Category Archives: Meetings

Brantford news, Events, Meetings, What's new

April speaker: Living an authentic life, Joan Grundy

Living an Authentic Life
Joan Grundy is a charismatic speaker and inspiring writer.She has addressed many groups in the areas of spiritual growth, educational leadership and wellness.  She has a Masters degree in Theological Studies and background in psychology and counselling.
Before her retirement, Joan was employed as a department head of religion and family studies at a local Catholic high school.  There she chose to counsel the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) students and to educate people about this issue.  In her thirties, she realized that she was gay but because of her Catholic upbringing and profession was not able to be authentic because she couldn’t live out her real sexual life in the confines of the Church.
This is a timely topic now with extreme groups objecting to schools offering support and resources to kids who are in the “sexual minority”.  I think Joan’s presentation should lead to some interesting discussion and thought.
Brantford news, Meetings

In March, we listen to three women refugees: Syria, Zimbabwe, Ukraine

The March program will showcase the accounts of three women, former refugees, who came to Brantford from different parts of the world (Syria, Zimbabwe, and Ukraine). The women will tell their stories through questions, such as what caused them to become refugees, what were some of their experiences in their home country, and what are the struggles they have encountered in adjusting to life in Canada. Mieke Schroeder, who has been involved in sponsorship of refugees for many years, will facilitate the program. We thank Mieke for organizing this program which will give us a greater insight into the journey that refugees take as they create new lives in Canada.

Returning of Ukrainian women and children from Syrian refugee camp 09
Returning of Ukrainian women and children from Syrian refugee camp 09

Brantford news, Events, Meetings

February Speaker: Lisa Clarkson – Manager, Day and Stay Program

 

Lisa’s talk was about dementia, a topic that has touched almost all our members in one way or another. She began her presentation with details about the various forms of dementia of which Alzheimer’s is but one. She provided a very informative list of the various programs available in Brantford/Brant for dementia patients and their caregivers. She then outlined the Day and Stay program that she is responsible for, located at the John Noble Home. This includes a day program, a “sunset” program as well as overnight options.

It was clear how much care and compassion Lisa has for the many individuals and their families who participate in the Day and Stay Program. She laughs and cries with them as they navigate the challenges of dementia and find hope and respite at Day and Stay.

Lisa emphasized that she is more than happy to provide more information to anyone wishing to learn more about dementia and programs for support, especially the Day and Stay program.

It was apparent that the CFUW members deeply appreciated not just the information Lisa shared, but the level of commitment she has to her clients and family members.

Brantford news, Meetings, What's new

January speaker: Susan Gamble, journalist

Susan Gamble’s long career in journalism began in 1979 at the Brant News. She went on to become one of the first female television news photographers, working with her husband at CKCO-TV in Kitchener, travelling around Ontario capturing events on her wind-up Bell and Howell camera at first, and later on video, for the evening news.  In 1980, Susan began writing for the Brantford Expositor, first in the real estate section, and later with a light-hearted column called Word Has It. Susan covered scams, local interest stories, and events featuring Brantford people from many walks of life. Her columns were heart-warming, informative and often amusing, and had a loyal readership. Eventually, Susan took on the role of investigative reporter, winning several Ontario Newspaper Awards, and a nomination for a Canadian Newspaper Association Award.

Susan will talk to us about her career in journalism, her Expositor column, as well as her work as a court reporter. Susan will also inform us how to be more discerning consumers of news in the age of disinformation. Susan will join us on zoom on January 24, 2024.

Brantford news, Meetings

Our Speaker for the November 22 General Meeting

The Honourable Justice Gethin Edward was born and raised in Brantford, and is a member of the Six Nations of the Grand River.
He attended Pauline Johnson Collegiate in Brantford, the University of Waterloo, and received his law degree through the
University of Western Ontario. Justice Edward began his law career with the highly respected firm of Howard Staats, where he
practiced law for 14 years, after which he was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice. Justice Edward has taken on complex
projects such as the founding of the Indigenous Persons Court of Brantford, sometimes called the Gladue Court. He changed
how medicine was practiced in Ontario in his 2014 ruling that Aboriginal people have the right to use traditional medicines and
health practices for themselves and their families, a controversial decision at that time. In his personal life, Justice Edward has
been married to Vicki for 34 “wonderful years” and has two children. Justice Edward is generous with his time, often speaking
to local community groups, and we look forward to his talk to CFUW.

Brantford news, Meetings

September speaker

Your new Program Committee lost no time in searching for interesting and engaging speakers for our 2023/2024 monthly meetings. Therefore, we are happy to announce that in September we will welcome Glenna Young and Akela, her service dog to speak to us. She will outline how service dogs are trained, the various roles they can play, how we, as the public, should behave and interact with service dogs.

Akela is a unique service dog in that he and Glenna help train other service dogs. Akela is a German Shepherd and very well behaved. However, should anyone be allergic to dogs, or have any fear or discomfort around a dog we are happy to be able to offer the Zoom option for our meeting.

Brantford news, Meetings

Upcoming Topics and Speakers at CFUW General Meetings 2023/2024

September –  Glenna Young, and her dog Akela, will demonstrate and explain the value of service dogs.

October –  Anca Gaston, wildlife photographer, will bring her beautiful artwork to discuss with us.

November –  Justice Gethin Edward, a local judge, will talk about indigenous justice from both sides of the bench.

December – No meeting but there will be a Christmas social.

January – TBD

February – TBD

March – Mieke Schroeder will lead a panel of recent refugees as they describe their journey from home to Canada.

April – Joan Grundy, author of A Deepening Life, will address spiritual growth and emotional well-being.

 

*Please note that our meetings will continue to be hybrid, except for January and February meetings which will be on zoom.

Meetings

November general meeting topic: Human Trafficking

The CFUW Brantford General Meeting Program on November 23, 2022 featured Hannah Blackburn, Police Officer with Brantford Police Service, and Shelly Prendergast, a Victim Support Worker with Victim Services of Brant. Their topic was Human Trafficking, a serious and disturbing fact of life in Canada today, including Brantford and Brant County. The target is mostly girls, many of whom are very young, and women. The audience was very attentive to the PowerPoint presentation and had several questions afterwards. The dedication and commitment of the presenters to this grisly topic is to be admired as they work to gain the trust of affected persons and their families, to refer them to community agencies that can help and to educate the public.