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By Helen Wilson As members of the Women‘s Institute, we all have a story to tell. I am a third generation Institute member. My grand- mother and mother were members before me, I liken our involvement with the WI to the voyage of a ship. The analogy goes like this: The ship set sail in 1897. Over the years the ship has had many captains, crew members and passengers, all of whom were important to the voyage. Whilesailing through the waters of life, the ship experi» enced calms and storms. smooth sailing and near shipwrecks, ‘9' l ,vi a The ship is still with us today, sailing to- wards the 21st Century. As captains, crew members and passengers, it has been our task to navigate and chart the course 01 the WI. As navigators, we have drawn on our talents and experiences, our tolerance and compassion. and our dedication and deter» mination to keep the ship on course, Many captains and crew members have left the ship over the years. while others boarded at various points along the iour» ney. At times. we wondered where we were gomg. And we questioned the skills of the captain and the crew. But we always stayed afloat, and sailed on. it was my privilege to board the ship as a passenger in 1956 when I lirst joined the Maitland Women's Institute, As a crew member I have held various positions over the years, including President of the Mail- Iand Branch, President and PRO for both the Grenville District and Ottawa Area. and Board Director for Subdivision 2. While in these positions. I used charts and com- passes and lhe knowledge I had gained to help chart the course of the Women's Institute. When my job as a crew member was up. I continued on the ship's voyage as a pas- senger helping with whatever needed to be done, and always flying the colours ol blue and gold "For Home and Country." One of the highlights of my term as Board Director. or crew member of the ship. was initiating a Barrier Free Community Project to make all Women's Institute Halls wheel- chair accessrble. As Area President, I helped organize a cruise of the 1000 islands for 500 Area members. Presently. I am Chaplain forthe Brockville General Hospital. I co-ordinate their Pastoral Care Program and the thirty Clergy who volâ€" unteerone night a month. I go to the Hospital every day. My work there involves visiting. grieicouriselling, crisis care and family sup- port. The Program was praised by an Regional Self-Profile: Eastern . , _ A Tale 0 Fellowship Fie v. Helen VWson Accreditation Team for the "excellent spiri- tual care" it provides, My message to Women‘s Institute mem» hers is this: While motherhood is the greatest of all careers, don't stop there. I attended College and University as a mother and grandmother. Universities and Colleges of- fer many challenging opportunities. Remember. the mind does not grow older. but has a tremendous capacity for new team- ing. So set your goals and go for them. I received my Masters from Queen's Uni- versity and was ordained a Minister in 1981. I am currently working on a Doctorate of Philosophy in Religion. And I eagerly con- tinue on my voyage into the uncharted waters of the future. Rev, Helen lVllIOIl is presently u Chaplain a! [lie Brno/(ville General HOE/71ml [Hid a Irwmber of thy Mat/land Women's Institute in lite Grenville Diriricl. Wl’s on the Move By Audrey Ric/car he Wiltshire County Federation of Women's Institutes'in England celebrated their 75th anniversary this year by vis- iting the birthplace of the organization - Ontario. A bus load of 41 Women's Institute members toured the province. Highlights of their tour were visits to the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Home- stead and the Erland Lee (Museum) Home. as well as their last two days as guests of the Hamilton Area Women's Institute. LinCOIn District hosted a welcoming supper lor the British guests and their hosts in Beamsville, One of the British mem- bers had made an anniversary cake and carefully transported it on route to Canada. It was served at the welcoming supper. Women's Institute members from the area billeted the-guests tor the next two nights and organized a day of sightseeing. Members of the Binbrook and Woodburn Branches served a larewell dinner. Both hosts and guests were pleased With the visit; gifts were exchanged and many friendships formed. Jer- inne Porleous, Secretary-Treasurer of the Hamilton Area and former Board Director. was commended for doing a great job of looking after the local billeting arrangements. Eris! Dixinr‘r. On a pilgrimage. members a! the Willshire County Federation of Women's Institutes in England made a slap in Dunnvrlie, where lhey were hosted by members Irom lne Haidimand East Disin'cl. The Bnnsh guests, sealed in the Iron! row from lei! to fight. are Diane Yemen, Eunice Prynn. Nora Curni’ck, Eillrede Graham, Joan Challe, Edna Huband and Pete! Yemen. The nosls. pictured in the back row from (all to right, are Audrey flicker. Ulla Ba tiletl. David Bartlett, Healner Topp, Fred Topp. Ken Dickhoul, Jean Dickhout, and Max flicker, Photo counesy ol the Dunnwlle Chronicle, Audrey kicker is u member “fl/12 Cunlmm Wunien 1r [minute in the Hrilrlimand Home 8- Country. Vlfinter'94 11