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Here’s some advice on By Carol Stewart-Kirkby lu llIL‘ last mun of Homr & Country. there was an article about Literal thinking (Hats off to this idea! p.8l. It talked about llNlltg tlittt-rcut stays. ot thinking about a problem in order to reach .1 solution. One of the most common problem» facing organizations in the 1980's is declining membership and the need to recruit new members. Here tire some ldéflx on hou to tackle those problems from noun-u .tcross the prouncc. \E“ In \DEI-I WOMEN‘S INSTITUTE \cu Dundee boash the second largest number of tneutben lit a \\l branch in Ontario â€" 7t. President Gladys Crchl‘lldii said. “It‘s wonderful the way the branch is grow- ing.“ Slut suggested the members of New Dundee are not .itrtutl Ul change and the} enjoy working together as a team. "\\L'tlrc';lf1lnsttlttlc of [987. not an institute of the 1950’s.” \lit.‘ nddcd. The \\l branch is the only group for women in the LDITllIllllilI} ol' Ncu Dundee, so the axerage attendance at meetings is in. "I think uc offer an interesting program. Not mil) do the- “omen learn something each time they Lomc tt1 ti meeting. but we also have fun," said Mrs. ('rcntuuu. ‘f . .Not only do the women learn something each time they come to a meeting, but we also have fun. . .” Gladys Cressman The branch is getting new members all the time. and some ol them younger women. "A lot of people come as guests or members for the first couple of meetings. and then they become members.“ Mrs. Cressman explained. She said talking lthout WI and its activities and programs (word- otimouth). is one of the most successful ways of attraca ting tic“ members. Mrs ('rcssman said the WI members are not afraid of going out and asking for the speakers or special programs they want. For instance, at a recent meeting, Ontario NIlnlxlcr of Community and Social Services John Sweeney uas the guest speaker. “It was just a matter of asking a year in advance,“ explained Mrs. Cressman. A positive attitude about W1 is also a helpful tool when trying to recruit new members. “I don‘t mind talking about 1n>tlltllC. It's something I know about and really enjoy.” said Mrs. Cresstnun. \‘l INCHESTER WOMEN‘S INSTITUTE Edna Trory. secretary of Winchester WI. said the branch has gone from 49 to 79 members in the last couple of years. She believes this is due to farm people coming to town upon retirement and then joining W1. 6 H & C' April, May. June 1987 However, the branch does its share of advortising to attract new members. Rather than focus on what happened at the meeting the branch just had in the newspaper reports, the branch announces what is going to happen at the next meeting. “We always make sure members of the community know they are invited to attend our meetings,” said Mrs. Tro ry. And those meetings cover topics from public speaking to the Atlantic fishing industry to a panel of immigrants talking about their experiences. Also. Mrs. Trory explained, the branch is known for its trips â€" some oneâ€"day excursions, others longer -â€" to all parts of Ontario. She feels they attract some members Like New Dundee, the members of Winchester 21 'e encouraged to bring guests to their meetings. and in some instances the daughters of members become interested in joining. NORTH GREY JUNIOR WOMEN’S INSTITUTE Three years ago, North Grey JWI had a membership drive, President Marg Benedict said word-ofâ€"mouth seem-:d to be the most successful method then and continues '0 be today. The branch has 32 members and is “very, very active? according to Mrs. Benedict. She believes having a high profile in the community is one way of attracting ne t members. ‘People see what we are doing, become interestci and join," she explained. Also, the branch has press coverage of its meetings ear '1 month. BROOKSDALE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE Cathy Morris, secretary of Brooksdale WI, describes her branch as “young thinking”. Like New Dundee, MYS- Morris said the members of Brooksdale are willing IO change with the times. “We have a fairly young membership. The members are friendly and helpful. I feel that we have a good network established within the branch.” said Mrs. Morris. Brooksdale has always been a very active branch and involved in the local community. “We have a fairly high