Category Archives: Notes on Meetings

Our June 2022 Meeting

At 100WWCG’s First In Person/Virtual Hybrid Meeting, We Reconnected and Reaffirmed Our Commitment to Local Charities!

Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

We’ve worn masks, been vaccinated, worked from home and attended virtual 100WWCG meetings for more than 2 years, but now we’re back!  

June has marked the first in person/virtual hybrid meeting that our chapter has ever held and we’ve experienced an excellent outcome.  

Members who wanted to connect face-to-face had the opportunity to attend our in person meeting at the Delta Hotels Conference Centre, and those who were more comfortable attending virtually used our Zoom meeting option. 

Most important, our new format has made it possible for members to stay energized and connected to our mission to give generously to local charities!

Photo by Matt Walsh on Unsplash

So what happened at the meeting?

 Sharon opened the meeting with thanks to our incredibly generous corporate sponsors, Sandra Lastovic and the Delta Hotels Conference Centre. Their support made it possible for our group to meet in person again.

She followed up with an expression of profound gratitude to Audrey Lounder, our “Zoom Angel.”  Audrey is a good friend to founding member Tannis Sprott, who recognized that we have needed help in our quest to hold a hybrid meeting.  Her patience and good humour have helped us to move forward through a steep learning process.

There was also a shout out to our special guest, Suzanne Denomme and her colleagues who are starting a chapter of 100 Realtors Who Care in Waterloo Region.

Sharon reviewed changes which have been made to our charity selection and presentation process and stressed that these changes have been adopted to encourage members to present their heartfelt stories to support the charities they nominate.

That said, any charity nominator who attends on Zoom, is really anxious about public presentations, or who comes down ill at the last minute, can specify another member as a second or (as an absolute last resort) a committee member to present on their behalf. In the event that a nominating member will not be present, that member can invite a charity representative to attend the meeting IN PERSON, to answer questions. (This representative will not be able to make the entire presentation.) This is an effort to level the playing field for small vs. large charities.  

It was noted that there are 66 members who currently qualify for, but have not been able to receive, 3 year and 5 year membership pins. Those members were asked to rise and be acknowledged for their service. A group photo was taken after the meeting. 

Sharon wrapped up her comments by announcing that our next meeting, which will also be in hybrid format, will take place on Wednesday, October 12th, 2022, at the Delta Hotels Conference Centre.  She was proud to note that this October will begin our chapter’s 9th year and that we have raised $374,879.00 since October 2014!  

Following the opening comments, our chosen charities were announced and nominators had the opportunity to tell members why they were so passionate to support them.

Our Chosen Charities Are…

On June 13th, Tannis and Sharon selected the names of three charities which had been included in our nomination draw. This allowed our nominators an opportunity to prepare presentations in advance of our in person meeting.
 Our three chosen charities were:

Kiwanis Music Festival of Guelph 
(Nominated by Barb McKay)  

Barb McKay presented on behalf of the Kiwanis Music Festival of Guelph. She emphasized the importance of music to emotional well-being and the need to mentor enthusiastic young talent and stressed that this organization provides thousands of young, aspiring musicians with annual performance opportunities second to none.

The Kiwanis Music Festival of Guelph is one of the largest youth services programs in the arts in our community. 

Funds from a 100WWCG donation would be directed to the scholarship and bursary program, augmentation of school programs and improvements to the festival’s website. 

Compass Community Services | Affordable Support Services to the Local  Community

Compass Community Services
(Nominated by Karyn Kirkwood)

Karyn Kirkwood made a presentation with support from Colten Ura, Manager of Telephone Support, Compass Community Services.

Compass Community Services (formerly known as Family Counselling and Support Services for Guelph-Wellington),  is an integral part of the community, providing mental health and social services to individuals, families, and children. These services guide people through life’s challenges, whether they are emotional, developmental, or professional. Included in these programs are counselling and therapy services, developmental services, workplace wellness and telephone support services. 

Funds from a 100WWCG donation would be directed to their telephone support lines which provide four dedicated services – providing emotional support, a dedicated LGBTQ+ support line, their community check-in service and their  telephone visiting service for isolated seniors.   

Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington | Charity Profile | Donate Online |  Canadahelps

Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington
(Nominated by Robin Smart)

Tannis Sprott presented on behalf of Robin Smart, with assistance from Lorri Watamaniuk, Director of Fund Development, Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington.The Alzheimer Society is here so that no one has to face Alzheimer’s disease or any other type of dementia alone. It provides support for ANY type of dementia and is the only organization in the  community dedicated to helping people and their families live well with a dementia diagnosis. The society offers dementia-friendly social, recreation, education, counseling, and care partner support groups, all free of charge.

