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Advocacy Report, by Susan Vecchiarelli
Although the CFUW 2025 AGM was held virtually July 11th – 13th, once again I was impressed with the passion of our clubs’ members across Canada, thrilled to be a part of this strong organization, and rejuvenated for our upcoming year.
As you know, advocacy is one of the pillars of our local club and, over the years, CFUW has taken a stand on innumerable issues. All resolutions passed by CFUW from 1964 can be found at: https://www.cfuw.org/assets/pdf/Adopted+Resolutions+2024/. All seven 2025 resolutions were passed at the National AGM and will be added to the policy book, and resources will be prepared for the fall.
1. Addressing Period Poverty and Menstrual Inequity in Canada
2. Expanding Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
3. Supporting 2SLGBTQ+ Rights
4. Strengthening the Awareness and Safekeeping of Individuals and Their Animals Experiencing Domestic Violence
5. Equitable Phase-out of Fossil Fuels
6. Archiving Select CFUW Adopted Resolutions
7. Affirming Housing as a Human Right and Social Good
In May 2025, two Ontario Council resolutions were passed at the AGM:
1. Funding for Post-Secondary Education in Ontario
2. The Establishment of a Seniors’ Advocate
The Aging and Long-Term Care Working Group looks forward to continuing its work by advocating for the establishment of a Seniors’ Advocate (Ontario Council Resolution 2). Please consider joining Elena DiBattista, Kathryn Murrell, Janis Randall Simpson, Wyn Rosenberger, and me.
To become more familiar with what is going on internationally, nationally, and provincially, please subscribe to:
1. CFUW Club Action Newsletter
2. Ontario Council News
Ontario Council has hosted three advocacy sessions annually for many years. During COVID-19 the in-person keynote and breakout speakers format shifted to virtual presentations. Because speakers and participants can be brought together from all over the globe, Ontario Council is continuing to offer its Speaker Series virtually. Please save the dates: Saturday, October 25; Saturday, November 29; and Saturday, February 21 from 10am to noon. The topics and registration forms will be in upcoming Ontario Council News newsletters, so please subscribe.
These newsletters are very informative and easy to read with a list of the items in the edition at the top. There is more than Advocacy in these newsletters—you will find articles about Artificial Intelligence, How to Avoid Phishing Scams, fundraising events, upcoming webinars, etc., National’s Member Drive (resources, form to book Zoom meetings on a National account), etc., and other clubs’ newsletters.
Thank you to the following women who agreed to join me and the Aging & Long-Term Care members on our club’s 2025-2026 Advocacy Committee: Catherine Deacon-Barrett, Lisa Forwell, Mary Lawrence, Elaine Lewis, and Dorothy McCabe.
The Advocacy Committee is always looking for new members. Some initiatives are year-long commitments; others are one-time (e.g., December 6th Vigil; Out of the Cold; Tiny Acts of Kindness; review OC and CFUW Resolutions).
I have not decided how our Advocacy meetings will be held but I am definitely leaning towards Zoom meetings. The days and time of day will depend on everyone’s availability.
A planning session will be organized early in September to decide on this year’s focus.
Please contact Susan Vecchiarelli (msvecchiarelli@rogers.com; 519-885-7924) if you would like to join the Advocacy Committee in any way or if you have questions.
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