Agreed Conclusions Adopted!!!

The CAW Women's Department is pleased to share the news that the UNCSW57 has concluded with the adoption of the 17 page "Agreed Conclusions" on the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.

 

Sandra Vermuyten of the Public Services International made the following post on the UNCSW - A Union Perspective page (including a printable version of the agreed conclusions):

 

    CSW draft agreed conclusions_15 March final.doc

 

After two weeks of intense negotiations, last night agreed conclusions were adopted!!!

 

This means that states will have to increase their efforts to prevent violence against women and girls, provide assistance to victims so that they can recover, education objectives are reconsidered and gender equality becomes a reality.

The trade unions delegation did a great job - putting pressure throughout these two weeks. The text is not perfect and we have to continue working. For now - we are relieved that the role of UN WOMEN and the UN was preserved and we can move forward!

 

When it was adopted the whole room was clapping and shouting - it was amazing.

Of course - this is but a first step - now we have to make sure that it is implemented.

 

A more detailed analysis of the document will follow shortly!

 

Below is the Department of Economic and Social Affairs NGO Branch news release:

UNCSW57 adopts global plan to end gender-based violence

On 15 March, top United Nations officials welcomed an agreement by more than 130 Member States on the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, and urged governments to translate the outcome of the 'historic' gathering into concrete actions to protect and promote women's human rights and fundamental freedoms. “Violence against women is a heinous human rights violation, global menace, a public health threat and a moral outrage,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement. Thousands of representatives of governments, inter-governmental organizations, civil society, the private sector and UN partners collaborated on the outcome document of the two-week 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York . The 17-page 'Agreed Conclusions' of the Commission condemns pervasive violence against women and girls, and calls for increased attention and accelerated action for prevention and response.

 

For more information, follow this UN link:

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44405

 

International Labour, NGO Delegations, and the CLC call on member states to reach agreed conclusions

Late last week the International Labour and NGO Delegations issued the following public statement calling on all member states to reach agreed conclusions on previously reached international commitments, with no backtracking at the conclusion of the UNCSW57:

 

International Labour and NGO Delegations’ Public Statement on UN CSW 57 Negotiations

We, union and NGO representatives of the interests of all women workers around the world, support the earnest efforts of those countries trying to reach consensus that builds on previously agreed international commitments to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

 

 

However, we are outraged by the persistent attempts, over the years, by the Holy See and certain member states to derail the democratic process of consensus-building. Violence against women exists in all countries and in all societies, and affects all groups of women and girls. One out of every three girls born today will face some form of violence in her life time. Therefore, this year of all years, we need strong agreed conclusions and a commitment by member states to take concrete action to end violence against women and girls.

 

 

Women trade unionists from 27 countries and NGOs from around the world are present at the Commission on the Status of Women to work constructively with all stakeholders to ensure that our governments meet their responsibility to end violence against women and girls. The world is watching what happens here at the largest-ever UN assembly on ending gender-based violence.

 

 

We call on all member states to reach agreed conclusions with no back-tracking on previously made international commitments. Women’s lives depend on what we do here.

 

 

Further, as the UNCS57 continues in New York this week, Ken Georgetti, President of the Canadian Labour Congress wrote to Cardinal Bertone today expressing deep concern over the persistent attempts by representatives of Holy See to derail the democratic process at the 57^th UN Commission on the Status of Women currently underway in New York City.

CAW sisters join IWD March in NY

 International Women’s Day

Canadian trade unionists join global march calling for an end

to violence against women and girls

 

On Friday March 8th, the CAW women's delegation to the UNCSW57 joined with other Canadian trade union women (represented by four international Global Union Federations - the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Education International (EI), Public Services International (PSI) and UNI Global Union) to march in New York on International Women's Day to call for an end to violence against women and girls. The 42 Canadians (including our 4 CAW sisters) were among the 85-member trade union delegation in New York for the United Nations 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), taking place March 4-15, 2013.

The “For a Life Free from Violence Against Women & Girls” march  urged governments - including the Canadian government - tostep up to their responsibilities with respect to ending violence against women and girls in their respective countries.  The march coincided with this year’s CSW theme “The elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls”.

