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LET OFFICERS CIRCULATE RUIT BASKET ALL change is a good F rule for any organization whether it be the local branch of the Women‘s Institute or the government of the country. Too often the same executive is left to run our meetings Vear to year for the simple reason that the ladies at the head of things are willing to keep on. But is this good? Often interest lags, the members get the feeling that it‘s the same old thing over again. Just the other day the premâ€" dent of a neighboring Women’s Institute told me that the secretary had resigned and that "the members feel as though a chair had been taken out from under us.” Capable and worthy as Madam Secretary may have been, the branch had no one but itself to blame for that lost feeling, No one wanted to take over the job of recording the meetings, offering as excuse “but I wouldn't know what to do," That’s where the first mis- take was made: allowing the situation to arise where the members were too dependent on one. The line of least resistance is not always the most practical one to take. How much wiser this branch would have been to have had a rule that a change of officers be obligatory every two years. I know of one Institute down around Kitchener that keeps every member on her toes because she knows that if she wants to continue in a good peppy “alive” group she must be willing to accept office. Too many members attend Institute meet- ings for the social enjoyment: they are willing to bring a cake or sandwiches to the meet- ing, but will not bring any ideas or willing- ness to assume responsibility, After all, any group needs a life below the executive level, When a change of officers is the rule, the inâ€" stitute benefits by obtaining new viewpoints and livelier ideas. Nominating committees are simply asking for headaches when they canvass the mem- bers for permission to put their names on the ballot. I'Ve frequently heard the remark, “No use asking her, she won't do anything," The remedy for that is to forget about going around and asking members to take office; simply give it to them, and sit back and watch the results. It‘s surprising the results that come from such action. I recall one member who re- marked after six months of office holding, “Nobody is more surprised than myself that I have been able to hold office." That same lady brought a wealth of new ideas into the branch and from being purely a tea-drinker turned into a real worker, Hurt feelings are a potential danger in anv organization. Election time rolls around and Madam President has signified in unmistak- able terms that she would like to continue being just that. So going on the line that “Minnie-May's feelings will be hurt if anyone 26 runs against her," Minnieâ€"May goes in u a as president and right there the group will a little deeper in their same old I.,>,L_‘T',: annual meeting will see a nearly full numb.- t ship in attendance but within a month or r the usual 15 or 20 members will iTiliié it” regulars, where 35 should be coming Hm i} It would seem that I don’t like 1, mm but I do and Institute is the one n-wtmu 1 look forward to each month. These “my I, are not all my own. I’ve gathered 1mm in, over a period of years by listening The retiring president can do a g]. ,7 d“, to help her successor by really reti- 4 1,5,; taking her place as an ordinary men-lb. Tm, is nothing more nerveâ€"wracking to elected president, than to have the ll: , . pasbpresident draw up as close to - w , as possible with a pencil and papa] mm and make copious notes, nodding hey dd ‘. each item of business or shaking it i} any departure from the way of don established by herself. This is enough any new executor wonder why she i. office! â€" Mrs. A. E. Lackie. “RURAL YOUTH AWAY FROM 1? VIE During National 4-H Club Wet: n» worthy happenings take place that : iii-n not uncovered until after the delegri‘ mm returned home, This year for exa; «i: learning that the train from Winnip- nu ~ be late arriving in Toronto on Sundu : ing, a committee of 4â€"H members i. ‘Il;-‘tl an informal church service, with youii r g from every province represented tale in!" The Service concluded with a COIIEClli : ling $1851, which was forwarded w Crippled Children’s Hospital in Wini ANOTHER BETTER READING CAIH‘ ulGN ASTLEMORE WOMEN’S INS 7U”? C sponsored a "Better Reading Ca as a special project in 1955- TH president, Mrs W. Hunter, reports: " “ licized our project through an exhibit - l“! ‘ books and rules of the competitior " local fall fairs. Pupils from six dlSIl‘lll :mw entered our competition which “"EI> into Junior and Senior classes. In St‘l "M a letter was sent to each teacher, giv: ‘ of the contest and book lists. Juniw questioned on Nursery Rhymes, Fail such as Cinderella, Snow White, Biblt "“W of Moses, David, Noah and others, St- ' Tom Sawyer, Black Beauty, Treasun Alice in Wonderland, Anne of Green AW“ etc. After the New Year a followâ€"Hi it‘ll” to each school gave the exact date of 53 '4“ and further explanation of our rules The Quiz was held in February at 11 Night social. Two Institute membii were former teachers acted as Quiz ' tum HOME AND comm“