Start a CFUW Club in Your Community

Got a group of women ready to make things happen together? CFUW Ontario Council welcomes non-partisan women’s groups from across the province who share our mission and values.

Who Can Join — and Why It’s Worth It

Apply, meet our readiness requirements, and once the Board gives the green light with an ordinary motion, you’re in — with a full vote at every organizational meeting, standing alongside every other club in the province.

Bring your people. All it takes is 10 active members to get started — enough to build something that lasts.
National membership? Your call. Joining CFUW National is a great option, but it’s not required to join Ontario Council.

Good to Know

Join CFUW National, and you’re automatically enrolled in Ontario Council too — Ontario Council dues come along with that.
The paperwork timelines differ slightly between the two. National asks for written bylaws right from the start; Ontario Council gives you two years to get yours in place.

Getting Ready to Apply

Title	Description
A vote of confidence	A letter of recommendation from an established local CFUW Club or your Regional Director.
A small application fee	A modest, non-refundable fee submitted alongside your application.
A track record	Minutes from two meetings you’ve already held, showing you’re up and running.
Your founding documents	A signed Statement of Purpose and Code of Conduct, affirming your commitment to non-partisanship and inclusion.
A quick orientation	One session with an Ontario Council representative to walk through the financial and administrative basics.
A leadership team	At least two executive officers (say, a Chair/President and Treasurer) to keep things running smoothly.

Timing Your Application

Aim for December 31. Get your completed application and documents to the Board by then, and you’ll be ready to vote at the next AGM. (Link to Application Form Coming Soon)
Mind the 60-day rule. To vote at any meeting, your club’s membership needs to be approved and dues paid in full at least 60 days beforehand.
Know your calendar. The membership year runs April 1 to March 31.

Your Application Checklist

Completed, signed Membership Application form, approved by the Board.
A written statement confirming you meet membership qualifications (Section 8.03a, CFUW Ontario Council Bylaws).
Payment of the administrative fee and your annual club dues (calculated per member, Section 8.07 Ontario Council Bylaws).
A club name that’s non-partisan, distinctive, and welcoming (joining CFUW National too? They have their own naming guidelines to follow).
Your executive roster, meeting minutes, and endorsement letter.

A Few Things Worth Knowing

Your club holds the vote. In CFUW Ontario Council, membership and voting rights belong to the club itself — not to individual members.
“Woman” means exactly what you’d expect: inclusive. Anyone who identifies as a woman is welcome.
No degree, no problem. Despite the name, a university degree isn’t required to join a CFUW club.
Bylaws can wait — a little. You don’t need written bylaws to join, just a plan to have them in place within your first two years.