Payne, addressing all of the participants at the conference, stated men and women alike "have assembled to learn, to share, to assist in building the union, and to bring an awareness to the women’s issues". The attendees cheered and applauded as Payne stated "the CEP is committed to fight for women’s issues until equality is achieved."

Andre Foucault following Payne’s lead, reminded conference participants that "the women’s movement advanced because of a community as a whole." The purpose of the conference is to create an awareness of what issues need to be adopted and changed from the community of participants. Foucault suggested that participation is not limited to the union but the greater communities in which each individual plays a role. Collective action will lead to equality for women.

The chair of the National Women’s Committee provided additional welcome remarks, introduced the women’s committee and read the CEP Anti-Harassment Policy.