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January 23rd, 2026 |
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In this Edition:
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Please note that the building in which the CFUW National Office works out of recently changed their phone and voicemail system and it has caused a disruption in our voicemail services.
We are currently working with OCDSB and Rogers to rectify this issue. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. |
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GWI Top-Ups |
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We have received our annual invoice from GWI and have sent out the top-up invoices to opt-in Clubs. If you did not receive an invoice, please reach out to Elizabeth Malcolm, memberservices@cfuw-fcfdu.ca and one will be forwarded to you.
Please note that the payments are due by February 28th, 2026, and can be paid by cheque or e-transfer. Please send the e-transfer to execdir@cfuw-fcfdu.ca and if a security question is required, please make the answer GWI2026 |
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Join us for an informative webinar on the CFUW National Board! Learn about the Board’s roles, responsibilities, and the nomination process for the 2026–28 term. This session will provide clarity on how elections work, what positions are available, and what it takes to serve. The webinar includes a presentation from current Board members and a Q&A to answer your questions.
Date & Time: January 29, 2026 | 6:00 PM ET |
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National Board Workplan January 2026 - March 2026 |
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Attached you will find the Events/Activities and Committee Meetings list for January 2026 - March 2026 from the National Board.
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Welcome to the "CFUW National Board Corner", where over the next weeks we'll introduce you to the dozens of inspiring women from across Canada who help guide CFUW! 🌟
Our national board members bring passion, experience, and vision to their roles. Read their stories and learn a bit more about each one, as together, they guide our organization with integrity, purpose, and heart.
You can access the shared CFUW Board profiles on the CFUW Member's Drive HERE |
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Thinking About Member Proposals?? |
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What are member proposals? Motions of any kind. We usually think of motions discussed at a general meeting as being limited to Resolutions (in CFUW this means motions to establish advocacy policy) and Bylaw amendments.
Members (CFUW Clubs) can submit motions on a variety of topics. As long as they propose action that is within the purposes of CFUW or that addresses how CFUW conducts business (bylaw amendments, amendments to procedure, resolutions, dues motions, nominations) member proposals can be considered at the AGM or a policy session. The Articles and Bylaws Committee handles all such member proposals except nominations, which are handled by the Nominations Committee and “Resolutions”, which are handled by the Resolutions committee. More information, as well as forms, can be found HERE |
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CFUW Advocacy Grant Announcement |
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There will be a second round of applications accepted for the CFUW Advocacy Grant. The applications close Friday, January 30, 2026 at 4pm ET.
The same rules apply. The rubric by which submissions are adjudicated is provided HERE to help you design your application.
If you have any questions - please contact Heather Oxman, VP Advocacy at vpadvocacy@cfuw.ca |
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International Women’s Day 2026 – Film Information |
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This year we are please to announce that the 2026 IWD film will be The Nest, provided courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada. You can accessing marketing materials in the electronic press kit here: https://mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/the-nest. The film can be made available in 4K quality (.MP4) as well as a .DCP version for theatrical screenings. Please reach out to Camila (advocacy@cfuw-fcfdu.ca) to confirm which version you require by no later than March 1st 2026.
Please Note: to ensure compliance with the NFB broadcasting regulations, the participating screenings must be free of charge. Screenings with voluntary donations are also eligible, as long as there is no minimum fee required to attend. |
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We are delighted to announce the second iteration of the Op-Ed Challenge, from January 9, 2026, to April 9,2026. For those of you unfamiliar with the Op-Ed Challenge, CFUW is challenging CFUW Clubs and members to write an Op-Ed and get it published in their local newspaper. This is an opportunity to write about something your club is passionate about and reach a new audience.
If you want inspiration, you can look through our resolutions to see if there is a topic you can write about in there, for example Maternal Death Prevention, Violence Against Women in Politics, Adult Literacy, Climate Change: Mitigation, Adaptation and the Inclusion of Women etc.
All Clubs that publish an Op-Ed before April 9 will be entered in a draw for a $250 VistaPrint gift card. The gift card can be used to purchase Club-branded promotional items/merchandise, which you can create with design and technical support from CFUW staff.
We recommend you look through your local or favourite newspapers to get an idea of the formatting and tone that get published. Please bear in mind that each newspaper will have their own requirements for submission and those should be confirmed before submitting anything.
We will be having a Op-Ed webinar in February to answer any questions and provide a space to brainstorm ideas and discuss topics you might want to write about. Stay tuned for further information. |
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The Notwithstanding Clause is an important section of the Charter that has made headlines recently. Understanding what it is, how it is used, and why it matters is an important part of advocacy work. According to the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, “several elected officials directly involved in the 1981 negotiations have since confirmed that the Charter override was never meant to circumvent normal court process, or to be used regularly by any government to override the rule of law.”
Learn more HERE |
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Overview Schedule of AGM and Conference - to assist in booking travel plans:
Monday, July 20: Arrival and registration (recommended if attending a LAC tour/activity on the Tuesday) Tuesday, July 21: Arrival and registration / Local Arrangements Committee Tours (Morning, Afternoon and Full Day Tours will be available. More information to come soon.) Opening Ceremony and Dinner Wednesday, July 22: AGM and Member Led Sessions / Charitable Trust Dinner Thursday, July 23: Conference Day - Keynotes, Workshops, and Speaker Panel / LAC Dinner Friday, July 24: Policy Session (AM) - Closing ceremony and remarks/Lunch.
