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Programs and Reports BEFORE THE NEXT ISSUE of Home and Country goes out to our members, programs for another year will have been planned and reports of the past year‘s activities will have been sent in. In the section of Home and Country with the title, Programs and Projects, there are to be found ideas gleaned from reâ€" ports of the branches which may be feund useful in setting up programs for monthly meetings. Since we are always concerned with in- creasing our membership we must also con- cern ourselves in making our programs so in- teresting that women will want to join our organization and participate in our activities. We have many other organizations in our com- munities now, which compete for the interest of women. But the Women’s Institute is a unique organization for at least four reasons, that are set out in our constitution. They are: 1. to assist women in all aspects of home- making 2. to help discover, stimulate and develop leaders 3. to develop a more abundant life in the communities 4. to help develop citizens Programs. then, should be planned with these objectives in mind. One rule for planning programs could beâ€"Something to hear. some- thing to see and something to take home; and the something to take home could be in our heads. Guest speakers; a policeman explaining the safe way of driving on our super highways: a nurse demonstrating first aid procedures that can be useful in home accidents; a teacher explaining the New Mathematics; and many others, can be of interest and stimulate our meetings since they bring to us expert knowl- edge and information gained from experience. But the woman who researches and develops a program topic herself is gaining a valuable skill, as well as the knowledge she assembles and presents. Four or five women participat- ing in a panel discussion and then handling questions from their fellow members can have an exciting experience. One convener of Citizenship and Education set up a discussion on Education with five panelists. Each panelist was to have five minâ€" utes and the topics wereâ€" 1. Education for children from infancy to school age. 2. Education for children in schools. 3. Education through the church. _ 4. Education through newspapers and maga- le'leS. 5. Education through radio and television. WINTER I963 As a Centennial Proiect Balfountoin Rockside Women's institute placed a tri-ongulor median ol |he moin interâ€" section ot the village of Beltountqin, to serve as a safety measure for trollic. In the centre at the median is a fountain surrounded by blue and gold llowers. The audience was then asked to submit ques- tions to the panelists. Program kits on many topics are available from the Loan Library at the Home Economics Branch office. When planning programs. use imagination and ask “ls this a program that will stimulate our members and cause them to talk about it when they leave the meeting?" Review your total year‘s program as you have planned it and assess it in terms of the objectives in our Constitution. Could it cause nonmembers to say. “The Women‘s Institute in our communin is a vital, upâ€"to-date group of women. I‘d like to be a part of it"? The branches in the communities are the base of the whole Women‘s Institute structure. The members are the Very Important People. As the branches are strong and active. so the whole organization is strong and active. But we are a part of F.W.l.C. and A,C.W.W. ln planning programs do include a program or a part of a program demonstrating or illustrating some of the work of F.W.l.C, and A.C_W.W. The Federated News goes to every Women's Institute member. Use it for ideas, The Triennial Conference of A.C.W,W. will be in Michigan next September. Most of us have met Mrs. Dutt or have read about her. She, in her position as world president. will preside at the sessions. Over five thousand women from 56 nations will meet together. Through our programs find out about these women. Support this organization through the Pennies For Friendship. Membership in the Women‘s Institute will become an exciting and meaningful experience as the possibilities are visualized. But these possibilities must be pre- sented to the members through the programs. Accurate. carefully filled in repmts are so important â€"â€" Reports of meetings tell your Provincial President â€"â€" your Director _ your Public Relations Officer â€" your Editor what you are doing. Then we can tell others. 31