Officer ’5 Conference There’s lots to learn and share Close to 550 Women’s lnstitute members attended the 36th annual Officers' Conference at the Univer- sity of Waterloo in May. The theme for the three-day con- ference was “Nothing Great was Ever Achieved Without Enthusiasmâ€. Workshops, discussion groups, speakers and entertainment all com- bined to make the conference for branch and district secretary- treasurers and branch memberseat- large a success. Mrs. Clifford Ritchie and Mrs. Duane Williams led the district delegates through their dayâ€"long seminars. ldeas were shared about getting programs printed and typed for district annual meetings. and how to prepare for the annual meeting itself. The leaders suggested items for the secretaryâ€"treasurers to take to a district annual and these included a list of voting delegates, fee reports and credential forms. Interesting discussions on mailing problems and how to improve the communications between branches and the district prompted the delegates to share their experiences and solutions. Mrs. Sam Johnston, Mrs. William Henderson, Mrs. George McKee and Mrs. Evsal Hillier were the leaders for the branch secretary-treasurers sessions, Members talked about meeting procedures and the different types of meetings held by Wl bratt- ches. The nomination, election and installation of officers were reviewed as well as where Pennies for Friend- ship go and who can receive member- ship cards. Leaders stressed the im- portance of submitting reports on time and gave delegates a case study to discuss in groups and solve. See Us Grow and Spread was the theme of the branch members-at- large session led by Mrs. Murray For- rest. Mrs. John Morrison and Mrs. Margaret MacPherson. The work- shop covered a lot of information in» cluding effective program planning, the importance of branch members and the relationship between the branch, FWIO, FWIC and ACWW. Participants were encouraged to share their program planning ideas and suggestions. Here are a few: A nurse spoke on home care and the urn- portance of this program because it allows people to stay in their homes, leaving vital hospital beds open to more needy patients. The worries and concerns of death were clarified by an undertaker who spoke at one branch meeting. Members learned about wills from a lawyer. The progress made in the public school system was discussed by a branch when a prinâ€" cipal was the guest speaker at a meeting. An OPP officer talked about how women can protect themselves. One branch went to a public school and worked on the computers there. A quiz on where our food comes from was used by one branch. g. Group discussions. where members could ask questions and gel answers, wen important pari of Officers‘ Conference. F W10 S‘Tmrury ("'0' group leader a! Officers’ Conference Marcie Johnston rte The objectives of Women‘s In» stitutes were outlined and par. ticipants completed a leadersliin forum questionnaire. ’ Mrs. R. B. Johnson, FWIO Pre:.. dent, addressed the delegates a. . welcomes were given by Dr. Clavtr Switzer, Deputy Minister‘ ‘ Agriculture and Food and Univer ty President Dr. Douglas Wrig- Ken Knox, Director of the Rb: Organizations and Services Braii also addressed the women and Jo Canning and Chuck Jacobs of l ROS Branch spoke to the participa: on communications. On Wednesday evening, Waterlt Oxford District Secondary Scht presented Patience Operetta. discusses ti point with Alice Juil' of Friendly Corner W! in Norwich.