Reflections from ROS with Joyce Canning (Rural Organizations and Services) Once again, as I prepare this winter message. area conventions are in my W.l. programming that would better serve today's women.“ I would like to share parts ol' some of their answers with all of you. “Women’s Institute members must REACH OUT, invite newcomers to meetings (more than once), he flexi- ble with meeting times. welcome lit- tle folk to your meetings." “We must get back to BASICS â€" help our communities k find out what interests our members â€" gear faces appeared at this meeting to hear a social worker speak on stress and happening in tlte past year. Written reports are available to delegates. sometimes at a small fee to com of printing. Organization Specialist is th help. Give her/him a call. “Oil mind. i thought I would share with stress related problems. Each young _At one area convention CI in you what, for me. were some ofilte lady was given a program and 1"“ Stimulallngy Impromptu CllSL't mi] highlights front [984. It is good to see name and telephone number were was held on scholarships; it“ some different ideas being tried. recorded with the telephone commit- Women's institutes have all, W At Trent Valley Area and Grey- tee. Sell your branch and what it is imately $50,000 invested in su M. Bruce Area. discussion groups with doing and in turn sell F.W,I.O. so ships. Do you know what the it feedback were held. This took ap- that more people will know what is how recipients are chosen and hat proximately 1-1/2 hrs. and involved going on and new members will be in the guidelines are? everybody. Some excellent ideas “etc terested in contng in." Board Directors play varyim it“ brought forward. in Grcy»Brucc the “Women's Institute members must at area meetings across the pm: It. groups focussed on questions around be aware of the issues facing today‘s At one, the three women in‘ in the branch. district. area and provin- women of all ages. We must incor- gave an excellent presentation t thl cial level. In Trent Valley the ques- pOrate current issues as program structure ofthe W.l. usinga tr rmt tions were more general in nature. topics. study issues more fully and its branches as a visual aid; e.g.. What do i expect from a board make resolutions on these issues to It's true that area conventit .ll’c meeting? Do we need conveners'.’ bring about change for our families." primarily business meetings bu it“ What changes do we need in their At some area conventions in- discount the opportunity ll h role at each level? novative approaches to com-ener’s availablctoeducatethe membt .riu Another exciting aspect of the reports are being taken also, Displays provide an avenue for infon lttt'i Trent Valley area meeting for me was are set up on a theme, oral presenta- exchange. Keep an open mind .fll: the answers given by District lions focus on ideas for future prov plan those area conventions I} "if Presidents to the roll call “changes in gramming rather than what has been and don’t forget your t'al ll‘ our meetings to the needs of today‘s women.†“Abuse of women and children is a much talked about issue today. Could W.l. offer basic seminars on understanding ourselves and loving ourselves to enable us to reach out and love our sisters? Our society reflects the youth syndrome. Can we handle growing old? Are we afraid of death? What does divorce mean? Falling in love? Can marriage and a career he managed without total ex- haustion? W.l. meetings offer the op portunity for women to broach the problems and talk about them.†“Recently we held a membership drive in our local branch. Sixteen new "The only thing I said to him Was, 'You don’t have to ï¬ll out any formsl’ â€