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Women Involved Be where the world is in 200]! By Carol Helfenstein ou may not have won the lottery. and Ymay not have enough air miles to sweep you off your feet on a worldwide tour. but in 2001 the world will, in fact. be at your doorstep at the ACWW Triennial. And you have the opportunity to be there to meet it! With a bit of planning now. laced with good. old-fashioned WI enthusiasm. you and your Branch or District will be Hamiltonâ€"bound for a world of experi- ences nextJune. And what better way than via the ease and comfort ofa chartered bus trip. I spoke with Women's Institute member Ruth McDonald. a 30 year veteran of or- ganiring her own bus tours all over North America. Thanks to Ruth. we have a quick run down on how to organize a bus trip, what to look out for and what to expect. I The secret is to plan now. one year ahead of time. Study the Triennial agenda and choose the events and day that appeal to your group. Once you have a date. phone a travel agent. A licensed travel agent will become your partner in making this a troubIE-free. worry-free event for your Branch or District. I A travel agent is well worth the few extra dollars. Because. suggests Ruth. “with a travel agent you have the knowledge that you will have the kind of bus you ordered with the number of seats you ordered and the manpower to guarantee that your trip will happen on time..." I Having made a Branch or District decision to organize a bus trip. make an appointment to visit your local travel agent in person. State the num- ber of people you think will attend (48 to 56 is the usual bus load). the date(s) and tirne(s) ofyour event and the exact destination location. I Plan for a smaller bus, but look into the possibility of rebooking a larger bus if the numbers grow. Expect to have to put down a retainer to secure the bus, then immediately begin your camâ€" paign to fill it. Know that the price you decide on will cover either a standard» size or a larger bus. I Within a couple of months of the trip to the ACWW Triennial Conference, interest will have grown and you can expect to have a full bus, and a waiting list. I Make the decision to stay with the smaller bus or book the larger one. I By now you expect all participants to have paid for their tickets. I As well. you should have an informa- tion document for your travelers â€" computer-generated by your travel agent. clear and correct in all aspects. It should include the time of departure at the several pick-up spots along th way, the estimated time of traveling the comfort stops if necessary, and the arrival and drop offtimes at night. I It would be helpful to have a buddy system in place, so that no one is left on their own. Also, one member ofthe bus group should be a designated conâ€" tact person and should be carrying a cell phone. The cell phone number should be recorded on the top of the information sheet in case anyone is stressed (Le. ill. lost. etc.) and needs help. I The information sheet might also inâ€" clude highlights of the day (these could be discussed on the bus en route). As well. review exactly where the bus will be stationed for the return trip. This is very important! I The information sheet should be at~ tractive, clear and concise. Distribute these sheets to people as they pay for their tickets. Have extra copies along for those who have left them at home Be creative! Make your bus trip uniqL. and memorable! The world is at your doorstep. Enjoy! Please Note: Saturday, June 16. 2001, is Ontario Day at the ACWW Conference. Day visitors are welcome at other times. yet to be announced. Carol Helfenstein is the Public Relations Coordinator for the Federated Women's Institutes ofOntarla. She can be reached at RR 1, Kincardine ON N22 2X3, Phone: 519-395â€"0559, Fax: 519395-0499, Email: cally@hurontel.on.ca Christmas Cheer 2 fl Sunnyside Women’s Institute members are pictured packing boxes of homemade Christmas baking to give to individuals who live alone. From left to right are President Georgina Smith with Eleanor Smith, Laura Miller, Betty Seabrook, Shirley Seabrook, Addie Seabrook and Rachel Seabrook. Submitted by Marjorie Mills. Sunnysrda WI. Algoma East. 6 Home 8. Country, Summer 2000