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News Snips
News from your Community Association!Happy New Year to all our members! New Project and New Staff! RAWQ has begun work on a new project - the New Residents Program. We welcome new staff member, Linda Sparks, who started her job as project coordinator in late December. Linda has a background in marketing, volunteer management and website design. She lives in Aylmer and has volunteered extensively in the community. This outreach program will identify and then contact new English speaking residents to the Outaouais region. Starting with the urban area, RAWQ is developing a welcome package with vital information from provincial and local governments, educational and health institutions, and business and cultural groups. Anything we can think of that will assist new residents will be included. Once the package is complete it will be adapted for the rural areas. Members of our volunteer committee meet with Linda and give their input and advice on the project. We thank the members of the New Residents Volunteer Committee: Noel and Ilse-Marie Gates, Ruth Rappak, Leah Acland, Klara Steele, and Ruth Cowley, for their enthusiasm and invaluable help. If you know of a new resident in your area please contact: Linda Sparks, New Residents Project Coordinator at (819) 682-9602 or newresidents@magma.ca For more details about the New Residents Program and RAWQ activities. Check out our website at www.westquebecers.com Most Successful All Candidates Meeting Ever! Over 100 people came out to the Ward 3 - Deschênes All Candidates Meeting held Nov. 12, 2002. This meeting was sponsored by RAWQ and saw all four candidates in this by-election for the City of Gatineau present their platforms and participate in a question-and-answer period moderated by our own Julie Fine. This is part of our ongoing Community Consultation Program. Congratulations to Mr. Richard Jennings who was elected as Ward 3 councilor on Nov. 24, 2002. News from the Board of Directors The board has identified the priority areas of activity for the association following the Strategic Planning Session held in September. Reflecting the dual nature of the role of West Quebecers, those of advocacy and facilitation, the first area of activity entitled Communications will see the implementation of the new Communications Plan, and the continuation of our contribution to provincial initiatives, political advocacy and cultural activity. The second area of activity Community Outreach promotes West Quebecers as an umbrella group for organizations serving the English-speaking community. A community outreach plan will be developed that will facilitate collaboration among organizations that serve the community and part of that plan is the hosting of an annual meeting of representatives of community groups. Planning is underway! Read the latest RAWQ Report - Our column in the West Quebec Post. The Times They Are A-changin'…! I would like to make a joyful announcement to West Quebecers members from our family. I am expecting a baby in April! This of course means I will be taking maternity leave, and an interim Executive Director will be hired for April 1, 2003 to February 2004. My first 2-year period at West Quebecers has been a fantastic learning experience. I can't thank fellow staffer Kathy Teasdale and President Rick Henderson enough - it was a real pleasure working with both of you, Kathy and Rick. Also, I've been impressed by the Board members over the 2 years - thanks for your enthusiastic input and support. I am confident that in my absence West Quebecers will continue to fulfill the association goals, and serve the English-speaking community in West Quebec. I will be keeping in touch!
We hope you have enjoyed this brief update on RAWQ happenings. Watch for the next full newsletter in May 2003! Regional Association of West Quebecers Archived Newsletters and News Snips 
A complete copy of this newsletter, with pictures, is available in Word format. Please contact wq@magma.ca for details. |
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Bye
for now, Julie Coulson Fine
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