faith | service | social justice

2018 Annual Report – Prince Edward Island

May 31, 2019 | Annual Reports, Prince Edward Island, Provincial

Shirley Pierce
Prince Edward Island Provincial Council President

The major duties of presidents were informing the membership of the position of the League on current issues, priorities and new programs, fostering open communication, presiding at all meetings and providing active leadership.

  • Twenty-five parish councils reported online or manually.
  • Presidents received information from a variety of resources to inform members including The Canadian League magazine, provincial newsletters, national and provincial communiqués, and parish bulletins.
  • Councils were actively involved in the national priorities of removing the Canada Summer Jobs program attestation, excluding medical assistance in dying from palliative/hospice care facilities and protecting the conscience rights of healthcare professionals. These issues were discussed at meetings.
  • Spiritual advisors were very supportive of the League and 57% of presidents met with them monthly.
  • Presidents used the Constitution & Bylaws, Robert’s Rules of Order, the Executive Handbook and other available resources when presiding at meetings.
  • Most presidents signed banking documents and cheques.
  • Presidents represented the council at various functions such as church activities, provincial meetings, conferences and conventions, workshops, World Day of Prayer and Remembrance Day events.
  • When finances allowed, councils supported members to attend provincial conventions, fall conferences, presidents’ meetings, area meetings, and they sometimes supported their council president to attend the national convention.
  • Presidents gave annual summaries of council activities orally and in writing.
  • Councils reported having additional committees—other than standing committees—which did important work including funeral receptions, visitation, bursary and annual events, such as teas and bazaars.
  • The greatest challenges faced were keeping members interested, recruiting members, feeling undertrained, not having a full slate of officers, public speaking and technology.
  • Some comments describing what made presidents most proud of the council included:
    • “Our League members are always there to help out with parish events.”
    • “We are blessed to have two of our members (Leah Kinch and Brenda Pitre) on the Provincial Executive.”
    • “Our council has a number of younger, faith-filled women who are busy and active in the Church. These women are interested in growing and living out their faith in their families and community while remaining true to the teachings of the Catholic Church.”
    • “The success of our Catholic Women’s League is tremendously important to the success of our parish in reaching out to parishioners.”
    • “The friendliness of our members and their volunteerism.”
    • “The commitment of our members to our spiritual events and social events.”
    • “The way we all work together to get things done. Everyone is willing to help.”