Communique #2 – Past President
National Past President and Chairperson of Laws Anne-Marie Gorman, October 26, 2021.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
Every parish council has received the national amendments package, and members are discerning the voting. All materials with directions were sent to the parish presidents in December 2020.
With the ongoing restrictions imposed by the global COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, the voting deadline was extended until March 28, 2022, in hopes that parish councils would by then be able to have met in person to complete the voting procedure. Having said this, some councils have completed the voting and submission of same. During this process, the votes were noted in the council’s minutes.
Throughout the process of being responsible for amendments to the Constitution & Bylaws (last updated in 2013), there have been many communiques and presentations by national, provincial and diocesan executive members explaining the amendments and the per capita fee increase rationale. During these, it was found that some parish councils that had submitted their votes, having received more information, now wished to rescind their votes.
To that end, please advise your diocesan counterparts to provide parish councils with the information required, as they certainly may rescind their vote, if applicable, as follows:
- Contact national office at (204) 927-2310 or via e-mail to officeassistant@cwl.ca and request a second amendments package.
- Follow the procedures a second time as outlined in the amendments package.
- Record the results of the voting in the minutes of the council.
- Write a cover letter and submit with the results of the voting.
Because members must make the critical decisions that will affect the organization for years to come, it is exceedingly important that the decision be an informed one. Depending on your particular region in the country, it may not be absolutely necessary to meet until early 2022.
Please ask your diocesan counterparts to make parish councils aware that the decisions made by the membership are taken to support the ongoing work to implement the strategic plan and will affect the organization’s immediate and long-term future.
May the Holy Spirit guide you, and the intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel bring you peace.
Anne-M Gorman
National Past President and Chairperson of Laws