Funds from a 100WWCG donation would be dedicated toward much-needed therapeutic recreation programs which provide both stimulation to the person living with dementia and respite to the care partner.

Pricilla Gyamfi on  Unsplash

Great News!

Compass Community Services 
(Nominated by Karyn Kirkwood)
Is the Recipient of our June 2022 Donation!

For more information, follow this link  to our most recent press release.
Funds from a 100WWCG donation will be directed towards sustaining their telephone support lines which comprise four dedicated services – providing emotional support, a dedicated LGBTQ+ support line, their community check-in service and their  telephone visiting service for isolated seniors!

Let’s celebrate our latest 5 year and 3 year pin recipients!

Our most recent group of 3 and 5 year pin recipients pose for a group picture.

Thank you so much for supporting the efforts of 100 Women Who Care Guelph
We are REALLY making a difference within our community…
We are proud to announce that as of our June 2022 meeting, we have 23 members who qualify to receive their 3 year membership pins and 43 members who qualify to receive their 5 year pins.  

The Nightingale Centre Poses with a “Big Cheque”. From 100WWCG

Tannis Sprott presents a 100WWCG big cheque  to Dr. Laura Brown, Executive Director of the Nightingale Centre

If you want to read the Nightingale Centre’s “Thank you!” to 100WWCG, follow this link!

Where do we go from here?

We are  so excited to complete this quarter’s meeting and voting process!  We have proven that through hard work, generosity and innovation, we can achieve incredible success.  


It was wonderful to see our friends again – in person or by Zoom, and to share our commitment to staying engaged with our community and local charities. We would like to thank our members for their persistence and loyalty through the challenges of the past couple of years. Thanks so much for your support!

Our April 2022 Virtual Meeting

At 100 Women Who Care Guelph’s Eighth Virtual Meeting, Local Charities Take Centre Stage

Photo by Nikki Zalewski on Adobe Stock 

So its been a crazy couple of years…

We’ve worn masks, been vaccinated, worked from home, had Zoom meetings (and funerals, and weddings). We keep trying to find balance and a “new normal” but we aren’t quite there yet. 

There may still be some challenges in the future, but 100 Women Who Care Guelph has proven it can rise to any challenge.

Great news!  In spite of Covid-19, we have continued to make a huge financial contribution to local charities. We’re proud to report that over the past (almost) eight years, we have raised close to $362,000.  

And here we are, delivering the results of our eighth virtual meeting. That says something about our members’ level of commitment to giving back to our community. It also says a great deal about what we can achieve, moving forward.

Your kindness is making a difference.

Last week, members representing three charities selected in our nomination draw, provided written presentations which were reviewed and voted on by our group.
 Our three chosen charities were:

The Nightingale Centre
(Nominated by Donna Core) 
*

Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington
(Nominated by Robin Smart)
*

Art Not Shame 
(Nominated by Rachel Collins )
*

Photo by Pricilla Gyamfi on  Unsplash

Important Announcement!

The Nightingale Centre
(Nominated by  Donna Core)

Is the Recipient of our April 2022 Donation!
 The donation from 100 Women Who Care will be used to:
– fund and train facilitators
– purchase therapeutic supplies for memory-making activities
– purchase books that can be read to children to encourage conversation
– provide information packages for parents
– offer educational workshops for the community

For more information, follow this link to our most recent press release.

Tannis Sprott presents a cheque to members of the Guelph Community Health Van Team 

Guelph/Wellington Community Health Van Team Says  “Thank You!”  For Our January Donation

The Guelph/Wellington Community Health Van Team recently expressed its thanks for our January donation!  
 Follow this link to read what the team had to say.

What’s Next?

As we wrap up this nomination and voting cycle, 100 Women Who Care Guelph is looking towards the future. 

We have had some questions from members regarding how and when 100WWCG can return to ‘in person’ meetings. That said, we’d like to transition from virtual to in person meetings in a way that honours all our member’s needs. We recently conducted a brief survey of the membership to try to gauge everyone’s comfort level.

The past two years have taught us that our group is strong, innovative and flexible and will rise to the challenge of finding the best and safest way for our members to “connect” as we move forward. By the end of April, you will be receiving an email which details exciting changes to our meeting format. Stay tuned for more information…

Sharon, Tannis, Miriam, Lisa, Peggy and Dianne. The 100 Women Team

100WWCG’s Seventh Virtual Meeting Reinforces our Dedication to the Guelph Charity Community…

Photo courtesy Unsplash 

Wow!  Over the past year, what we definitely have learned is the power of our members’ determination and commitment. In response to punishing Covid-19 challenges, we have used virtual meetings to continue our important work for Guelph charities – and we have succeeded!
 100WWCG has been determined to prevail, against all odds. We have worked hard, been innovative, and stayed connected to our membership.  Our over-riding desire has been to give back to the Guelph community. 

