APRIL 2020
Message from the President
I’ve noticed many mentions of the top global leaders in responding to the pandemic, as being notably all women — from New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen; locally we have seen this with Dr. Theresa Tam and Dr. Bonnie Henry. The next pandemic-related surge I’m hoping to see is all the newly inspired girls and women wanting to be like them — running for office, speaking publicly, and leading us through troubled times.
Contrast this to the evidence that women and girls are being disproportionately negatively impacted by the pandemic — increased domestic violence, more women at risk in front-line healthcare roles, and women continuing to shoulder more of the unpaid care work even while they themselves are attempting to work, study, teach and write from home.
Over here at SCWIST, we are adapting — our Technical Committee has finalized the new virtual meeting software we will use and we have already reimagined some of our signature events to online formats. Our adult mentoring and skills exchange program, Make Possible, is available virtually, our ms infinity youth e-mentoring program will still be running online, and we continue to have companies hiring on our STEM job board.
The SCALE Steering Committee met earlier this week and were the first to use the new video break-out room feature to have three in-depth discussions on SCWIST’s strategy and plans regarding our: Volunteer Recruitment, Engagement & Retention; Organizational Model & Governance; and Advocacy & Policy.
The Board Nominating Committee has just wrapped up the interview stage with 17 phenomenal women who put their hands up to help lead SCWIST this coming term. The short-listed candidates will be observing the May board meeting. SCWIST Members will get first introductions to the 6 Board Nominees in the AGM Report circulating to members in early June (one more reason to be a member!) Thank you to all who applied! And a special thank you to the nominating committee: Anja Lanz, Dr. Zhila Pirmoradi, and Dr. Christin Wiedemann.
Regarding our AGM — given that everyone’s schedules are atypical, we thought a poll to help select the date and time would be best. Please complete by May 10: https://forms.gle/dbwFvmsotgrUE4Wk7
From a safe distance,
Kelly Marciniw,
SCWIST President
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