Frequently Asked Questions
Click the number beside the question to go to the answer.
1. Who do I contact about becoming a member?
2. How much is membership?
3. When is membership due?
4. How can I pay my membership?
5. How often does the Cranbrook group meet?
6. Where does the Cranbrook group meet?
7. Do I have to serve on the Board of Executives?
8. Will I have to travel?
9. What if I miss a meeting?
10. If I move, is my membership still valid?
11. If have membership from another club, can I apply it to the Cranbrook group?
12. What are Cranbrook's current projects?
13. Where does my money go?
Answers:
1. Who do I contact about becoming a member? You can visit our Contact Information link and talk to our current president or our past president.
2. How much is membership? There are various rates of membership depending on whether you are a University Graduate or are a student studying toward a degree, etc. At the time of the 2009-2010 membership dues, University Graduates pay $70 per year.
3. When is membership due? Membership dues cover the period of September through May, and are due in September. Dues are not pro-rated.
4. How can I pay my membership? You can write a cheque, or pay cash.
5. How often does the Cranbrook meet? Generally the Cranbrook group meets once a month, the third Thursday, at 7 pm.
6. Where does the Cranbrook group meet? Each month, someone hosts the meeting in their home, and occasionally we find a venue such as a church or educational facility. If the meeting is in someone's home, do not let that intimidate you from coming, as everyone is welcome and encouraged to come.
7. Do I have to serve on the Board of Executives? No one will force you to participate on the Board if you are not comfortable doing it. In an ideal world, everyone would have a turn, but we don't expect you to do anything you are not comfortable with.
8. Will I have to travel? For the local meetings, usually the only travelling is to the home of the hostess. If you wish to participate at the provincial or national level, there could be travel involved.
9. What if I miss a meeting? Attendance is taken at the meetings for the purpose of keeping the minutes of the meetings, to know who was in attendance, and who made motions and helped in decision-making. Other than that, you are not chastised for not attending, and certainly attendance and participation is greatly encouraged. Together, we can do anything. Together, we are a unit. Together, we have a voice. And together, we make a difference.
10. If I move, is my membership still valid? You would need to pay an Associate Membership with the new club. The National portion of your membership is paid for, and the difference is at the discretion of the club you are joining.
11. If have membership from another club, can I apply it to the Cranbrook group? The National portion of your membership is already paid for. You would need to pay an Associate Membership with the Cranbrook group. Depending on what time of the year you are joining, the amount owing would be at the discretion of the club.
12. What are Cranbrook's current projects? Go to the Local Activities link, and look under the heading "What's Happening?"
13. Your membership fees are dispersed as follows:
- To support the various activities of the CFUW office in Ottawa, which includes communication with members, Clubs, the Government of Canada, the CFUW website, and the administration of the CFUW Fellowships program.
- To support the worldwide activities of the IFUW, including the expenses of the CFUW President and the CIR (Coordinator for International Relations) at the IFUW Triennial Conference and the Dr. A. Vibert Douglas International Fellowship, awarded every three years.
- To support the activities of the Board of Directors, the Regional Directors and the Standing Committees.
- To support the Annual General Meeting costs.
- To support CFUW publications, translation, professional fees, and representation (attendance at conferences, meetings and consultations outside CFUW, i.e. Government of Canada meetings, U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, New York, etc.)
- To replenish the reserve funds to ensure that the CFUW remains on a strong financial footing.