THE CNWE YEARS: 1988 UP TO THE PRESENT

THE CONSTITUTION

The next task of the organization was to develop a constitution that provided a framework for operation of the organization. This constitution was to incorporate the work done previously around mission and aims and reflect the organic, non-hierarchical structure envisioned by the membership. It's purpose was to ensure that there was an agreed operating guideline, that the work of the organization would always be addressed and that the values of the movement would be reflected in the way that it operated. Two members from a local group volunteered to take on the drafting of this constitution.

The constitution was presented to the membership at the 1989 conference in Montreal. Many hours were dedicated to refining the draft. The philosophical statement, "To operate from a principal of inclusivity and consensus," was included to ensure that for the most part a feminist model of discernment would be utilized--voting only being as outlined in the constitution. Further refinements were made over the next year to the draft, and the constitution was finally adopted in 1990. A few amendments have been made over the years; the most recent in 1995.

Click here to examine constitution.

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The annual conference continues to be a much anticipated event for CNWE members. It is always hosted by a local group who takes on the commitment at a previous AGM. It is a time to gather with old CNWE friends from across the country and to meet new members or others interested in the work of CNWE. Over the years conferences have been held in Toronto, Ottawa, Kemptville, London, Port Burwell and Hamilton in Ontario, Montreal and Aylmer in Quebec, Halifax Nova Scotia, South Rustico Prince Edward Island, St. John's Newfoundland, Edmonton Alberta, and Saskatoon Saskatchewan.

Conference programs are always impressive and connect CNWE members with feminist theologians, scripture scholars and social scientists while providing experience of prayer using inclusive language and celebration. There is a commitment to alternate a conference in Central Canada with one in another region. As local groups develop around the country, conferences reflect the interests and concerns of CNWE members in the various regions of our country. The Annual General Meeting held at the conference establishes the initiatives for the following year and local groups and/or individual members take on responsibility for implementing these initiatives.

LOCAL GROUPS

CNWE is a dynamic and organic organization. Local groups are seen as the life blood of the movement. Using a federated model, each local group is free to develop a character of its own that reflects the interests and concerns of its members as well as the resources available in each community. Feminist theology and spirituality, public actions related to the aims of CNWE , study groups and retreat days are some of the programs sponsored by local groups. In some areas CNWE local groups co-sponsor events with other reform minded organizations. When a local group is formed and notifies the National Work Group of its intent to operate as such, a portion of the annual membership fee for each member in this group is sent to the local group to assist with financing. Currently local groups exist in Ottawa and Toronto, Ontario, Summerside( and surroundings) Prince Edward Island, and St. Johns, Newfoundland. To connect with a local group ,or CNWE members in your area, contact our communications coordinator at cnwe@telus.net and your message will be forwarded appropriately.

COMMUNICATION WITHIN CNWE

· CNWE NEWSLETTER

The newsletter committee publishes three times a year. Paid up members receive the newsletter. Members also purchase gift subscription for members of the clergy and for friends to spread the message of CNWE. The newsletter contains a wealth of material--articles on issues related to the aims of CNWE, reports from the National Work Group and local groups and other information of interest to CNWE members.

· CNWE EMAIL LIST

One of our newest initiative is an email list that brings CNWE members and other interested women and men together in conversations about shared issues. This site is a great way to have a conversation with members across the country and also with other like-minded individuals. Theological reflections are shared, social justice issues are considered, events are announced and much more. For the first time members separated by the vast distances of our country can connect in cyberspace.

Register for our email list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cnwe

· TELEPHONE CONFERENCE CALL

Distance is no longer a barrier to our movement. Our National Work Group meets by telephone conference call. Members wishing to place an issue on the agenda and participate in these calls can do so. Agenda are emailed to members before meeting and minutes are published following the meetings.

OUR MEMBERSHIP AS GIFT

What is most impressive is the wealth of knowledge and expertise among our members. Also impressive is the energy contributed to CNWE. We have no paid staff and thus everything required to keep our organization alive is done by volunteers. This is the strength of our organization--this organic inclusivity that encourages members to contribute their gifts to nurture and empower the movement.

ONGOING CONVERSATIONS

Over the years CCWO/CNWE has been vigilant in communicating with the institutional church and with the general public through the media, raising issues that are of concern to reform minded Catholic women and men. Some members of the Church hierarchy have been respectful in their willingess to respond or to dialogue with CNWE. Others have taken a more silent approach.

Recently a CNWE committee developed a The Conversations Kit: A Manual for Dialogue Among Women in the Catholic Church. CNWE women are uncomfortable with the duality that the institutional church creates between their perspectives and those of other women in the church and are committed to facilitating conversations between women with varying points of view to identify shared areas of concern. This kit is currently being piloted and a final version will be available to assist members who want to arange a dialogue in their area.

CNWE ARCHIVES

Three years ago a decision was made to develop an archival collection. We have been fortunate that material has been stored in basements across the country waiting for a place to deposit them The collection is dynamic and will continue to grow over the years. We see our archives as an important way to remember our story and a wonderful research tool for future scholars researching the contributions of Canadian women to the Catholic Church.

This is the twenty year story of our movement. We invite you to join us as the story continues.