HOME AND COUNTRY Publilhcd quarterly by The Federated \Vomon'u Institute: ui Ontario and The Insiitutu Branch Department oI Agricuiture Ontario Em'muul‘. COMMITTEE: Mrs. '1‘. J, McDuu-all. Min-man. Miss M. v. Powell, \Vniiby. Miss Mary A, Clarke, Toroniu. MEMBERS or PBOVINDIAL BOARD: 1938789 Honorary Provident: Her Excellency The Lady Tlvoedsmnlr. Honorary VicerPfuidrnt: )Iiss Mury A. Clarke. anuum. President: Mrs. r. .7. McDowell, Milvcrton. Vic-i Pro-widen“: Mrs. s. 13. Mask, Lunanburg. Mrs. A. W. Brandon, JUL 6, Quit. Mrs. Thomas Rosier, Sehrieber. Dinclnn im Hie Executive.- Mrs. w. J. Reynolds, Frunkville, Mrs. dnml's Gui-don. Boavorlori. Mrs, D. D. Guulou, slmcoe. Mrs. L. G. Crazier. Wulkariun. Mrs. Dun Maura, New Linkeard. Dinctara: Mrs. D. Poncl’. North Gowur. Mrs, r. b. Nir . Mndoc. nâ€. unrm-i Shields, Ida. Mrs. willirim Lemon, RJL Np. 1, Enludnvu. Mn. .7. H. McOufloch, RJt. ho. a, Brnmpmn. Mrs. J. 1). Stewart, Thoruinn. Mics Isabelle Young. St. Marys. Mrs. J. R. hianchlili, Kingsvlila. Mrs. A. r mr, inc No. i. llderton. Mrs. L. s. Eilcr. Falconbridgs. Mrs. W. Hilliard, Kugmang. Mrs. E. L. Cni'iur, Konorn. Secrzlaru-Timuunr: Mrs. W. B. Lesdrurduiu, Coldwnlur, Cnncapondcnca should be Addrcosed in "HOME umi COUNTRY" Tho \Volnen’u Institute Branch Purllmlient Buildings, Toranio This paper is distributed through llio Econ- inries of Women’s Institutes lo rho \Vomen'l inniium muruimu. EDITORIAL COMMENT “THE PUMPKIN CROP" May we take this opportunity to congratulate each of the newly elected ofï¬cers and convench of standing committees of the W omen’s Institutes of Ontario. We congratulate you on having been chosen from your Insti- tute or District to ï¬ll such a position of responsibility. The members will look to you foi- both inspiration and practical assistance; they will look to you to direct the activities of the Inâ€" stitutcs in such a way tllat they will grow in membership and influence. To realize that much of the progress of your Institute or District depends on you is a real challenge. However, those members of the Inâ€" stitutes who are not in oflice are equally important for the success of the Institute. As a chain is no stron- ger than its weakest link, an Institute is no stronger than its individual members. At a District Annual meet- ing Mrs. McLachlin, the Board Dir- ector for Subdivision 13, told this story to emphasize the importance of every member:~Thrcc years ago at the Conference of the Associated Country Woman of the World in Washington, at the moment when a delegate from the Middle Western States came to the platform to speak, she was handed a telegram. Everyâ€" one in the audience felt very conâ€" cerned On opening the telegram, winch had come from her husband, she read, “Vi’here did you put the pumpkin seeds?" As Mrs. McLach- lln said, “The whole pumpkin crop of that farm was dependent on that one woman; the whole pumpkin crop of your Institute may depend on you." Fine co-operation and mutual sup- port between ofliccrs and members has been characteristic of those Insti» tutcs which have functioned harmoni- ously and effectively in the past. Such ii spirit can not fail to achieve similar results in the future. HOME AND COUNTRY QUESTIONS OFTEN ASKED Under this heading we are plan- ning, to include ili each issue of "Home and Country"‘ for a time, answers to questions frequently asked by oihcei's or Institute members. The ï¬rst one we shall consider is the Duties of Special Committees other than the Standing, Committee. I 1. When and Why are Committees Formed? Committees are established to carry out special lines of work, for example, to plan a party, to investigate pos- sible purchases, to plan the pro- gramme. _ These committees serve to relieve ihc President and the executive of duties since they already have many responsibilities. At the some time, they give a share in the activities oi the Institute to a larger number of members. 