Council Structure
There are several ways for you to become involved in Council work:
– join an existing Council close to where you live
– join as an individual member of NCWC
– form a Study Group, if there are not sufficient numbers of members to form a local Council.
Generally, Local Councils of Women and Study Groups focus on local issues, and Provincial Councils of Women focus on provincial issues. Both provincial and local councils carry the same voting strength at National Council meetings.
There are governance documents, such as the Constitution, By-Laws, Standing Rules, and a Procedures manual, which are regularly reviewed and updated.
The Board of Directors are nominated and elected by the grass roots members and consist of 8 members – President, Past President, Vice Presidents, and Treasurer.
Convenors of committees are also nominated and selected from the grass roots. There are several committees, each with its own Convenor. Examples of these committees include Seniors, Children and Youth, Health, Social Development, Public Safety, and Environment.
There are also Administrative Committees such as Archives, Constitution, Resolutions, and Finance. Additional Special Committees may be set up at any time according to need, such as participation in Campaign 2000, a Canada wide Committee focusing on alleviating child poverty.
Another important aspect of Council is the membership of Nationally Organized Societies (NOS). National Organizations that include both men and women may join the National Council of Women, but generally a woman represents that organization on Council.
Provincial Councils of Women
To be recognized by the National Council of Women of Canada, the group must consist of a minimum of three organizations, have filed an official application to the NCWC President, and have been approved by the full voting membership at the Annual General Meeting.
Each Provincial Council of Women is a member of the NCWC Voting Body, receiving a weighted vote of 10, through either the Council President or her designate. PCWs are responsible for matters involving legislation under provincial jurisdiction, assisting in organizing new Local Councils of Women, and supporting NCWC projects within the province. PCWs are autonomous in dealing with provincial matters within the framework of the Constitution.
PCWs receive regular Council mailings, the Annual Report, and the ‘News from National’. PCWs will be asked to submit a report of their activities to the NCWC for the Annual Report and are encouraged to submit items to the NCWC office for distribution to the Council mailing list.
Provincial Councils of Women speak on behalf of Local Councils of Women and the provincial voluntary organizations that are affiliated with them.
Current Locations of Provincial Councils of Women
Local Councils of Women
There are 12 Local Councils of Women (LCW), from Victoria, British Columbia, to Halifax, Nova Scotia. If you are interested in learning more about joining a Local Council of Women, or in establishing one in your area, please contact our NCWC office.
Information About Local Councils of Women
Local Councils of Women (LCW) are made of local organizations and individual members. They are involved in local projects and national issues through their work with the Conveners of the NCWC Committees and the Resolution process. Most hold monthly meetings and offer a wide variety of interesting and educational programs.
Each LCW is a member of the NCWC voting body, receiving a weighted vote of 10, through either the Council President or her designate
LCWs receive regular Council mailings, the Resolutions Package, the Nomination and Election Package, Notice of the Annual Conference and AGM, and the ‘News from National’. They carry out the work of NCWC in their areas and are autonomous in dealing with local issues in the framework of the NCWC Constitution. They can make direct approaches to MLAs or MPs in their area on matters of local concern. Local Councils may establish committees that usually parallel the national committees. Convenors of local committees are encouraged to contact and work with the national Convenors on areas of mutual concern and to involve themselves in the national committees’ work.
To form a Local Council of Women, at least three organizations signify their intent, and they contact the Membership Convenor who shall review with them the outline in the Procedures Manual for joining or federating with the NCWC. Upon completion of this process, the President, at the next Annual Meeting, shall acknowledge and welcome the new Federate member. In provinces where there are Provincial Councils of Women, the NCWC Membership Convenor shall keep them informed.
Current Locations of Councils of Women
- Halifax - https://lcwhalifax.ca
- Montreal - https://montrealcouncilofwomen.ca
- New Westminster - https://www.facebook.com/New-Westminster-Council-of-Women-104112677625341
- Niagara District - http://ndcw.ca/
- Ottawa - https://www.facebook.com/Ottawa-Council-of-Women-1399743136911684
- Prince Albert - https://panow.com/2019/06/18/local-woman-named-president-of-national-council-of-women
- Saskatoon
- Toronto - https://www.tacw.org
- Vancouver
- Winnipeg - https://councilofwomen-winnipeg.ca
- Nationally Organized Societies (NOS)
Nationally Organized Societies (NOS) are national organizations of women, or women and men, which have members in various parts of Canada, whose work is national in scope, and whose objectives are in harmony with those of the Council. If you are interested in learning more about how your organization can join, please contact the NCWC office.
Information About National Organized Societies (NOS)
No society entering into federation with the National Council of Women of Canada shall lose its independence or be committed to the principles of any other federated society of National Council. It may be referred to as either Nationally Organized Society (a NOS) or as one of the federated organizations of NCWC (a federate).
Each NOS is a member of the NCWC’s voting body, receiving a weighted vote of 10, through either the Society’s President or her/his designate. NOS are encouraged to participate in the Annual Meeting, to nominate suitable members of their organization for office in the Council, and communicate with the NCWC regarding issues of mutual concern.
NOS receive regular Council mailings, the Annual Report, and the ‘News from National’. They will be asked to submit a report of their activities to NCWC for the Annual Meeting and are encouraged to submit items to the NCWC office for distribution to the Council mailing list.
