Connections

CONNECTIONS - SKILLS BANK

Since September, we have been very active. The first meeting of the Skills Bank Committee, held in October, was very positive and productive.

We discussed a variety of items pertinent to the future operations of this learning exchange and made policy decisions related to the growth and expansion of the Skills Bank.

The statistics which I have complied for the six month period, April to October 1982, indicate that we received 72 requests in the national office alone. (This figure would have been much higher if it had included the requests handled by the provincial representatives). These requests were varied in nature and came from members with different backgrounds. The majority of the requests were made by members who are involved in some form of post-secondary education. Many are coordinators of women's programs. Although we received requests for 30 different skills, several skills were requested at least three or more times. Most in demand were inquiries for resources on how to set up a skills bank and resources centre, lobbying, women and aging, women's educational programs and training packages.

It is interesting to note that we had several international requests, including a request far child care models appropriate for the Caribbean, models and resources for establishing a program for sole-support mothers in Israel, help on how to set up parallel organizations to CCLOW in other countries, and a request from the Staff Training Department at UNESCO.

Our Resource Centre is growing in size and use. At their recent meeting, the Skills Bank Committee set the following guidelines for use of the Resource Materials:

1. Materials are available to be
   borrowed by any CCLOW member.
   
   
2. When requested, the national office will photocopy and
   mail materials to members at cost - 5¢ per page plus postage.
   No charge to you if the total is less than $1.00.
   
   
3. Audio-tapes and video-tapes are now available for borrowing.
   A deposit will be required and we are investigating the possibility
   of making them available for sale. Watch for more information
   on these materials in the next issue.

Announcement

The Saskatoon Women's Calendar Collective is sad to announce there will be no 1983 edition of their calendar Herstory. Production on the 1983 edition was stopped without notice by the publisher. The collective was not informed in time to find a new one. However, they are negotiating with other publishers now.