We are proud to say that we haven’t given up on local charitable organizations.   They are not alone in their struggle to survive and their continued success matters to our membership.

Our commitment to Guelph charities is firm.  We want to support them, no matter how challenging the current situation may be.  100 Women Who Care Guelph is proud to move forward, and wholeheartedly dedicate its efforts to our community.

Members, representing three charities selected in our nomination draw, provided written presentations which were reviewed and voted upon by members.


 Our three chosen charities were:

1.   The Nightingale Centre
      (Nominated by Donna Core) 

2.  The Guelph Community Health Van
      (Nominated by Ruth McMath )

3.  Waterloo Wellington Down Syndrome Society
     (Nominated by Mary Casagrande)

Photo courtesy Unsplash

Important Announcement!

The Guelph Community Health Van
(Nominated by Ruth McMath )

Is the Recipient of our January 2022 Donation!


 Over the past two years, there has been a huge increase in demand for services and supplies offered by the Van, especially as the pandemic has reduced access to health facilities and resources.

Our 100 Women Who Care Guelph donation will be used to fund the purchase of the most urgently needed winter items including sleeping bags, warm clothing, tarps, blankets and hygiene supplies.

Where do we go from here?

The past two years have felt like a gut punch.

Nobody believed that in 2022, we would find ourselves here, but this is our reality and we persist. There have been positive outcomes.

We have learned that we are strong and innovative.  
100WWCG continues to make a huge contribution to the Guelph community, in spite of Covid-19.

Connection used to be easier.  That said, we know that we need to stay engaged, now more than ever.  Whatever the challenge we may have faced, the 100WWCG membership has always been up to the task!  

100WWCG has committed to giving back to the Guelph community over the past 7 years. This commitment has made it possible for 100WWCG to donate more than $10,000 per quarter to eligible local charities. Congratulations to our membership for achieving this incredible success.

Most of us recognize that our path forward isn’t clear yet, but the steering committee is constantly working towards the day when we can have real handshakes and hugs in large venues, without hand sanitizer and masks, and make our decisions without relying on network technology.  We will notify everyone by email and post information on the Upcoming Meetings page on our website, as soon as this is possible.

Meanwhile, we are confident that you will continue to be the engaged membership that we celebrate, as we move forward to achieve incredible successes within the Guelph charity community.

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

Mohammed Ali

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

President Barack Obama

Thanks for your huge contribution to our success!  Together, we really domake a difference.

Sharon, Tannis, Miriam, Lisa, Carol, Peggy and Dianne

The 100 Women Team

Virtual Meeting Number Six  Reinforces Our Commitment to Serving the Guelph Community…

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash 

We’ve discovered a great deal over the past year, but the one thing we have definitely learned is the power of determination and commitment.  100 Women Who Care Guelph has used virtual meetings to continue our important work for Guelph charities in response to ongoing Covid-19 concerns.
 For those in need of support, the sentiment above says it all. Our determination to prevail during this challenging time has required 100WWCG to be innovative in our efforts to give back to our Guelph community. 
We are proud to say that we haven’t given up on local charities.  They are not alone in their struggle to survive and their continued success matters to our membership.  The power of generosity is a mighty one.

Members, representing three charities selected in our nomination draw, provided written presentations which were reviewed and voted upon by members.
 Our three chosen charities were:

1.  YMCA of Three Rivers
      (Nominated by Rosemary Fernandes-Walker) 

2.  Guelph Wish Fund for Children
      (Nominated by Karyn Kirkwood)

3.  Foundation of Guelph General Hospital
     (Nominated by Lisa Hood)

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

Important Announcement!

YMCA of Three Rivers
(Nominated by Rosemary Fernandes- Walker)

Is the Recipient of our October 2021 Donation!

 YMCA of Three Rivers will use our donation to support its Day Camp initiatives.  These valuable  programs  benefit parents by alleviating the stress of finding care for their children while they need to work – specifically for PD days and March Break.  They also provide a safe and inclusive camp experience for all children ages 4-12 years. 

For more information, follow this link to our most recent press release.

