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\\'ho \\ Ill latte my placc‘.l Everyone on an cxccutne or board of direc tors of an organization will ask this question sooner or later: ll‘ your an? nual meeting is scheduled within the next ten months. NOW is the time tor you to help your nominating committee find people to till vacant anltltltlh on your board/executive and its various committees. ltlcnttli}ing potential leaders is challenging. rewarding and very \Ktirtl‘htl'lllc‘. You will help to build your organization‘s "bench strength” tto compare with a typical sports team t Your organization‘s reserves need to be constantly developed. With u pool of players to call on at a time when current leadership begins to fade. your organizations vtill not falter. Who will be your organization’s leaders in the years ahead? Potential leaders can be identified through several techniques. I, Look at the people who are involved in educational. religious, recreational, social service and other organizations in the community. If any of them meet the eligibility reâ€" quirements of your organization. talk to them about getting more involv~ ed With your groups work. They just might be ready for u change of pace. 2. Look at noneactive members of your organization Maybe all they‘re waiting for is someone to ask them to help, 3. Look at new members. They have enthusiasm and fresh ideas that could energiLe your current board. Starting them off on a committee might be the right first step. 4-. Look for people who have the technical knowledge needed for a project. or have special information about a particular issue. While they serve a specific function related to a particular project or activity, their involvement might signal a readiness for more general organizational leadership, (3 H & C December. January 1989 5. Look for people (or listen to others to identify them) who seem to have a special ability to work with groups. The “people” skills they have are valuable in a variety of leadership situations. Maple Syrup Festival in Oxford The spirit of community is the driving force behind 20 successful maple syrup festivals, sponsored by the West Oxford Women‘s Institute in Oxford South. After a cold Canaâ€" dian winter. nothing is more welcome than the first signs of spring. About 1.700 visitors devoured hundreds of pancakes and gallons of maple syrup at the twoâ€"day festival at Jakeman Family Farm near Sweaburg at the end of March. The festival began in 1967 as a centennial project and has been suc- cessful ever since. Visitors get a firstâ€" hand look at the production of maple syrup. including a guided tour of the sugar bush. Wood carving demonstrations, at petting 100. face painting, wagon rides, and a craft show and sale round out the festival. Each year the West Oxford Women‘s Institute clears about $3.000 which goes to the Crippled Children‘s Easter Seal Campaign, scholarships for local secondary schools, ball teams in the communiâ€" ty. the Salvation Army, and 4-H clubs. Plan to attend the 2lst festival in March of 1989. It is a great day for the whole family. The West Oxford Women‘s Institute welcomes all. When you identify SOtiteone think has potential, write devil?" or her names on a list. Send vnur [iii of names to the nominating éommh tee. You might add this note: "Tart to these people about getting mom involved. One of them couldkbe Our next president!” Chuck Bokor is leadership specialist with the Rural Organizations and Services .Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food‘ Kit Caffyn is the contact person for the festival. WI member named top farmer Congratulations to Janet Parsons, WI member from Cache Bay, Nipissing District. one of three Canadian Outstanding Young Fanncts named this fall. A full story tin-131161 and her prestigious award Will be included in the February. March issue of flame & Country.