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This will be my last message to you, the liaison person between your or- anlzation and the Ministry of Agricul- ure and Food. In the near future. I ill be assuming other duties in the inistry and handing over the old ones 0 those in the Rural Organizations nd Services Branch. Working with three presidents, at< ending provincial board and commit4 ee meetings, and area conventions has can a profitable experience for me. It as given me a worthwhile insight into .Iie rural mosaic and made me aware of the need for strong rural organizations. A M ssage From Molly McGhee The Women’s Institutes were the pioneers of the rural organizations. I hope that every branch will strive to strengthen itself. In her farewell article in the Federated News. Emmie Oddie, the retiring president of F.W.I.C. said: “Recruitment is basic to survival.“ I heartily endorse her view and hope that each and every member will make an effort to bring new people into the organization. Good program planning. with subject matter well-prepared and relevant to the needs of today‘s womv en, is essential if newcomers are to be attracted. Ways must be found to create a more favourable image of the Wom- en's Institutes, to ensure that the work of the dedicated women who struggled for the betterment oflife will continue to be built upon and that at the 100th Anniversary in l997, the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario be in the forefront as one of the most impor- tant rural organizations in the province. At this time I would like to thank all of those members who extended such wonderful hospitality and many kindnesses to me as I travelled across Ontario during the past live years. WWW EDITORIAL In this issue. the report on resolu- tions from the FWIC convention in Fredericton, NB. shows the scope and concerns ofWomen‘s Institutes for so- cial conditions and social change The resolutions also show the WI policy of ‘ following through on these matters, of bringing them to the attention of gov- ernments 7 the authorities that can ef- fect change. But in many cases, for resolutions to have real impact on governments, they need the support and backing of the public. So if you want to bring about change, your message has to reach and influence not only govern- ments but also the groups, the individ- uals that need convincing or converting. One way of getting your informa- tion into the public eye where it will have a chance to work is through the news media â€" newspapers, periodicals, radio, television. They have the power that every day sells goods and services. images and ideas. The power is there and it’s for the using, needing only to be tapped, 11' news media don’t know you exist, however, don’t know what you are, where you are. your concerns or issues, they can‘t work for your Organization; they can’t help your aims or resoluâ€" tions. They can‘t give you the publicity that could attract new members; they can’t help you publicize your issues or fund-raising events; they can't help you effect change. Getting the media to work for you involves a delicate combination of cir- cumstance, technique and effort; such Views 011 News as, developing a relationship and then nourishing it â€" with the right informa- tion at the right time and in the proper proportions. For the average person, it first involves a switch in viewpoint â€" from yours, as censumcr-reader-listen- er-viewer; to theirs, as news gathererâ€" news disseminator-sales agent-motivaâ€" tor. Try the role change. Listent watch or read from the media point ofview. Notice what they consider news: abâ€" sorb their view of a human-interest story; recognize their need for imme- diacy: realize their limitations of time and space: understand their necessity for accuracy. lead time and deadline. With your newly acquired insight, look again at your organization. its aims, works and activities. Newsworthy angles may suddenly spring into focus for you. A good time to initiate a relation- ship with the media is when you have a major event in the offing. Contact the station or newspaper and explain how news of your particular event could interest their readers. viewers or listeners. Point out potential human- interest stories, newsworthy items. If a reporter is sent to cover the event, assign someone to meet her/him at the door. Offer to introduce your co-ordinator or other knowledgeable person who can give a good interview. Provide a background information paper; make available copies of the agenda, reports and speeches and indi- cate key items. On a different level, to get your own write-ups or event notices accept- ed, contact or call on the news editor, or district, rural or farm editor. de- pending on the medium. and offer to report your meetings and events on a regular basis. Show an example of your work; find out the deadline and commit yourself to meeting it. Let them know you are informed about happenings and people in your com- munity. that you would be glad to act as a contact person for the area. And remember, even a turtle has to stick its neck out to get anywhere. Women's Institutes with their grass- roots membership are in a unique posi- tion to provide community leadership, to pinpoint the vital issues in their areas, to encourage dialogue and to initiate action on those issues. Such an organization could very well start a country-wide ground swell of promotion and respect for the Canadian farmer as a working. primary producer; for the family farm as an in- dependent business operation and a way of life that adds stability to the country and the food supply: for Canadian farm products as jost about the best food buy in the world today; for Canadians to buy Canadian. The countryâ€"widt- organizational structure is already in place; the exam» ple of aggressive social involvement and public service for Women‘s Insti- tute members has been set by Adelaide Hunter Hoodless: and the justification for it, by design, is in the Institute motto: For Home and Country '4)