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Profile Health Program Coordinator Kelly Marshall Happy New Year WI Members! During the past couple of months I have been settling into my role as FWlO's Health Program Coordinator. I have had the op- portunity to meet a number of members, which has helped me become more familiar with this organization. Accepting the Health Program Coordina- tor position was not difficult. Throughout my career and volunteer experience I have chosen positions which contributed posi~ tively to the community. Currently, I volunteer for various non-profit organiza- tions, addressing youth, non-profit housing and women’s issues. I have been on the planning committee for the YMCA- YWCA of Guelph's Women of Distinction Awards (for Wellington County) for four years. This event is extremely important to me because it recognizes the contributions of women in the community and provides young women with inspiration to reach their goals and to stand up for what they believe. My background in health and wellness programming, promotion and fundraising has also been very rewarding. My position as Health Program Coordinator for FWIO provides me with the best of both worlds â€" the opportunity to contribute to a dynamic women's organization and to promote health and wellness across the province! On the personal side, I was born in Van- couver, B.C., moving to Guelph fourteen years ago. I have continued to call Guelph my home. living with my spouse Adam, three year old daughter Sierra (who now prefers to be referred to as the Princess Sleeping Beauty) and our cat "Kitty" (whose creative name was decided by Sierra when she was one year old). We are definitely a family on the "go," managing work and volunteer and home responsibili- tiES, while trying to incorporate leisure activities. I enjoy outdoor pursuits (biking, camping and gardening) in the summer. fitness activities, cooking and travelling. It is im POflant to me to live a healthy lifestyle. to act as a role model for my daughter and to live an active life to enhance my family's mind. body and spirit. I look forward to meeting and sharing resources with many more FWIO members across the province! Healr gram Update By Kelly Marsha/l lanning for FWIO'S Health Program is currently underway, This new health initiative will provide FWIO members and rural communities with vital health information by utilizing resources from partnering health and social service or- ganizations. It is anticipated that this educational program will attract new members for FWIO. Over a two-year period. beginning in the Spring of 2000. Leadership Training Sesâ€" sions will be offered lo each Area. They will provide Branch Programming Repre- sentatives with substantial literature. support and resources to successfully im- plement the Health Program within their own communities. Additional informa- tion about the Training Sessions will be distributed in the new year. Although par~ ticrpalion is voluntary. each Branch will be challenged to offer at least one Heallh Program Session of their choice per year. which meets the needs of their members and women in their community. I would like to introduce the Health Committee! This committee has been es, lablished to assist with the developmentof the program. to provide support and sug- gestions and to participate in the program evaluation, Contributing awealth olexpev rience is Gail Murdock (Clover Valley Country Home and Garden law an a sunny Saturday in September about 200 enthusiastic viewers "oohed"and "aahed" their way through five homes on the Country Home and Garden Toursouth ofFaris, Ontario, organ- ized by the Whireman's Creek WI. The tour Included live heautifulhomes and theilgardens. whiten-tan Creek President Marsha Edgar was delighted with this successlul public relations event which gave visitors as far away as Belgium and the LISA an opponunity to visit with WI members The Whlreman's Creek WI House Tour Commit- tee from left to right included Jennifer Edgar - Past President, Carol Cain and Lindy Lawrence - Program and Public Relations Officers and Marsha Edgar - President. Written by MaryElIeri Edgar, Whitman's Creek WI, Brant South. WI). Dianne Orr (Damascus WI) and Gloria Pakkala (Waters WI). During the next two years. I will coordi- nate all aspects of the Health Program. I will also meet with partners and prospec- tive partners to determine the types of resources they can contribute to FWIO’s Health Program. The Health Committee and I will submit our partner recommen- dations to the Provincial Board for approval. Approximately four additional provincial orpanizalions will form part- ncrships wilh FWIO in the first year. Pre-lcsting of the program will be Com- pleted to ensure maximum effectiveness and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the material before implementation throughout the province. Guelph Area Ex~ eculivc has agreed to participate in the testing of the program. The feedback of WI members is extremely important to develop this program. to meet the needs of members and thcir communities and to be reflective of the values of FWIO. In llic next newsletter: o Announcement of Our New Partners 0 A Name for the Health Program 0 Information about the Leadership Training Sessions wand more! lwelcome Inqurrres or suggestions, at any time! You may roman me by phone ar 519-836-3056 or fax al 5197836 3094 or email kellym@senrex net Additional rnlormation can be found on the FWIO web we www fwro on (a