In the past we have used the Newsletter to update members on the Mediation Report, Strategic Plan and CFUW-GWI relationship. However, we are sending this separate message containing important information which I trust you will share with the members of your Club.  
 
At the Board meeting on Tuesday, December 1, a motion was passed to allow Clubs to opt out of the GWI per capita dues calculation beginning with the 2022 GWI dues. This means that CFUW’s dues obligation to GWI will be based on the number of members in clubs that did not opt out.   All clubs will continue to pay CFUW per capita dues of $76.00 unless the dues are changed at an AGM.
 
As background, dues in both CFUW and GWI are calculated on a per capita basis. Per Capita dues is a calculation used to determine the total amount of dues owed. For example, CFUW Somewhere has 100 members. Per capita dues are $76.  Total dues owing for CFUW Somewhere are $7600.
 
Each November, CFUW reports membership numbers to GWI for calculating dues payable in the following calendar year. We just received GWI’s January 1, 2021 invoice, based on membership numbers of 6300 as reported by clubs last month. 
 
In November 2021, for purposes of calculating GWI dues, CFUW will count only membership numbers from Clubs which have indicated their willingness to be included in the GWI per capita calculation.
 
As further background

• The CFUW Board of Directors has a responsibility to find a means of moving past the divide caused by CFUW’s continued membership in GWI.
• Both Legislation and advice received from legal counsel are clear: The CFUW Board owes a duty of care as the fiduciaries of CFUW, not GWI.
• Serving as the Fiduciary means the board is entrusted with the well-being of the corporation (CFUW) including financial well-being.
• Board members, therefore, have an obligation to act in the best interests of the corporation even when doing so might be perceived as being at odds with the membership. Legislation or the Act comes before Articles and By-laws. 
• The board has no authority to change bylaws.  Therefore, we must comply with Article 4 which requires CFUW to be a member of GWI until such time as a change is made to the Articles and Bylaws.
• CFUW, as an NFA, is the member of GWI. CFUW Clubs are not members of GWI, nor are individual club members. 
• The motion passed by the Board allows CFUW to remain an NFA member of GWI while permitting clubs to determine whether their members will be part of the dues calculation.
• We are keeping GWI informed of our current situation.
• GWI has proposed a new Dues Structure which excludes the option of in-kind contributions from which CFUW has previously benefitted.  Moreover, under this new structure, as the number of members included in the GWI dues calculation declines, the average per capita rate that CFUW owes will increase. 
• CFUW members have not supported motions to increase CFUW dues aimed at covering the GWI dues increase that took effect on January 1, 2018.  Fundraisers and requests for voluntary contributions have not netted sufficient funds to cover this shortfall.  In 2019, unrestricted reserves were used to ensure all dues owing at that time were paid.  However, shortages for 2020 and 2021 are accumulating.  CFUW cannot continue to accumulate deficits in GWI dues. 
• The Board is aware that there will be individuals who will not be supportive of the majority decision made by their Club.  As a Board, we are committed to the interest of all our members and will endeavour to help find solutions and options, including membership in the CFUW Canada GWI.
• Only clubs that are included in the GWI dues calculation will be permitted to vote on delegate instructions for GWI. 
• What happens next? The CFUW dues structure can only be amended at an AGM so all CFUW Clubs will continue to pay $76 per capita until a change is adopted at an AGM.  
• The GWI invoice will be paid from dues received from clubs included in the GWI dues calculation. 
• The equivalent amount from clubs not included in the GWI dues calculation will be put into the restricted reserve fund pending a decision about how to use it. That decision will be made at an AGM, and only clubs that are not included in the GWI dues calculation will vote on this matter.

I am sure many of you will have questions and comments and there will be an opportunity to ask questions at dialogue sessions in the new year.
 
I would like to thank Board members for taking what I believe is a very courageous step towards ending the conflict within CFUW and allowing us to move forward as a national organisation. The The Mediation Report highlighted that there was unanimous agreement that there was great value in the CFUW continuing as a unified, strong, cohesive organization. Everyone involved wants the CFUW to continue as a single organization and it is hoped that this motion passed by the Board will allow us to put the CFUW-GWI controversy behind us and to focus once again growing as an organization. 
 
National President