Communicators for Women Religious (CWR) is forging a new organizational path with a new logo, a new website and an extensive evaluation of the organization. These creative initiatives follow the organization’s recent name change (formerly National Communicators Network for Women Religious).
In addition, three new executive officers and two new directors will serve on CWR’s board as the communications organization begins its 21st year of advancing the mission of Catholic sisters.
CWR is an international, professional organization of personnel responsible for communications within religious congregations of women. The organization’s mission is to be a network of professional support and education for members who promote understanding of women religious, enhance their image and advance their mission. CWR is also a resource to organizations serving women religious and currently has 180 members representing 140 religious congregations in the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Italy.
The CWR board of directors is collaborating with a professional consultant to evaluate the organization and explore opportunities for growth. This initiative is made possible by a grant from the Conrad Hilton Foundation.
“CWR’s new name, logo, website and branding, as well as our collaboration with a professional consulting firm to guide future planning, are all significant steps in our organizational history. We look to the future of CWR with new energy and excitement!” states Eileen Dickerson, new chair of the board of directors.
CWR executive officers for 2015 are Chair Eileen Dickerson, director of development for the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, in Yardley, Pa.; Vice Chair Sister Angela Szczawinksa, CSFN, electronic media coordinator for the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Des Plaines, Ill.; and Treasurer, Sister Beth Kress, PBVM, communication specialist for the Sisters of the Presentation and public relations and marketing coordinator for Presentation Lantern Center, Dubuque, Iowa.
New members of the board are Katherine Martin, development and communications director for the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, Calif., and Kathryn Gatliff, CMP, CAE, director of communications and public relations for the Sisters of St. Francis, Rochester, Minn.
Continuing as board directors are Julie Gilberto-Brady, communications coordinator for the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Sister Paulette Gardner, SSA, director of communications for the Sisters of Saint Anne, New England Province; Stephanie Hall, director of public relations and communications for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania; Jennifer Kaminski, communications specialist and graphic design for the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, Maple Mount, Ky.; Stephanie Manseau, communications coordinator for the Congregation de Notre-Dame, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Paula Staisiunas Schultz, communications project manager for the Sisters of St. Casimir, Chicago, Ill.
Liaisons to the CWR board are Sister Annmarie Sanders, IHM, director of communications for the Leadership Conference of Women Religious; and Carol Schuck Scheiber, editor of HORIZON and Focus on Vocation Ministry for the National Religious Vocation Conference.