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BRANCHING OUT Make May Membership Month! ake May Membership Month I. More members make merrier meetings. “If it is to be. it’s up to me." This means you, too. Each Women's Institute member is responsible for the future success of the organization. Do something positive now. Start a membership blitz. Our challenge is to gain one new member per member. Where do you start? Prepare your invi- tation (or brochure). Visit a stationery store. Examine party invitations. Note the fill in the blank spaces, This is the model for your Women‘s Institute Meeting invi- tation. Plan to tell the recipient when and where the meeting is, the topic, who to contact and how to do so. For example: My Home Town Women’s Institute Branch invites you to come to our regular meeting at I. M, A. Artist‘s at 10 Back Rd, on Friday, March 13. 1998. at 6:30 pm. for dessert and coffee. Ms. 1, M, A, Grabber will speak on keeping your children safe. For more in- formation and a ride contact I. M. A. Driver at (519)987â€"6543. You should include a brief list of pro jects your Institute undertakes. For example: Our WI caters to the senior‘s dinner each spring. This allows us to give to the local food bank. disaster victims. new brides or babies and support other local projects. It is also advisable to inâ€" in action. Plan your membership blitz today! Finally, some words from Milo O. Frank's book How to Get Your Point Across in 30 Seconds or Less: v Katch 'em - Grab the person's attention as you lead into your objective of getting new members. - Keep ’em â€" Explain your subject concisely. Answer what, who, where, when, why and how. - Konvince 'ern - Persuade the person to attend your meeting so that they may see your Institute t I say, Get Kracking - Start now! Get prepared! clude a short summary of the history and objectives of the Women's Institute. Seek out someone who has a computer with a program that designs cards. This gives someone a chance to do their com- munity service; and it could be your grandchild. Your WI provides the paper and the information. The volunteer does the artwork and the typing. Don’t forget the blanks to fill in the date, time, place. topic and contact name and number. Next, take a walk and deliver these to your neighbours. May is a lovely time to be outdoors. Visit your friends and family who live within driving distance. This means your daughters and daughters-in» law. Where are these people? Why are they not already in Institute circles? Ask yoursisters. yourmothers and yourgrand- daughters and all your in-laws. Ask new Canadians and single women. Ask your husbands! Allow time for a short visit. answer questions and do a little persuading. Be diplomatic so you may approach them next month. Ask again and again. You need to assess the needs ofpotential members. Decide if your Branch can change enough to meet their needs while still fulfilling the needs of current mem- bers. It is a balancing act. Do your best. Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is. That is how you will acquire new members as well. Lorna McGrath is the Membership Coordinator for the Federated Women‘s Institutes of Ontario. She can he reached at RR 1, Elmvale ON LOL 1P0. Phone: (705)322-1320, Fax: (705)3212761, Anniversaries: Sunny Brooke WI, Lambton Centre. . 15 Barclay WI. Kenora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Mosborough WI. Wellington South . 50 Tec-Weâ€"Gwill, Simcoe South . . . . . . . 50 Tralee WI, Perth North . . . . . . . . . . 50 lakeview WI, Victoria East . . . . . 60 Britton WI, Perth North . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Salem WI, Dufferin South . . . . . . . . . 70 Bewie WI. Bruce South . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Life Memberships: Baltimore WI. Northumberiand West: - Edith Hie - Shirley Linton - Marion Sherwin McDonalds Corners, Lanark South - Bea Dunlop Mosborough WI, Wellington South ~ Elsie Isobel Harris - Eileen Margaret Steffler Certificates of Merit: McDonald: Corners WI, Lanark South â€" Marie Aylen Wellman's WI, Hastings North » Grace Morton Zion Wl Supports Neighbourhood Watch As a special project for Safe and Healthy Communities the Zion Women’s Institute, Grey Centre District, donated five Neighbourhood Watch Signs to Glens/g Township. Zion WI member Leona Stabbing: presented the cheque to purchase the signs to Reeve George Schafer. Submitted by Jean Anderson. Secretary-Treasurer, Zion W1. Grey Centre. Home 8. Country, Spring '98 7