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Writing PRO rogorts (an be daunting Thinking about why you are writing a report can make a good report even better By Carol Helfenstein It is time to write another report for your local paper and you find the chore,just that. a chore! Or have you just put down your pen. read over your hour-long effort and think it is boring? Remember, think about why you are writing the article - to educate, to inform and to motivate readers to remain and become interested in WI. Read and consider the two sample arti- cles below. Sample Article 1: Hilltop WI Branch holds October meeting The Hilltop WI Branch October meeting. held at the Community Centre, was opened with the Mary Stewart Collect and the Ode. There were 23 members in atten- dance and one guest. President Jean Muir reviewed new business andjobs were as- signed for the December fair. Members collected Pennies for Friend- ship and the roll call was "A picture of a building in the community. past or pre- sent" for the history books. All 23 members had interesting roll calls. Jean Martin provided some good entertain~ ment. Gert Coffey reported on the agricultural project. The Tweedsmuir Books and many fine scrapbooks were on display and everyone enjoyed looking at them, A President Jean Muir reported to the Hill- top members that the rally at Canyon was as busy as ever and there were many re» ports given. Canyon Kinettes were in charge of catering, Dana Hollands and Dot Brown served the lunch after the meeting. The next meeting will be held on November 17 and the guest speaker will be Bill Bird. l0 Home 8. Country, Winter 1999-2000 Sample Article 2: Good humour and laughter - order of the day at Hilltop WI meeting Members of Hilltop WI and their visitors arrived at the Pine River Community Centre on October lldelighted to be back together. This sense of fun and fellowship continued throughout the evening that focused on the WI annual project of reâ€" cording the history of the community through Tweedsmuir History Books. The History Books go back to 192] when the Branch was first formed. Many local his- torians have referred to them for details of the community‘s past. Old photos and news articles are always welcome. President Jean Muir reviewed her im- pressions of the annual Bright County Area meeting in Canyon earlier in the month. With good spirits Jean included some wonderful jokes told at the Annual Meeting and 'hammed' her way through her report. never missing an item to be passed on for future consideration. Presi- dent Muir included details of members support of the Phonebusters information meeting about telemarketing fraud to be held in The Valley on October 22 at the Legion Hall. A crowd of over 100 is anâ€" ticipated and people can still phone for details at 282-0202. Members browsed through the excellent collection of Tweedsmuir Books and private scrapbooks, reminders of their community‘s colourful past. Many interâ€" esting photos of the past year were added - pictures of the fire at the Community Centre and family photos of original homes and barns. A rare photo ofthe 1856 log schoolhouse on the 4th concession was donated by Beth Glass. The November 17 meeting is at 9:30 am. at the Community Centre. The guest speaker will be Bill Bird. an emu breeder living near St. Johns. The WI welcomes new members to en- joy the fun and fellowship and the opportunity for personal growth and community action. Joan Walters. the Membership Chair in the Hilltop area. can be reached at 519-371-4234. Points to consider when writing your PRO report: Good titles set the tone. I The title of Article 2 offers more incenâ€" tive to read on; the reason why you have a title. I This title also has a kicker - Women’s Institute â€" not all work! - to “kick” people into reading on. A kicker is often in bold italics and the font size is smaller than the main title. On to the body ol your article! I Opening paragraphs are important be- cause 50 per cent of people do not read past them. I Remember the words “motivation to read on" as you read over these openâ€" ing paragraphs. I Which of the samples has an opening paragraph that encourages you to con- tinue reading? I Which paints apicture and gives you a sense of having been there? I Are readers somewhat curious about the Branch? I Which article had paragraphs that kep. to the topic revealed in the title? I Which article gave readers informa- tion that might be pertinent to them (rather than just pertinent to 3 WI member)? I Which article told readers a little more about being 3 WI member? Could readers share something from these paragraphs with someone else? PRO Reports keep Women's Institute deeds. projects and purpose before the public. This is how to recruit new mem- bers month after month. Never lose sight ofthis Opportunity. Always include acon- tact name and a phone number. Offer to take a potential new member to your next meeting. Remember. let the principles and ideals of the Women‘s Institute shine through in every report you write. Carol Hellenrtein is the Public Relations Coordinator {or the Federated Women '5 Institutes ofOntario. She can be reached at RR 1. Kincardine ON NZZ 2X3 Phone: 519-395-0559, Fax: 519- 395-0459, Erna. caliy@hurontel.on.ra