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| COVER _(DnZa nin en Womes. CpXL,â€" ‘ / 238 Torn between tradition and transition _ @ W ‘s Institute Poonrommmnnnnmmmmmmmemm in irirmmm smm mm mm mm s mmmmmiiz By Agn,es -Bf{ngers > person WI tries to form. Women‘s Editor Some argue the two organizations are completely different, and offer women something the other cannot. It is for that ‘ reason that people such as Lorna Campbell, Iiderton, chose he Federated Women‘s Institute of Ontario (FWIO), to join both the local WSA and WI, feeling she could conâ€" I grandmother of today‘s farm women‘s movement, is tribute and learn from both groups. Lorna‘s only complaint finding itself in a dilemma. Wedged between a supporâ€" is that the two organizations do not work well together. ' tive but declining membership, yet fighting the antiquated But it would prove a benefit to rural women as a group image of a slowâ€"acting, older women‘s coalition, WI has if they would take an existing organization and mold it into become torn between tradition and transition: struggling to something useful to themselves and their community, maintain the roots that please its loyal followers, yet fighting believes Bonnie Popoyv, Essex County. Rather than forming to present a young, contemporary image in hopes of bolsterâ€" a new grotip, she and women in her area did just that with ing its ranks. _ their local WI branch. For as one flagâ€"waving, true WIâ€"devotee put it, if the Bonnie reluctantly joined with WI after a friend coaxed her organization does not change to become more attractive to into it. Up until that time she had the image of WI members a younger membership, "‘it will surely die." as "‘greyâ€"haired old ladies."‘ A sad fate for a body which has seen itself survive through When she joined, Popov remembers the women at that _ | _ 88 years, expanding in that time from a lone Stoney Creek time were basically members who did nothing. But the Essex branch, to a national and international organization. In Onâ€" County farm woman took charge and now meetings include tario, W1 now boasts of about 25,600 members dispersed talks on Block Parenting, computers, and lectures by police across 1,150 branches throughout the province. officers. Popov and her friends brought the dying group from With that kind of membership already existing, it must a membership of six to 26, with an average age now in the have something to offer rural women. Fellowship, educaâ€" midâ€"30s. . . tion, and leadership training would be three quick answers WI‘members would offer. The results of involvement with +086 We WI, according to Rebecca Johnson, of the Thunder Bay area, & * ,”,« xh _ are the molding of leaders who have gone on to become e «in 0 heads of communities and politicians. \ . i 4 y We g,,g;'fi She points out the wellâ€"structured organization offers a nood.. \'*"‘ h '“ oA PSE filfl . _ teaching of parliamentary procedures considered "second shgt mt C‘ Ag 0 5o YÂ¥ l7 ‘ét to none."‘ Few would doubt this statement, but this particular p,y * ;,,‘,’ joge 9A C gold star for WI has turned out to be a detriment in retainâ€" â€"-fl "" h ut t P * w'-‘: c ‘ “ ing new, younger members, looking for an expedient method o f}' sw § s | to get their message through the organization and on to s 4‘»‘ 1:"; 1i iithee > / | _ government. foal $emt ;m; â€"â€" 0 k00 . Women who have turned to some of the newlyâ€"formed y 4h s $esd m . > farm women‘s organizations complain WI ties up its resoluâ€" xa §3 Friw: tions in a knotwork of detail and procedure, and they charge % e ""' Tikiw, .« f"‘fl « ; the WI is not considering agriculture to a great degree in its , 4 " 4* :" o 7 '~‘"J'lfi 3 A# resolutions and regular meetings. * Sadus lt Rjke& 7.} ; Donna Lunn and Suzanne Leach are both members of af ofi d § 9 ‘:{;‘ in s M Women for the Support of Agriculture groups, located in difâ€" *A % tuf x4 P, mebhiy e ferent counties. They say they are primarily interested in learâ€" sA c tC { x,"% sB alss . * ning about agriculture, and could not find this direct apâ€" wb .9 mg:,;,.'{\_,\‘:::,fii ¢ proach to farm issues with W1‘ x i; «;‘,Â¥;n ‘ w‘:\i.’ f Women‘s Institute members are generally not pleased with im ty g. Piik:: (52007 -Y: v‘}: these and other women‘s decisions to create new rural I 1?‘% 3 T ::q.é;-;t ;«:‘* _ organizations instead of using the existing one of WI to furâ€" nims! 5 J j [) "‘ uy * | _ ther their causes. Zrfi“ / tptitm. y PBuall ‘ Marcie Johnston, an executive member from Perth Counâ€" o mA iz 45 & *fl}' 4 *~:fi‘ A ty, reports the agriculture convenorship of WI is available Ef’ it ho _ IE;‘I"“A 260 N&!{f a ‘ _ as an avenue to learn more about the industry, and wishes BQ Ai es 5e § M farm women would turn to this group. She accuses the other ies â€" artiâ€" Sss n nadkg . organizations of involving women strictly in agricultural W.I. member, Marjorie Hedger, helps Elgin Manor (St. L issues, not allowing for the creation of the "wellâ€"rounded" Thomas) resident, Blanche Bogart. ' [ e Py F4 mm n rg ez gomrrrg it P g P i P d a snn z_2 soanat t Bs uh sn mt dha ud en n y n 2 e ng o ige i "p l 24 & <#.