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Irvine told us that ‘parenthood is really a 20â€"year apprenticeship.’ He said that we can only create an environment for children to grow and they must develop a sense of con- tribution and responsibility. By Margaret Eberle. Past President. F WIO The evening session was very appropriâ€" ately opened with Brenda MacNeil's beautiful rendition of “We Share a Dream.” Peggy Knapp, ACWW Area President for Canada. shared many facts and experiences with us. She feels herjob is very challenging and always interesting. Peggy asked that we continue to communicate with feeling. touching and hearing. She believes that membership recruitment and finances are the two most important issues that Women’s In- stitutes have to face. ACWW is comprised of 9 Area Presidents, 4 Executive Officers and several Commit- tees. Peggy paid tribute to the three Canadians who serve on ACWW commit- tees: Geneva King from PEI; Arlene Philsinger from BC; and. Margaret Munro from Ontario. Peggy would like to know what YOU did for ACWW Day and what YOU did for the International Year of the Family. You can write to her at 61 Woodland Glen Dr.. Guelph, Ontario. N10 383. . A very gracious and delightful Valerie Fisher. ACWW President, addressed the gathering. She expressed envy of our fresh. clear water, She also commented that it was a privilege to meet so many members in her travels across the country and to visit the Erland Lee (Museum) Home and the Ade- laide Hunter Hoodless Homestead. Valerie suggested that the International Year of the Family is a challenge for all of us, but more so for some countries than othâ€" ers. She related many stories of poverty and neglect in countries where ACWW is trying to make life a little better, She concluded that “ACWW will continue to work from east to west building a happy family." By Glenan Snrilli, Program Co-ordiriumr. FWIO Saturday. June 4, 1994 Speaking on organizational renewal. David Irvine described the components of an organization: trust and respect. communica- tion. production and planning Refening to the Federated Women's Institutes ofCanada. he listed the following steps for renewal: 1. Take time for meaningful relationships that increase trust. respect and acceptance of 2. . gaining an appreciation and common ground of the past. the membership. Create a context for being together by 3. What trends are having an impact on the FWIC? What is the present situation? 4. If these trends continue without any influ- ence on our part, what will likely be the future of FWIC in the next live years? 5. Ideally. what is the most desirable future or vision tor FWIC? 6. What should the strategies be (both short and longâ€"term) to achieve the desired fu- ture? He Challenged Women‘s Institute mem- bers to have a vision for the future. to have the courage to ch ange and to tmst the process of renewal. By Dorothy Sutherland. FWIO Board Director, Subdivision 21 Sunday, June 5, 1994 Nova Scotia Day dawned sunny and bright. perfect weather for the day set aside to tour this beautiful province. Following a church service in Tmro. buses fanned out taking delegates and spouses to enjoy their chosen tour: a boat cruise in Hali» fax Harbour; a tour of the Anne Murray Centerand scenery of the Glooscap Trail; or, ajoumey along the Evangeline Trail. includ- ing Grand Pre. the historical area of the Acadians, and a breathtaking view of the Annapolis Valley and Minas Basin with its reclaimed farm land. The day concluded with a steak or lobster dinner. By Donna Russell, Presidcnl, F W10 Monday. June 6. 1994 Dr. CS. Baldwin. :1 soil conservation» ist/agroâ€"forester. spoke on “Stewards of the Land.“ He challenged the Convention dele- gates to take charge oftheir environment. A sustainable forest and a regenerating eco- sytem means citizen involvement and a combined focus on autonomy and account- ability from harvesting companies. Baldwin spoke on the importance of inter- est groups that believe in getting involved and taking responsibility for management decisions that affect our ecosystem. He summed up his presentation by stating that we are not owners of the land, but only “Stewards of the Land” and that we will be accountable to future generations. By Margaret Alton. Public Relations Officer, FWIO Marlene Cowling. Member of Parliament from Manitoba. told convention delegates that they should have a major role in reshap» ing farming programs in the country. She said that we have experienced enormous change in rural Canada. resulting in an uncer~ tain future for family farms and rural communities. Cowling has organized and chairs an Agricultural Committee of the Western Caucus to ensure issues of farm families are brought to the attention of the FWIC President Jacquie Linde presented two awards during the opening ceremonies o/ the convention, much to the surprise ofthe recrpients, Congratulations to Kay Taylor, Chair of the Local Committee Ior the Adelaide Hoodle-ss Horns- stead. on receiving an Award 0/ Merit, and to her husband, Bab, who received the Eriana‘ Les Award of Appreciation for his work at the home. House of Commons. In her presentation. she described the role her parents played on the farm and in the community when she was growing up. and the influence the Women's Institutes had on her mother by providing an opportunity for personal growth at a time when many farm families were almost isolated from the rest of the world. Although WI is still relevant to many mrnl women of her mother‘s genera- tion. it docs not always serve the needs of younger generations. Cowling usde the question. “What can we do in the “)Us to better serve the needs otrural/l'urm women?" The banquet was the final event of the ‘94 Convention. The guest speaker was Clary Croft. an artist with credits In film. radio, print. television and stage. Ht: spoke to the group about "Women in Folklore." For more than fifteen years. he has worked with Dr. Helen Creighton's collection of more than 16.000 folk songs from all over the Mari- times. It is this work that has brought Clary an Il'WllrE‘l’lths and understanding of the folklore culture and music that is such it vrtal part of Maritime Canada. He describes a folk song as a “song for the people, from the people: it is a song from the heart." The evening and convention were closed with an invitation extended to everyone to return to Nova Scotiii. By (Itml Chairman. FWIU Hoard nrrrr‘lor, Silhdf\'f5ft"l 10 Parts oft/10w rpprrrir mirr also (’.\'[I’tlt‘fl'(ifl‘l)ltl the Federated Nl'wi’. Spring/Sturrnrr'r, [994. Home & Country. Fall ‘94 11