GWSA 2020-21 Annual Report

Program Committee Report
Pat Gage – Chair, February 2020 to June 2021
Eleanor Stern - Secretary, Tonie MacInnis – City Rep, and all 36 Activity Group Leaders
The Program Committee now meets at 9:30 am on the Thursday, one week following the GWSA
Board meeting, except for July and August. This change was made in order to keep Activity
Leaders informed of Board business as quickly as possible. All Activity Groups are expected to
send a representative to the meeting as they serve as a vital communication link to all GWSA
activity participants.
Objective:
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, it was clear that, as Activity Leaders, it was important to stay
in touch with group members to keep them informed about City and Board plans to keep
everyone safe.
Accomplishment:
The Program Committee was unable to offer some programs this year due to COVID-19 and the
restrictions placed on all of us by the Department of Health. The biggest accomplishment this
past year was the use of Zoom and showing our group members how they can stay in touch
through teleconferencing. Some Activity Group Leaders took up the challenge to keep their
groups engaged, provide emotional support, social participation, and some laughter. The
Silvertones Choir and Silver Strummers, Peer Learning, the Into Focus Photography Group,
Book Club, and Watercolour Painters all turned to using Zoom to stay connected with their
members. Scrabble turned to Zoom to socialize and to keeping themselves safe through
communication. These GWSA members have appreciated the efforts of their group leaders to
help relieve the fear of social isolation and uplift their spirits.
Goals for 2021:
Return to active status, as many Activity Groups as possible – either in-person or online.
Respectfully submitted - Pat Gage, Chair, Program Committee
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