to scheduling conflicts that has not been activity involving outside members. Discussion tabled until Nov/Dec Executive meeting.
• Megan Popovic will attempt to set up monthly YBPW meetings.
• Laura Noble and Megan have developed a BIO form which will go out to membership. The BIO will be included on the web site.

Dinner Meeting

• Linda Davis will ask members for what skill they would like to learn and add this the "skills"board.
• Induction of 5 new members will take place at the October meeting.

Reports

• Treasurer: Motion was passed that travel pool monies received from BPW Canada will be split between London delegates and alternatives who attended the National Convention. Discussion was held on guests who attend meetings but have no intention of joining BPW. Mary will present a charge change at the October dinner meeting. In an effort to encourage membership, guests can attend 3 meetings at the special price of $35 and thereafter will be charged $50.
• Membership: We now have 27 members.
• Public Relations: Motion passed to accept the updated wording on membership and renewal forms regarding use of photos etc of members on the website. Lianne Armstrong and Laura worked on this wording.
• Programs/Projects: Carole Orchard reported that she has spoken to Bronagh Morgan Sutherland who has requested BPWL become involved in her securing a grant. Target group hoped to reach single parents who are primary caregivers for their children but do not have the ability (or desire) to work outside the house.
• Resolutions: A copy of the first Single-Point Lesson will be included in the membership package. At the October meeting Linda will faciliate a discussion generating resolution ideas.
• Professional Development: Sheila has written an article on Pay Equity and the Wage Gap.
• District/Provincial: Linda has developed a flyer and ads for the District meeting

Complete October 2008 Minutes

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Notices

Do you see yourself as a business entrepreneur? If so, Brescia University College is looking for your assistance.

Donnafaye Milton who is the Community Outreach Coordinator at Brescia is seeking women who are in business roles to assist with the College's Community Consulting Class Projects. Your role would be participating in two interviews with a group of up to 5 students who will explore with you about how you market your business, finance your operations, manage human resources, operations ,sales, as well as research and development. The purpose of these consultations is for the students to learn about how other women develop and operate their own businesses as well as develop their own interpersonal, written and oral communication skills. If you are willing to participate in these projects please contact Donnafaye Milton at (519) 432-8353 x 28152.

As a BPWL Member, if your business has an upcoming event or notice, email theeditor for inclusion in the next newsletter by the last day of the month. 

Volunteer Awards by Doris Hall

I am making this request on behalf of your executive which would like to start an inventory of the volunteer contributions made by our members the community.  The purpose is two-fold.

First, we would like be able to brag about the participation of our members in the London community, and second, from time to time, the opportunity arises where we are able to nominate members for awards for community service.

Presently, the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration has invited us to participate in a volunteer recognition program for the year 2009.  There are three sectors for awards, Volunteer Service Awards (VSA), June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award (JCOAA) and Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers (OMYC).  For anyone wishing to read more information about these awards, you can find them at http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/honours.

Submission of your information is strictly voluntary; however, I urge you to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it me your CV or the portion of it that contains the details on your volunteer service so that I can compile the inventory and prepare nominations for these awards.  The deadlines for submission vary from January 10th to January 25th, so I would appreciate an early response by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Thank you very much.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
International Chair

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 Upcoming BPW Events

• December 16, 2008: BPW London Silent Auction and Social. Last minute stocking stuffers and gifts. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to donate auction items. Guests, friends, spouses, significant others welcome - special rate of $30. Click to download flyer. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
  
  
• January 20, 2009 BPWL Dinner Meeting:Chilly Climate: Workplace Environment. Speaker: Professor Roma Harris, Faculity Information and Media Studies - UWO.
  
  
• Deadline for submission of Resolutions for the BPW Canada Annual General Meeting is January 31st. 2009. Linda Davis is our Resolutions Chair this year and needs your input into what women's issues need our attention to develop into resolutions.
  
  
• February 17, 2009 BPWL Dinner Meeting: Microeconomics in Africa: How to Spend a Penny to Get a Dime. Speaker: Joanne Humphrey, Art Therapist, and with Choices of Change, an Addiction Councellor with Coordinated Justice Initiative.
  
  
• Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations - March 2 - 13, 2009. Refer to the Events page for further information. Deadline for registration is December 31, 2008.

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Newsletter submissions deadline is the last day of the month. Submissions are to be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

BPW London is a member of the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs

Member of The Business and Professional Women's Clubs of Ontario