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FWIC Update By Donna Russett last fall all Women‘s Institute Branches received a video and literacy kit and were asked to respond with project sug» gestions. The response was good and the news coverage was the best the Literacy Secretarial has ever seen! In January. the Federated Women‘s Institutes of Canada (FWIC) Executive took part in a workshop focussing on the second phase of the Literacy Project. From the suggestions brought to the workshop, :1 project was selected: “To promote (through a public service campaign) a buddy system to help those with reading problems. We will focus on the difficulties that those with low literacy skills encounâ€" ter in dealing with financial institutions, and also to help them understand utility bills.“ A proposal l'or funding for this project has been submitted to the Literacy Secre» tariat. The FWIO Provincial Office will be kept up~to-date as information on the pro- ject becomes available. It is hoped that by the Fall of 199‘) all 1500 Branches across Canada will be involved. Please continue to use the video as an awareness tool wher- ever possible. There is going to be a Christmas tree ornament sale at the FWIC Convention in Brandon. Manitoba. to raise funds for the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead. Anyone attending the Convention is asked to bring one $5 ornament. Don‘t forget to enter the FWIC Compe- titions for this trienniutn. Refer to the following issues of Home & Country for competition guidelines and deadlines: Spring 1998. p. l3;Winter l998â€"99.p. l0; and Spring 1999. p. l2. Danna Russett tr the FWIO Executive Officer to FWIC She can be reached at RR 3, Stirling ON KOK 3E0 Phone/Fax: Eli-3954305. Expect the Unexpected! “Expect the Unexpected and Prepare Yourselves” was the theme of a two-hour Emery gency Preparedness Workshop held by the Perth Centre District Women‘s Institutes_ About 30 members gathered in Stratford to hear what six guast speakers had to say about disasters and what should be done before, during and after they occur. Speakers included representatives from the local Red Cross, Health Unit. OPP and government. as well as a dairy farmer who volunteered during the Eastern Ontario ice storm last year. Here arejust a few of the many tips offered during the workshop: I If the water goes off for an extended period, remember you can use what‘s in your hot water heater and toilet tank. I Have a flashlight on hand for each member of your family. I Have a radio that operates on batteries for when the power goes off. I Be aware of where the emergency shelters are in your community. I Keep pet food in your emergency kit; pets need to eat too! Submitted byJutly Bauer. President. Perth Centre Dtrtrtc l. Eastern Area WI - Planning Ahead . Remember the Eastern Area Women's Institutes have prepared and launched an ex- cellent lS-page booklet called Personal Emergency Plan. The booklet was prepared by Mac Craig (front centre). Ann McDougall (front right) and Peggy McLeod (front left). It was compiled as a result of the interrupted services during the ice storm in January, 1998. and contains a wealth of information. Other Eastern Area members present at the launch (standing left to right) are Luella Robinson, Dwyla Pilgrim. Madonna Bell, Faith Nelms, Pat Hanscolm. Ina Henry. Jane Cooper and Erma Bennett. The Personal Emergency Plan booklet can be purchased for $3, payable to Eastern Area WI. To order a copy call Mae Craig at 6l3<431-4629 or Peggy McLeod at 6 l 3-646-24 | 5. Photo ('Uurtery of Wanda Blimkt'e. Renfrew Mercury. FWIC Essay Competition l Home l Country, Summer I”? The FWIC Unity Committee has proposed an Essay Competition. The following guide- lines apply: . topic - "What Unity Means to Me" - length - 500 to 700 words. preferablytyped or neatly handwritten, doubleâ€"spaced - all applicants must be active WI members I for Ontario members, the previously pub- lished time line will not be applicable. Branch members who enter must send their submission: directly to the Area Secâ€" retary by July 30. 1999. .