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. hy should I join our local Wo- ,, “'5 Institute? After reading Jlm mahn’s article. (Spring 85 Today's “my Woman) one would wonder, m i agree with him in part, BUT '5 look at the other side of the lure. 1 int, one has to be most impressed h .1 woman’s group that began in 7, with its basic philosophy for waving. living and family life. er» are local clubs, provincial men’s Institute and F.W.I.C. and C MW. Why we have a WORLD “ i 3 WOMEN’S NETWORK, â€" .i fantastic! ‘. r: Women’s Institute submits o. itions regularly to our provincial d ederal governments. The local is have a feel for what is happening r. t! communities, and this is a way - e 111355 our needs to the governing . ‘ swho pass the legislation. Some t them (which are areas of con- or all) have been submitted. For :«. ole: I sing drinking age back to 21 ‘ LfS I clear disarmament a sling with pornography at all ! els, especially child pornog- r why \ fe abuse e District Annual Meeting and e Conventions are occasions for nging ideas and views; hope- i -I by sharing, there is a strength- . 'i -: of our unity. 1r local W.I. groups do perform r nmunity service by maintaining tic buildings such as WJ. halls, " . ving local euc'hre parties for the snunity, and for those members are service-oriented and creative, .' is catering to local social event. .I owever it is. . . 1986. . ., the 80’s ' idecade of change, and change .iust if we are to survive. We are i ‘7 more than halfway through the t ide. I 'ermit me, at this time, to share a ‘ personal views. As I have pre- lifily mentioned, we have had, and . i do have at this point in time, a rid-wide women‘s network. Mem- 5, how many of you were aware this... _? it your realize the potential to ‘ k9 3- Positive impact on society? elaide Headless must have had Guest Editorial Rose Trisha this vision or she would not have had the courage to attend that first meeting and express her concerns. It is indeed sad to hear of another W.I. disbanding. The summer ‘85 issue of Home & Country states two a month! Alarming! Why? It is a fact of life, that only six to eight members often turn up for a meeting. These dedicated folk try to keep the branch going, so consequently out of necessity, the same people must be on the executive and then inner fatigue and frustration set in. This leads to two and one»half to three hour meetings and sometimes “story-telling“ with the "enclave of critics sniping from the side lines”, or sitting back smiling smugly, waiting for tea time. Why should one attend such a meeting after a day at work where time and productivity are account- able? Time is of essence in our present society. It is an investment, and an investment requires a return. What return does attending W.I. meetings in terms of education, challenges and growth? Enough criticism and on to conâ€" structive suggestions. One priority should be meetings run with parliamentary procedure. on on what's happen- MOVin with the changing 80’s (This definitely DOES NOT mean stiff and formal meetings.) If every W.I. branch attempted to improve in this area, just think how much could rub off on our politicians! What about some educational meetings, not only crafts, but time management, insight into loeal politics and stress management? There is a need to revitalize our communities 7 the back bone of society â€" in terms of integratng into the community dif- ferent races, creeds, religions and im- proved understanding of one another. Lest it be misunderstood. i do admire, very much, the older mem- bers and the changes in society they have weathered. These members are our link with the past. a gold mine of history. Theirs is a special wisdom that the younger members lack. How- ever, the younger members are in- novative and progressive thinkers, the planners for the future, and therefore do not tolerate, well, the status quo. Just think what great things could be accomplished by blending the talents of the younger and older members. This is 1986, and if we look around us, we see advertising, marketing techniques â€" all progressive public relations. Public relations makes or breaks a company or organization, Meeting the consumer needs is the bottom line. There are community members with many skills and much to give. these are the potential con- sumers and future members. DO I stand to be corrected? Rose Triska Troy WJ. what the experts have to say about free trade with the United States and how it will affect agriculture in Ontario. 90TH ANNIVERSARY The 90th anniversary of Ontario's Women‘s Institutes is quickly approach- ing. Beginning with the next issue, Home Sr. Country will be giving complete cova erage to the event. NATIONAL AG [N THE CLASSROOM CONFERENCE Coming up this spring. this important event is being organized by the Women for the Support of Agriculture. More details on the conference will be included in the January. February, March issue. H 3L C Oct. Nov, Dec. 1986 '3