2. Who Should Serve on 8 Coin- mittcc'! Pass the honours around. Any member elected or appointed by the Institute, or by a group authorized to make the appointment, may servc oil a committee. _ Sometimes members have abilities which ï¬t them for special committees as in the case of a musician for the music committee, or a person \vith artistic talents for the decorating committee. Do not overwork a few members. It is surprising how often working on a committee discloses unexpected leadership or executive ability in members. It is excellent preparation for future oflicers. It is a good idea to include a new member on a committee for it gives her the feeling that now she really belongs to the Institute and that she is needed there. It is well known that the greater the number of actively working mem- bers any organization has, the strong- er is that organization. ‘ 3. Should the Institute President Serve on a Committee? > By virtue of her ofï¬ce, the Fresh dent is “ex olï¬cio†a member of every committee. She should be notiï¬ed of all committee meetings by the con- venei' and informed at once of all activities of the committee. But the President should not be expected to call the committee meetings or to take the initiative in these. This is the t of the convcner who is resin“!- (sliidi; for the work of the committee. 4. Who Should be Convener? Unless otherwise stated, it is taken for granted that the ï¬rst person named to serve on the committee Will be the Convener. 5. What Are the Duties of 3 Con- vener? _ I To arrange committee meetings. To check the work of the committee. To present the report of the com- mittee to the organization. 6. How Many Members Shall Be on a Committee '.’ Keep the committee small. Three or live is a good number. With a small committee, meetings are more easily arranged and a decisron is more quickly made. I For large undertakings, such as a special party, it may be desirable to have a general committee composed of the convcners of several small sub- committees; for example, tickets, music and other entertainment, decor- ations, refreshments, etc. The memâ€" bei's of the general committee will then consult with each other to co- ordinate thc work of the sub-commit- tees to secure unity of purpose. 7. What Are the Duties of a Com- mittee? Thc'Sc depend on the purpose for which the Committee is organized: It is important that when any committee is appointed, the members should know exactly (1) what their responsi- bilities are, (2) what authority they have, t is, how far they may pro- ceed vithout the ratiï¬cation of the executive or Institute, (3) any limit- ing factors, for example, price of tickets or purchase price of articles, [4) how long they are to act. 8. Should a Committee Handle Money? In some cases the committee must handle money, for example, the coinâ€" inittee selling tickets. A careful re- cord of this should he kept and the money turned in to the Institute sec- retary-treasurer as soon as possible with a statement It is much better for the Institute secretary-treasurer to deposit all money and to pay all bills. For methods of presenting reports of committees see page 25 of the Women's Institute Hand Book. (Continued from page 1, col. 3) Election of Ofï¬cers Nominating committees continued to function in nlany districts to faciliv tate the election of ofï¬cers. In most cases these committees met well in advance of the meeting, had assured themselves that the candidates named would stand for ofï¬ce and had a ï¬ne slate of ofï¬cers to present. This method may have one disadvantageâ€" that. members may not feel so free to name from the floor other candid- ates for election. There need be no hesitation about doing this, so long as the mover knows that the candidate will allow her name to stand. Institute Activities These continue to be many and varied. Interest in historical research is very active in some districts. For example, Leeds South Institutes, in- spired by Her Excellency the Lady Tweedsmuir who told them of the Village Books kept in certain rural communities of England, have begun the compilation of records of pioneer history of the community. These re- cords have been typed and put into book form. The Public School In- spector, speaking at the annual moct~ lng said, "Almost inostimable in its value is this piece of work done by the women of the district." The West Huron district has decided to publish a history of its Institutes. . Interest in drama contests is keen in Eastern On‘arin. 0_n St. Joseph’s Island Health Eduâ€" cation is cmphasized. The Institutes are investigating methods of securing medical and dental services. In Lincoln County a campaign for the preservation of Ontario wild flowr ers is being sponsored by talks to school children and other groups. Carleton County Institutes are very 'actively engaged in home beautiï¬ca- ion. These are but a few of the interests and illustrative of many others. The fact that a big income does not mean a successful Institute was very evident. Institutes that had not car- ried on a strong educational pro- gramme and were losing the interest of members, as well as losing mem- bershipkrepmtcd large sums raised for charities. Some of these Institutes are in danger of dishanding. On the other hand, those Institutes that were holding the interest of the members were not directin too in Y to raising funds. g “Ch energ) Personal Glimpses In Cochrane district some dcl had to travel 120 miles to attci‘iï¬afii: meeting: Increased activity and good leadership in this district were indi- cated by the organization of six new InXitugeildurinc the last year i s ri mg exam 1 i‘ .