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Women Involved By Carol Helfenstein The winter |999-2000 issue of Home mid Country includes an excellent pro- gram guide (see pages 8 and 9) for Branch Education Coordinators on the chosen theme â€" "The New Millennium." indeed. it is the intent ol‘the Editorial Committee to make such a guide an annual feature. Tied tothese programs is the challenge for Branch Public Relations Officers (PRO) to promote the individual programs and the year as a whole. I recommend that PRUs attend the program planning meetings to pick up on the enthusiasm members have for their chosen topics. ’i'hat enthusiasm will then be reflected in the proiiiotionai material developed That is the challenge for every PRO! Here are some ideas for PROS: i. As soon as the annual program is set. create a press release that lists the topics. and the convenors and their phone numbers. Make the press release as concise as you can. lie sure to include the vision statement that rellects your Branch. a warm Itt\'i- tatlon for guests to Join your Branch meetings and the day. time and loca- tion ol all meetings. It “'1'”ng a press iclcitsc is not your strength. make. it a lull“ el'l'ort \\'tilt a couple oi'ollter ltlL‘ll‘l- hers. Send the press release to your local weekly and weekender paper. or tho and TV stations (Attention: Farm lztlitorl and cable company. t4 . l'akc lime to inch With the media, Ask it they can regularly announce your monthly iiieetiup and print yotir press releases. By talking to them personally and showing your helicl' in WI and your enthusiasm for Branch programs, you may get their support. They may even consider sending a reporter to cover a progt‘tttlt. 6 Home 8. Country, Spring 2000 3. Be sure to find time in your conversa- tion with the media to tell them about some of the long-time members Who have given so much to your Branch. The Grandmother‘s Legacy may be of special interest. And don't forget to tell them about your newest member and why she joined. 4. Have the "techie" in your Branch create some computer-designed posters that list your program topics, the convenors and their telephone numbers, include a clean version of the FWIO logo (available from the Provincial Office), a location map and even the vision statement that best describes your Branch. Turn this poster into a bro» chure. print 200 and pass them out anywhere and everywhere! 5. Here is a new idea! Phone your municiâ€" pal office and ask that your program. including meeting dates and times. a vision statement and a location map. be posted on the municipality‘s webpage. include a photo of your members and their names. This will add human in- (ETCSI. . Go one step further. Maybe someone in your Branch who enjoys computers could develop a webpage for your group. Then have it linked to your mu- nicipal and county webpage and to the INVIO \vebpage. 7, Make one meeting during your year a public interest evening. Invite [\vo members from each and every organi» Iatton in your community. Ask them to bring brochures about their organiza- tion to share. Make sure your meeting is conCIse and well run, Watch the clock! Print special programs for your guests for the evening. including the Ode and Mary Stewan Collect. so eve- ryone can join in! Organize a special social time alter the meeting, Award “Appreciation Certifiâ€" cates" to people and/or organizations who have been supportive of WI. or because they have made a special differ- ence in your community. 8. Develop a community-based calendar for the year 2001 that includes the pro» gram ideas and dates for WI. Your members with computers can help. Each month could representone family in your Branch. or maybe special buildings or scenes. all the kids in your community at play. or the oldest meni- bers of your community. Be creative! Sell them back to your community and buy a second hand computer for your Branch so members can learn com» puter skills and join the computer age. Use your Branch computer to commu» nicate (email) with schools in our for northland, remote villages. kids locally who need more "family." or seniors living with family or in retirement homes who no longer get to meeting Make this computer available to W members who want to practice. Make 2000-200l a banner year for pro- gramming and publicity. Step right out! Come "Sud the Well" Take a trip on your computer, Visit the FWIO website at www.fwio.on.ca Needed - New Friends! The database | initiated some time ago is growing, and with this kind of linkage Women's Institute members will be able to talk to each other across the province and around the world. Join today and become part of an FWIO network to share ideas. information, success stories, and more! To join this network, send your name, email address, positions within WI. and your Region, Area, Subdivision and District infor- mation to cally@hurontel.on.ca I look forward to your enthusiasm and input! Carol Helfensrein is the Public Relations Officer for the Federated Women‘s Institute; of Ontario, She can be reached at RR 1, Kincardine ON N22 2X3. Phone 519-395-0559. Fax‘ 519-395-0499, Erna! ealfy®hulontel on ca