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Meeting new friends. opportunities to travel and' regular fellowship provide each member with benefits in the areas 0' personal, family and community needs. 0 include a tea bag with your kit with the suggestion: “Make yourself a cup of tea and read about an organization just for you - the Women’s Institute;" he role of the New Branch Organizer and her Committee is to attract new members. to organize new Branches. and to encourage present members. With these goals in mind, 24 Provincial Presidents and New Member/Branch Co-ordinators from across Canada met in Montreal in May. The discussion - “How to Attract New Members" ~ brought forth these results: 0 sponsor a membership to introduce a new member to Women’s Institute; 0 organize a special induction meeting to recognize new members and keep exist- ing members motivated; o prepare a “Building a Better TomOrrow" Kit, for example. containing the Home & Coumry. your Branch Program, a list of all upcoming projects and activities, and the name, address and phone num~ ber of a contact person; 0 extend a personal invitation and traits- portation to your meeting; 0 hold meetings at the same location and time for continuity and prospective members convenience; 9 plan a public relations event and we]- come everyone in the community; Q provide local leadership by solving isâ€" sues in your community with letters. briefs. phone calls and personal presenâ€" tations to local officials; 6 inform women that they are needed and tell them about the benefits of the WI; and, 0 design a one-page handout to give to non-members. Remember, we don't belong to a club that works in isolation. We belong to Branches and are called so because we are attached to the Federated Women’s Insti- tutes of Ontario. Through this attachment, a Branch receives help, ideas. support and encouragement. And in return, Branches provide programs, projects and activities that make the Women‘s Institutes strong, visible. credible and active in our commu- nities. Ideas for a One-page Handout: 0 advertise when and where your meetings are held give the name. address and phone number of a contact person outline your Branch programs, projects and activities for the upâ€" coming year find out what skills your Branch needs; do they need members who can judge scholarships. organize a ‘fun day.” research local history, make phone calls about local issues, prepare a display, or underâ€" take a craft demonstration mention all recent Branch and individual member accomplishâ€" merits H ilde Morden is the New Branch Caâ€"ordinator for the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario. Erland Lee Award Winners ally Knapp was born and raised on a farm in Waterloo County. He famed for 35 years in the Cambridge area, and later near Geor- getown. He was once a busy international judge of Holstein cattle. Wally has often ‘lent a helping hand’ to the Women’s Institute, working quietly behind the scenes at numer- ous events. At the Hoodless and Lee Homes, he has appeared in the cos- tume of the day to shake hands and converse with visitors. His greatest contribution to the WI was as Agri- cultural Manager at the Royal Agri- Wally Knapp Reginald Whitty was born and ‘sed on a farm in Frontenac County. He was a farmer, egg pro» ducer, and writer of a weekly agricultural column in the Kingston Whig-Standard for over 30 years. Reg faithfully reported on Women’s Institute anniversaries. District An» nuals, Area Conventions and special events. It was said that he had abetter attendance record at these events than many Women’s Institute mem- bers. Reg always presented a positive image of the Women’s In- stitute and the agricultural commu- Fleginald Whitty cultural Winter Fair (RAWF). His efforts and contacts helped launch Women’s Day at the Royal, and establish a more prominent and active role for the two WI members on the Board of Directors. nity at large. In the fall of 1990, the Kingston Area presented him with an honorary membership and an “Award of Merit," Whitty passed away in October of 1992. 4 Home 8r country. Fall '93