2023-For 2023 we returned to in-person only meetings at Caring Place. We were able to launch our Facebook and Instagram sites to help provide a broader visibility and out-reach platform, and we completed and approved the previously non-existent Policies and Procedures Manual.
A new Ad hoc Interest Group was formed to try to further an understanding and address the need to collaborate and support indigenous efforts. Also, it was decided that we would share the responsibility of the Land Acknowledgement said at each general meeting, by having a different member compose a statement or relate a relevant fact.
Our Advocacy efforts this year included another collaboration with Richmond Women’s Resource Centre for a vigil on Dec 6th Vigil as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence. Several members participated in the annual march for the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women in the DTES of Vancouver. The Issues and Resolution committee tackled three main topics: the furthering of our Reconciliation Journey; What about the Men? Why do they abuse and what services are available to address the cause of domestic violence; and updating our knowledge of food security in Richmond.
Letters were written to the MPs for Richmond asking for their action to support Bill C-226 regarding environmental racism and injustices; and Bill C- 21, the ban on assault style firearms. Numerous letters were written, and petitions signed in advocacy of several other CFUW policies.
We decided to use our yearly “Charitable Project Funds” (previously GWI Funds) to alternately support an international cause and a more local initiative. This year the full amount of $1795.50 was donated to Inherit Your Rights, a women’s focused non-profit in Tanzania. We also continued to provide five Richmond High School graduates, and two KPU students scholarships
2022 After a year of meeting online only, we started out the 2021/2022 year with our first hybrid meeting providing an option of meeting in person or online via Zoom. Thanks to Chimo sponsorship we were able to use the meeting rooms at Caring Place for the in-person meeting.
Our Program Co-Chairpersons chose the theme for the year of the Three R’s: Reconnecting, Renewal & Resilience. The remainder of the year was a combination of in-person and hybrid meetings as the pandemic evolved and the health rules changed.
Our advocacy efforts focused mainly on two of the Fall Advocacy Initiatives of CFUW: reduction in single use plastics; and post pandemic recovery for women. In December we joined forces with Women’s Resources Centre and Chimo for a vigil as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. There was significant coverage of the event and issue in the local Richmond News. Other advocacy initiatives included writing letters to our MLAs and MPs on the issues of Childcare and Early Learning, Care Services for Seniors Aging at Home, and ending Gender Based Violence.
Our decision to opt out of GWI allowed us to access the funds paid to CFUW National for the 2020 and 2021 term kept aside in our account. A portion of the funds were donated to the CFUW International Services Project ($1000) to continue to support an international initiative, and the balance was split between Richmond Women’s Resource Centre ($1000) and the St. Alban’s Anglican Church Reaching Home Hamper Program ($1,600) to support women and families in need in our community.
Our Vice President arranged weekly Zoom coffee gatherings where interested members shared their thoughts and activities. We learned about people’s favourite books, travel destinations, tv shows, best family traditions or interesting backgrounds, among other things. The communications committee kept us organized and informed with the newsletter and the Grapevine. We took up the task of updating our Articles and Bylaws from 2014. Some changes were “housekeeping”, but others were more substantial and were necessitated by the advent of technology in our meetings. We anticipate more changes as technology evolves and we continue our efforts to increase membership and engage in our community.
2021 As the pandemic continued, so did our online meetings and events. We became more comfortable with using Zoom and Trickster (for playing bridge and euchre) and took opportunities to meet outdoors when the weather permitted.
We undertook a review and update of our Club website. This became a major project involving most members of Executive and Interest Group leaders providing input on their particular area of knowledge. We are very happy with the results.
Some members of the Issues and Resolutions Committee met with three new Richmond MLAs in an online meeting. We were able to introduce our Club and let them know about our priorities for advocacy: childcare, poverty reduction, and long-term care, specifically the issues of Covid in LTC facilities.
As the Covid vaccines were implemented, we were able to return to some normal activities by late fall. As the Nature Park was not taking bookings, we were able to secure meeting space at the Caring Place, hosted by, Chimo Community Services. To try to accommodate all comfort levels, a hybrid meeting format was enacted is September with some members attending in person and some attending via Zoom; as of October more of our Interest Groups were also meeting in person. We hope to once again initiate more in-depth contributions to our activism issues and are investigating ways to accomplish this.
2020 We learned how to stay connected in our interest groups, monthly meetings and social events. Monthly meetings and annual celebrations were held online. Our coffee get-togethers and interest groups were either physically distanced or online.
Despite pandemic restrictions, the Club continued to provide scholarships to graduating Richmond secondary school students and to Kwantlen students.
Members also participated in two charitable events, Coldest Night of the Year, and Walk in Her Shoes. Fortunately, these took place just before the Covid restrictions came into effect.
2019 This was a year-long celebration of CFUW’s 100th Anniversary. The national Annual General Meeting was held in Winnipeg, location of the first CFUW meeting. Two of our members were chosen as “Notable Women” at the 100th Anniversary Celebration: Jean Garnett and Sophie McDougall.
Our Kwantlen Polytechnic University Endowment reached $40,000, in honour of the 100th anniversary. Membership approached 100 women.
CFUW Richmond created and co-sponsored Richmond’s first Shoe Memorial, in memory of victims of violence against women. This was the 30th anniversary of the massacre at l ’Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal.
2017 CFUW Richmond celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a tea and a Proclamation from the City of Richmond. March 8, 2017 was proclaimed CFUW Richmond Day.
We hosted the national AGM, welcoming CFUW members from across Canada.
2012 The Kwantlen Scholarship Fund reached the $10,000 goal and began distributing one $1,000 scholarship each year to a KPU student who graduated from a Richmond secondary school and is proceeding to a second year, or higher, of a degree or diploma program.
2009 We hosted the CFUW BC Council AGM and Conference.
2007 We celebrated our 40th anniversary with a luncheon, attended by current and past members, and local dignitaries.
In honour of CFUW Richmond’s 40th Anniversary, the club established an endowment fund.
The goal was to reach a $10,000 Scholarship Fund at what is now the KPU Foundation. We started with a $1,000 club donation and members were invited to contribute. Once the fund reached $10,000 the Province of BC would match our donation.
2005 The name of the Club was changed from University Club of Richmond to CFUW Richmond. Members created our club banner for display at conferences and council meetings.
2004 The University Women’s Club of Richmond won a Project Award from CFUW for our support of Third Age Learning at Kwantlen (TALK).
2002 Our Club hosted the National AGM for the first time, with more than 230 members from across Canada attending.
1969 The Interest Groups began, with an investment club, book discussion groups, and daytime bridge.
The Club initiated the creation of “The Friends of the Library” and participated in several other community events and activities.
1967 The University Women’s Club of Richmond was established with 15 charter members. The Club was formed to “stimulate intellectual activity, to promote interest in our community affairs, and to facilitate social communications and cooperation among our members”.
Initial annual dues were $7.00.
