2025 Resolutions at a Glance

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The following resolutions were adopted at the 2025 national annual Meeting of Members:

Government Relations Tip Sheet

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The tips below were developed for National Volunteer week but can be adapted and applied to any topic you want to discus with various levels of government officials.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TIP SHEET
Communicating with elected officials

PLAN AHEAD

• Reach out to municipal, provincial, or federal elected representatives months in advance.
• Make sure what you’re asking for is clear.
• When meeting with an elected official, make sure a board member or senior volunteer is present.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE?

• To inform the official about National Volunteer Week and your community’s planned activities.
• To inform them about the work that volunteers perform in your community and its impact.
• To ensure they understand the value of volunteer work.
• To make them aware of the impact of their policies on volunteers and the organizations they work for in your community.
• To develop a good working relationship so that your organization can be a source of information about issues related to volunteerism in your community.

Provide elected officials the information they need to make good decisions that affect volunteers.

Download NVW Tip Sheet

Resolution 2023.01

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The following resolution was adopted by the National Council at the 103rd national annual meeting of members in St. John, New Brunswick in August, 2023.

Resolution 2022.01

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The following resolution was adopted at the 102^nd annual National Convention:

Resolution Tools

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• Resolution Cover Letter
• Resolutions Checklist 2021
• Resolution Composition: Tips & Strategies
• Resolution Brochure
• Resolutions Supplement to the Executive Handbook (2020)
• Resolution Workshop (PowerPoint)
• Resolutions Made Easy
• 620 Resolutions Guide

Updated Resolutions Supplement to the Executive Handbook (National memo)

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Release of Updated Resolutions Supplement to the Executive Handbook

At the fall meeting of the national executive/board, an updated Resolutions Supplement to the Executive Handbook was approved. This follows discussions throughout the past year with members, provincial chairpersons and presidents, and evaluations from the national convention.

Two of the most important changes have to do with the format for resolutions and with using the Modern Language Association (MLA) 8 process for citing works. A Table of Contents has been added, some sections were rearranged in order and some changes were of a “housekeeping” nature.

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2019 Resolutions at a Glance

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Written by Dorothy Boras, Resolutions Chair, Calgary Diocesan Council

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The following resolutions were adopted at the 99^th annual National Convention:

• 2019.01 Canada to Honour its Commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
• 2019.02 Canadian Support for the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

The following resolution was adopted at the Provincial Convention in June 2019:

• 2019.01 In-School Dental Screening for Children in Alberta Grades K – 12

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Parish Resolutions memo Fall 2019

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DATE: September 30, 2019
FROM: Cathy Bouchard, national chairperson of resolutions
TO: Parish chairpersons of resolutions

“May God give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” (Ps 20:4).

In the League, resolutions form the policy of who and what the League is as an organization. Members are excited about presenting the position of the League through resolutions but may not think they have the tools to make it happen. The first step to create a resolution is to become aware of an issue. Find a topic you are passionate about, share it with the parish council and get members participation by forming a committee. Involve people who might be experts on this topic. Decide who the concern should be directed to—to the League itself at any level, or through the voice of the League to outside groups or institutions, such as government, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, businesses, etc. “When directed within the League, its purpose is to propose a plan, establish a policy, [and] recommend action or censure. When directed to a group outside the League … [it] is to influence others to take action that the League itself cannot take, to state the League’s position on an issue, to petition or to express concern”
(Resolution Supplement to the Executive Handbook, page 2).

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Resolution Sample Letters

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Councils in Manitoba, B.C. and the Yukon applied much time and effort to research and develop the resolutions adopted at the 2018 National Convention. Following tradition since 1974, National Council of the Catholic Women's League of Canada sent a delegation to Ottawa to explain the League’s position on the issues identified. Anne-Marie Gorman (President), Fran Lucas, (President-elect), and Cathy Bouchard (Resolutions Chair) met with parliamentarians November 26-28, 2018. They created the foundation and ignited the flame!

It’s now the role of members and councils to seize the torch and advocate for change. Councils large and small can contribute by studying the resolutions and following up on the Action Plans – detailed on national’s website: www.cwl.ca

A 30-minute express workout several times a week is a great way to achieve your fitness goals. A 30-minute express letter-writing blitz at a general meeting is a great way to achieve your social justice goals!

I’ve written two 2018 Sample Letters as a helpful resource. They are quick and easy to use! 1. Print the required copies; 2. Add your name and contact info, current date, and local MP's name (below the Prime Minister's); 3. Sign and mail the letters (no postage required).

Please revise and personalize the letters as you wish or simply use them as a guide.

Download sample letters.

Resolutions re: Christmas Postage Stamps

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National CWL Resolution 1959.12 resolved "that we The Catholic Women's League of Canada in 39^th annual national convention assembled at Saint John, N.B., request the federal government to plan a Christmas stamp depicting a “Nativity Scene” to be issued in Canada annually during the month of December."

This was followed by Resolution 1980.11 which resolved that "The national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada, in 60^th annual national convention assembled, do commend Canada Post for the issues of postage stamps with religious themes and do recommend that each year one or more of the Christmas stamps issued have such a theme."  

Resolution 2005.01 resolved "That the national council of The Catholic Women's League of Canada, in 85^th annual national convention assembled, urge Canada Post to include a Nativity-related theme in its future Christmas stamp issues."  

All of these resolutions were archived in 2016 because the action requested has been accomplished. We have had a Christmas-themed stamp for several years and have commended Canada Post for this.

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Advocacy and Legislation

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Legislation is social justice in action.
It is the carrying out of League resolutions to influence government policy.

MONITOR and STUDY LEGISLATION at ALL LEVELS of GOVERNMENT

Legislation affects everyone and everything we have and do.