Current Nationally Organized Societies that are members of the National Council of Women of Canada are:
Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs
Website: https://bpwcanada.com/
Contact: Karin Gorgerat president@bpwcanada.com
The Canadian Federation, as a member of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women, links business and professional women across Canada to provide support for and recognition of their achievements, and to work toward equality of opportunity and economic security for all women.
Canadian Society of Midwives
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CanadianMidwives/
Contact: Tonia Occhionero, Executive Director admin@canadianmidwives.org
The Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM) is the national organization representing midwives and the profession of midwifery in Canada. The mission of CAM is to provide leadership and advocacy for midwifery as a regulated, publicly funded and vital part of the primary maternity care system in all provinces and territories. CAM promotes the development of the profession in the public interest and contributes the midwifery perspective to the national health policy agenda. The vision of the Canadian Association of Midwives is that midwifery is fundamental to maternal and newborn health services, and that every woman in Canada will have access to a midwife’s care for herself and her baby.
Canadian Federation of University Women CFUW/FCFDU
Website: https://cfuw.org/
Contact: Robin Jackson Executive Director execdir@cfuw-fcfdu.ca
A non-partisan, voluntary, self-funded organization with over 100 CFUW Clubs, located in every province across Canada. Since its founding in 1919, CFUW has been working to improve the status of women and to promote human rights, public education, social justice, and peace. Every year, CFUW and its Clubs award close to $1 million to women to help them pursue post-secondary studies. CFUW also provides funding for library and creative arts awards. CFUW Clubs provide life-long learning opportunities and fellowship to its members. There are over 100 lecture series, 200 book clubs and 75 issues groups offered by CFUW Clubs. CFUW Clubs are involved in community outreach on such initiatives as working to prevent violence against women, child poverty, early learning and child care. CFUW holds special consultative status with the United Nations (ECOSOC) and belongs to the Education Committee of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. CFUW regularly sends a delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. CFUW is the largest affiliate of Graduate Women International which represents women worldwide.
Canadian Women’s Foundation
Website: https://canadianwomen.org/
Contact: Keetha Mercer kmercer@canadianwomen.org
In 1991, the Canadian Women’s Foundation was officially launched. A group of eight trail-blazing women was instrumental in getting it off the ground. The NaRuth Foundation donated $50,000 to help get the fledgling organization started. That first year, the Foundation awarded $40,000 in grants to women’s organizations. Since 1991, the Canadian Women’s Foundation has become one of the largest women’s foundations in the world. With the support of donors, the Foundation has raised more than $90 million and funded over 1,900 programs across the country.
CHW Canadian Hadassah-WIZO
Website: https://www.chw.ca/
Contact: Lisa Colt-Kotler infor@chw.ca
Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) is a non-political, non-partisan national network of dedicated volunteers and professionals who strongly believe that the advancement of childcare, education, healthcare, and women’s issues transcends politics, religion and national boundaries. Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) is Canada’s leading Jewish women’s philanthropic organization. Founded in 1917, CHW is non-political, volunteer-led, and funds a multitude of programs and projects for Children, Healthcare and Women in Israel and Canada. CHW is the sole representative of Hadassah Hospital, the Shamir Medical Centre (Assaf Harofeh), World WIZO and Hadassah Academic College in Canada
Women’s Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church
Website: https://presbyterian.ca/wms/
Contact: Shirley Miller millershirl41@gmail.com
The Women’s Missionary Society is a community of Christians whose purpose, in response to the love of God in Jesus Christ, is to encourage one another and all the people of the church to be involved in local and world mission through prayer, study, service and fellowship.
Women in Cyberspace Society
Contact Lisa Kearney, President: lisa@womencybersecuritysociety.org
We are dedicated to bringing talented women together to celebrate and foster their passion and drive for cybersecurity. We unite local communities of aspiring and thriving women cybersecurity professionals to collaborate, share their knowledge, network, and mentor. We create opportunities through professional development programs, conferences, and career fairs. Our Mission is to help build a strong gender-diverse cybersecurity workforce by facilitating recruitment, retention, and advancement for women in the field.
Courage for Freedom/Maple Leaf Project
Contact Kelly Franklin, founder: kelly@courageforfreedom.org
Courage for Freedom provides direct supports, and trauma informed care for minor aged victim/survivors of human trafficking and their families. Our work outcomes translate into vital training certification, awareness engagement and calls to action. We are a registered charity with a track record as leading experts in network engagement and provision of front-line support, trauma informed horses that heal programs, warm transition case management, safety, and informed mentoring to victim/survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. We do this through community work and collective advocacy to bring awareness and eradicate the buying and selling of girls and boys, children.
International Longevity Centre Canada
Contact Margaret Gillis, President International Longevity Centre Canada, and Co-President International Longevity Centre Global Alliance gillismaggie@gmail.com
The International Longevity Centre Canada is a human rights-based organization dedicated to older persons. We are part of the 16 country International Longevity Centre Global Alliance. Our work focuses on ageism in Canada and internationally to help societies address longevity and population ageing in positive and productive ways, typically using a life course approach, highlighting older people’s productivity and contributions to family and society as a whole. We have worked with the NCWC at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women where we collaborated to ensure older women were included in resolutions and discussions. We hope to continue to collaborate with the NCWC to uphold women’s rights throughout the life course.