The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

~ By International Officer, Cindi Rabstein I hope that everyone has had a good summer. I am getting a lot of questions on what can be done to keep our Branches interested. First of all, read your Home & Country. Also, get "Back 2 Basics". Some years ago, when making up their program, Branches had Conveners who each took on a subject. For example: International Affairs, Agriculture and Canadian Industries, Citizenship, Education,orHealth&Safety.TheConvener mightinvite a guest speaker, do a quiz, or speak on that subject herself, when it was her month. I realize that some Branches are small in Members, so share the workload. The ACWW World Conference is coming up in Chennai, India in 2013. Consider learning about India. I have listed some of the projects in which ACWW is involved in previous Home& Country issues. Perhaps discuss one of these. See what your Members can come up with about the project in a roll call. Talking about ACWW, in the Spring/Summer 2012 Home & Country, it appears that I misquoted that Pennies for Friendship supported the projects. I contacted ACWW, and this is what they wrote: "Pennies for Friendship” was set up at the very beginning of ACWW’s life, to enable ACWW to carry out its objectives. The "Pennies for Friendship” money from Members has allowed ACWWto keep going for85 years, with monies being spent on the organization of ACWW, which includes: administration, promotion, finance management, facilities and expenses. Without this, ACWW would not have been able to complete over 900 Projects since 1977. We ask that Members keep giving generously to "Pennies for Friendship” to ensure ACWW can continue its valuable work for women worldwide. I attended the FWIC Convention in Sidney, BC - what a wonderful time we had. I had wanted to meet up with Sylvia from Canada Comforts but, unfortunately, it could not be arranged. Sylvia is forever grateful for what Ontario does for Canada Comforts, so keep it coming. Cindi Rabstein can be reached by email (internationalofficer@fwio.on.ca) or phone (519â€"843-2222). 2 (fielmjmvu‘aflm§£g“ " ~ ByAdvocacy Coordinator, Glenna Smith ADVOCACY: FIRST A CONCERN, SECOND ACTION Do you have a copy of the new Advocacy Manual? It is available from the FWIO Provincial Office for $6.00, or you can download it from the FWIO website. Evew Branch should have at least one copy. I’m suggesting some questions you should ask yourself or the Members of your Branch before you compose a letter or a Resolution: 1. Who is concerned or should be concerned about the situation? 0 Just me Q My Community Q My Area 0 My Province Q My Country 2. This concern would be best handled by: O A Letter OA large number ofindividual letters 0 A Petition CA Local Resolution 0 A Provincial Resolution 0 A Federal Resolution 0 A Phone Call 3. Do I and/or my Branch have the time to do the necessary research? 0 Yes O No 4. Is there backup material to support this concern? O Yes O No A Resolution at any level must have backup/support material to accompany it when it is being forwarded to anyone or any group. A letter does not need backup material, BUT it does require some research. Check your facts before you take a stand. A letter campaign can have very good results, BUT don’t just copy someone else’s letter. A draft letter, so the facts remain the same, is a good idea, but change the body in some small way. Always sign and give an address or a phone number no matter what you put in writing, this includes eâ€"mails. As your FWIO Advocacy Coordinator, I encourage you to pick a subject of concern in your community and follow through with a letter or letters. Answer the four questions first, then study the new manual. This will ensure you do the job right. One person, one Branch can make a difference. Please keep me informed of any action you might take. Glenna Smith can be reached by phone (519â€"824â€"0217) or by email (advocacycoordinator@fwio.on.ca). xvi“ “ waldix’myl