Torchlight Services Says “Thank You!” For Our June Donation

Kim Court, the  Program Co-ordinator of Torchlight Services, has prepared a special “Thank You!” for all members of 100 Women Who Care Guelph. 
Follow this link to their expression of thanks on our website.

What are Our Next Steps?

We’re starting to see changes, slowly but surely, to the way that we are able to do things.  

Sixteen months ago, our world changed.  Handshakes and hugs were replaced by hand sanitizer and masks. Connection used to be easy, but we have learned that we can still stay connected by being flexible during challenging times. 

The steering committee is SO proud of our membership. Whatever the challenge we may have faced, you have been up to the task!  Your commitment to giving back to the Guelph community has made it possible for us to donate more than $10,000 per quarter to eligible local charities. Congratulations to our membership for achieving this incredible success.

Currently, the situation is fluid. As soon as it is possible to host safe “in person” meetings, approved by local and provincial authorities, we will notify everyone by email and post information on the Upcoming Meetings page on our website.  

Meanwhile, here is some food for thought from others whose lives have impacted many:

“No one has ever become poor by giving”

Anne Frank

“It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.”  

Napoleon Hill

Thanks for your huge contribution to our success!  Together, we really do make a difference…

Sharon, Tannis, Miriam, Lisa, Carol, Peggy and Dianne
The 100 Women Team

Our June Virtual Meeting

Three Members Want You to Know Why Their Chosen Charities Deserve Your Votes! 

If you missed the chance to see the nomination draw, you can follow this link.

Hats off to the three dedicated 100WWCG members who volunteered to describe the significant work their charity undertakes and how our donation would be deployed to improve the service they provide to our community!  

Our three chosen charities are:

 The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital
      (Nominated by Sharron Watson) 
Follow this link to read Sharron’s presentation.

Torchlight Services
      (Nominated by Diane Harvey)
Follow this link to read Diane’s presentation.

Guelph Youth Singers
     (Nominated by Heather Mair)
Follow this link to read Heather’s presentation.

Important Announcement!

Torchlight Services

(Nominated by Diane Harvey)

Is the Recipient of our June 2021 Donation!

Our donation will allow Torchlight Services to continue their mission to “advocate for, promote, and facilitate the full participation, inclusion and empowerment of people who have a disability within the community.”   

Torchlight has earmarked these funds to continue running virtual programs which help clients to socialize and engage in fun games and activities.  The expected outcome will be a reduction of boredom and loneliness and an increased feeling of emotional well-being for program participants.  

For more information, follow this link to our most recent press release.

Our Virtual Meeting for April 2021

 Three Members Make A Pitch for
Their Chosen Charities! 

Photo by Alfonso Scarpa on Unsplash 

Meeting rooms and microphones aren’t necessary for virtual meetings.  The most important component of our “gathering” is the information provided by the three committed 100WWCG members who have volunteered to detail the important work their charity is undertaking and how they would make use of a donation.

*****

If you missed the chance to see the nomination draw, follow this link.

*****

Our three chosen charities are:

*****

1.  ARCH – HIV AIDS

(Nominated by Sonia Preisler)
Follow this link to read Sonia’s presentation.

*****

 Hope House

(Nominated by Marissa Teeter )
Follow this link to read Marissa’s presentation.

*****

 North End Harvest Market

(Nominated by Linda Cowbrough)
Follow this link to read Linda’s presentation.

*****

Photo by Kuchihige Saboten on Unsplash

Important Announcement!

North End Harvest Market 
is the Recipient of our April 2021 Donation!

Our donation will give NEHM the opportunity to continue to safely provide much-needed food security to many struggling individuals and families during the ongoing pandemic. Their mission is to ensure that Covid is not a barrier to fresh produce for the city’s most vulnerable population.For more information, follow this link to our most recent press release.

Virtual Meeting April 2021

Three Members Make A Pitch for
Their Chosen Charities! 

If you missed the chance to see the nomination draw, you can follow this link.

Photo by Alfonso Scarpa on Unsplash 

Meeting rooms and microphones aren’t necessary for virtual meetings.  The most important component of our “gathering” is the information provided by the three committed 100WWCG members who have volunteered to detail the important work their charity is undertaking and how they would make use of a donation.

1.  ARCH – HIV AIDS 

(Nominated by Sonia Preisler)
Follow this link to read Sonia’s presentation.

2.  Hope House

(Nominated by Marissa Teeter )
Follow this link to read Marissa’s presentation

3.  North End Harvest Market

(Nominated by Linda Cowbrough)
Follow this link to read Linda’s presentation.

Our Virtual Meeting For January 2021

 Our Three Nominated Charities Present their Request!