CFUW Sherbrooke will be planning post-AGM and Conference activities/events in the Eastern Townships region, South East of Montreal for all day Saturday, July 25th and returning delegates to the airport by 3 pm Sunday, July 26th - in time for late afternoon flights.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are running for a Board position for the 2026-2028 biennium, the first Board Meeting will take place early afternoon on Friday, July 24th after lunch.
CLICK HERE to view descriptions of the activities planned by the Local Arrangements Committee (LAC). When registering for the 2026 CFUW AGM & Conference you will be asked to select the LAC activities you are interested in. |
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Hotel booking is now available for the 2026 CFUW AGM & Conference.
AGM Hotel Booking
We have been approached with concerns about availability at the hotel for the AGM and Conference in Montreal, QC this summer. Please note that the link is functional, the hotel has been contacted and we have confirmed that all room types are still available.
If you have difficulties booking your rooms, please reach out directly to Delta Montreal and they will be able to assist you in confirming your reservation.
Book your group rate for CFUW AGM 2026 - If you wish to extend your stay in Montreal, the group rate extends before and after the schedule. See specifics below. Last Day to Book : Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Start Date: Friday, July 17, 2026
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UPCOMING Monday Membership Moments 4-5:30 pm ET
January 26th 4pm ET Interest Groups—going beyond the what to the how, when where, and why—encourage your Interest Group Coordinator to participate!! REGISTER HERE
February 23rd Member Recognition/Awards—ways to build a supportive network within our clubs by thanking long term members, new members and others who make our clubs special
March 23rd AGM101 Getting the inside scoop for new delegates and returning on Montreal’s AGM including the business meeting, the Policy session, the conference, and the FUN
I have great ideas coming out of the Monday Membership Moments (MMM) that need to be molded into useful activities & resources for clubs –with the plan that willing clubs pilot & critique these ideas to make into a toolkit for others. I want to set up 3 (one per topic) short-term e.g., 2-3 mtgs, small group think tanks with CLUB MEMBERS including but not exclusively executive to think about ways to
Please let me know if you are interested or if you want to suggest someone!
Anne Cordon |
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Elizabeth Malcolm will be hosting biweekly (every two weeks) drop-in sessions for the CFUW Members Drive and CFUW Members Database. We cover topics such as: how to update Club Executive information, event calendar submissions, resources available in the Members Drive and so much more!
Register HERE
A recording of a previous Drop-In is available HERE |
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Have you checked out the new CFUW Event Calendar? It’s jam packed with CFUW Committee meetings, Club Events, and important dates from the National Office!
Clubs are encouraged to submit their events to the CFUW National Event Calendar through the CFUW Member Database. |
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You are invited to join the UWC North York club Monday January 26 General Meeting 7:30 PM on ZOOM "Defend the Water" with Maude Barlow.
Maude Barlow is an author, activist, founding member and former board chair of the Council of Canadians, a citizens' advocacy organization. In her presentation, "Defend the Water", she will talk about Canada's water and protecting water rights. A Q&A will follow.
Please register to attend : https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/GehQ7b8-RkO00EX1jMAMXQ |
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Marina is originally from Iran. In 1979, at just 16 years old, she was arrested for expressing her opinions and writing articles for her school newspaper. She spent two harrowing years in the infamous Evin Prison, where she endured torture, narrowly escaped execution, and lost many friends to state-sponsored violence. In 1991, Marina emigrated to Canada with her husband, Andre, and their infant son. Since then, she has penned two memoirs: *Prisoner of Tehran* and *After Tehran*, both of which have been translated into multiple languages. Her debut memoir, *Prisoner of Tehran*, was a finalist for the 2005 CBC Literary Awards and earned her a spot as a finalist in the 2012 Canada Reads competition. Today, Marina shares her passion for storytelling as a Memoir Writing instructor at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. Her new book, a historical novel, Mistress of the Persian Board House inspired by her grandmother’s escape from the 1917 Russian Revolution to build a new life in Iran, will be published in the summer of 2026 by Penguin Random House Canada. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83037399714 |
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A Collective Path Forward for Canada’s Globally Important Peatlands |
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Canada – home to one-quarter of the world’s peatlands, the world’s largest peat carbon stock, and some of the planet’s largest remaining undisturbed peatlands – is uniquely positioned as a peatland steward of global importance. And yet Canada lags behind much of the world in efforts to value and protect these vital ecosystems. In December, WCS Canada unveiled the National Peatland Strategy - a roadmap for coordinated policy action by federal, provincial, and territorial governments, developed with over 100 of Canada's foremost peatland knowledge-holders.
In this one-hour webinar aimed at people making or informing decisions about peatlands anywhere in Canada, WCS Canada Peatland Conservation Scientist Adam Kirkwood and Public Policy Specialist Victoria Goodday will discuss the unique importance of peatlands, the limitations of current policy approaches, and how policy-makers and implementers can use the National Peatland Strategy to guide collective action.
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Do you want your Club’s newsletter shared in the CFUW Club Action newsletter? Send your newsletter to Elizabeth Malcolm at memberservices@cfuw-fcfdu.ca |
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