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rnnrt'nut-dfmm page 5 Country is not only an account of WI his- tory. it is also an account of things like societal concerns and issues and fashion. Take a look at thcsc hats! And the list goes on. as will the Home iSL Country. "Nov L00 " Horned} Country It was the consensus of the FWIO Executive, Board of Directors and the new Editorial Committee that the Home & Country will, once again. ‘ take on a "new look," This "new look" publication will be distributed to the Women‘s Institute Branches for their fall meetings. Note tltat there will not be an April. May. June issue of the Home & Country. New Branch Co-ordinator’s Report By Hilde Marden At a Women's Institute anniversary I metasenior who came backto her Branch for the celebration. She now lives 25 kilometers away in a senior's apartment building in the city close to all the ser- vices. Among all the welcome "hellos," hugs and reminiscing of WI memories. she looked wistful and told me. "I miss the Women's Institutes!" What was she missing? - the fun. the fellowship and the sharing of knowledge with others. The Federated Women's Institutes ofOntario are now addressing these human needs. New Branch Organizers elected at Area Conventions in 1991 will be work- ing cooperatively with their Provincial Board Directors and District Officers to organize new Branches. A training workshop held last November uncovered needs and concerns that bring women together in an area. Some of these needs and concerns included: health issues; education; the farming crisis; community development; the environment; lobbying; fund raising; leadership skills develop- ment; and. sociability - simply getting acquainted. having time together and having fun! Why do we need new Women's In- stitule Branches in our communities? Our senior at the beginning of this article, for exnmple. can knock on the doors of her apartment dwellers attd invite them to her apartment for fellowship and common interest topics. And with her knowledge of the Women‘s Institute, she can help organize a Branch in the building to meet the needs of these members. The saint: can be said for women who live in new subdivisions or mobile communities, or for single Moms, part-time orjob sharing women. "empty nesters." or young mothers with similar interests. These new groups may differ from no isting Branches as to the time and day of their meetings. The kinds of programs they developtomeetlhcir needs may also differ. These new Branches may be less structured. more flexible, include a variety ofage groups, and have objectives of local value. Volunteers may come for- ward with no knowledge of the Women's Institute. but with the skills to be a Branch President. Secretary. Treasurer or Pro» gram Planner. One advantage of an all new members Branch is that the ievel of Women's Institute knowledge should be about the same. An organization is only as progressive as the input received from its member- ship. Through the years. the Women's Institute has made changes by listening to their members' requests and taking ac» tion.The membershipofour organization has long been a concern ol'tl‘te grass roots members. as well as the FWIO Executive and Provincial Hoard Directors. Existing Branches will continue to en- courage lltcit members to invite coni- munity women to their meetings. And I encourage each Women's Institute ment- hcr lobe in touch with your AREA NEW BRANCH ORGANIZER when you know of a community of women that cannot meet with your Branch for whatever reason, llelp organize a new Branch to satisfy their needs and strengthen our organization. FACT: "livery perm" in the world is hungry ~ ifmu forfoml, the" [or recogni- tion, Cum/HUIlIIIH/llf), [he Ilt'l’ll of u help- ing ll'tllltl. llllfll'f.\ twirling mu! lnl't‘. Know- ing lhix will help us‘ you look In [incl the Itt’t'tlt of people ("Ill amoral/titles. The GNU who \ulisficx the max! hunger in others will t!thl_V\ he the most successful - and most important, the happiest!” Hilde G. Murder: is the New Branch Cry-ordinal!” for the Federated Women '5 Institutes of Ontario. H 6: C January, February. March 1992 5