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10 years old! The ROSE Program may have been developed in 1999 but the idea of educating women, and their communities is what WI has been about since Adelaide first spoke at the Farmers Institute Meeting in Stoney Creek in 1897. Creating a program with a name and a specific purpose has offered an easy,succinct way to describewhatFWIO does and offers to women. It also aIIOWS for an amazing opportunity for WI Members to reach out to their communities and continue making a difference Countless stories have appeared in local newspapers, increasing the awareness of WI right across the province, raising funds, recruiting Members and ofcourse building stronger communities. The ROSE Health Program started as an opportunity to provide vital health information (education: prevention 84 treatment) to women and their families living in rural communities in Ontario, the program has continued to grow over time. ROSE started with eight partnerships with key healthâ€"social service organizations that provided WI Members/Branches with a direct link to health information, programs, literature and support. Leadership Training Sessions were provided to approximately 800 WI Branch representatives to assist with implementing the program at the community level. Each Branch in the province was provided with a Planning Guide, promotional material and support to organize ROSE Sessions for their Members and communities. In 2003, FWIO launched an expansron of the popular ROSE Programwithfunding fromtheOntarioTriIlium Foundation. The two-year plan â€" the ROSES are Blooming Expansion Project - aimed to enhance and ensure the sustainability 0f the program. During this time, FWIO expanded the focus from health to include a variety of topics and eight additional partners. Leadership training sessions were facilitated and the "ROSES are Blooming" Forum was held in 2004. WI Members gained valuable tools like an updated "Planning Guide", a ROSE Garden newsletter. and promotional materials to encourage participation. These days, the ROSE Program has exceeded its original exPectations generating provinceâ€"wide interest with new partner requests, FWIO Branch involvement, and raised awareness of rural health and social issues . To date, over 1,000 ROSE Sessions have been held including topics like the environment, alternative health, farm safety. travel. cooking and much more! ROSE Program Manager Patty Pizziola is challenging all Branchesto get involved inthe ROSE Program in 2009 ROSE is not a makeawork project for you and your Members â€" in fact, many of your Branches are already doing something that would be considered a ROSE Sessron â€" you Simply need to report it back to the office. Even small Branches can get involved â€" invite another Branch close by to plan something in your area. or invite a local organization to partner With you. Planning tools and resources are available by contacting Patty at roseprogram©fwmon ca or 519â€"836â€"3078. lfyou have questions, ideas or are looking for support, please contact the ROSE Program 7 they are here to help. Stay tuned for more information on the 10th Anniversary ofthe ROSE Program. â€"_ A day in the life... Have you ever wondered what happens at the FWIO Provincial Office? Shirley Thaiss, Wanita Halliday, Joan Tuckey and Marilyn Herman are not wondering any more. These four WI Members from various parts of the province were invited to spend a day with FWIO staff to get an idea of the many things that keep staff busy throughout the day, Their day was broken down into segments in which the ladies were provided an opportunity to learn about each ofthe office positions. ask questions about that specificjob and observe staff in action. Of course, each and every day is different at FWIO, and as in any workplace there are busy clays, slower days and those days you don't want to talk about when you get home! Our guests have graciously offered to share their experiences with anyone who would like to know more about a day in the life ofthe FWIO Provincial Office Staff Shirley Thaiss A shirleythaiss@sympatico.ca Wanita Halliday â€" 5T9-363-2056 Joan Tuckey - j.n.tuci<ey@sympatico.ca or 519941â€"8997 Marilyn Herman ' 519â€"271-2232