Category Archives: Meetings

Brantford news, Meetings

October’s general meeting: Rola Berger, Moving With Compassion

Our lovely speaker, Rola Berger, owns Moving With Compassion, a local moving company that specializes in helping seniors downsize, let go of belongings and move more easily. As well, she will help individuals just de-clutter their homes. She motivated us by pointing out the advantages of de-cluttering e.g. safety at home, reduced cost, and peace of mind. Start, she said, by setting a goal and putting it on paper. Then, break down the job into tasks, and set a timer for the amount of time you have for one task. Next, gather supplies such as boxes, totes, tape. It is helpful to set up boxes designated for garbage, donations, re-location, seasons, and for sales. Then tackle one room, one closet or one drawer. Members of the audience had questions and suggestions to add to the talk. It was apparent that this is a topic on the minds of many, and we appreciated Rola’s excellent advice.
Colette Wilson, for the Program Committee
Brantford news, Club Projects, Issues and Advocacy, Meetings, uncategorized

Fundraiser High Tea was a great success and so much FUN!

The High Tea Scholarship Fundraiser 2026 was a huge success. Not only did we meet and surpass our goal of $25,000 to support the women of Brantford in their educational goals we enjoyed a lovely afternoon of tea, scones and sweets, and good friendship. Our guest speaker, Chantal Saldahna, embodied the characteristics we see in our scholarship recipients and left us with a glimpse as to the heights that can be achieved when women are supported in their dreams and pursuits. Many thanks to all scholarship donors, to all who supported our event in gift donations, and to all who helped to set up and clean up the venue.

Thank you to all who attended, to those who wore fascinators and to those who brought out the spirit of friendship. You are the reason the event is a success.

Brantford news, Events, Meetings

Excellent overview of the family doctor challenge

Jill Berridge, daughter of longstanding member Janet Kempster, held the audience in rapt attention as she provided an overview of the current challenges in the medical system in general and Family Medicine in particular. Jill was well qualified to address this topic being an accomplished healthcare administrator and leader with extensive experience at Mc Master U, serving for 12 years as Program Director of Health Services in the Dept of Family Medicine along with several other leadership positions and awards spanning 30 years.

She explained why it is so difficult for the 2 million people without a family doctor to find one. This is exacerbated by the fact that this number will double in 5 years. Fewer doctors are choosing Family Medicine and 52% of current Family Doctors will retire in 5 years. Jill explained in laypersons terms some of the funding structures that both help and hinder the challenges of our medical system – again with a focus on the Family Doctor as it relates to time restrictions per patient visit, remuneration, and more lucrative opportunities in hospitals or specialized fields. But then she shared how new structures for medical clinics staffed with a broad spectrum of services, IT programs that relieve hours of paper work, and AI innovations (for the future) will create a more favourable climate to attract graduates into Family Medicine. In closing she gave out two websites now dedicated to finding a Family Doctor: bbnoht.ca/services and Ontario.ca/healthcareconnect   It was evident by the applause, the Q and A, and the comments following the presentation that Jill had touched on an area of deep interest and concern for all present.

We are very grateful for this insightful and knowledgeable overview.

Linda T

Brantford news, Meetings

Speaker for Sept 25 general meeting: Jill Berridge

Jill Berridge is an experienced healthcare leader, consultant, educator, and physiotherapist with more than 30 years of experience in interproffessional healthcare settings across Canada and internationally. Recognized for her commitment to collaboration, innovation, and improving healthcare delivery, she has spent the past 12 years at McMaster University as Program Director of Health Services in the Department of Family Medicine, where she has advanced clinical services and operational excellence. In recognition of her leadership, dedication, and contributions to both the university and community, she received McMaster University’s President’s Award for Outstanding Service in 2022. She also serves on committees with the College of Family Physicians of Canada and contributes to several local healthcare and community organizations. She will address the current state of primary care and challenges facing family physicians in Ontario.

Brantford news, Meetings

October Speaker: Moving With Compassion’s Rola Berger


Rola Berger is a Senior Move Specialist with Move With Compassion, a company that helps seniors and their families through one of the most challenging parts of a transition: decluttering and letting go. For many seniors, decluttering isn’t simply deciding what to keep and what to throw away. It can mean sorting through a lifetime of memories, photographs, and treasures that have deep meaning. Rola, a mother of six, understands that life can get busy and clutter quickly accumulates. She brings a compassionate, practical approach to helping people create spaces that feel lighter, more manageable and more enjoyable. In her presentation “Decluttering Made Easy: Five Simple Steps” Rola will share practical tips and encouragement to get you motivated, make decisions more easily, and create a home you enjoy. Please join her on October 23 to learn how to make life simpler and moving easier.

Brantford news, Meetings

 CFUW Brantford On The Move (again) — Best Western!

Starting with the General Meeting on September 23, CFUW Brantford members will meet at a new location. We will meet at The Best Western, in the Alexander Graham Bell Room, which is close to the main entrance to the hotel. The address is 19 Holiday Drive, Brantford. Our meetings will go back to the 7:00 start, and we will have the room for as long as we need. Thus, we can enjoy our social time after the end of the business part of the meeting. The parking lot is large and the building is accessible.
The move was made to relieve the pressures of having to finish our meetings before 9:00 which restricted both the completion of the agenda, and our socializing, which is important to most members.
Although we are very grateful to McCleister Funeral Home for the free use of their room for 2025/2026, they could not find a way to accommodate our timeframe for meetings.
Please inform any new members you know who may be coming to this meeting that we are now at The Best Western.
            Colette W for the search team including Dian K and Wendy B
Brantford news, Events, Meetings, What's new

A New Location for Monthly Meetings

Starting in September, 2026, our Wednesday evening meetings will be held at the Best Western on Holiday Inn Drive in Brantford. At the May AGM, members voted unanimously for the move. This change  was made to allow more time for our meetings, especially for socializing after the business part of the meetings. While we are grateful to McCleister for hosting us for the past year, we have had to sacrifice some things due to the time constraints at that site. The room we will be using at Best Western is the Alexander Graham Bell room across from the main reception desk.  It will be available to us for as long as we would like each evening. It will be wonderful to have time for our meetings, for the speakers, and especially for chatting over treats at the end of the meeting. Hope to see you all there at 7:00 pm on September 23.

Colette W for the Search Committee