Under the banner “No more words, time for action”, trade union delegates advocated for: measures to address violence in the workplace; for women’s economic independence through decent work; for access to public services to help victims of violence, and for education measures as a means to prevent and eliminate violence. Trade unions are also seeking to be identified as legitimate stakeholders in the prevention of violence of women and girls.

The trade union delegation represents over 70 million women workers from 27 countries around the world.

(adapted from the Canadian Media Advisory on Internation Women's Day, NY, March 8th)

In sisterhood and solidarity,

Julie White

The CAW Women's Advocate program is highlighted at UNCSW57

The CAW Women's Advocate program took front and centre stage at a UNCSW57 side event this afternoon. The event, titled 'The Impact of Domestic Violence in the Workplace', brought together a panel of 5 women who used the opportunity to address the global community on the issue of domestic violence in the workplace:

"The impact of broader violence against women and girls has direct and indirect impacts on workers and workplaces. This is visible, among others, in terms of absenteeism, ill-health and reduced productivity. And with over 60% of victims of domestic violence in paid work, the workplace is a unique entry point to tackle this issue. The panel discussion will stimulate dialogue and propose relevant policy recommendations on how decent work can contribute to eliminating and preventing all forms of violence against women and girls."

Panelists included:

Elizabeth Broderick
Sex Discrimination Commissioner - Australian Human Rights Commission

Ludo McFerran
Project Manager, Safe at Home, Safe at Work
Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse

Julie White
Director, Women's Programs - Canadian Auto Workers TCA

Elena Lattuada
Confederal Secretary - Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro (CGIL)

Jane Hodges
Director, Gender Bureau - ILO

Sister Julie White highlighted the history and the concept of the CAW's innovative and highly respected Women's Advocate program to a crowded room of #CSW57 delegates.

Following the event, White said,

"The opportunity to showcase the CAW Women's Advocate program on a world stage was an extremely proud moment for the CAW; a moment which would not have been possible without the courage, dedication and determination of the 267 CAW Women's Advocates."

The following is the complete text of sister White's presentation:

UNCSW57 – March 6, 2013
The Impact of Domestic Violence in the Workplace
Millennium Hotel- Riverview Room
Speaking Notes: Julie White, Director, CAW Women’s Department
 

Greetings

I can’t tell you how great it is to be here. I'd like to thank Jane, Raphael and the ILO for the invitation to speak with you today about a program that is unique to my union – the Canadian Auto Workers union – and that is the Women’s Advocate Program.

But before I expand on the Women's Advocate Program, I'd like to start by sharing a few things about the history and the makeup of the CAW.

The roots of our union lie in the auto industry, and up until 1985 we were part of the United Auto Workers union, an international union based in the United States. Then in 1985 the Canadian section of the UAW went on to form an independent Canadian union and a new militant and progressive social union was borne, known today as the Canadian Auto Workers union – or the CAW.


At that time we represented 88,000 members of which 11% were women – largely working in auto, aerospace and the transportation sector. Building on that traditional base, the CAW has since been transformed through new organizing and mergers with other unions into a broad-based, general workers union representing workers in sectors and industries such as auto assembly, auto parts manufacturing, aerospace, shipbuilding, fisheries, railway transportation and gaming. We also have a major presence in several other sectors such as airlines, mining, electrical products, retail, health care and hospitality.


Since 1985 our membership has more than doubled and today, with 282 local unions and over 1,600 bargaining units, the CAW represents over 200,000 workers making us the largest private sector union in Canada, with women now representing nearly 34 percent of the total membership.


The CAW has always had a rich history of supporting community and workplace efforts to end gender-based violence. We do this because we believe in a world based on principles of equality and social justice. We believe it is our collective responsibility to work towards eradicating gender-based violence.


As it is around the world, violence against women in Canada is a serious, pervasive problem that crosses every social boundary and affects communities across the country. It remains a significant barrier to women's equality and has devastating impacts on the lives of women, children, families and Canadian society as a whole.

