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Qiday, Giddy .‘rom the Valley By Christine Reab urn A new year brings new challenges. ideas and an opportunity to revitalize and grow. Membership is the top priority. A revitalization program is being developed and you will be receiving a questionnaire which will be of vital importance to the Membership Coordinator. Maintaining and sustaining current members and recruiting new members is a continuing effort, One in which all of us can partici- pate. No one person can do it alone. We need to be a team of positive ambassadors for the WI, One area we can check to keep members and to attract new members is program» ming, Pertinent topics of interest to the community and the membership. sponsor- ing workshops and partnering with other groups all help to raise the WI profile. gow would you proceed if you lost your allet? Is your car equipped with an emerâ€" gency kit? What do you know about Telehealth Ontario? Do you know what services are offered by your local Govern! ment Information Office? Any of the proceeding ideas would make informative programs at the Branch and community level. ~\\\ l//,;.. It seems we need to be ever vigilant when visiting the internet. Almostdaily [receive virus warnings. I believe the best defense is to simply not access email if you do not know the sender. What about an internet information evening? I commend those of you who have held or are in the process of organizing ROSE Health Sessions. The information gained at these sessrons will be of benefit to you and your family. friends and community. Thanks to those who have entered items for the 2002 Competitions. The provincial Conference will be held in Sault Saint Marie in June 2002. These biennial provin- cial conferences bring us together for a weekend of fellowship and learning and provide us with an opportunity to visit, yet another. fascinating part of this province. Closer to the horizon is the 23rd Triennial Conference of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) hosted by FWlO in Hamilton from June II to 18, 200i. To date. there are almost 700 full- time participants registered. These attendees are coming from all corners of the globe and would absolutely enjoy the chance to exchange views and information with you. If you are not able to spend the whole week in Hamilton. please consider being a Day Visitor. You will be able to participate in the opening ceremony or listen to the Keynote Speaker. the World Prestdent's address or the debate on resolutions and recommendations, Each Area President will be reporting on the work in her Area and elections will be held. One day is devoted to discussion groups where you can share in the give and take of ideas after listening to the speakers. Ontario Day is offering entertainment. the McCann Dog Show, achicken barbecue, a Quilt Auction (quilts made from the blocks received for the International Quilt Block Competition) and the World Prestdent will plant a tree. I encourage everyone to taste the excitement. commitment and enthust- asm of ACWW members from around the world. Are you counting yourself in this May? When completing the census. please make note of your volunteer involvements. We are going to become increasingly depend4 ent on volunteers to help deliver programs. Branch and District Annuals are almost here. I look forward to hearing of your plans for the 2001â€"2002 year. By sharing our ideas and resources. we all become stronger. Bye for now! Christine Reaburn is the President of the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario. She can be reached at RR 1. Westmeath ON K0] 2L0, Phone 673-582-3569. Fax: 613-582-3550. Email: Christinereabum@hotmaii.com "Dunth Denim Do” in Wellington Centre from Fergus. Wellington Centre's "Dandy Denim Do" was the launch ofthe District's ROSE Health Program. The District chose the Osteoporosis Society and held a fun night with a country and western theme. A chuck wagon type supper of beef on a bun, baked beans. salad and dessert got the evening off to a great start! Supper was followed by top notch western entertainment. including the Saints from Palmerston (a band which includes 3 wt member), country singers/entertainers Derek Moore and Mary Lynn Woods, .3 playwrighflactor/director Kim Renders who gave a monologue on being a woman/wife and mother and the Canadian Fiddle Champion Scott Woods Tanya Long (far right) from the Osteoporosis Society gave a presentation and expressed appreciation to the District fortheir contribution and the opportunityto bring osteoporosis awareness to Wellington Centre. With the dedicated work of the Fundraising Committee â€" Helen Duffield. Ev Robson (Chair), Pat Salter and Doreen Ecclestone (from left to right) â€" and the support of Wellington Centre Branches. a profit of 52248 was realized. Submitted by Ev Robson, Chair, Fund Raising Committee, Wellington Centre Home 8‘. Country, Spring 2001 3