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lEfiTHE TRENTONIAN. Friday, July 31,1987 auuivensanv CELEBRATION W'l convention stresses "community; [3 ' by RENA CUNNINGHAM Public Relations “Building for Tomorrow' ’ was the theme for the 90th Anniversary of the Women's ‘ Institutes of Ontario. To help mark this “occasion, over 1000 members of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario 1 (FWIC) attended a Provincial Convention in North Bay, Ontario. The ninety years of achievements were reviewed, but more importantly, the theme of the convention was enlarged upon with speakers, work- ‘ shops and a panel discussion. The Past Ninety years ago, Adelaide Hoodless j had a vision for an organization which would assist women in the efficient operation of their homes. Encouraged and aided by Eriand Lee and wife, Janet, she gave impetus to form the first Women’s Institute at Stoney Creek, Ontario on February 19, 1987. This organization. IS now known throughout many countries. From that one Branch, with 75 members. there was a rapid growth. Branches increased in numbers across Ontario. By 1900, three years later, there were 33 Branches and 1602 members. Rural women were eagerly seeking information about conditions that affected their homes and families. By 1904, there were 149 Branches and 5433 members. This growth continued. then spread to the remainder of Canada. in 1919 both the Federated Women’s , institutes of Ontario (FWIC) and the Federated Women’s institutes of Canada ‘ (FWIC) Were formed. By the zeal of Mrs. Alfred watt, a Canadian, who organized the first Women’s institute in England and WaleS. the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) was founded in 1933. The motto of the Women's Institute. For Home and Country, evolved into programs that met the needs of the women of rural communities and villages. They eagerly learned about sanitation and health; 1 nursing and home care; beautifying and decorating homes. Women‘s institute members developed leadership and self confidence, the ability to conduct meetings properly and to ‘ “8311120 events. They also learned to s It fluently and express their ideas creamy- They began to speak up about the i conditions that affected their homes and families. They formulated resolutions ‘to influence action regarding community concerns and social issues. COMIm-Inities thrivedl Homes were beautified. The emphasis on nutrition ‘ created new foods, new recipes, new food handling techniques related to sanitation and storage. Women were exchanging information, sharing ideas and meeting W031“ outside the home. They were 19mins and working together. As they travelled, they became more acumen ‘ about «soon, new materials and sewing methods and also interested in labour saving devices for their homes. What has been called the ”institute Spirit" evidenced itself throughout the Country- side of old Ontario. The Present The keynote speaker at the Convention was R. Alex Sim who recently completed research for his book, ”The New Rural Community". He urged the WI members to ask themselves, “Where are we going?” He also stressed the need to again identify a vision. “The rural community is a raft swept down a river of change", Sim said. “There is a lack of rapport, communication and neighbour interaction. Do you know who lives in those new homes on the concession? What are their concerns? What are their interests? Today’s community occupies the same space but has no power.” ‘ Mr. Sim challenged the W1 members to put community back into Ontario and to intensify their efforts to give leadership to the rural community, “This is a chance to renew old friend- ships, to make new ones, to communicate, to compare experience and to reinforce and revitalize our beliefs in our aims and objectives", stated Mrs. Margaret Munro, FWIO Provincial President, 'as she addressed the convention. “Our members may come in different sizes, shapes, colours and creeds with different opinions and from different localities but, we have at least two things in common. We are all active, enthusiastic, dedicated. interested members of the largest rural women’s organization 'in Canada, with an impressive history and a challenging future. We are all VIP â€" Vitally Important People â€" vital to our families, vital to our various communities, vital to our country and of course vital to the Women’s institute. Mrs. Munro challenged each member to “volunteer for an office at some level of the organization”: ”to knock on a few doors in the community and meet a new neighbour"; "to gain one new member in each Branch by the end of 1987”. “The mind is like a parachute, it only functions when it‘s open", explained Rosalie Wysocki, a leader in the field of personal development and one of Canada’s foremost speakers on the subject. Relating to the topic ‘Managing Change Positively’, she stressed that a positive mental attitude is a priority for continued success and growth. Success is 15% technical training and 85% personal development. “it's your attitude not your aptitude that determines the altitude you reach in life." Each member was challenged to develop personally by setting two significant goals in her life each year. then take inventory on her birthday. Always remember that you have failures to achieve success. FWIC President, Mrs. Beatrice Reel es fmm P.E.1. explained how she survived :ie Cultural shock of moving from a large (fly to a rural setting. “The WI reached out and made me part of the community." The Future Throughout the past year, “free trade seminars” have been organized by the WI in every province and the results compiled inio‘ a brief. ' I In June 1988, the FWIC Triennium Convention will be held in St. John’s Newfoundland. At that time agriculture and public relations will have priority under the theme, “Shaping Out Tomorrows Today”. FWIO international Scholarship, established in 1962, is used to train young w0men from under-developed countries so that they may return and teach their own people. Members had the opportunity to meet the recent recipient, Libbylu Allen fromJamaica, when she told of her work in that country. Under the Jamaican Federation of Women, Libbyiu co- ordinates early childhood education in 76 basic community schools with emphasis on sanitation, ‘ nutrition, teaching tips and motivation by example. FWiO supports Libbylu with a year’s salary of $2000 and also provides $1500 for an assistant’s salary. Reflections and Visions comprised of skits, songs, poems and fashions provided an evening of entertainment and celebration and allowed the members to recall achievements and events of the organization through the decade. The speaker at the closing banquet was Dr. Ellen McLean, President 'of Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) from Eureka. N.S. The Ontario Women’s institutes are indeed proud that a Canadian WI member is serving her second three year term in this office. Dr. McLean urged the members to “look at the past, consider the present and prepare for the future. Everybody needs a bit of history to be conscious of the debt you owe to those who came before. This is a time of reflection, rejoicing and renewal. ” The women’s groups that form ACWW have different names in different countries, but, the nine million members in 66 countries are working and striving for the same thing â€" to improve the life of women and their families. Clean water sources; baby clinics; nutrition; sanitation and new latrines and many self help projects all lead towards this goal. The Women's institute at all times stress high standards in studies, projects, courses aimed at improving home and family life; in developing leadership and in serving the community. “By working together may thp'Women’s Institute continue to flourish and may our legacy be -a better world for future generations."