ANNUAL REPORT 2012 - WBFN

These growing local WBFN chapters are shining examples of outreach, welcoming, and advocacy—allof which are WBFN ideals to live by.Spouse Issues CommitteeThe primary function of the Spouse Issues Committee is to advocate on behalf of spouses,partners and family members of WBG staff to the WBG. In addition, the Committeeprovides support to spouses and partners of WBG staff who are experiencing problems intheir relationship, providing information or directing them to sources of information.Members of the Spouse Issues Committee in FY12 were Fiona Oliphant, Hilary Welch andAnnemarie Brink Olsen. The nature of the work does not require a large committee, but supportfrom Catherine Mathieu, WBFN Coordinator, and the WBFN office staff is important,as they are, from time to time, the first point of contact for WBFN members seeking help.This year, the Committee continued to work with and support the WBG DA PreventionCoordinator Elizabeth Legrain, as well as working with COPE Inc., the provider of professionalcounseling services for spouses and partners via The Family Counseling Service and forthose experiencing abuse in their relationships via The HUB. The Committee is grateful thattechnology has made it possible to retain a productive connection with Malahat Baig-Aminfrom the Middle East.The Committee generally meets weekly to consider issues where WBFN might work to improveWBG policies and practices that disadvantage our members, and then with the DAPrevention Coordinator to review any situations where the committee might be able to providemore immediate, individual and particular help.The Committee chair and one other member represent WBFN on the WBG Domestic AbusePrevention Task Force. Membership of the Task Force has afforded us the opportunity tomeet and work with staff from Bank departments including Security, Ethics, Health Services,and Legal, all of whom can assist in cases of Domestic Abuse. The Staff Association is alsorepresented. Lawyers from DVLeap as well as counselors from COPE are members of theTask Force. The Committee is particularly grateful to Fons Marcellis, HRSCO, Chair of theTask Force, who continues to champion this important cause.AdvocacyThe work on the procurement process for a third party vendor continued from last year withthe technical evaluation taking place in November. The contract with COPE Inc. was renewed.44 45