Home & Country Newsletters (Stoney Creek, ON), Fall 1982, page 6

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Between The Lines Dear W1 Members: I hope that each ot’ you had 21 won- derl‘ul summer with ample time for family and friends. Women's institute activities tend to change in nature dur- ing the hot summer months but resume With full vigor when l'all arrives. An unforgettable event for the On- tario Women's institute delegates at- tending the Ninth National Convention of Federated Women‘s institutes 01’ Canada. was the installation at the Umversrty of New Brunswick 01' Mrs. Harvey (Bernice) Noblitt, Gloucester, Ontario, President ol‘ this national organization. Mrs. Nubhtt resides in the Ottawa (Eastern) Convention Area and isa past president of i-ederuted Women's inst1< tutcs of Ontario. She is a dedicated. enthusiastic and capable Women‘s lnv stiluie member. well qualified to serve as the 23rd President of Federated Women‘s institutes 01 Canada. This great honor bestowed upon her wille very demanding other time and energy. She is wished every success in her new position. The decismn to continue the "twin‘ ning" arrangements tor another year between the same provnteial units was accepted at the National Board Meet- ing. This in-depth study of another province has created a great deal of in- terest by Ontario Women's institute Members in our "twin" Manitoba. The Executive Secretary ot‘ Muni- toba Women's institute has received do/ens of requests [or pen pals from Ontario members. i-lowever, she is lind- rng it extremely dil'licult to fill all re- quests because of the overwhelming response by the large Ontariu member- ship. There are 108 Branches in Mani- tobu with a total membership of] .800, compared with 1.1% Ontario Branches and nearly 27,000 members. The beginning of the Women‘s in- slitute in Manitoba is quite fascinating. The first institute in Manitoba was or- ganized through the combined efforts of an Ontario and a Manitoba woman. A young woman living at Morris, Manitoba returned to her home in On- tario in 1909 to visit her mother, [I was there she heard enthusiastic reports of the work being done by the Women‘s institutes. Mrs. Finlay MacKenzie re- turned in Manitoba enthused about 6 the idea of having such an organization in Manitoba. By coincidence, one August morn- ing in 1910, Mrs, MacKenzie was search- ing the prairies for flowers when she met a Mrs. Graham from Brantford. Ontario, also looking for flowers. Dur- ing the conversation that followed. Mrs. MaeKenzie learned that the On- tario woman was visiting her sister in Morris and that she also was an “enâ€" thusiast” ol‘ the Ontario Women’s in- Mrs. Keith Hiepleh President Federated Women 's Institutes of Ontario stitute. Mrs. Graham promised to ad- dress a meeting providing her Manitoba friend could get some women together. This was accomplished and 37 women joined the Morris Women's in- stitute. Later, when Morris received its charter. over the seal were the words, “Number One". More than 70 years later this Branch is still active. it still has its older mem- bers but it also has young members, many with babies and small children. During the past year, two Institutes have been organized and there are other young women showing interest in Manitoba Women‘s Institute. Programs planned to meet the needs of these young women will be a major priority. Five of the 1982 Regional one-day Conventions were held in April, with the sixth held early in May. A buffalo barbecue Was enjoyed by the Manitoba members prior to registering for 11mI iii-day provincial Convention. Now that the sultry summerm 1.1m have passed and the crisp autumn my have arrived, renewed energy an en. thusiasm returns for a variety oil. ler- takings. Many members will be \. rim. tearing for the Adult Leaders’ \ qr. shops; others will be leading 4-H1' «mu. making Clubs and a great many it ,bl. attending Area Conventions. ll . J busy and rewarding time for Wu n'r Institute members as they Vollr fgr time and energy to a variety of v. [I]. while tasks. This fall as I return to each I hr; 14 Areas. 1 am looking forward . newing friendships, taking part in or meeting and absorbing with keen :1. test the summary of programs and it acts carried out within our pro“. v Annually. hundreds of women ea :look forward to the day or day :1 aside for the Convention. it IS 3 that our circle of friends has conti‘ d to expand and blossom yearly int All even greater circle. As Women’s | ‘1’ tute members meet in “Friends: 1‘» Circle Bright" and experieneethep .I- will generated by those they u t. friendships are bound to deepen ii the passing years. The Convention Committee h .r tremendous responsibility in prep an agenda that will meet the need -1 the members. New approaches in senting reports are being implemen vi. Panels and interviews are proving 1 ‘- ular. Printed summaries of reports C available for a nominal charge in St Areas. A few Areas distribute repr N free to each voting delegate. Mo 1 received from the sale of donated Li I items helps to defray the cost of tributing free reports. There are also some Areas that I i time to have a tour of a special]. l farming operation. industry, muse ‘1 or school. Highlights are numerous Li 1 varied at each Convention, but mi 1 important is the opportunity given I each member to become involved ‘1 decision making. It is encouragingto note that Brant '1 members are taking a closer look til their programs. The role and needs 4 1 rural women have changed significant!" in recent years and it is essential thti good program planning meets th'

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