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irlally, it’s quiet again! it The riot out- side my window has been very distracting. Each spring a row of sun- flowers is planted across the garden. But unlike the rest of the garden, they are not harvested. And when the first snowfall arrives. the bluejays find the sunflowers. For the next few days tilere are between twenty and thirty streaks of blue hanging upside down and sideways on the sun- flower heads. They collect a seed, fly to the nearby spruce,eattheseedand retum. screaming all the time. WHAT A SIGHT! But the sunflower heads are empty now. and my thoughts wander to planâ€" ning next year‘s garden. This is also the time for the Women's Institute Branches to begin planning. At the annual meetings in April, the activi- ties and memories of the past year will be reviewed, and new plans made for the year that lies ahead. From the Provincial Program Co-ordinator By Glenna Smith “Stand Up, Speak Out, and Be Proud to Be a Women’s Institute Member” ’m proud of the many ways you showed that you were proud to be Canadian irl 1992. Now, as you continue to be proud Canadians in 1993, let’s also be proud Women’s Institute members. Organize your programs around this theme, and get to know your organization better this year by working towards the following objectives: A View from Here By Margaret Eberle 7/////4 What goals are being set in your Branch for the upcoming year? How many new members do you want to sign up this year? How can you help a new Branch get started? What community project will [I make the Women's Institute more vis- ible to nonâ€"members, the media and government; El make more aware of our strengths; El make members more aware of our stnlc- ture; and, El make members proud to be members. Fulfill these objectives in the following ways: El create a video for Branch use; El increase media and government aware- ness through personal contacts, videos and presentation booklets; El inform the government of our concerns and actions through a letter writing camâ€" palm D design a communication pamphlet for members: El chart the structure of the FWIO; El and. build conunurlications between the various levels of the WI. you focus on? What educational program will your Branch offer? How will your Branch learn more about the Women’s Institute? What will your Branch do to promote the WI in June? Do your Branch plans include produc- ing a memento for our Centennial year? Which fundraiser will produce a donation to the Park House fund? What new ideas did your Area President get from the workshop “Call to Order“? Are plans be- ing made to attend Conference ‘94 at Geneva Park near Lake Couchiching and the FWIC Conference in Nova Scotia? Take time to plan and set goals so that your Branch will be an active, vibrant part of your community. Remember, “Goals are like stars; they may never be reached, but they can alâ€" ways be a guide.” Margaret Eberle is the President of the Federated Women' s Institutes of Ontario. And. of course, you could always chal- lenge other Branches throughout Ontario to come up with a promotional slogarl for the Women’s Institute. Remember, our longâ€"range plans are to entail the following: 1992 - 1993 - Our Personal Environment 1994 - 1995 - Our Community and Family Environment 1996 - 1997 - Our Global Environment What more appropriate way of focusing on the personal environment tharl to learn more about “YOU” as a member of your Blanch, District and Area WI. and as amember of the FWIO, FWIC and the ACWW? Please write and tell me your ideas on how to promote our theme and our great organi- mtion. Glenna Smith is the Program Co-ardl'nalorfor the Federated Women's Institute: of Ontario. Home 3 Country, Spring 1993 3