Join us for dinner before the AGM on the beautiful, private, elevated terrace at the Stratford Country Club.
Cocktails available at 5:30pm with dinner served at 6pm. Our program will begin at 7pm in the main room with a presentation by our speaker, Halyna Padalko, followed by our AGM.

We have invited our Internatonal Women's Day Speaker to specificallly report on her professional research.

AI and Disinformation: How Technology Is Weaponized Against the Truth

From deepfakes and synthetic media to algorithmic amplification and AI-generated propaganda, emerging technologies are increasingly used to distort reality, erode trust, and destabilize democratic discourse. This lecture will explore how disinformation campaigns exploit AI to target individuals and societies, weaponizing information in ways that are often invisible yet deeply impactful. The event will also examine what can be done to resist these threats, from regulation and platform accountability to digital literacy and resilience strategies.

Please e-mail  Andrea with your selection by April 28th. Please notify of any allergies or intolerances.

• BLT and Turkey club come with choice of house salad with lemon maple dressing or French fries, please specify.
• Payment to be made directly to the Stratford Country Club on the day. 
• Please note prices shown may be adjusted based on the current economic situation.

Speaker Program 2024 - 2025

Our March Resolutions Meeting 

Once again, Resolutions Night proved to be one of the most interesting and engaging meetings of the year. Members were invited to select a resolution of interest to them and joined a table for discussion with other members. Leaders led lively discussions and reported on their groups' recommendations. What a great way to understand their role in CFUW Advocacy and a wonderful way to get to know each other better!

Next General Meeting: Tuesday April 25th at 7pm
                                       Stratford Secondary School

Unlocking the Secrets to Exceptional Brain Health

SuperAging is a phenomenon in which some individuals maintain exceptional memory and cognitive function well into their 80s and beyond. 

How do they do it?

What is the science behind cognitive resilience and longevity?

If you are looking to optimize your own brain health or to support loved ones in aging well, this talk will provide practical, evidence-based strategies to promote brain health, reduce dementia risk, and foster lifelong cognitive vitality.

What do we have to do now to become Super-Agers?

Advocacy

Violence Against Women Committee

We were so grateful for the opportunity to have Gwen Lamont, author of "The View From Coffin Ridge - A Childhood Exhumed" speak to our group on March 17th.

🌺 🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

On Thursday April 24th  at 2:00 Darren Fischer from the Stratford Police and Cynthia Miller from Social Services will be speaking to our group and listening to our concerns. This will be at Leora's home and is open to all CFUW members. We look forward to seeing you there. Please let Leora know if you are able to attend so we can monitor the numbers. 

🌺 🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

In ongoing actions: This group is working on updating and replacing their existing Optimism Place posters and is considering a further poster campaign to encourage men to recognize potentially abusive situations and to become more involved in the campaign to end violence against women.
 

Climate Change Action Committee 

We continue to pursue the Anti-Idling campaign concentrating on Idling by-law signs at all schools. Recent communication with the Mayor has been positive. We are hopeful all schools will soon have Anti-Idling signs, which will make it easier to encourage parents to turn their engines off while waiting.

🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

Member Sue Bailey is chairing a committee preparing a CFUW display for the Climate Momentum Earth Day Street Party. Hint: watch for a tabletop village that is tackling greenhouse gas emissions- especially idling! There's amazing creativity happening with this exhibit! Join us April 27 at Factory 163 (163 King Street) from 11:30 to 2 pm.

🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

🌟Please find our terrific Sustainable Shopping Guide here:  
                                                 Sustainable Shopping Guide 🌟

Interest Groups

Excursions

Our last excursion was on Friday, April 4th at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery in Waterloo. What a beautiful exhibit of ceramic works made by the Beam family from M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island. Painting with Clay walks viewers through three generations of pottery-making, some of which are inspired by the Mimbres and Ancestral Pueblo pottery. Recurring themes in the works are supported by family and archival photos, as well as illustrations from an unpublished children’s book by Ann Beam.

For more information on the Gallery, please visit their website at 

https://www.theclayandglass.ca 

Indigenous Rights Learning Group

Monday, April 14th, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Stratford District Secondary School - Drama Room
Park in the lot closest to the water tower on Short St
Enter the school via the closest door (past the portables on the left)
Hope to see you there!

Little Prince Film Club

Email Leora at lrissin@sympatico.ca

Lunch Bunch

We all enjoyed the "March Madness Special" at Cafe Bouffon on the first day of Spring! 🌼🍀

Mystery Book Clubs 🔍

Yes! Because our initial Mystery Book Club filled up early each year, we opened a 2nd edition. Now we have a couple of spots open in both the Tuesday and Thursday clubs. We are happy to have new members before the end of the season. If you'd like to join a monthly book club that focusses on mysteries, please let us know: 

Tues May 6th - Sue Grafron - ABC Murders - Contact Bev Symons

Thurs May 8th - Stella Rimington - Liz Carlyle - Contact  Loretta Shannon
 

Don't be shy - Check out our website for great interest groups! Email Patsy Berton for any further information or to sign up.

Interest Groups

CFUW Ontario Council

Extra! Extra!