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l =â€"-â€"L‘-â€".~.Mh A e « "_â€"WI’ was â€"~ W- "leamwa" effigy?" '- Women interested! Women involved! That's the Penage Road Women’s Institute who won last year's Member- ship Recruitment Challenge by gaining 10 new members in the past year So. just how did we do it? Here's how- Bring a friend! ~ Each member was en- couraged to bring a prospective mem- her to a monthly meeting Hopefully at some point during the meeting, that individual felt that we had something they were looking for e fellowship, education, community involvement and/Or a social time out. Follow-up and Kindly Reminders â€" Phone captains call every member and prospective member about four days before each meeting reminding them of the motto, roll call and items to bring. Members with email are sent the agenda a week in advance. Organize Interesting Meetings â€" A writ- ‘tn agenda is available at each meetâ€" ng and includes quotes and ideas and an outline of members' needs An interesting and varied program is the essential element of each meeting. Attendance draws and member rec- ognition by the President are also an integral part of every meeting, Enthu- siasm and humour is helpful! Prospec- tive members want to come back and join the WI! Standing from left to right are new members Carol Somerset. Barbara Smatlanek, Luda Curich and Ira-lane Wilton Seated left to right are Lynn Hansen. Lynn Saari and Darlene Beaudoin Absent: Dr. Linda Ambrose, Patsy Fairburni Lynn McLaren and Elia Hietahariu Be Visible in Your Community â€" Call» ing cards (similar to business cards) were created by our President to give to prospective members and friends, they noted our Branch meeting time, location and a contact person Intro- duce yourself as a Women’s Institute member at all social functions and other volunteer organization events A bulletin board in our community center displays W] pamphlets and photos of members in action to inform the public of our activities Bookmarks and brochures are also distributed to guests at our annual fundraiser or “Friendship Morning " Give Meiirfiersliip Gifts â€" We did! A gift of membership was presented to Dr, Linda Ambrose, author of For Home and Country The Centennial HlSlUI'tl of the Women’s Institutes in Ontario Remember, the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra 50, make a difference' The new member going to the FWIO Provincial Conference in Oshawa in tune 2004 iS Barbara Smatlanek Have fun Barbara! Submitted by Hi‘lfll Thompsonâ€"Mulzciit, Previde Panage Ram! \Vi, Sittibiiry, North Central Arm Since 1996, the Federated Women's ‘ Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) have recognized the significant contribuâ€" tion made by women in agriculture at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair tRAWF) by presenting them with the prestigious Woman of Excel- lence in Agriculture Award (formerly called the Excellence in Agriculture Award). 7 W10 invites you to recognize a de- serving: Woman who has tirelessly contfibiifed toregtcellence in agricul- ture at ’ther'Royal' Agricultural Winter Fairfl-‘herAward is open to all Woman Woman of Excellence in Agriculture Award â€" Call for Nominations currently or previously involved in agriculture at the Royal Winter Fair. The nomination package must inâ€" ciude: Ia typed profile {not to exceed 500 words) describing the work of the nominee, particularly volunteer ac- tivities at the Royal Winter Fair -letters of recommendation [not to exceed one page each) from three nominators to include their contact information -the nominee's contact information. The closing date for submission is September 15 each year. The winner will be selected by an appointed committee of FWlO representatives and will be notified by September 30. Call the FWlO Provincial Office fora nomination package, Send the completed nomination package to: Woman of Excellence in Agriculture Award c/o FWlO 7382 Wellington Road 30 RR 5, Guelph ON NlH 6l2 Fax: 519-836-9456