It is important to:

• know the local, provincial and federal government representatives
• ask to be put on their mailing list to receive information
• attend public forums sponsored by government and report back to the council
• keep informed on issues pertaining to government
• keep informed about resolutions and briefs presented to government
• be aware that the council president is the official spokesperson
• ensure all letters to government are signed by the president
• obtain copies of bills relevant to a resolution being followed
• work closely with the chairperson of resolutions to review previous resolutions and draft new ones
• access Hansard, a printed record of the proceedings of government, which may be viewed on the parliamentary Web site or obtained from the library
• refer to the Personal Letter Writing Guide available from national office

Resolutions Standing Committee

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Policies are established, programs are planned, or concerns and views are expressed through resolutions.

DUTIES of the CHAIRPERSON

The duties of the chairperson are:

• research and preparation of resolutions and briefs
• study and implementation of resolutions adopted by other levels
• at provincial and national levels, presentation of resolutions to government

The chairperson should:

• refer to communiqués and/or annual reports from all levels
• file with the recording secretary a copy of monthly and annual reports
• become familiar with resolutions that require action and those that have been archived as listed on cwl.ca

RESEARCH and PREPARATION of RESOLUTIONS and BRIEFS

A resolution is similar to a motion in that it introduces new business to an assembly. The new business is introduced in the form of a resolution because of its formality, its length or its complexity.

The chairperson shall:

• become aware of issues
• discuss issues with council and consider forming resolutions
• by motion, form an ad hoc committee to research and study and bring recommendations back to the council
• be aware that she must be a member of the committee in some capacity
• be aware that the president is an ex officio member
• determine whether or not the League has previously adopted a resolution or position on the topic
• refer to communiqués and/or annual reports from all levels for ideas
• become familiar with the resolutions process and criteria as outlined in Appendix 1 of the National Manual of Policy and Procedure

STUDY and IMPLEMENTATION of RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED by OTHER LEVELS

Resolutions are only words on paper until action is taken. Implementation of resolutions is a large part of the annual work of League members.

The chairperson shall:

• study resolved clauses to determine action to be taken
• encourage action be taken as soon as possible after resolutions have been adopted at the level of their final destination

The chairperson should:

• encourage members to write letters to their members of parliament, once the resolutions have been adopted; the letter could include the comment that the national executive will be presenting the resolutions to government
• refer to the Personal Letter Writing Guide
• review the National Manual of Policy and Procedure, Appendix 1

AT PROVINCIAL and NATIONAL LEVELS, PRESENTATION of RESOLUTIONS to GOVERNMENT
The League has a strong voice and is continually commended for the quality of its resolutions, and on the research and documentation that has gone into their preparation.

The chairperson shall:

• arrange meetings with the appropriate government officials to discuss the resolutions

SOURCE: Executive Handbook RES-67-68

RESOURCES and REFERENCES
Ongoing resolutions are posted on the League Web site and are also available upon request from national office. Resolutions adopted at the annual national convention are published in the fall issue of The Canadian League magazine.

The following are available from national office:

• Constitution & Bylaws
• Personal Letter Writing Guide
• Resource List
• National Manual of Policy and Procedure
• Resolutions Supplement to the Executive Handbook

Parish Legislation memo Fall 2018

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Written by Betty Colaneri, national chairperson of legislation

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“Legislative activity is always best based on care for the people” (Pope Francis).

Greetings to my Sisters in the League!
I am thrilled to be elected once again to the national executive and look forward to my new position as chairperson of legislation.

According to the federal government website www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/abouthealth-canada/legislation-guidelines/legislation.html, legislation is defined as:

“Legislation, also known as the acts, are forms of law that can provide the authority to make regulations. Generally, legislation begins as a bill (draft form), and can originate either in the House of Commons or in the Senate. For a bill to become law, it must be approved by both the House of Commons and the Senate, and by the Governor General of Canada (the Crown). Bills are discussed by members of both Houses during what is formally known as First Reading, Second Reading and Third Reading, and are also submitted to a Parliamentary Committee for review. The Committee usually seeks out the views of interested parties, including the public. The final stage of the enactment of a bill is when it receives Royal Assent. The timing of Royal Assent is determined by the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons in consultation with the Leader of the Government in the Senate. An Act has the force of law upon Royal Assent, unless it is provided in the Act that it will come into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council (Cabinet).”

The “C” of the “CWL” stands for Catholic, but could also stand for compassionate, concerned or conscientious women aware of issues in communities, prepared to spring to action. One way to do this is by monitoring and studying federal government legislation.

It all begins with a concern or issue a member, or someone they know, may have or had to deal with. One such serious issue, which falls under the legislation standing committee, had a resolution adopted at the 98th annual national convention. Resolution 2018.03 Legislate Designation of Hospice/Palliative Care Services in Facilities to Exclude Medical Assistance in Dying.

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Parish council Resolutions memo Fall 2018

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Written by Cathy Bouchard, national chairperson of resolutions

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Two years remain until the League celebrates 100 years as an organization of Catholic women!
Looking back on the record of the work done by members, we realize the impact the League has had on the lives of all Canadians. Through resolutions, policies are established, programs are planned, and concerns and views are expressed.

Resolutions adopted at the 98th annual national convention will be published in the fall issue of The Canadian League magazine, and will be available online. Many hours of hard work, research, consultation and discussion have contributed in bringing issues to the forefront. Support this work through advocacy and awareness. National office is actively pursuing meetings with federal government officials to discuss the adopted and other resolutions.

I have attached a 2018 Resolutions-at-a-Glance document. Encourage members to actively learn about the resolutions and to follow up on the action plans. Ask the question, “How do these resolutions apply to situations in our city/town, province or country? Who does the League speak for in this resolution?” Members become much more attached to the suggested action in the resolution when it applies to known people.

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