It’s oft been said that the Women’s Institute is a dying breed, but one would not think that had they witnessed the crowd and buzz recently in the New Dundee Evangelical Missionary Church.
T’was a beautiful fall morning for travelling as four districts gathered for the 71st convention of the Guelph Area Women’s Institute.
Eleanor Berry, from the Waterloo District, welcomed all representatives from the various institutes in each of the Districts of Waterloo, Wellington North, Wellington-Halton and Huron Perth.
In honoring those who have passed away since the last convention, Bloomingdale Institute read a remembrance poem which contained the thoughts “Please don’t cry because I’m gone . . . just speak of me and remember what I used to be.”
In reviewing financial statements it was quipped “While the balance is not great, it will keep the FWIO going for another year.”.
New bylaws were passed with no amendments. The biggest threat to the organization is the lack of some key positions.
Concern was for the spot of advocacy representative. It was through the uprising of the Women’s Institutes advocacy groups that success was met in lobbying with the government to provide such items as the pasteurization of milk products (the WI’s first project) and other little known things people take for granted such as mandatory stopping for school buses with flashing lights, clear markings on poison containers, and the painting of white lines on provincial highways.
By the end of the day the nominations report was filled through the process of volunteer and ballot, giving a full slate of officers for the area.
Extensive and informative reports were given on: the 2009 provincial conference; Tweedsmuir activities; Country Heritage Park; Erland Lee (museum) Home, and Adelaide Hoodless Homestead.
It was brought to members’ attention that there is a promotional DVD available that gives a full history of the Erland Lee Museum, education, and heritage of the Women’s Institute.
In reviewing the victory of the provincial conference, Glenna Smith (Wellington-Halton) gave huge accolades to the committee members who worked so hard to bring the conference to a successful June weekend.
Of the 216 registrants, 149 turned in the evaluation sheets. Of those, 68% rated the workshops as excellent; 67% said the tours were excellent; 67% agreed with the choice of entertainment, and 85% relayed that the speakers were excellent.
A convention is a social learning event and not the time for business, therefore there should be very little time spent on regular workings. The final, most memorable comment was “I had much more fun here than I would have had at home.”
Margaret McMahon was presented with a pin honoring her volunteer services.
FWIO President Carol Innis described how the WI has progressed since that small start 113 years ago.
She said members should be proud of the wonderful heritage behind them. For years the Department of Agriculture did everything for the WI. During the 1990s when the government cuts came, programs were slashed and the Women’s Institutes had to do everything for themselves and they not only survived, they thrived.
Members learned along the way how to keep going, how to make cuts and pare expenses to the bone. Dwindling membership is the greatest problem so members have to embrace new ideas and new ways of doing things “if you always do what you’ve always done – you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”
The public never realizes how important and involved the WI is in the community until it disbands.
Entertainment part way through the day was a concert by several members of the Waterloo Regional Police. Any donation given to that choral group as thanks is turned over to the Children’s Wish Foundation.
Two keynote speakers for the day were Helen Dowd and Eleanor Woods.
Dowd had the theme Plan, Prepare, Proceed and Succeed, and suggested members “begin with the end in mind.”
In other words, stay focused. Get ideas out of the head and onto paper. Divide any list of jobs into must do, should do, and need to do – and act accordingly. Use the SMART system – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time. Always have a Plan B. People will know they succeeded by the feedback.
Enthusiastic Woods was fast paced with her humor and wit. In recommending The Book of Awesome, she quipped “Be loud, be proud.”
Sometimes we practice, and practice and prepare for one thing and it does not come down the line, but another door of opportunity might open to make use of what one originally prepared for. Take advantage of those situations. Find as much humor in life as possible. Put a smile on your face, it’s the second best thing people can do with their lips.
District directors each gave a report on the happenings in their own institutes and the accomplishments during the past year.
The full slate of officers was installed. Everyone was invited to attend the 2011 convention which will be held in Palmerston next October.
