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FWIO 1993 Annual Meeting he Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) met for their annual meeting from November 23â€"26, 1993, in Guelph. After the presentation of the flag and singing of O‘Canada, there was a moment of silence for four recently deceased prominent WI members in recognition of their leadership, dedication and guidance: Anna P. (Lewis) Ewen, Director of the Women‘s Institute Branch and Home Eco- nomics Service, 194555; and former provincial Presidents. Pearl Holmes, 1942- 44, Mary Trivers, 1963-65, and Florence (Diamond) Bean, 1978-80, Some of the highlights from the three- day agenda included the following: Deputy Minister of Agriculture Lunch guest Rita Burak, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, spoke to the group about how the Women's Institute and the Minisv try of Agriculture and Food “have an awful lot in common." Changes in the economy and society and the agricultural food indus try, she explained, have forced us both to reâ€"examine our roles in the rural commu- nity. As organizations, she continued, we have developed strategic plans to help us realize our goals. “We have pulled people together, asked them to talk amongst themâ€" selves, and to discuss what needs to be done to achieve our vision," The Deputy Minister concluded by stating that she sympathized with both organizations for the growing pains they would experience in the future. New Branch CO-ordlnator In 1993. three new Branches were formed: North Shore, Trent Valley Area; Westside. Kingston Area; and, Oswego Friendship. Hamilton Area. The provincial New Branch Co-ordinator, Hilde Morden, reported that ten New Branch Organizers met at Crieff from November 2-4, 1993, The focus of the workshop was on “Mar- keting Our Organization," Their discussions concluded that the fol- lowing actions would be most effective in marketing: extending personal invitations Pictured above is the FWIO Executive, Standing from left to right are Margaret Atkins « Public Relations Officer, Lorna McGrath - Western Regional ch~Presrdent Anna Jackson â€" Executive Secretary, Glenna Smith - Program Co-ordinator, and Doreen McMillan - Northern Regional Vice/President Seated in the front row are Mary Harris - President Elect (left), Donna Hussett - President {centre}, and Mary Ebene - Past President (right), to meetings; maintaining flexibility for meeting times, locations and programs; selling the Women’ 5 Institute organization through its newsletter, Home & Country; and, inviting New Branch Organizers to speak at events to further promote the WI. Centennial teas Dry Book The Centennial Book Committee re- ported that more than 1700 books have been preordered. Dr. Linda Ambrose, Re- searcher/Writer, was excited about the more than 520 responses to the Branch surveys. She has been working on the pro posed appendix to the book, which will list all the Branches which have ever existed in Ontario. She hopes to fill in the gaps in this appendix by working with the District Tweedsmuir Curators. On October 16, 1993, Dr. Ambrose preâ€" sented a paper on the WI to the Ontario Women's History Network at their confer- ence “Women Overcoming Obstacles," held in Guelph as part of the Women's History Month Celebrations Public Relations Report From the Area reports, the PRO for the FWIO, Margaret Atkins, summarized that WI members volunteered nearly 750,000 hours to various causes, Each member vol~ unteered an average of 46.3 hours. In her report she encourged everyone to publicize the WI in the following ways promote by word of mouth; place signs at village entrances; create a video; wear your badges; carry your blue bag: conduct Cur- rent and educational meetings; and. stand up and be counted as a WI member. A. “an; r » Wally Knapp was pleased to report that 14,513 members were listed in the data bank, and only 57 Branches have not yet reported It is the first time ever that a list of Ontario WI members has been estabâ€" lished. He also reported that, on average. 100 questionnaires a day were being re turned to the office. About 35 per cent of them have cheques enclosed. and the head- quarters fund is growing daily. Wally has begun to make contacts and appointments with the corporate sector. Sincere Thanks The FWIO Executive extends a heartfelt thanks to all those who purchased Christ- mas omaments. A total of 2700 ornaments were sold and. after expenses, a donation of $3400 was added to the Headquarters Fund. Home a Country, Spnng‘QA 5