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Women Involved By Carol Helfenstein Sound Organizational Skills at Work in Southampton After 29 years, the WI Branches of the central area of Bruce County drew huge crowds to their Craft Show, even on the wettest and windiest day of the sum~ mer of [999. Much of their success relates to the ex- cellent organizational skills the group has demonstrated and here are a few statistics. History Originally in Port Elgin. this long-run- ning Craft Show is held close to the Canada Day weekend in the town of Southampton. It was originally 21 Bruce Centre District project. At that time the profits went to local hospitals and other charities. Today. eight Branches are in- volved and they divide the profits equally for projects in their own communities. Present Statistics The show is run from 10 am, to 8 or 9 pm. About 40 W1 members from 8 Branches partner with the Mount Hope Church women’s group. These women provide about 120 pics for the one-day event and run the food booths. assassinations . Vendors Many of the 200 vendors return year after year. This is a juried show and all aspiring vendors must send pictures or samples of their crafts. Members of a Judging Committee of eight circulate throughout the arena to observe the booths, vendors response to Visitors and questions and the quality ofthe crafts for sale. Those not meeting the high standards will be notified that they must improve to qualify for another year. Publicity The Organizing Committee is well aware of the importance of advertising and allocate a budget of approximately $3000 for the one-day event. That in- cludes brochures, posters, radio and print advertising. The show is dubbed “The Cadillac of Craft Shows" and the women have maintained that level of excellence over the years as the size of the crowds indicate. The Publicity Committee gets word out starting in January to all local hotels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds and provincial parks when these places are booking accommodation for the year ahead. Their cooperation is of huge im- portance in the publicity of the show. Results Well over $100,000 flows through the show in one day. Booth charges go to pay the bills incurred: the rent for the arena and grounds; wages for teens working the gates; advertising; and. the cost of the food that goes into the booths (etc). The sale of food at the four booths and the $2 admission for approximately 5000 visi- tors goes directly to the WI groups. and is their main source of income, Records Kept In the past. records were kept by pen and paper. Now. the Organizing Committee has computerized all vendor information. This means quick and accurate access to vendors for the next year. Likewise. the bookkeeping is being computerized and can be used to analyze and evaluate the success of the show. . Spreading The Good Word Information on how to organize a simi- lar event is being recorded for the benefit of other WI Branches. Eventually this information will be posted on the FWIO web site Watch for it! Carol Helfenstein is the Public Relations Coordinator for the Federated Women's institutes of Ontario. She can be reached at RR 1, Kincardine ON NZZ 2X3, Phone: 519-395-0559, Email: cally@hurantel,on.ca w’ Bord Brlellngs...continued from page 5 Value of a Volunteer Town 0 Country is a weekly hall-hour television program locused on the towns and countryside ol Ontario. This program, produced by the Ontario Ministry 01 Agri- culture, Food and Rural Atlairs. is dedicated to community issues. people and places across the province. The upcoming season olTownE Coun- try will be leaiuring segments entitled "The Value at a Volunteer.“ The speciai work of volunteers with the Women's Institutes, 4~H Clubs and Agricultural Societies wlli 6 Home & Country, Full ‘99 be highlighted. How the three groups pro duos strong leaders and communities and promote agricultural awareness will be briefly documented. The 200.000 regular viewers will learn about the value at volunteering. And hope- lully be inspired to volunteer wilh lhe Woman's Institutel Motions: - That the FWIO Excellence in Agriculture Award, recognizing the contributions at women to the Floyal Agricultural Winter Fair. be presenled in the recipients home area (it from Ontario) during the Area Convention. That FWlO send a letter to Past Presi- dents oi FWID inlorrning them that the position of Executive Otlicer to the Federated Women‘s Institutes ol Can- ada is up tor election at the November Annual meeting; it they are interested they can apply to the FWIO Provincial Olftce. That the 310.000 Canadian dollars allotted by FWIO lo the ACWW Con- lerence in 2001 be a loan lo the Conlerence. That FWlO accept the recommended changes to the 4-H Regional Scholar- ship Application Form as suggested by the 1999 Scholarship Committee. That FWIO produce a professionally designed and lomtattad Annual Report for the year 1998-1999. - That FWIO accept the recommenda‘ tion at the Marketing Committee to produce a poetry book using the poetry collected overlhe years from Women 5 Institute members. - That FWiO invite a select list 01 guests to join Women‘s Institute members yet the Provincial Office lar lhe orllcial launch oithe Expanded Health Educa- tion Program and that FWIO rent an appropriate tent and hire a suitable caterer. - That FWIO take part in the “Value of a Volunteer" story to be told by broad- casters on the Town is Countr television program.