.Drofile; Area Members Report: Harris Instills Confidence in Others hen Marg Harris was 21 and the mother of two young children, she attended a WI meeting and sat next to an 81â€"year old spinster. “We talked and chatâ€" ted away; the fellowship was just tremendous,†she said. After 2] years of going to such meetings, Marg Harris is now President Elect of the Federated Women‘s Institutes of Ontario. As a member of the Women‘s Institute, Marg has had lots of leadership experience She has held numerous convenerships, and has been Vice-President and Treasurer of the South Lobo Branch. Her experience at other evcls within the organization include: ‘resident and Tweedsmuir Curator of the Middlesex North District; Assistant Tweedsmuir Curator of the London Area; Board Director for Subdivision 2|; and, a member of the Conference ’97 Steering Conunittee. Because of Marg's earlier work experi» ence as a Senior Administrator with Canada Trust, she was elected Chair of the FWIO Finance Committee during her term on Board, Because of her background in ï¬nance, the FWIO also asked Marg to Chair the Conference ‘97 Finance Comâ€" mittee and sit as their appointee on the “Women and Taxation" Sub-committee of the Fair Tax Commission in 1991-92. When asked about her position as Presi~ dent Elect. Marg remarked: “It's a tremendous opportunity." But, she humbly added: “The Branch members are most important; it is to them that I must be accountable.†She said that leadership is a two-way street and she has a great deal of conï¬dence in her fellowWI members. Marg hopes that with the help of all its nembers the organization will be successâ€" fully launched into the let century with conï¬dence and courage to meet all chalâ€" Marg Harris, President Elect, FWIO Photo courtesy of the Siralmoy Age Dispatch “My vision is that the Women Lt Institute will continue as part of the value system on which a household is built and thrives. " lenges. She will be the FWIO President during the 1997 Centennial Celebrations. “My vision," she stated, “is that the Women‘s Institute will continue as part of the value system on which a household is built and thrives" Words from the London Area: Of her fellow South Lobo Branch members, Marg commented: "They are a tremendous group of ladies.†The money raised by the women of this Branch through catering has gone into a variety of projects - the purchasing of a mammography ma chine for the Strathroy Hospital, setting up a local parks fund, and purchasing ofï¬ce furniture for the new FWIO office. And Marg was quick to credit those "W1 husbands" who assist with the catering, includ- ing her husband, Bud. Today, Marg and Bud are partners in a home building and renovations business based in Kerwood. After the death of her first husband, and after her six children were almost grown, Marg met Bud. He was a customer at Can- ada Trust. “Bud asked me to marry him. and I did. My family and I are so happy that I did." And Marg added, “Bud says he is too!" Marg concluded a recent interview with a local newspaper, by stating: “It‘s won- derful to have WT friendships... It‘s why I‘m so involved. I appreciate the friend- ships, and it's a way of giving back." Indeed, the following words written by the London Area about Murg Harris are in dicutive ofjust how much she gives back. Marg Harris is known by us all as a hardworking, willing, dedicated Women‘s Institute member. Her strong leadership and organizational skills are an asset to the WI. Marg has a high energy level and strong administrative abilities. Marg is a follow-through person who gives 105% of herself to her responsibilities, and she honours her commitments. She is professional and has a high degree of personal integrity. Marg has the ability to put people at ease. She inspires, encourages and motivates people. She exudes conï¬dence in herself and instills confidence in others. Marg combines a good sense of humour with wisdom as she efficiently and enthusiastically guides through a task. As one Branch member said: “Marg always makes us feel good about ourselves." Part: of this article were extracted/hull an article lltuf appeared in a December, [993. [Hire of the Stralhray Age Dispatch. Home & Country, Spring '94 ‘l'