Photo by Joshua Hanson on Unsplash

We don’t have a meeting room or a microphone for our virtual meetings.  That said the three members selected in our nomination draw have been invited to make a brief written presentation about their charities, as part of our nomination and selection process.  In these presentations, they describe the work they do and how they would make use of a donation from 100 Women Who Care.  

If you missed the opportunity to see the nomination draw, you can follow this link. 

Our three chosen charities are:

 

Guelph Community of Hearts Lifelong Learning Centre
     (Nominated by Susan Wahlroth)

Follow this link to read Susan’s presentation

***


 Guelph Chalmers Community Services Centre
     (Nominated by Alison Jukes)

Follow this link to read Alison’s presentation.

***


Guelph North End Harvest Market
     (Nominated by Linda Cowbrough) 

Follow this link to read Linda’s presentation

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

We have news!

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Guelph Chalmers Community Services Centre Is the Recipient of our January 2021 Donation! 

Money will be allocated to provide support to their very necessary Food Pantry program, which has been in great demand during the Covid-19 pandemic.For more information, follow this link to our most recent press release.

Chalmers Community Services Centre receives a cheque from 100WWCG.
Carol Dilworth presents a cheque from 100WWCG to Chalmers Community Services Centre

October 2020 Brings Our Second Virtual Meeting

 Photo by israel palacio on Unsplash
Photo by israel palacio on Unsplash

We may not have a meeting room or a microphone, but as part of our virtual nomination and selection process, the three members selected in our nomination draw have been invited to make a brief written presentation about their nominated charities, to describe the work they do and how they would make use of a donation from 100 Women Who Care.  

Just in case you missed the opportunity to see the nomination draw, you can follow this link. 

Our three chosen charities are:

1.  Guelph Community Foundation’s Youth Hub Flow Through Fund
     (Nominated by Cyndy Forsyth)

 Follow this link to Cyndy’s written presentation.

2.  Guelph Black Heritage Society 
     (Nominated by Barb Tremblay)

 Follow this link to Barb’s written presentation.

3.  Grand River Conservation Foundation
     (Nominated by Rebecca Whitney)

Grand River Conservation Foundation Logo

 Follow this link to Rebecca’s written presentation.

Our Virtual Meeting For October 2020

Our Second Virtual Meeting Brings Members Together For Another Opportunity To Give Back to Our Community!

For the second time this year, 100 Women Who Care Guelph was unable to connect in person due to Covid-19 concerns. In spite of the challenges, we persisted in our determination to give back to the Guelph charities.  As part of our “virtual” nomination and selection process, members representing three charities selected in our nomination draw, provided written presentations which were reviewed and voted upon by members. It’s great to know that in these difficult times, 100WWCG continues to “think outside the box” in our efforts to give back our community. 

 Photo by israel palacio on Unsplash
Photo by israel palacio on Unsplash

We may not have a meeting room or a microphone, but as part of our virtual nomination and selection process, the three members selected in our nomination draw have been invited to make a brief written presentation about their nominated charities, to describe the work they do and how they would make use of a donation from 100 Women Who Care.  

Just in case you missed the opportunity to see the nomination draw, you can follow this link. 

Our three chosen charities are:

1.  Guelph Community Foundation’s Youth Hub Flow Through Fund
     (Nominated by Cyndy Forsyth)

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IYSN-Logo.jpg

 Follow this link to Cyndy’s written presentation.

2.  Guelph Black Heritage Society 
     (Nominated by Barb Tremblay)

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is logo.jpg

 Follow this link to Barb’s written presentation.

3.  Grand River Conservation Foundation
     (Nominated by Rebecca Whitney)

Grand River Conservation Foundation Logo

 Follow this link to Rebecca’s written presentation.

Drum Roll Please!

Guelph Black Heritage Society is the Recipient of our October 2020 Donation!

Money will be spent two ways:

Change Starts Now, is a response to the increased demand in our community to learn about Black History, anti-racism, discrimination and diversity, both locally and globally. Funds will help sponsor educational programming events at Heritage Hall, as well as on-line. In addition, GBHS is in the process of developing a resource library at Heritage Hall and has reached out to local school boards about making these valuable resources available to local teachers and students. These resources can easily be shared with everyone in Guelph-Wellington and beyond.

Funds will also be used to provide a new front door for Heritage Hall. The GBHS is committed to restoring Heritage Hall to make it safe, environmentally friendly and accessible. There is great symbolism in funding this door. When closed, a door provides safety and protection for those within. When open, a door says “Welcome”.For more information, follow this link to our most recent press release.