INTRODUCING ' ' Simcoe Area Convention Women's Institute is a family affair for these ladies from Rugby WI (Simcoe East District). Grandmother, Mother, Daughterâ€"in-Law and Granddaughter all attended the Simcoe Area Convention at the Simcoe County V Museum in September. The day was ' along With her MemberShlPl ' ' j * . , fUll 0f intereï¬ing information arid Willa is now 96 and has been a WI Member for 80 years! Willa ls very EVE†inClUdEd a SPEClal Presentation modest and it took a lot of prodding for her Branch to learn that in her 0f SChOlaFShlPS to very dESEWing younger years she attended an FWIO conference and organized bus trips. StUdentS- She also recalls a fair held every year in Hilton where WI Members took vegetables, baking and crafts. Willa even won ï¬rst place one year for her hand-made apronl. During the war she joined other Members in knitting and sending packages to soldiers. She was also a 4â€"H Leader with her favourite clubs involving quilting, needlepoint, knitting and cooking. Until very recently Willa was still baking pies for WI events, knitting outï¬ts for premature babies and donating knitted mittens to schools for children in need. She doesn‘t attend too many meetings now, but she enjoys hearing about what goes on and is very grateful for the visits she receives from Members of her Branch. Thanl you Cod/ingron W) for introduong us to the amazrng Willa McCarml CHALLENGE During the ROSE Program workshop at the AGM in Barrie, ROSE Program Manager Patty Pizziola asked participants "What have you done for me lately"? She challenged each person in the room to write down three things their Branch has done for their community recently. And now the challenge is on! We're asking you to brainstorm and come up with a list ofthree things that your Branch has done in your community recently (the last two or three years). Send your lists, including your Branch name, and contact information to the FWIO Provincial Ofï¬ce. You can send them by email to roseprogram@fwio.on.ca oryou can mail them to the address in the front of this newsletter. We challenge you to spread the word! Share your list with local media and potential Members to show the impact your Branch is having on the community. Do your local politicians and dignitaries know what WI does in your area? Are your neighbours aware of your Branch, when you meet and who to contact If they want to get involved? Get the word out there and help your communities realize how WI beneï¬ts them! We will use this info in upcoming newsletters and at www.fwio.cin.ca. Visit the website and read upcoming iSsues to hear about what other Branches are doing and to spark creativity in your own Branch. Don't forget to send photos that we can include as well! 4 aged, _ “l 1“ 0mm