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FRO LINE Writer's block occurs when an author cannot write. It may be caused by many things, including lack of inspiration, too much stress. too many diverse ideas, or a combination of the above. Rather than ago- nize about a theme for this column. I decided to present a selection of ideas that have come up for discussion in the last few months Volunteer Hours It became clear at the PRO workshops in September that those members who receive both sides of the Volunteer Hour form have little problem recording volunteer hours. They understand the Why. When, Where, Who and What explanations to their ques- tions. Hint: Several Branch Public Relations Offi- cers reported that they record the number of hours during the monthly role call. This simplifies the process for all members. Videos Effective Public Relations is a half-hour video of sections of the PRO workshop held in Mount Brydges. The value of the Women’s Institute, the features of the new Efiective Public Relations Manual, the uses of the WI presentation folder and the reasons for recording volunteer hours are discussed. It is suitable for a meeting about the value of good public relations, or as a supplement to the Eflective Public Relations Manual for workshop purposes. It may be borrowed from the FWIO Provincial Office. Note: The Supply Order Form has a list of other videos available on loan from the Provincial Office. Budgets/Goals FWlO Board Directors and Executive have spent many hours developing a vision of the future of FWTO. a mission statement, strate- gic aims and goals to achieve these aims. These have been reported in Home & Coun- try, and members have been asked for their opinions. All committee chairs and officers present yearly budgets which indicate their priorities and plans for the year. The ap- proved budgets then give the committees parameters within which they may carry out their goals. In file same way, Branches, Districts and Areas are encouraged to set goals and de. velop budgets. so that members know the yearly plans and priorities. Yearly plans should take into consideration: ‘ the individual member‘s needs for personal growth ' community action and involvement ' the WI network that gives women a voice provincially (FWIO). nationally (WC) and internationally (ACWW) Presentation Folders Each Area District and Branch should have a supply of presentation folders and bro~ chutes available at all times to provide backâ€" ground infomiation about the WI to guest speaker-\s, prospective members and conven- tion venues (etc), The Effective Public Relations‘Monual has a list of “Who gets What" to use as a guideline. Musings More and more members are requesting mat Home & Country be mailed directly to their homes. To offset the costs, they have sug- gested subscribing to the newsletter, rather than having it paid for from fees. Another suggestion coming from memâ€" bers is that FWIO fees reflect the true value of WI membership to individuals. The FWIO Provincial Office provides tools for members to use for education, promotion and networking. It provides staff to answer individual requests and meet the needs of the members and me public interested in WI work. It provides a meeting room for mem- bers and committee meetings and storage space for the many supplies members order. Before 1994, these were all provided to FWIO by OMAFRAr The Provincial Office also provides links with the provincial government and other provincial organizations with which we share common interests. It also provides the link with the national and international bod- ies of WT Members gain so much in personal growth. in having a voice in global decision making and in getting involved in community devel~ opment. Members are requesting educational and leadership workshops, pro- vincial projects. resource material and information from the provincial level, all items that used to be available through OMAFRA. Yet today's fees do not even meet the same living standard that they did in 1897. The 25 cent fee in 1897 equaled about l/3 ofa man's daily wage. In 1996 the average daily wage in Canada, according to Statistics Canada, was $152.40. Applying the 1897 standard. FWIO fees should be about $50 yearly! Mary Jane: is the Public Relations Officer [or the Federated Women Zr Insiimles nf Ontario. She cw: be reached 11! 6868 Ergcmnm Rd, RR 8, Wolford 0N NOM 250. Phone: (519)786-55”. Fax: (519)736-5069, If you work for a circus and put Monday," that's advertising. posters all over town sayan “The Circus is Coming to Town on If you put the posters on an elephant and parade him through the town, that’s promotion. It you lead the elephant through the mayor's flower garden, that's publicily. It you get the mayor to smile about It, that’s public rte/aliens. Home & Country. Winter '97-95 11