Dear CWR Friends:

In the interest of keeping you informed, the Communicators for Women Religious Board of Directors shares highlights of our monthly meetings. The Board met via videoconference on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 11:30 a.m. EST.

Kate Martin opened the meeting, sharing a prayer with the members.

The Board approved the minutes from the November meeting.

Board Chair Eileen Dickerson welcomed Philippa Turney, who was recently appointed to the Board to complete the remaining two years of Rochelle Cassella’s three-year term.

Eileen reminded the Board members that self-evaluations would be sent to them and a summary would be presented at the January in-person meeting in Niagara Falls, Canada.

Eileen reported that the Strategic Plan Implementation Committee met on Dec. 1. At that meeting, Executive Director Nick Schafer presented an update on progress of the CWR Strategic Plan.

Executive Director Nick Schafer visited the SUN Group in Dubuque, Iowa in November and the St. Louis Communicators in St. Louis, Missouri in December. Nick became better acquainted with CWR members in these groups and engaged in conversations with them about how CWR can support individual members and member regions.

Nick also presented a tentative calendar for more travel for the first quarter of 2017 and brought the Board up to date on issues such as searching for a non-member Board member, collaborations with like-minded organizations, reporting on the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation grant and plans for future outreach and development of CWR resources for members.

In Sister Beth Kress’ absence, Nick presented the Finance Committee report. He reported on the committee’s activities and presented reports and a narrative for the 2017 budget. After answering questions pertaining to line items on the budget, he asked for approval of the budget and it was approved by the Board.

Marketing Committee Co-Chair Jennifer Kaminski reported that the committee completed their 2017 budget. Jennifer said that this year’s budget was increased to fund materials for greater outreach in the coming year.

On behalf of the Board, Eileen thanked Jennifer for her dedication, hard work and creativity during her 3 year term. Jennifer will continue to serve on the Marketing Committee but will not serve as a co-chair.

Eileen then thanked the members of the Board for their work and support during her term as Chair. Eileen will serve on the Board for one more year but will not be a member of the Executive Committee.

The new Executive Committee will begin service in January 2017: Chair: Sister Angela Szczawinska, CSFN; Vice Chair: Kathy Gatliff, Treasurer: Sister Beth Kress, PBVM.

Next Board meeting: Tuesday, Jan. 23–27, 2017, Mount Carmel Spiritual Centre, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

We wish you a blessed and merry Christmas
And a happy and healthy new year!

CWR Board of Directors
Eileen Dickerson, Chair
Sister Angela Szczawinska, CSFN, Vice Chair
Sister Beth Kress, PBVM, Treasurer
Dave Eck
Kathy Gatliff
Stephanie Hall
Sarah Jenkins
Jennifer Kaminski
Kate Martin
Jean Merry
Philippa Turney
Annmarie Sanders, IHM, LCWR Liaison
Carol Schuck Scheiber, NRVC Liaison