The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Board of the Federated Women's Insti- tutes of Ontario was held in the Royal York Hotel on November 14, 15, 16 and 17th, 1955 with the Provincial Presidentl Mrs. Gordon MacPhatter, presiding. After the opening exercises the President extended a warm welcome to all present with a special welcome to the new Board members. Mrs. MacPhatter tendered the sincere thanks anâ€"d ’appreéiafibn’of the Board to Miss Chap- m’an’wh’o has Hone everything possible at all times to be of assistance and to her, and to the staff of the Women’s Institute Branch for many services made available to the F.W,I.O_ She also wished to thank Mrs. Maynard, Sec- retaryâ€"Treasurer; Mrs Gibson, Viceâ€"President; Mrs. Purcell, Honorary President; Mrs. Guild, Conference and Holiday Secretary, for their co-operation and ready help. Mrs. MacPhatter expressed the pleasure of he Board at the appointment of Miss Helen cKercher as Director of Home Economics I xtension Service. Mrs. MacPhatter gave a brief resume of her ctivities during the past year and all realized hat a very full and active life for service he President of F.W.I.O. lives. THE ANNUAL meeting of the Provincial THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS Mrs. MacPhatter based her address on a uotation from Mrs. Alfred Watt when she ave up the Presidency of A.C.W.W. at the ge of seventy-nine: “I would ask you to keep he whole organization as simple as you can. here is only one way of achieving equality f all members, that is to give them equal ights, equal privtleges and equal respon51â€" ilities.” Mrs. MacPhatter wendered if we are living p to this statement in our Provincial and l ational Organization. “Are we keeping our rganization simple enough that it is of in- erest to all our members old and young, new nd experienced?" she asked, “I cannot help ut wonder if all our by-laws and rulings nd constitutions may not be a bit confusing 0 both our very old members and our Very oung. Sometimes I wonder when I am atâ€" empting to steer a branch, district, area or ven our own Board through motions, amendâ€" a ents, amendments to amendmentsâ€"why we 110w ourselves to get into such confusion. ’ by don’t we lose the motion that we wish mended and start from scratch? Education 1 a fine thing, and we are fast becoming a II 'ghly educated and capable group of women. ut in our maze of procedure technicalities, ur multitude of activitiesâ€"cor innumerable ide issues under consideration, I wonder if ' INTER 1956 F. "7. I. 0. Board Meeting By INA HODGINS we are losing sight of the simple, fine and basic organization that is ours. Our thoughts should continually point to the fact that our first interests are for the betterment of our homes which will inevitably lead us to a fine interest in the country of which We are so proud. “Mrs, Watt expressed the view that all members of our organization should be given equalityâ€"and this can only be done through the dispensation of equal rights, priVileges and responsibilities. This is my very reason for saying so many times in your hearing that I feel that our Board cannot dictate to our Branch members. We may adviseâ€"even cajole ~â€"but we should never hand down a decision without having first given the branch mem- bers the right to reach a decision, At the same time I feel that our members, if they are to be always accorded equal rights and priviâ€" leges, should be willing to shoulder the many responsibilities of an organization which has become world recognized. These branch members are privileged to be a part in one of the world's great organizations. Do they all realize thisâ€"and accept the responsibilities which such a privilege entails? We have a responsibility to our branch, certainly, In accepting this responsibility we must be ready atways to contribute to the needs of the branch. Contribute abilityâ€"be willing to serve as an officer, contribute financially, or just be a generally eflicient and co-operative membeiz “But, as well, we must realize that we have a wide horizon. This horizon has growri dur- ing past years with such speed that perhaps it has been difficult for us to keep abreast of this growth in our thinking and in our accept- ance of the responsibilities which inevitably come with expansion. International responsi- bilities entail a study of our sister organiza- tions all over the worldâ€"and a true desire to help when aid is required. National responsiâ€" bility rests in our realization that our Provâ€" inces must be more closely knit by way of a national office, and a national convention, We must train ourselves to think nationally. “Provincial responsibilities are many and diversified. I feel there is a great need of study of our Provincial Board at branch, district and area level. To acquaint ourselves with the organizational policies of this Board will bring us a clearer understanding of the real reason behind the existence of our organ. i2ation. For, as our work during the next few days will prove, our interest is to consider questions on behalf of members all over the province. You are, each one of you, elected members from your part of the Province, As 5