President's Message

Jeannine Lebel

This is an exciting time to be involved with REAL Women, whether as a member or as president. Many issues of great concern to us are now finally finding favour with the media, the general public and even the government.

REAL Women of Canada was represented by both your past president and myself during a teleconference call on August 21^st in which pro-family groups from across Canada took part. There was agreement to highlight specific family isues over the coming year. The overall theme is "Strong Families Make a Strong Canada." The focus for October/November 1998 is "Parental Rights and Responsibilities", the issue for December 1998- March 1999 will be "Family Tax Treatment" and the April/May 1999 focus will be "Family Safety."

The first issue, "Parental Rights and Responsibilities," covers the themes of "Parents have a natural authority" and "A stable and loving family: A child's best hope." This theme is of paramount importance in the debate concerning S.43 of the Criminal Code. This law allows parents and teachers to use reasonable force to correct a child under their jurisdiction. We would like to maintain this law! Another Bill which is coming before Parliament challenging the stability of the family is one concerning same-sex marriages. It is of utmost importance that members of all pro-family groups, including REAL Women, give their input about these issues as often as possible in letters to the editor, calls into radio shows, and in visits, letters and calls to their MP.

Do not underestimate the influence your effort will have. As I have stated, the concerns voiced by REAL Women are now being supported by the media, the general public and the government. The Northern Ontario Chapter of REAL Women presented a brief titled "Handicapping Our Families, Handicaps Our Children." The Ontario government implemented much of the brief in less than 1 ½ years. (A copy of the brief is available by calling (705) 724-6284 or faxing (705) 724-1802.) Our concerns regarding judicial activism date back to 1995. Today the Toronto Sun and the Ottawa Citizen have come on board with articles entitled, "The Supreme Court is Out of Control" and "Politicians in Robes." The Globe and Mail editorial bemoaned the "Lack of Discrimination Among Human Rights Commissions." REAL Women has been fighting this injustice since 1989 (see the July/August 1998 issue of Reality).

Chapters will be mailed further information and supplied with bumper stickers regarding important themes to help make the general public aware of the issues. If you do not have a Chapter in your area but would like a package in order to participate, telephone (705) 724-3424 or fax (705) 724-6394.

Whatever the issue, speak up and step out! Another more recent example of REAL Women's participation is that of a group from Lindsay, Ontario, led by Rosemary Connell, one of our members, a teacher and mother of 8 children -- several of whom are adopted. She and her group travelled throughout Ontario displaying aborted babies at different stages of gestation. Next year, they plan to tour eastern Canada. Their mission is to show the truth that the media will not air. Join the "Show the Truth" tour when it comes to your area.

Whether you belong to an established Chapter or are forming a new one, fundraising becomes a necessity. There are many ways to raise money. Take, for example, REAL Women of Canada, Kelowna Chapter's upcoming fundraiser. They are hosting a dessert evening that will include not only their meeting, but a bake sale, silent auction and a guest speaker.

Garage sales are always popular. Take advantage of the large number of people that usually turn up by having a bake sale, too. Sell cold drinks, coffee, cookies, butter tarts, barbecued hot dogs.

Taking the time to prepare is well worth it if you want to receive top dollar for your sale articles. That means washing dishes and wiping the dust off. Then place a price tag on each item; people are more likely to buy when they see the price. Articles left over can be stored for a future sale. Following this advice, the Northern Ontario chapter successfully raised over $4,000 in one day.

Rent a table at the farmers market. Sell baked goods, pickles, jams and even freshly picked blueberries. You can make anywhere from $250.00 to over $400.00. Spaghetti and lasagna dinners, craft sales, etc., are also wonderful fun events. The opportunities to raise money are endless.

Whatever cause you consider worthwhile, the only way to change things is to get involved! Whether your talents are raising money, writing letters or demonstrating, DO IT!

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