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MISS MOLLY MCGHEE Miss McGhee presented the report of the Home Econom- .»: Unit, Rural Organizations and Services Branch, OMAF. “It is my pleasure to once again present to you the re- .r- of the former Home Economics Branch. As most of i. are probably aware, the Branch has been integrated :. one new, large Branch, the Rural Organizations and rvices Branch, which consists of the Home Economics, nior Extension, and the Agricultural and Horticultural ocieties Units. The new Branch hopes to have a Director pointed within a few weeks to co-ordinate the activities a the three units. This person will report to the Executive irector of the newly created Education and Research Divi- ‘on, who in turn reports to Dr. Clare Rennie, the Assistant eputy Minister in charge ofTechnology and Field Services. The past year has been an extremely busy one for the l ome Economics staff, with a continued increase in demand or our services, while we have experienced a complete .1 reeze on hiring since last September. We have nine vacancies t present, six in the County and District offices and three Toronto, as well as three women on maternity leave. 4 hings have not been easy, but of course, all of the staff i ave carried out additional duties with their usual good will. ‘ e will all be very happy when the reorganization has been ompleted, we then hope that we will be allowed to hire 9 ew staff. In the meantime I would ask you to be patient ‘= d to bear with us. We have tried to hire Home Economists on a temporary basis to carry out the work. Our statistics have really surprised us all, this past twelve u onths. The number of clients and those seeking Home 11 conornics information has, for a second year in a row, 'ncreased dramatically. The numbers are as follows: ADULT: Participation at Courses and presentations 104,090 Leaders’ Workshops 3,215 Consumer information requests 131,655 MEDIA PRESENTATIONS: Written 78] Radio 382 TV 50 4-H HOMEMAKING CLUBS: Members 22,002 Leaders 4,845 Clubs 2,613 On behalf of the Ministry, I would like to take this op: portunity to thank FWIO for providing us with 2,020 Adult Volunteer Leaders and sponsoring about 40% of the 4-H Leaders. Your contribution is really appreciated." Miss McGhee went on to read letters from the Hon. D. Timbrell and Dr. C. Rennie which subsequently have been mailed to all Branch, District and Area Presidents. along with a current news release about the new Branch. This is to allay any fears you may have about the level of support that FWIO will receive in the future. The Home Economics Unit hopes to continue the pleasant relationship that has always existed between FWIO and the Home Economists, as we enter the new era. FINANCE COMMITTEE The Finance Committee prepared a proposed budget for 1982/83 which was presented by third year member Mrs. Hugh Coons. PEN-PALS IN U.S.A. If any FWlO members wish a pen-friend from the National Extension Homemakers Council, write to Mrs. Dorothy Brengman, 590 Carroll-Eastern R. NE. Lancaster, Ohio, 43130. Mrs. Brengman is looking for Ontario contacts for the N.E.H.C. members, attempting to stimulate interest in the ACWW 1983 Conference. Members would in turn learn more about one another, their interests and the work carried on within the organizations. JUNIOR WOMEN'S iNSTITUTE Nancy Alton, Junior Board Director presented the Junior report. Nancy is completing her final year on FWIO Board and her contribution has been very much appreciated. She reported 19 Branches with 325 members. New Branches are being proposed to add to their strength. JWlO spoons are available for $5.00 plus 50¢ postage, directly from Mrs. Linda Lammers, 2550 NoellaCr..Niagara Falls, L21 309. Four trophies in honor of 1YDP will be presented in Windsor, at the Ontario Championships, as JWlO’s contri- bution to the disabled. The Annual Conference will be held October 1547 in the Owen Sound Area. Registration Fee will be $25.00. Nancy expressed her thanks to all and especially her ap- preciation to the FWIO Board Directors for their kindness during her term on the Board. AD HOC PENSION COMMITTEE lt was agreed, women lag behind in pensions. Mrs. Hugh Coons, Mrs. E. A. Rauhala and Mrs. Harold Blasing were an adlioc group appointed to look into the pension situation for FWlO. Mrs. Blasing was on a phone-in talk show in her own area, Mrs. Rauhala promoted discussion on Women and Pensions in her Area, while Mrs. Coons attended a meeting on Women and Pensions at Ottawa which included Council on Aging, National Action Committee, Ontario Council of Labour, YWCA, UWC, to mention a few. A seminar is to follow COrSponsored by the Department of Health and Welfare for the purpose of increasing aWare- ness, identifying inadequacies, promoting solutions and solv- ing problems. Half the grant will be received at the begin- ning and the last half upon the preparation of the green paper, recommending change. Monica Townsend is to be the Chairperson. Approximately 250 are expected at the Seminar. ANNUAL BOARD MEETING BOND PLACE HOTEL, TORONTO WEEK OF NOVEMBER 22, I982.