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By Marg Ham's Dear Women ’5 Institute Branch Member: Have you noticed that I have not sent a Presi- dent's letter to the Branches after each Board meeting? It has been the practice in the past. Home & Country is our communications ve- hicle. The facts from FWIO should come directly to your home through it. The cost of a Branch mailing exceeds 5 1.000. three times a year. Peggy Knapp wrote in 1995 that she would have liked a letter or brochure from FW'IO at least once a year. It would be like a Branch program, only with the names. addresses and phone numbers of FW'IO, FWIC and ACWW Officers and Directors; it would also include ’ dates of events and special projects (etc), I would like to use the money spent on Presi- dent’s letters and delegate it to an annual letter or brochure from FWIO, What do you think? i g The second century of the Women's Insti- tute has begun! Now. we move on. Our organization â€" proud and humble, gracious and bold. tenacious and adventurous. diligent and daring, caring and giving â€" is looking hard at itself. In me past three years the Restructuring Committee. and many Branches, have given much thought to the organization's future. For effective change. priorities must be con- sidered carefully The more responsible decisions made. the more solid the future of the Women’s Institutes will be. Solemnly and seriously, your Provincial Board will ponder these decisions. as a team at March Board. Difficult decisions will have to be made for what is deemed best for FWIO. Our future requires a rekindled vision. In- spiration and encouragement come through our own members. There is a great need and opportunity for the Women’s Institute in their next 100 years. Many accomplishments and achievements are unlisted. some are en- visioned. and some are still to be articulated, As members. we hold the future of the Women’s Institute in our own hands. I respect and appreciate all Women‘s Insti- A day of celebration remcmih Cl‘cdi February 19 was a great day of friendship and celebration. How did you celebrate? I spoke on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for fifteen minutes with England. I accepted a plaque from Ken Kelly at the February Board meetâ€" ing of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. Then, I was pleased to go to the Royal York to speak to the Homecraft Division of the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies Convention. That evening, Bud and I attended dinner with the Mount Bryâ€" dges WI. tute members and am grateful to you. To say a personal thank you for what you have done for the Women’s Institute is my reason for this letter addressed directly to you. Sincerely. Marg Harri: Marg Harris is the President of the Federated Women '5 Institutes of Ontario. She can be reached a! RR 3. Ker-wood 0N NDM 230. (519)247-3695. Helen Duflield Retires Many orders were capany handled over the last decade by Helen Duffield. who recently retired as FW'IO's Supplies Person. Her willâ€" ingness to act for the Women’s Institutes‘ best interest came from her heart. Helen‘s knowledge of FWIO is enormous. Thank you. Helen, from the WI membership. With respect. best wishes to you, and good health. International Video Conference to Celebrate Anniversary nFebruary 19. 1997, fourOntai-io Women’s Institute members were part of an extraordinary centenâ€" nial celebration. They were linked with WI members from England, South Africa and New Zealand in a video teleconference initiated by the Hamp- shire County Federation Women’s Institutes and supported by [Mom- tional Business Machines (IBM) in England, FWIC President Charlotte Johnson. ACWW Area President for Canada Peggy Knapp, Erland Lee (Museum) Home Chair Pauline Lindsay and Adelaide Hoodless Committee repro- sentatjve Pat Ozsvari represented the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario. Members of the National Fed- eration of Women’s Institutes of England, Wales and the Channel Is- lands filled two tiers in the studio audience. In England. the focus is now on physical fitness for health to counteract problems, such as osteoporosis and heart disease. Aerobics and walking exercises are some of the national ac- tivities being planned. South Africa is preparing for the ACWW Triennial Conference from April I to 7. 1998, at the University of Pretoria. The South African WI have just recently opened the first museum of embroidery and needlework in Africa. From New Zealand came concerns about rural revitalization. The mem- bers are particularly interested in the sessions of the panel “Envisioning the Future" at Convention ’97 in Hamilton. These sessions include “Sustaining Rural Communities", "The Future of Organizations" and “Financial Man agement of Personal and Organiza- tional Resources." The Canadian representatives spoke of the centennial celebrations, the upcoming convention and current hapâ€" penings at the two museums. A “round the world" teleconference was indeed a unique method of cele- brating the centennial of the foundation of the first Women’s Institute! Submitted by Mary Jones, FWIO PRO. Home & Country. Spring 1997 3