Delegates from Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) will gather in Nelson this weekend for an annual conference.
The Nelson District club is hosting the BC council conference from April 26 to 28. Called Go Boldly! Frontiers in Technology, Networking and Careers will take special emphasis on the topic: child poverty.
President of the Nelson District CFUW Dorothy Fraser says about 90 women are expected to attend from young working professionals to retired community volunteers. They are writers, artists, musicians and scientists. Among them is a special camaraderie.
“The conference enables like-minded women who have worked/volunteered in BC Communities and on BC resolutions to examine the results of their efforts and advocacy,” she says. “They come to study the challenges of today and enjoy each others company together in one of the BC communities. This time it is in Nelson.”
The CFUW aims to help raise the status of women and children provincially, nationally and internationally — especially through promoting education and training.
“It is a huge mandate,” says Fraser. “We do what we can.”
Nelson’s CFUW supports a bursary and scholarships for Selkirk and L.V. Rogers, while most of their fees go to national and international causes. They also work toward alleviating the effects of poverty. Fraser says BC has the second highest rate in child poverty in Canada.
“We support, as we can with our donations, several fine local programs that help women and children — such as the Salvation Army,” she says.
The BC Council 2013 conference is the 25th anniversary and the third time the local club has hosted. The conference and AGM featured speakers include Dr. Esta Porter, counseling psychologist; carpenter, author and academic Dr. Marcia Braundy; Cynthia Fraser, a Network Safety Specialist; and Joanne Schroeder, the deputy director of early learning partnership on child poverty initiatives.
There is also a hands-on computer workshop being held in the Community Futures lab as well as a silent auction with proceeds going to the CFUW charitable trust for scholarships and fellowships.
Fraser is looking forward to the conference that further connects the group of women she meets with in Nelson.
“CFUW is a fine group of women who, once a month, meet to learn, share, contribute, and simply enjoy life together,” she says. “The BC Council is looking forward to coming to heritage Nelson to learn at the conference and also explore the area.”