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The FWIO annual meeting was held on November 21-24, I979 at the Bond Place Hotel, Toronto. The President. Mrs. Diamond. welcomed all Board Direc- tors. especially the nine new members. Mrs. Hugh Coons. Mrs. George Dixon. Mrs. Rose Blasing, Mrs. E. J. Wilson, Mrs. Willis Matheson, Mrs. Ernest Depencier. Mrs. Clare Freer, Mrs. Wm. Skinner, Mrs. E. A. Rauhalas and Junior Board Director Mrs. Barbara Saari. PRESIDENT’S REPORT Mrs. Clarence Diamond felt there was an encouraging attendance at the Area Conventions. Approximately 5600 members attended the l4 Conventions radiating Strength and enthusiasm for the organization. A special thanks to Miss Molly McGhee, Director. Miss Joyce Canning, Mrs. lune Melochc and Miss Lorraine Holding all Home Eco- nomics Branch representatives who attended the Conven- tions also. “It was with sincere regret that I learned that Mrs. Margaret Drew has resigned from the Branch and would not he attending some Conventions with me. Mrs. Drew's valued work with the 4H members, leaders and for our Women’s institutes is remembered with sincere appreciation“. Thanks was expressed to the Staifordsltire Committee lor their splendid efforts tying together the strands tor the exchange visit of the English members. During the summer. overseas visitors were entertained by the President. among the visitors. Mrs. Delle Fletcher. FWIO’s second ACWW Council Member from England. Correspondence has escalated and the invitations to spe- .:ial anniversaries, meeting and rallies helped the President '0 be in touch with the activities of the W 1. Mrs. Diamond presented the first Helen M. McKercher Scholarship to Mrs. Kathryn Biondi at a local District Annual. It is with regret that no applications have been received for 1979. Mrs. Helen Armstrong. our willing and efficient secretary in the FWIO office will leave the end of the year. On behalf of all the FWIO members “thank you” [or your assistance. .\lso thanks to the FWIO executive and Board Directors for your cooperation. HOME ECONOMICS BRANCH Miss Molly McGhee, Director The staff have worked very hard to offer a variety of courses in the adult and 4-H Homemaking programs during the past year. Spotlight on Bread. lndoor Gardening and Common Sense Nutrition for the Mature Citizen have all had much higher enrollments than anticipated in the adult program. Outdoor Living had a very high enrollment for a summer PrOject in the 4-H Homemaking Club program. The first leaders’ conference for the 4-H Homemaking CIUb Program was held in November at the downtown Holiday Inn. It was a great success and the enthusiasm of the delegates was remarkable. Lorraine Holding, our Guelph Federated Women is Institutes ofOntario Annual Meeting Provincial Board of Directors Mrs. John Brown PRO regional supervisor. was chairman of the planning com- mittee. She and the other regional supervisors did an out- standing job of making it such a success. During the year. we had 9362 volunteer leaders and assistance leaders to help us with our programs. Women's Institutes provided us with 1.35] leaders for the adult program and 3.782 for the 4-H Homemaking Club pro- gram; that is. 54% of all leaders. The Home Economics Branch wants to thank FWIO for its help in providing and sponsoring leaders. From time to time, we will be holding surveys to find out what courses will prove most valuable and attract good numbers. We are in the midst ofsurveying leaders and mem- bers about a basic clothing project to be offered in I981 to 47H Homemaking Club members. Staff changes It is with regret Helen Armstrong's resignation was received. effective December 31. Mrs. Armstrong served with devotion and dedication during the last 16 years as FWIO secretary. Mary Campbell will replace her on January 2. Miss Campbell has been on the Home Economics staff for a few years. Mrs. Margaret Drew restgned in August as Supervisor of Junior Extension and Mrs. Jacquelyn Hart resigned as Home Economist in November. Mrs. Barbara Sheardown, Home Economist from Brant. Wentworth retums from maternity leave late in December. The Branch was happy that the enrollment in JWIO in- creased last year. There are almost one million women be- tween the ages ot‘ 15 and 49 years in Ontario outside metro- politan areas. it is hoped FWIO will have an active recruit- ment program to ensure their organization remains robust and grows during the 1980’s. The order~in-Council is being amended to allow areas and JWIO more flexibility in planning their annual conventions and yet be eligible for the $75.00 grant. Details will be sent to Area Presidents and Directors, as soon as the amendment is signed by the Lieutenant-governor. It is hoped that the Constitution and Finance commit- tees will give careful thought to ways that the procedures and expenditures of FWIO can be streamlined to avoid unnecessary expenses in these inflationary times. MINISTER‘S DINNER The Board Directors and Executive were guests of the Hon. Lorne C. Henderson. Minister of Argiculture and Food at a dinner held in their honor at the Royal York Hotel. For must. it was their first introduction to the Mini- ster and all apreciated the kind hospitality shown to them. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson greeted the guests and Miss Molly McGhec Director of the Home Economics Branch. OMAF introduced the head table guests. the stalt of the Ministry and the Home Economics Branch. Mrs. Diamond. FWIO President. voiced appreciation not only for the evening but also for the support given over the years by the Ministry to FWIO.