Why Convention(s) ?

CCW Organization Notebook provided by the Joliet Diocesan CCW

At least once each year, your affiliate will receive an invitation to a Council of Catholic Women Convention, either diocesan (even years) or national (odd years).  Most of the work of CCW is done within parish CCWs.  Why then would your PCCW consider having its officers, board and/or members attend one?  For starters, your council is entitled to send two voting delegates to each convention, though all members of a council are invited; voting delegates shape diocesan and national policies for the next term.  But the advantages of attending a convention extend far beyond this.  Attending a convention broadens our horizons and makes us more aware of the impact of what being an affiliate of a diocesan, national, and even international federation of women can mean in bringing about ‘the kingdom of God’.  Here are some of the definitions of a CCW Convention:

CCW Convention  –  what is it and – more importantly – why is it?

It is a symposium, or educational mini-course, with inspiring, thought-provoking, and broadening instructors (speakers), seminars, panels.  Conventions are aerobic exercises for the mind; they stretch the focus of attendees to encourage a wider view and avoid atrophy and parochial narrowing of vision.

It is a retreat, in the sense used by both religion and business.  As a religious retreat, a CCW convention brings individuals to a place apart, where prayers and liturgies can deepen faith, and affirm and support their vocation and ministries. As a business retreat, a CCW convention gathers its members at an off-site location to enhance the group harmony which will encourage increased productivity.

It is a trade show, an exhibit of new ideas, products, and methods for a particular market sector.  At conventions, CCW members share projects and programs that meet the concerns  of their bishops, pastors and parishes, and their communities.

It is a convocation, an assembly gathered in response to a call.  The National Council of Catholic Women was organized and continues to operate in response to the calling of the bishops of the US; the Joliet Diocesan Council was organized shortly after the establishment of the Joliet Diocese, and all Parish CCWs are affiliated with and have representation not only on the Joliet Diocesan CCW, but the National CCW; the latter also represents us at the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations and the United Nations.

It is a business convention, a convening of members of an organization to conduct current business and consider future business.  The affiliated members of the JDCCW (or NCCW) meet in convention biennially to conduct current business, and plan for the future.

It is a (bi)annual corporate meeting of owner/share-holders to elect a board of directors.  JDCCW delegates elect new officers to the Diocesan Board at their even-year conventions; NCCW delegates do the same at NCCW conventions in odd years.

It is a congress, or parliament, for the enactment of programs and policies for the welfare of the constituency.  CCW representatives, elected or appointed by their affiliates, choose these for the next two years.

In fact, most PCCWs – especially those which have sent voting delegates and members to diocesan or national conventions - have felt that the educational and spiritual payback for their council was worth paying all or part of the expenses of their delegates and member attendees, since the attendees from their parish invariably came back with renewed energy and enthusiasm, and new ideas and resources, thus revitalizing their council.  Just as schools and/or businesses do, they consider this part of the ‘in-service’ education of their members.  Many PCCWs pay all the expenses of their president; a few even pay the expenses of two members so the president will not have to travel alone, while others pay the registration fees of any board attendee.Do give serious consideration to promoting conventions to your board and members, and budgeting to pay some of the costs.