Marian L. Ennis

Knowledge of and/or experience in international relations, particularly in relation to refugees, that qualitfy to this position:

-Member, Hegg Hoffet Committee, 2001-2007. Convener, Hegg Hoffet Committee, 2007-2010.
-Maintain a database and correspond with various refugee aiding organizations around the world.
-Researched the history of the funds and committees that became the Hegg Hoffet Fund and Special Committee.
-Volunteered several times with the Canadian government’s Host Program for recent immigrants.
-“Foster parent” of a young girl in Nepal through Plan International, since 1999.
-Member of SERVAS international peace organization, as both a host and traveller, since 1998.
-Provincial coordinator for Nacel, an international student exchange organization, 1996-2001. Some of my assistants were immigrants, and I worked with people in many countries.
-Host mother for various international and ESL students, 1994 to 2008.
-Chair of meetings of IFUW Internet network at IFUW conferences in Ottawa 2001 and Graz 1998.
-Chaired an IFUW workshop on “Non-verbal Communication” in Manchester, 2007, in cooperation with presenting members from Spain and Kenya.
-Member of committee organizing Canadian homestays for IFUW members from abroad in 2001.
-Member of CFUW International Relations national committee, 1996-99, and 2000-02.
-Member of CFUW North Vancouver International Studies group, ongoing for many years.
-Represented Canada at the Training Workshop on International Leadership for Young Members, IFUW, Yokohama, 1995. With a JAUW member, co-presented an IFUW 1995 workshop on “The effects of new technology on women”.
-Reporter and participant at the pre-Beijing “Women and Sustainable Development” international conference, 1995.
-Representative for CFUW at the China Women’s NGO Tour, Vancouver 1995.
-Participant in an international conference on voluntary simplicity, Seattle 2003.
-Member of committee which drafted resolution for legislation against ritual abuse, passed by CFUW 1994, IFUW 1995.
-Extensive consulting experience assisting newcomers to Canada, 1994 to present.
-I have a large network of international contacts, both personal and professional, with whom I can consult for advice on situations relating to grant applications.
-Visited and spoke at meetings of NFA branches in Japan, U.S., Britain, Ireland, Spain, Canada.
-Participated in IFUW conferences in 1992, 1995 (alternate voting delegate), 1998, 2001, 2004 (voting delegate), and 2007. Attended IFUW workshops re refugees.
-Attended UWE annual meeting in 2005 and assisted with Hegg Hoffet boutique.

I would like to continue to use my years of experience working with immigrants, refugees, and international students, and my education in intercultural communication, to provide moral support to grant recipients. In addition, I would continue to raise the profile of the Hegg Hoffet Fund and its work with the many IFUW members around the world who might be able to contribute donations or to recommend candidates. As in past years, I would provide information to refugee aid agencies and women's organizations, so that they could advise suitable applicants about the Fund’s grants.
As a native English speaker with writing and editing experience, I can prepare materials and reports for publication in a timely manner. After many years working in accounting, I have the skills to manage funds responsibly and to work with financial statements.
Since I have the good fortune to live in a peaceful and prosperous country, I feel an obligation and desire to contribute my expertise towards helping other women who have suffered upheavals but who could contribute a great deal to the world if they were able to re-establish themselves.

What do you see as the role of the convener?

-Receive preliminary enquiries and applications re Hegg Hoffet grants.
-Send details re qualified applicants to committee members and solicit their input re approval, amount, and timing of grants, or any other relevant considerations.
-Consult committee members re all other Hegg Hoffet functions such as updating the website, revising brochures and terms of reference, financial decision making, annual/triennial reporting, etc., and incorporate their suggestions as much as possible.
-Make final decisions by committee consensus.
-Forward relevant correspondence received to committee members.
-Inform the committee re donations received and other financial matters.
-Encourage committee members to promote Hegg Hoffet activities and donations in their NFA or regional association, and (if distance permits) to meet with grant applicants in their country.
-Work closely with the IFUW Board Liaison for the committee and keep her updated.
-Respond promptly to IFUW Board or Head Office correspondence or requests for action.
-With other committee members, organize and work at the IFUW Shop.
-Attend Council meetings and the IFUW triennial conferences. Chair committee meetings.