Home & Country Newsletters (Stoney Creek, ON), October, November, December 1991, p. 13

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Lump size and screening efficiency Average size lump found by women untrained in Breast Self Examination O (555). Average size lump found by women practicing occasional BSE. Average size lump found by women practicing regular ESE. 0 Average size lump found by first mamâ€" mugrzzm. 0 Average size lump found by regular mammograms. Source: Milner-Fenwiclr Ina. Timonium, MD- k The anatomy of a resolution By Ruth Hunt "It ’3 just too much trouble! ” "Of course, our members feel strongly about that issue,- somebody has to do something. ” "Who wants to work at a resolution and see it shot down in flames atArea Can- vention? " “It all takes up too much time at Con- vention, while people go on nit-picking over wording. ” Have you heard it all before? But, you can’t tell the Northgate Women’s In- stitute Branch in Mount Forest that resolutions are not worthwhile. This Branch is pleased that their resolution calling for the legalization of the living will has gone on to influence Ontario law. Take heart Women's Institute mem» bers. You can do it too. Our experience may give you some how-toâ€"go-about-it hints. First, you must choose an issue that affects your members closely. For us it was the legalization of the living will. Every human being has to face death, and rural women are all too familiar with the birth and death cycle on their farms. They are realistic. No one would prolong the act of dying for an animal. Nor do they want to see loved ones kept alive by medical genius past the time when there is any reasonable hope of recovery. For far too long this subject has been taboo. But we had a ready- made document - the living will â€" originating with the Dying with Dignity organization. Secondly, seek allies for your resolu- tion. In our case, the Dying with Dignity group gave us literature, expert advice, and help in framing the resolution, ap- pearing on television, undertaking phoneâ€"in interviews, and enlisting sup- port in the legislature. Also, if you can, get endorsements for your resolution. The Bruce Presbytery of the United Church voted to support our resolution. Our local newspaper, the Mount Forest Confederate, gave us inâ€" valuable support. And, we must thank all the Women’s Institute members who wrote letters to the Attorney-General, Minister of Health, and their local MPPs. Thirdly, keep it simple. Present your resolution to your Area Convention with lots of newspaper or magazine ar- ticles, news reports, and letters, which will all be forwarded to the FWIO Resolutions Convenor and Committee, and eventually to the FWIO Executive and Board of Directors. Be prepared for criticism; and, ifpos- sible, answer to the criticisms at your first presentation of the resolution. What made the difference for the Northgate Women's Institute was a strong Chairman. Our Area Resolutions Convenor,Dianne Orr,simply wouldn’t let the discussion get out of hand. And especially on such a sensitive issue, there were some who wanted to go off on a tangent. But when a questioner mentioned "euthanasia" or "assisted suicide," the Chairman firmly stated that those issues were not under discus- sion, and held the questioning to the matter at hand. Hats off to the mechanics of the Women’s Institute resolutions process. It ensures that every Branch has a chance to debate the resolution before it is presented at Area Convention. And it ensures that every voting delegate comes to the Convention knowing what her Branch wants. However, we have found that it is best to keep checking. Lastly, if the Provincial Executive and Board adopts your resolution, they takeitfromthereJoan Law,our Provin- cial Resolutions Convenor, kept on working through a change of govern- ment, and on the re-wording ofthe Bill and her statement to the Justice Com- mittee. Remember, don't give up. Two years ago when the Bill went to the Committee of the Whole, we were ready to accept defeat. But now, it looks as if the Living Will is to become law under a larger Health Act. As for Northgate Women's Institute, they are busy preparing their next resolution on changes to the Young Ofâ€" fenders Act~ Ruth H um is the Resolution: C onvenor for the Northgote Women '.r Institute. H 8L C October, Navember. Dcmmber 1991 13

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