We have achieved significant victories at the bargaining table to advance women’s equality and human rights. Some of our collective bargaining achievements include anti-discrimination clauses in virtually all of our collective agreements, harassment and complaint procedures, right to refuse work based on harassment, harassment prevention training and what I am here to talk with you about today, the Women’s Advocate Program.


The catalyst to increasing our efforts in ending violence against women came as a result of the tragic events that took place on December 6th, 1989 when a lone gunman entered L’Ecole Polytechnique University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He separated the women from the men and he systematically murdered 14 female engineering students – 14 students who were shot dead solely because they were women. That day in 1989 became indelibly imprinted on the minds of a nation who struggled to comprehend the worst gender-based massacre in Canadian history.


In the wake of what is now known as the Montreal Massacre, there was a lot of dialogue taking place both inside and outside of the labour movement. Activists were demanding that governments, employers and society address gender-based violence and engage as they never had before.


In response, CAW Activists and leadership gathered to discuss and strategize around what role the union could play to assist our members facing violence in their personal lives, at home or in the workplace. As a union we understood that legislatively we needed to continue to lead the fight on ending gender-based violence by pushing for enhanced legislation on issues like gun control, child care and affordable housing – all programs that provide women with the means to leave a violent relationship. But we knew we needed to do more...and as a result of those early discussions, we decided that we needed to use our collective strength at the bargaining table as a vehicle to create change - and thus, the concept of the Women’s Advocate Program was borne – a program that would see the creation of a workplace leadership position to assist women facing violence in their lives.


The Women’s Advocate Program would become a referral program with specially trained workplace representatives who assist women with concerns of workplace harassment, intimate partner violence or abuse. Advocates are not counselors but rather assist women with workplace supports and community resources needed to leave a violent relationship.


The concept was sound and in 1993 the necessary language to support the program was tabled during collective bargaining, where it became a bargaining priority during negotiations with General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. As a result, the first CAW Women’s Advocate Program was negotiated – 27 positions in total.

In the early years of the program the union began to understand the value of the Women’s Advocate program and so did our members. It was through connecting with their workplace Women’s Advocate that women found that they were not alone, that it was their right to be free from violence, and it was where they sought out support and community resources they needed to leave a violent relationship. Their jobs were protected when they needed time off work to find safety. Women who found support through their workplace Women’s Advocate often went on to live a life free from violence rather than becoming another statistic, another number in the long list of women killed in Canada each year by their partner or ex partners.


Since negotiations in 1993, Women’s Advocates language have remained a bargaining priority within the CAW, and today we have negotiated 262 Women’s Advocates across the country in every sector of the economy.

And not only has bargaining Women’s Advocate language been a priority, but negotiating an employer paid training fund has as well. The CAW Women’s Department offers a 40 hour basic training program to all new advocates, as well as a 3 day annual update training program to assist the Advocate in her new role at a state-of-the-art training facility known as the CAW Family Education Centre in Port Elgin, Ontario.


And while the actual number of advocates and their training is important, the success of the Women’s Advocate Program will be measured not solely by our gains at the bargaining table, but also, and more significantly, by the hundreds of CAW women who have been supported, believed, validated and empowered.

In our ongoing efforts to create safer workplaces and safer communities, from its inception in 1993, the Women’s Advocate Program has helped to save the lives of women and their children in communities across Canada - something my union is truly proud of. We have continued to build upon its early successes to achieve the amazing program it has become today: a highly respected program that is unique to the CAW.


The Women’s Advocate Program has received recognition from outside organizations working in the area of gender-based violence as well:

Barb MacQuarrie, community director of the Centre for Research and Education on Violence against Women and Children at the University of Western Ontario said "Programs like the CAW's Women's Advocate Program raise awareness about violence and better allow women a way out of violent situations. The Women's Advocate Program is a model program which should be implemented in all workplaces across the country."


Belinda Leach, Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Guelph said "Women's participation in the labour forces has long been recognized as essential to the promotion of equality. Our research suggests that dedicated Women's Advocates promote workplace equity at the same time that they assist individual women."


The International Labour Organization (ILO) has also recognized the CAW Women’s Advocate Program in the ILO Gender Equality and Decent Work – Good practices at the Workplace Guide. The practices compiled in the guide highlight how gender equality concerns are central to any effort to promote the ILO’s Decent Work agenda and to achieve its four strategic objectives: rights at work, employment promotion, social protection and social dialogue.