- ' the district meetincpuiasffulr‘iiiesheesd a member in East Kent who bicycled 13 miles on a hot day to attend. ‘ An Institute member in Algoma expressed her appreciation of the In- i in! stitute classes in rug maki of whole wheat, stating this? taii‘edvuhssfl Zilséstneid her to earn $40.00 from the _ rugs and $15.00 fi- v wheat bread and rolls to tolflfillstzhOIB Smmer. 1939 ONTARIO INSTITUTES SEND GREETINGS T0 HER MAJESTY As mentioned in the last iss the Home and Country, the incliiiicisf of the Women’s Institutes of Ontario were honoured by being given permis- sion to present in eating to Her Majesty. Queen Eliza 9th. on her ï¬rs, visit to Ontario. The greeting u,“ beautiful in its dignity. Simplicity and perfection of workmanship. The white leather cover had as its unly adornment a gold. crown embossed on the front upper right corner. Inside this cover was a double sheet of gold leaf paper. The greeting was printed by hand on folded pages of poi-chine,“ in Old Engish black lettering, with blue capitals on a gold hackgmum] The ï¬rst page featured the crcsi oi the VVomen’s Institutes of Ontario Each succeeding page had an attrac: tive conventionalized border of tril- liums in gold outlined with black. Ellie and gold were used throughout, as those are the Institute colours and the trillium was chosen beoause it is On. tario’s flower. The text of the great. ing follows:â€" Grcetings to Her Majesty Quccn Elizabeth from the Women"; Institutes of , Ontario We, the members of the “’Dll'lcii's Institutes of Ontario, beg to pre. sent our greetings on this, the occasion of Your Majesty's ï¬rst visit to Ontario. We know of Your Majesty’s in- forest in the Women’s Institutes throughout the Empire and Your Majesty’s active participation in the movement in Great Britain. It was in the Province of Ontario that the ï¬rst. Institute was found- ed at Stoney Creek in eighteen hundred and ninety-seven and the movement has grown steadily to its present membership of forty- two thousand. Our motto “For Home and Country†keeps our ideals ever before us and Your Majesty’s devotion to these ideals is a constant source of inspiration ind encouragement to every mcm» er. To His Majesty King George, to ‘Ypur Majesty and to Their Royal Highnesses the Princess Elizabeth and the Princess Margaret Rosa, we offer that age-old wish, "Long Life, Health and Prosperityâ€. Those Institute members who had the Joy of seeing the King and Queen, and those, who, although not fortuA nate enough to see Their Majesties, followed their tour by radio, the press and the ‘motion picture, will all be appreciative of the honour which was theirs in being able to pay this tri- hube to Their Majesties, and to join in welcoming the King and Queen of Canada to their own country. (Continued from col. 1, page 1) and “National and International Neighbourliness". This last g'l'nllr led into proï¬table discussion of trade pacts, and interdependence of nations. The aims of the Home Bureaus ll’l N_e\v York State are almost identical with those of the Women’s Institutes in Ontario. There are 32,000 Home Bureau members in the State. Leader- ship work in Home Economics is car- ried_ on through county agents and specialists employed by the extension department of the New York Stilt? College_ of Agriculture and Home Economics, Cornell University. The Programme of- study is planned by the State executive with the county agents, and is not discussed at the district meeting. Reports of activi- ties are not presented at this confer- ence, _but are mimeogmphed by the counties and sent to all units. The abounding hospitality, the keen and affectionate interest in Canadians and things Canadian, the eagerness tn _ ow how we strive to attain our 0i?- Jective, left one wishing for more fl"Kluent interchange of visits between co-workcrs across the line and Canada- (Coqtributed by Miss Powell, Women's Institute Br.)