Thanks to everyone who attended our Annual General Meeting on June 20th and contributed to CWC discussions. The minutes and associated documents will be posted to the Members-Only section of the website by the end of the summer.
Your 2024-2025 board of directors is as follows, from west to east:
Winona Kent – CWC Vice Chair and BC Regional Director
Craig Copland – Director at Large, Fundraising & Finance
Barbara Hawryluk – Regional Director, Manitoba/Nunavut
Jass Aujla, Jane Burfield, Lorne Tepperman – Regional Directors, ON: Southwest, North & GTA
John Hill – Regional Director, ON: Central/East/Ottawa Region
David Wickenden – Director at Large
Ann Lambert – Quebec Regional Director
Del Chatterson – International Director
Veronica Purcell – Atlantic Regional Director
Volunteers:
Isabelle Zimmerman - Secretary
Debra Shaw – Fundraising & Finance
Gregory Ryman - Member Engagement
The new board of directors will be selecting a chair at their next meeting.
Many thanks to our elected and volunteer members. CWC cannot function without our stalwart contractors and these dedicated folks who have offered to participate in governance activities on your behalf. Please support them by stepping up to offer your assistance on committees (Marketing & Communications, Jury Selection, Awards, Fundraising & Finance) and with key projects such as mentoring and member engagement, participating in local events and by sending in your ideas for initiatives.
Farewell to Cathy Fynn
Our intrepid Executive Director, Cathy Fynn, has announced that she will be retiring from her role with CWC. Cathy joined us last December at a critical time, when we were grappling with a series of critical organizational and administrative challenges. Her high-level experience, good humour and extensive knowledge of the non-profit field were invaluable as we addressed the impacts of longstanding gaps in policies and procedures, transitioned to the new and improved website and reorganized administration and finance.
Cathy is leaving to focus on her writing and to pursue travel adventures around the world.
Staff Restructurings
Ludvica Boota, MBA, Associate Executive Director and Program Manager, has agreed to fill the role of executive director, effective 1 August 2024. Ludvica brings a wealth of organizational experience, creativity and business acumen to her new role. She will continue as Program Manager, shepherding the annual Awards of Excellence and working closely with the Jury Selection and Awards Committees.
Erik D’Souza, CWC’s indefatigable Social Media Coordinator, will take on an expanded role as Marketing & Communications Manager. He will continue to coordinate our social media offerings but will also function as chair of the Marketing & Communications committee as well as being responsible for member promotions, and production of internal and external newsletters. Erik has been instrumental in raising our profile with his social media posts, member interviews and ever-popular podcasts.
Erik and Ludvica will work closely with Stephen Butters of Smartypants Inc, our webmaster, to ensure the continued integrity of the CWC website and timely dissemination of information to our members. Fresh content is key, so keep them in the loop by letting them know in advance about upcoming book events and local, national and international writing-related activities.
Summer Office Closure
The CWC offices will be closed for the month of July. This measure has been undertaken to ensure that our contractors can step away from day-to-day work demands to take care of their wellness and wind down during the slowest time of the year.
Only critical issues will continue to be dealt with. All other messages will be answered at the beginning of August. Member renewals and new member signups will be automatically processed. For technical issues, kindly contact our webmaster at: techsupport@crimewriterscanada.com
This will be my final missive as chair. It has been my honour to serve for the last two years. It has truly been a transformative experience.
Hyacinthe Miller
Past Chair