The ILO guide states "One of the ways the Canadian Auto Workers union (CAW) defends women workers’ rights is by addressing violence against women and sexual harassment, negotiating practical benefits for women leaving abusive relationships and insisting on strong anti harassment language in collective agreements"


But the CAW clearly understands that the Women’s Advocate Program cannot begin to address the root causes of gender-based violence in society. We know that violence against women persists as a result of women's economic, social and political inequality. This is where violence has its roots. Ending violence against women means ending inequality – fighting for issues like gun control, reproductive justice, and child care are just a few of the other ways our union work to address the issue. Like most things in our society, this too is about political will. I believe that our union has contributed to breaking the silence around gender-based violence, but until governments make this, one of our society's greatest tragedies, a national priority it will never be enough.


With this in mind we continue to work with the Canadian Labour Congress, our coalition partners and civil society to continue to push our Federal Government to commit to a National Action Plan that involves Territorial, Provincial and Aboriginal governments. A National Action Plan that includes legislation, as well as specific resources, strategies and timelines which have measurable results and display real progress for women in Canada.


As much as unions do, we cannot negotiate language at the bargaining table to eradicate gender-based violence in society let alone fight for those changes for non-unionized workers in our country. But through our union actions and activities we can and are making a difference through organizing, collective bargaining and lobbying. We are working towards building the conditions for change.


In conclusion I want to acknowledge what a proud moment this is for the CAW, a moment that without the courage, determination and commitment of the hundreds of CAW Women’s Advocates this would not have been possible.


Thank you.

UNCSW57 - Tuesday March 5th

Tuesday was a busy day for CAW delegates to UNCSW57, having attended the daily trade union delegation briefing, parallel events, and concurrent side events. What follows is an overview of some of the proceedings that we attended.

Briefing

Nancy Hutchison, Financial Secretary,
Ontario Federation of Labour at briefing.

Labour women gathered this morning to share events of the previous day. At the briefing, the initial three committees organized on the first day (language drafting, lobbying, and communications) reported back to the larger group. The drafting committee reviewed the international labour delegation's priorities and we spent the morning analyzing and debating what priorities would be lobbied on. The Canadian Delegation is advancing the following priorities to be included in the Agreed Conclusions for CSW 57:

Violence in the workplace

The trade union delegation is seeking a strong paragraph on violence in the workplace that explicitly refers to ending sexual harassment at work, recognizes the important of trade unions as legitimate stakeholders when it comes to violence at work, and acknowledges the spillover effects of violence, ie. the importance of support measures for women workers who experience violence outside the workplace

Decent Work

The labour delegation is seeking a specific reference to full employment and decent work.

Public Services

We are seeking a specific reference to public services in the agreed conclusions. We firmly believe that public services are part of the solution to preventing and eliminating violence against women, and that direct investments by member states in public services, including services directly linked to supporting women who are victims of violence, are part and parcel of their responsibility to preventing and ending violence.

Role of education and educators as stakeholders

The trade union delegation is seeking strong and inclusive language on the role of educators and educational institutions in preventing and eliminating violence.

Trade Unions as legitimate stakeholders

The trade union federations are seeking the recognition of trade unions as legitimate stakeholders in the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

CSW57 Parallel Event Medical Women’s International Association - “Women Doctors and the Health System in the Elimination and Prevention of all Forms of Violence against Women and Girls”

Sisters Cheryl Robinson, Dr. Shelley Ross, and Julie White.

Participants to this event were welcomed by Dr. Satty Gill Keswani, the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA) NGO representative to the UN, who then introduced MWIA Secretary General Dr. Shelley Ross. Dr. Ross gave an overview of the MWIA (formed in 1919).  This organization brings women doctors from around the world together to ensure that they are being treated as equally as men doctors.

Keynote speaker Lopa Banerjee, Chief, Civil Society Section of UN Women spoke on the theme “What will it take to end violence against women in our lifetime?” 

