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FWIC EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT By Donna Russell Having attended my first FWIC Execuflve Meeting in October. there are several items i would like to report. Lit-racy Project In partnership with the Consumers Association of Canada (CAC) and the North West Company. FWIC Is undertaking a Literacy Project. it is being funded by the Literacy Secretariat. The first seg- ment is awareness. A committee oi FWIC will work with CAC to produce a workshop kit for use in the provinces. Intonation-I Projuct We have a new international project, “Novisi Weaning industry." The Novisi Women's Development Association based in Ghana dem- onstrated that. through their own efforts. the cycle of poverty and dependency can be broken. They have initiated many income~gnerating projects which have brought improved living standards and boner health to their community. With funding of £1776 the Novisi Women's group are to purchase equipment to produce baby food. known as "Weanirnix’ for weaning mothers, With high infant mortality. it is important to ensure that babies and small children are given nutritious food. The weanimix has proven helptui in the past in strengthening immunity to disease among the poorest members of the Volta Region community. I hope Ontario members will participate in raising the $4.000 required tor this lntemational protect, Trlonnl-l Coan The triennlum theme is: “2000 - Up, Up and Away - Shaping our Dreams.” The Convention will be held in Brandon, Manitoba, from June 6 to 11. 2000. It will be held at Brandon University. Bob th- Solver Please note that Bob the Beaver retired as of Convention '97. However. FWIC will happily ac- cept donations from WI members and Branches across Canada. Safety Tips for Cellular Phone Users A cellular phone in your vehicle should not be a driving distraction. Like anything else. there‘s a right way and a wrong way to use it. Bell Mobility suggests the following safety tips: 1:] make safe driving your top priority Ci always buckle up. keep your hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road El don't dial your phone when driving; wait for a traffic light. stop sign or pull off the road Ci don't let a cellular conversation distract you from driving safely: nothing is more important when you're behind the wheel 12 Home a Country. Winter '97-98 FWIC Computation- The Tweedsmuir Competitions tor 1997-2000 have been set: - Cultural Competition - a short story entitled “My Memories of a One-Room Schoolhouse" - Community History Competition - a wall hang- ing depicting the history of your community - Handcraft Competition - acounted cross-stitch christmas tree skirt - Senator Cairine Wilson Competition - not yet decided Watch for the regulations in upcoming issues of the Home «5 Country. FWIC Vision Statement We are also working on a vision statement so there is a unified message across Canada. Many of us have difficulty expressing what Wi is all about when asked that question. “A woman's organization working together to improve the lives 0/ families. communities and What is WI? - Women Interested - Women Inlonned - Women involved Twinning It was decided to twin the provinces, and Ontario has been twinned with Nova Scotia. Watch for details in future issues. Christmas at th- Hoodlooo A recommendation was passed at the Convention in June that FWIC request $1 per member annu- ally tor the operation of the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead. Christmas at the Home- stead will be on December 7, 1998. from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. with an Irish theme. Donna Russell is Ontario's Executive Oflicer la the Federated Women's Institute: of Canada. She can be reached at RR 3, Stirling 0N KOK 3E0, Phone/Fax: (613)395â€"4305. El never take notes while drivw ing; record your thoughts when your vehicle is stopped or parked E] if it's not convenient to take a cellular call while driving. let it ring El it you do take a call and conversation be- comes too involved or distracting, hang up and call back when it‘s more convenient Be 3 Cellular Samaritan Use your cellular phone to help reduce crime. report i mpal red drivers. enhance public safety. report traffic accidents and save lives. 911 is a free call for cellular customers. but only use it for life threatening emergencies. Information country of Bell Mobility and 0.P.P. Pen Friends Meet at Last Convention '97 was special for Peggy McLeod (right) in more ways than one. She was able to meet her pen friend lrom New Zealand. Dawn McKnight (left). Three years ago. a group from Peggy's village of Cobden attended a Cobden Connection get together in New Zealand. One of the WI members from New Zealand donated a tea towel with her name and address attached to it. The towel was brought back and given to Peggy. a Cobden. Ontario WI member. Thus began a pen pal friendship. When Peggy's Area designed and planned the program for February 19th. 1997. she sent a copy to Dawn. Dawn wrote that she was organizing a bus load of people to come to the Convention. They linaily met. tace-to~laoe in the media room. They hugged like long lost friends and chattered as though they had known each other for years. That is the powerful benefit of the WI - friendship! Convention ’97 Video Launched On November 22. 1997. Kent District WI hosted the launch of the Convention '97 video. Mary Janes presented Video Pro- ducer Stove Hagany with a Friend oi Women's Institute Award for all his hard work. The videos can be purchased through the FWIO Provincial Office.