November 30, 2009

Canadian Association of Women in Construction thanks supporters with VIP awards

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

The Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) has presented VIP Awards to the Ontario Road Builders’ Association, IT consultant Robert Fabian and past president Angela Wilson.

“Tonight, we have an opportunity to thank those who have made CAWIC the beneficiary of their give-back,” said president Debbie Wadsworth. “We’ve enjoyed the resources, energy, talents and skills of many but our award recipients have gone over the top.”

CAWIC paid tribute to the road builders’ association for making its board room available for monthly board of directors’ meetings, providing much-needed storage space as well as a mailing address.

“This gift of space has meant a huge change in how the CAWIC board conducts its business,” Wadsworth said. “Previously, board members would have to set up meetings at each other’s houses or book free venues throughout the city, which added an enormous level of complication.

“Supplies would sit in one or another director’s garages until needed. Association mail would come to the home of the most current president. Our style of governance necessitated a whole new definition of paper trail.”

Wilson played an instrumental role in CAWIC’s incorporation in October 2005. She also served as first president of the newly minted organization.

“We can safely say that her shoulders carried a lot of the effort and responsibility of creating CAWIC,’ Wadsworth said. “As anyone who has heard her speak can attest, she is passionate about this association and about all the things we promote.”

Wilson served as president for six years.

CAWIC bursaries

The Canadian Association of Women in Construction has awarded $1,000 bursaries to students Danielle Whitley (at left) and Patricia Alderson. Whitley is in the final year of the master of architecture program at the University of Toronto. Alderson is in the construction science and management program at George Brown College. Bursaries are awarded annually to students enrolled in construction-related program at post-secondary institutions.

Wadsworth, an architect with Kasian Architecture Ontario Inc., said Fabian has been “the backbone” of the association’s website committee, donating “hours and hours” of his expertise over the past six years.

“We are very grateful for Bob’s contributions to our progress on the frontier we call the world wide web.”

The awards were presented at CAWIC’s recent VIP gala dinner in Toronto. The association’s mandate is to facilitate the long-term success of women in Canada’s construction-related fields.

CAWIC gala

Debbie Wadsworth, president of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction, is flanked by guest speakers Monique Frize (left), a professor at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa and Marilyn McHarg, general director of Doctors Without Borders, at the association’s recent VIP gala dinner in Toronto. CAWIC’s mandate is to facilitate the long-term success of women in Canada’s construction-related fields.

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