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rite,Christmas is rapidly approaching. By the time ya this issue of Home and Country, the festive sea- e over. I hope that 1980 is a prosperous year for ‘ our family. , ear, I was happy to attend seven of the area can :; across the province and appreciated the very warm 1- I received from all of the convention committees. .f' tended the provincial board meetings daily, from tier 20th to 24th. THE YEAR OF THE W. I. provincial president has emulated the United and declared 1980 The Year of the W. I. in Ontario. on devote part of your program to a discussion of me, it is my sincere wish that you will remember a vorite expression of your co-foundcr, Mrs. Adelaide . ss: “WOMEN MUST LEARN NOT TO WASTE ,ON NON-ESSENTIALS“. An examination of the i which some of your operational procedures might mlined appears to be of prime importance. I am cer- any of you have some excellent suggestions to make v to reduce the amount of paperwork you do and ures you carry out, just to maintain the organization. I! like to suggest that you spend one meeting during or thinking of ways to lighten the load of all office . and then let your district and area presidents and cial board directors know your views. The constitu- ommittee will meet in 1980 to revise the handbook. r mbers, I know, will be delighted to receive your sug- ‘i 5. Now is an opportune time to make changes as you eas for change in the form of resolutions? fs well-known within FWIO that many of the really while, humane and maybe even exciting things, hap- t branch level. These are the events that make an or- tion strong and progressive. Unfortunately, only too -', they remain at the branch level, Therefore, 1 would ' u all to consider ways in which the wonderful work at branch level could be consolidated into meaningful cial programs. edless to say, it is essential to maintain and even in- 3 your membership in the years ahead and draw ger women into your circle. According to the 1978 I! figures, there are almost one million women between ges of 25 and 49 years living outside the metropolitan '. of Ontario. How many of this number have you re ed to your branch recently? To encourage new memâ€" to join your branch, 1980 7 the Year of the W, I., has 'I opened the door for a great revival of your organiza- |. Please renew your efforts, all of you, to speak with 'RY WEST W I, PEEL SOUTH DISTRICT celebrated 2' 50th Anniversary with sixty-five members and former r'bers gathered together with charter members, Mrs. r Graham, Mrs. Geo. Graham, Mrs. Grace Gray Anderson Mrs. J. R. McCracken. The thEme for the day e The .- R's, Recognition of the Living Remembrance and onse to the needs of the Community. its People and iii esources. authority and enthusiasm about the W. I. so you will ensure that Mrs. Hoodless’ wish comes to greater fruition in the 1980‘s: “To deVelop to the fullest extent the two great social forces, education and organization, so as to secure for each individual the highest degree of advancement”. If y0u can achieve this, the well-being of rural families and com- munities will be assured in the 1980’s. FIRST 4â€"H HOMEMAKING CLUB LEADERS’ CONFERENCE, NOVEMBER Iiiâ€"15,1979. From November 13-15, the Home Economics Branch hosted the first 4-H Homemaking Club Leaders’ Conference at the Downtown Holiday Inn, Toronto. It was most gratiâ€" fying to meet with the 233 enthusiastic volunteer leaders from every county and district ofthe province. Participants indicated, on the evaluation forms, that they found the conference most interesting and consider it to be a big suc- cess. Thanks must go to the three regional supervisors who helped organize the conference; Lorraine Holding. Guelph, Joyce Canning, London, and Carol Crerar, Kingston; to Barbara McNahb and Mary Campbell. from head office, for handling the administrative details; to the specialists for their excellent displays, and to the staff of the Extension Branch, the Information Branch and the Programs Coordt nation Secretariat for their wonderful assistance. We were especially happy that the Honourable Lorne C. Henderson, Minister of Agriculture and Food, and Mrs. Henderson attended the luncheon. MRS. HELEN ARMSTRONG It was with regret I received the resignation of Mrs. Armstrong, effective December 31, 1979. Mrs. Armstrong joined the Home Economics Branch staff on January 2, 1963. Since that time, she has been secretary to the FWIO office, where she has served members of the W. I. with dedi- cation and devotion. I know that she will be greatly missed. We wish Mrs. Armstrong and her husband, who has recently retired, much happiness and good health in the years ahead. Miss Mary Campbell of the head office staff will take over Mrs. Armstrong's duties in the new year. A native of Tiverton, she has been a 4-H Homemaking Club member and comes from a W. 1. family. She already has a good knowledge of W. I. work and I know that she will serve you well. In conclusion, the Home Economics Branch looks for ward to another year of cooperation with FWIO. as we work together to improve the quality ot'life in Ontario. COMMUNITY DONATION SOUTH LOBO W I, MIDDLESEX NORTH DISTRICT raised funds by catering to banquets in order to donate to the local volunteer firemen. The President, Mrs. Wm. Babinsky presented a cheque from the Branch to the fire department for special fire training equipment. J