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We live more and more in an age of courses and confer ences. The thrust of the 80‘s has become a measure, designed to help women become productive members of society. It Is becoming more evident that we must be in charge of our own decision-making. g A three-day Conference designed for women living in rural Ontario attracted around lOO participants plus a re- source staff representing government and educators. A joint effort of the Ontario Congress. Learning Opportunities for Women. OCLOW. and the Faculty of Parthime and Con- tinuing Education. University of Western Ontario, drew women from Kenora and Dryden down to the Niagara Peninsula. from Kent to Carleton Counties. Representatives from their National counterpart CCLOW were present as well. The Canadian group organized in 1972 number about 500. the Ontario group around IOU. This is a loosely knit organization without benefit of a constitution, nor the formal methods used at meetings of more traditional institutions. Their aim is to identify prob- lems and needs that concern their group. choose a direction and move along to achieve results in a short period of time. Because they are so new they do not have to live up to any previous achievements nor follow in any footsteps. Listening. provides an opportunity for further learning. We were told that the wide variety of hand-outs should be gathered up and used for further reference -â€" not only for the information provided but for all sorts of ideas when it is your turn to design a brochure or gain further ideas for planning a meeting. It was evident from the conversation that the women were willing to share not only experiences but more importantly contacts for further resources. How to â€" develop skills bank â€" seek funding â€" meet the needs of the women in rural communities. This OCLOW is striving to open doors for themselves and the women in the communities. encouraging members to do new things. learn new methods and skills. They see themselves as an education oriented group with spin-Offs to community awareness. One thing was evident this is not a women's lib group. L..- CREEMORE WE: SIMCOE WEST DISTRICT members stand behind the decorated teaâ€"table with the “special” 7”” Anniversary cake. 20 rather they are striving to gain more access to learntllfl facilities focusing on advocacy and networking. A grouri If women interested in adult learning and its opportunities As was pointed out many times, the thrust of the ’mg will lean increasingly more toward adult learning. Chant“ v needs and life styles, are pointing a finger more toward ‘ne importance of continuing learning after formal educatioi .need to shift education around, because adult learning it W. key to “where it's at" after you think your educatii- it. finished. Every day presents a challenge for wome,‘ 5., strengthen their awareness beyond their owu door. .7 Working with community groups. keeping it commu based. working toward community needs will help r. : learning successful. What are common concerns of women in rural Ontt: J Incidentally. there were about a dozen present who live :1 farms. rural Ontario means anyone living in a built-up u of 6000 persons. What can be done for deprived and lated groups of women in rural Ontario? Goals need I 3 defined and priorities set with a constant 'watch' on i: methods involved in developing guidelines. Networking was a key word for the three days. Asses ‘- needs of a community, establishing learning opportuni approaching Community Colleges and Agricultural t '- leges asking for appropriate courses. is one networt g approach. If after finding out (I) what the women M: » learn. (2) are there enough women with similar interest 'l the community? Then the time has come to articulatt c needs ofthe community and to further network. It may 5 be a single meeting with a guest speaker as the resu c person. It could be a few meetings about a single topic vt dealing with various phases. or it could be a course tr vided by Community or Agricultural Colleges becuus local urging. One of the recommendations passed was the neetl I more courses on stress and business management. proved an important point that came out frequently du ; discussions. that it is difficult to know where to go i resource information. OMAF already provide courses it both stress and money management, so women should :4 i touch with the local Agricultural Representative for dei‘u