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From the start. my term as your President was thrust into full speed: it began with a flurry ofmeetings. At all these events. I was weil received because I represented you - the members - and because the Women‘s Insti~ tute is a respected organization. As a leader in our communities. the Women‘s Institute was invited to attend and provide insight into government initiatives and emerging policies. 1 participated at meet- ings with the Recycling Council of Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture. Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). Mary lanes. the Public Relations Officer for the ederated Women's Institutes of Ontario. did I promoted “Safe and Healthy Commu- ities“ at the “Sustainable Communities Forum" organized by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Because FWIO was an initial contributor to the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP). I attended the annual meeting of the Foundation for Rural Living. whose key role in support of AALP is fund raising. And. Margaret Eberle and I attended Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada‘s workshop to develop future plans for the Farm Women‘s Bureau. The phone lines were also busy. Maisie Lashy was contacted to represent FWIO on [/26 am; the Strategic Planning Committee of Ontario‘s Rural Heritage Preservation Comâ€" mittee (ORHPC). This group was recently formed to explore options for the future of the Ontario Agricultural Museum (0AM) in Milton. Our organization has a direct stake in the future of the Museum because of Mountview Hall and the longstanding supâ€" port of Women‘s Institute volunteers. For the first time FWIO was asked to have a Director on the Foundation for Rural Living: I asked Laurine McIntosh to fill this position. [wasn‘t far down the road. however. when I came to a full STOP! My first - eter v gall bladder attack lasted five hospital-days and did not go away. It resulted in Saturday night emergency surgery and a longer hospital stay. My husband Bud had undergone gall bladder surgery in October. We now have matching scars from the incisions. Although an extremely weakening experience. we are both coming along well. The FWIO Executive meeting was held on January 15 and to; it entailed much corre- spondence. much discussion and much soul searching about what is best for our organiâ€" zation. The eagerness with which the Executive met challenges was wonderful. I acknowledge their time and admire their cn~ ergy and input. I am constantly ama/cd and gratified by the work done by all our (0111' mittees. You have sent me copies of your letters to the Restructuring Committee. I am griiiclul that you are thinking about the lLlIlll’t' of the Women‘s institute. In mid-January. a Proposal Writing Work- shop was attended by members who can now use the knowledge gained, for example. to write effective fund raising proposals for W1 projects. And in late January, it Personnel Committee and Staff Workshop was facili- tated by Lcra Ryan. Rural Business Consultant with OMAFRA. She guided us through the Steps we must follow to have :1 harmonious. efficient and effective working environment in our Provincial Office. The process made us aware of the changes in our orga . lion in the lust few years. We all appreciated Lera's expertise and guidance and we value the prolessionalisni that our stuff shows on our behalf. As your President. I am await- til the need to promoti- LlllLI market our organi/ation, I know the urine of neluorking and personal contact. I attend, whenever possible. events where lM’ltl‘s profile can be enhanced. We are invited in these meetings because we are seen as it \itililt' force. Uiir Utilllltllh are ‘iili' tied. Wc nccd to know what is happening. today and in the t'iilnrc So. \\ c go' As Branch nicniliers \\‘L' hair.- olien asked. how do others pcrcctte the Women‘s lnsti title and him can we increase lilL‘ Visibility ol the orgiiiii/utiiin" 'I‘lic FWIO l1 ‘ 'llil\‘L' and Board til Directors also regularly ask these questions and assess limit the) can hcsi hc tinswerctl ()ni nnsiici' is in sell promotion and iii pllhIlL' relations Women‘s lnslitnit' mcinbcrs \i'illingl) iL‘lltIlilL'll’llll‘lL'(llltIllliL’llh and have riglittully mint-d tlicii' reputations as some til lilL' most Iiii \\ ard thinking. active group til “dot-rs" Ill lilL‘ll t'onininniiics. I thank each one of you lot this Milly Hit/Iii It [In /‘ir \tr/r‘lll l’/ t/ir' I'i'u'i'rtili'r/ Wrmit'n'i Itii/i/ii/i'i u/ {tutor-in .Wu' ion [71' I'r'rtt'Itt'ir' in NR 4‘, Anni/rut UN Nil/ll 3H1]. I’Iltilll‘,’ (fi/Ul34 7r lft‘l‘l. I'irt i5 FIB-[77303] Silver Thoughts, Golden Words and a Nickel’s Worth of Stories he sale of Volume 2 of Silver Thoughts, Golden Words and a Nicks/'5 Worth of Stories is going well. In appearance it is identical to Volume 1. except that it bears the FWlO 100th anniversary logo on the cover, It contains more prose than poetry, which the makes the two-volume set a great gift. The money lrom the sale of Volume 1. made possible by the cooperation ol all our members. enabled the Eastern Ontario Area to pay tor the printing oi Volume 2. donate $12,000 to the Headquarters Fund. make substantial dona- tions to ACWW and help smaller projects within the Area. Income lrorn the sale of this new Volume will enable us to lurther assist WI projects at all levels. Copies are available from Eda Van der Linden: Fin 1. Metcalte ON KOA 2P0, 13)821-1936. The book costs $10. plus $3 for postage and handling for one any: add 50 cents tor every additional copy. Make cheques payable to the Eastern Ontario Wl Poetry Committee. Submitted by Bernice Nrihli'tr. Leilrim WI. Curlew/i Earl Drrrrii'r. The Eastern Ontario WI Poetry Committee are pictured above: standing from left to right are Vivran Fawcelt, Peggy McLeod and Eda Van der Linden; sealed from left to right are Venetla Moor- hausa, Erma Bonnet and Bernice NaLiIilt. Home ti. Country, Spring '95 a