UN Women’s Commit initiative began in November of 2012, to accelerate the implementation of state commitments to end violence against women. This initiative calls on governments to implement international agreements on ending violence  against women and to commit to, in this year, one new concrete step to end this Human Rights violation.  As of this week, 41 countries made clear implementable national commitments in their countries to end violence against women and girls and more pledges are expected in the coming days of CSW 57 and going forward.

Banjeree explained the 5 key points of focus that UN Women is advocating for:

1) Strengthening Implementation of laws and policies: Governments need to ensure that legal frameworks are in place in all settings - conflict, post conflict and transitional - and to ensure they are fully resourced.

2) Promoting and Protecting Human rights for all Women and Girls: Gender inequality and discrimination is at the heart of violence. The state must ensure equal rights on social security, education, and reproductive rights.

3) It is critical to change attitudes and beliefs and behaviours that condone and perpetuate violence, measures must be adopted such as awareness raising community mobilisation, education programs and especially programs for young people exposed to violence. Building the capacity of institutions that respond to violence is necessary; working with men and boys to foster gender equality and respectful relationships including targeted programs and strategies are essential for preventing violence; and the involvement of all segments of society is an imperative.

4) Preventing and responding to violence  must be addressed as part of a comprehensive and coordinated strategy. States must act at every opportunity beginning with preventing violence, but also responding to violence in its aftermath.   Comprehensive multi-sectoral services  and responses must be established.

5) Reliable data is necessary; developing methodologies and systems for evaluation and monitoring programs is absolutely key.

Bannerjee said "Violence against women is a global pandemic and unless governments treat it as such, we are not going to see an end to violence in our lifetimes or in future generations. UN Women is determined to build alliances with civil societies and the women’s movement, with governments and all stakeholders to fulfill our common aspirations and make a difference in women’s lives so that we may live without fear, with peace and dignity and justice."

Engaging men and boys in preventing violence against women and girls - Side event at the 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

CAW delegates also attended a side event that addressed the need to engage men and boys in preventing violence against women and girls. This panel was moderated by Todd Minnerson, Executive Director of the White Ribbon Campaign. CAW readers may be familiar with Todd as a past guest speaker at our own December 6th presentation at 2010 CAW Council. As well, this event was opened by the Minister of the Status of Women, Rona Ambrose.

 

This side event was livestreamed on the UNwebcast site and is now an archived video on the site. In lieu fo a written report, we have included a link to the side event here.

 

Looking Ahead

Wednesday promises to be an exciting day as CAW Women's Department Director Julie White speaks as an invited panelist at the UNCSW side event: The Impact of Domestic Violence in the Workplace. The event will take place on Wednesday, March 6th 2013 at 1:15 pm. It is possible that this may be livestreamed, so check the UNwebcast site. A full report on the side event will be posted here later in the day.

 

In sisterhood and solidarity,

The CAW Women's Delegation to UNCSW57

 

UNCSW57 Officially Opens

Christine Connor, CAW,
and Jeannie Baldwin, PSAC

Access to the opening ceremonies was limited due to the overwhelming attendance at the UNCSW57. Sister Christine Connor, President CAW Local 414 and NEB member attended on behalf of the CLC delegation. “It was an amazing opportunity to attend the opening ceremony,” said Connor. “Over the next two weeks women from organized labour will add an important voice to these discussions.”
 

The following article appears on UNCSW: A Union Perspective blog

http://unioncsw.world-psi.org/news/opening-session-57th-session-uncsw-un-hq

 

All eyes are upon us! The world wants action to end violence against women now! 6000 participants unite for the largest international meeting on ending violence against women ever!
 

The Chair reminded all the delegates that expectations are very high this year and expressed her hopes for a resounding success. This would mean that at the end of the meeting, a resolution will be approved that provides clear guidelines on how states can improve their policies and an instrument for civil society to pressure their governments into action! The UNCSW will also discuss the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), which will be the main theme for the UNCSW’s next session in 2014. As such, the Commission is focussing on both immediate and longer term goals. All the speakers at the official opening of the 57^th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) noted the need to urgently address the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls.


