HOME ECONOMICS BRANCH Miss Helen McKercher, Director. said the Home Economics Branch through its programme of extenâ€" sion education for women and girls. endeavours to im- prove the quality of life in rural Ontario through up- dated homemaking practices and good management of time and family resouroes. LTo fulï¬ll the objectives and carry out its extension programme. the branch relies heavily on assistance from the women of Ontario who work in close co- operation with the county and district Home Econo- mists. These women, after training by the Home Economists and specialists, convey what they have learned to their own local groups. As well as promoting new ideas in practical home- making, the Home Economics Branch makes availâ€" able courses in clothing, crafts and home furnish- ings, which inform rural women and girls of developments and ideas in textiles, colour and good design. Another important part of our programme is the promotion of good nutrition through demon- strations. courses and publications. All teaching ma- terials are prepared or approved by staff. As a follow up to the workshop “All About Nutri- tion" (presented mainly in ’74-’75 a new food forum “More About Nutrition . . . and Family Meals†was presented. The 4-H Homemaking Club programme for girls and young women of twelve to twenty-six years of age offers twenty-four clubs in foods and nutrition. clothâ€" ing. home furnishings, home crafts. hospitality. citiâ€" Lenship. health and gardening. Clubs are directed by leaders who take instruction at training schools conducted by Home Economists. Following the training school. a leader works with the members at club meetings held locally. Last year. 346 leaders’ training schools were held for 6.267 volun- teers. There were 3.331 clubs with a membership of 36.097. A summary of the participation in the senior pro- grammes resulted in increased numbers over last year. Training Schools ....................... 15.189 participants lq Summary Days ..... 7.077 participants Short Courses, Food Forums, Workshops ....................................... 3,828 participants OFFICERS’ CONFERENCE Mrs. Russell Campbell presented her ï¬rst interim report. She expressed thanks to Miss McKercher and the Home Economics Branch for sponsoring Mrs. Phyliss Meildejohn, author, lecturer at the University of To- ronto and Ryerson at the Oflicers‘ Conference leaders training session in Toronto. Mrs. Meiklejohn worked with the leaders to assist them in preparing their group presentations at the Conference. She used visual aids. ideas on communications and methods of relating in a group situation to stimulate thinking. Oflicers’ Conference delegates will be limited in numbers this year as the University of Waterloo Humanities Theatre is not available to Women’s Insti- tutes. The Conference will be conï¬ned to the Arts Theatre which has a total seating capacity of 504. From past experience we know there is a 10-15% cancellation. Mrs. Campbell asked Board Directors to urge Branches to notify her if their delegate is not able to attend so those on the waiting list might have a chance to attend. There is a $5.00 holding fee for cancellations. but those on the waiting list will receive the full $60.00 back. Mrs. Campbell expressed appreciation for all the help ofl‘ered during her ï¬rst year in ofï¬ce, “I hope everything goes well.“ BE IT RESOLVED Mrs. Harvey Noblitt. Resolutions Convener, and the Committee researched the 43 resolutions passed at Area Conventions last Fall. Two emergency resolu- tions were presented for the Board Directors' consider- ation. Some resolutions had similar requests so were combined. or if legislation was already in effect letters will be written. The following resolutions were sus» tained and will be sent to the proper authorities. WHEREAS at present Canada has no oï¬icial tartan for public use. While many provinces have their own tartan; and WHEREAS such an ofï¬cial emblem for the whole Do- minion could have a unifying effect; and WHEREAS the Maple LeafTartan is now the author- ized tartan for kilts and plaids worn by the Canadian Armed Forces Pipe and Drum Bands: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT we request the Federated Women‘s Institutes of Canada to petiâ€" tion the Federal Government of Canada to pass legisâ€" lation making the Maple Leaf Tartan the ofï¬cial tar- tan of Canada. WHEREAS at present 16 and 17-yearâ€"old offenders are required to appear in Adult Courts in Ontario; and WHEREAS this can be a traumatic experience; and WHEREAS many adult rights are not given to per- sons under it? years: and WHEREAS in the Province of Quebec. Manitoba and British Columbia. persons under 18 are not required to appear in adult courts but instead are handled in Family Courts which are not open to the public; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Feder- ated Women‘s Institutes of Ontario recommend to the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario that the present law be changed to permit only persons of [8 years and over to be summoned to Adult Courts. WHEREAS the language used on CBC programmes is oï¬ensive and unnecessarily vulgar. e.g. in most “Per- formance†programmes. such as "Ten Lost Years" and the one about the Newfoundland Fishermen. to the extent that CBC suggested they are unsuitable for chil- dren. yet we have to endure the profanity we would never use in our own homes; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Feder- ated Women’s Institutes of Ontario request the CBC to eliminate the foul language so that listeners may en- joy the often ï¬ne content of such programmes.