CONFERENCE EVALUATION

Overall, participants felt very positively about the experience. 115 evaluations were completed (96 in English, 19 in French). The majority of the ratings of every aspect of the conference were Good, Very Good, or Excellent.

Participants decided that the conference met its major objectives, particularly those of examining the connection between women, their learning opportunities and their economic, social and political status in today's world. They felt that the organizers had been successful in obtaining a high caliber of resource persons, in involving economically disadvantaged women in speaking for themselves, in hosting the first bilingual C.C.L.O.W. conference and in facilitating the sharing of innovative resources, information and programs.

An overwhelming number stated that what they enjoyed most about the conference was sharing with other women. Many people wanted small groups - interest groups, discussion groups, and geographical groups. Substantial numbers also wanted more free time to meet informally.

More participants found the conference to be a worthwhile experience personally than professionally. They felt that: (1) the workshops, (2) the speeches, (3) meeting informally with other women, and (4) the social events, in that order, added to their personal growth. Most attended the conference to learn and to make contact with other women.

All of the workshops received very positive evaluations. Newcomers to C.C.L.O.W. said they were excited, stimulated, and gathered valuable ideas and information. C.C.L.O.W. "pioneers" and longer term members would have preferred more informal contact, more challenging and involving discussions, and a narrower, more in-depth focus. There is a hope that future C.C.L.O.W. conferences will be smaller, with a stronger feminist perspective and more experiential format.

The unexpectedly large numbers attending presented some organizational and logistical problems. Useful suggestions about how to surmount such problems were offered through the feedback and evaluation process. Participants asked that accommodation in future be "on-site", that brochures be sent out much earlier and with fuller information, that translation and audio visual equipment be better organized.

The process for handling resolutions in the final plenary was considered "too rushed and not sufficiently explicit". Most would prefer that fewer resolutions be brought forward, be more carefully worded, and that follow-up action be more carefully planned.

Day care - "excellent".

Many women heard about the conference through friends or work associates. Another large group received their information through the conference brochure or the C.C.L.O.W. membership newsletter. Almost all were aware of the available subsidies and how to apply for them.

People said:

"Stimulating and energizing"

"Overwhelmed by the amount of information"

"Continue to encourage provincial meetings"

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