The Chair of the UNCSW, Ms. Marjon V. Kamara (Liberia) underlined how important the participation of civil society organizations is to the UNCSW and greeted all of the activists that have come to New York for this meeting. The UNCSW is one of the commissions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council and holds meetings once a year. (Ms. Kamara's welcoming message can be seen in the video at right.)

 

Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Jan Eliasson, stressed that women’s rights have become a central issue for the United Nations and are embedded in all action on health, peace, human rights and sustainable development. He clearly stated: “Ending violence is a question of life and death!” It is not acceptable that everyday women around the world are beaten, raped and killed. Brutality and inequality should cease to exist. States must provide adequate persecution, counselling and education to change the mentality of people. “Not everybody can solve everything, but everybody can do something.”

Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women, started by saying that it would be an understatement to say that the theme of this meeting is timely. “We need strong commitments from states so that violence against women can end.” More than 6,000 civil society participants from all over the world have registered for this meeting, which effectively makes it the largest international meeting on ending violence against women ever! Mrs Bachelet drew attention to the fact that 70% of women in the world are faced with some form of violence in their life and all too often are blamed or punished themselves. She called upon the UN to lead by example and suggested that ending violence against women be set as an MDG in itself.
 

“Action is needed to strengthen and accelerate implementation, which is now slow and uneven. More action is required on prevention, which requires the participation of women at all levels. A full range of services should be provided to women with equal access to these services. More women in the police, judicial structures and reliable data would make sure that policies will be more targeted and carried out with the right focus. Ten years ago, this theme was dealt with by the UNCSW and no consensus was achieved. Now all over the world change is possible and it is happening. The UNCSW must deliver its contribution.”

The CEDAW Secretariat pointed out that CEDAW has an important impact on European and international courts and already 147 countries have signed this treaty. Implementation should be strengthened so that equality becomes an active principle of humanity. Ms. Rashida Manjoo (South Africa), the special Rapporteur on violence against women recalled that individual and structural forms of violence require a multifaceted holistic approach. She noted the danger of the normalization of violence and the importance of due diligence. She also mentioned her upcoming visits to India, South Africa, Azerbaijan and Bangladesh.

These introductory comments were followed by statements of regional organizations that pledged their support and commitment to this UNCSW. The original “zero” document of 6 pages has grown into 34 pages (including all the amendments by states). Some of these amendments recognize the role of trade unions and social partners, public services and civil society. Discussion points include sexual and reproductive health, sexual education, abortion, LGBT rights, targets and indicators and the definition of harmful “cultural practices” and role of family values.

The UNCSW has now officially kicked off and trade union delegates are making workers’ voices heard!

Sandra Vermuyten, Public Services International



 

 

 

Trade Unions say: NO COMPROMISE on WOMEN'S RIGHTS, ZERO TOLERANCE FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

Today in New York, our Trade Union delegation held the first briefing session with over 100 trade union activists; this being the largest labour CSW delegation to date. Women arrived from all over the world to take part in the UNCSW57 from counties such as South Africa, Italy Jamaica, Zimbabwe,UK, US, Belgium and the Arab regions including delegates from across Canada. Jane Hodges, Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Bureau for Gender Equality spoke about critical issues that will be addressed over the next two weeks.

Organizers identified three main areas of focus for delegates in the days ahead including lobbying, reviewing draft statements and developing a communications strategy.

Key messages based on the Trade Union statement that are linked to the priority theme of UNCSW57 "the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls" are;

• Women's universal rights are fundamental human rights. Gender equality should be enshrined in all national constitutions.
• Trade unions have long championed women's rights. With other rival society partners, trade unions have taken a leadership role in identifying the best strategies aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls.
• We are calling on governments or member states to ratify the many related UN declarations conventions and objectives.

In Sisterhood & Solidarity

Julie White, Director of CAW Women's department

Christine Connor, CAW Local 414, President and National Executive Board 

Cheryl Robinson, CAW Local 2002, VP Atlantic region

Kellie Scanlan, CAW Local 414, Communications coordinator

Julie White, Veronique Figliuzzi (CEP), Gisele Pageau (CEP), Kellie Scanlan, Christine Connor,
Cheryl Robinson, Barb Dolan(CEP)