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By Lorna McCraih s the Board Director for Subdivision 13 (Simcoe Eastifrom I992 to 1994. Westem Regional Vice-President in I993 and New Branch Organizer forthe Simcoe Area in 1994. I promoted the Women‘s Institute at every opportunity. At November Board. I was elected Mem- bership Coordinator forth: province It is my mandate to help Membership Organiz- ers seek new members. form new Branches and encourage present members. Let us not forget that the most important unit of this organization is the individual member. You are the key people in the Women's Institute But the W] requires a “team effort“ to pump enthusmsm into the hearts and voices of its present members. and then sell the organization to others.It is my hope to instill pride. loyalty and zeal ' to current members. Put forth a positive .hage as you do your Women‘s Institute work. And remember, negative attitudes do untold harm. Let everyone know that the Women's Institute is a great organization! It offers its members many opportunities to widen their horizons, stretch their imaginations.expandtheirknowledge and deepen their insight. And in so doing. the WI stimulates the development of future leaders that ensures the viability of the organization. Because the Women‘s Institute recog- nizes the multitude of talents possessed by its members, there is something in it for everyone, Members have the opportunity to use their talents locally, provincialiy. nationally. and even globally. My dream is to see every Women’s In- stitute member living life to the fullest, constantly learning new things. laughing as they do so and loving every minute of it. I firmly believe that members should be encouraged to have FUN as they strive towards personal growth and community action. I feel this is critical if we are to maintain our current members and gain new ones. I seek your assistance in work- ing towards this end. Lrirmi Mt-Gmrh 15 [he Membership C(liJ/lllrtrillir fur the F ale-mm! Wiimyri '.i lirilirulua ni‘Dnmrm, SfiL' run be reached at RR I. Elmvrifc ON L0L IPO. (705)122-IJZD. “A Really Big One"... continued from page 8 day! I’ve put up two trees this size - one last year and one the year before - and I gotta have the rest of today and tomorrow to get the sucker in place and decorated! I looked really carefully at the roadway and I'm sureI can drive in there to get it it' you will let me!“ “Ifl let you try this. you realize you are completely responsible if you do damage to your 4 x 4 and if we have to go and get the tractor and the men who are using it today to get you out. it is going to be a VERY expensive Christmas tree instead of a cheap one?" As he and the boys were inching their way away from me toward their 4 x 4 he shouted, “I’m not going to pay you now Ma’am, I want to show you that we got r!" “I’m sure if you take it slow and easy you will be okay. If you and I are talking about the same tree. I'm just wondering how you are going to get it in your truck." He and his sons were almost running now and he called back. “Trust us Ma‘am! We found the perfect tree for us and we will be in your driveway shortly to pay you!" When he came back and paid me he told me he had cut a tree from his father- in-Iaw‘s front lawn for two years because they had become too big. They came in for coffee and tea breads and when we said there was no charge for the coffee and goodies because it was part of the Country Home Christmas Tour. he looked at us. his eyes still dancing. and said to his sons. “Do you believe this? The perfect tree for $13.50 and a free treat afterwards! Now if we can be as lucky getting this baby stand- ing securely in our house, [’11 go to bed a very happy man. I Can't thank you enough. Ma'am. Merry Christmas." This .iiiuri turn was written by Irene Tnmnnl. a member nf [he Jillit'llltwt iVmiieii'r Iiirliiiire. Lerdx Di.rlrir'i. “Indebted to the Past - Committed to the Future” By Mary Janes Excitement is building! The June 1997 centen- nial celebration of the formation of the first Women's Institute in Stoney Creek. Ontario. is last approaching. The Convention '97 Committee is planning an outstanding birthday party to com» memorate the date. A WI Centennial Celebration & FWIC Conven- tion '97 will take place at the Hamilton Convention Centre. just minutes away from the Erland Lee (Museum) Home where the original constitution was signed, From June 17 to 22. 1997. activnies celebrating the formation of the Women's Institute will be combined with the triennial business meet- ing of the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada (FWIC). The theme for the celebration is “Indebted to the Past - Committed to the Future.“ The program will include theme speakers, special musrcal enter- tainment. plays. receptions, quilt displays. and opportunities to Visit the Erland Lee (Museum) Home. the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead and the surrounding countryside.The program will also include the election of FWIC officers. the discussion of resolutions. panel discussions and award presentations. Tours and activities for spouses to become better acquainted with South- ern Ontario are also being planned. Tweedsmuir Competitions are an integral pan ot FWIC conventions. The provincial newsletters have already published the requirements for each oi the categories. These include the Community History Competition (a photo history of a century- old building in your province). the Handicraft Competition (at hooked rug) and the Cultural Com- petition (a one»act play). The Senator Cairine Wilson Competition is an essay with photographs on the theme “WI â€" A Family Affair.“ Special features oi Convention '97 include his- torical displays from the provincial Women's Institutes and displays from the FWIC conveners. Centennial mementoes from across Canada will be available for sale during the celebration. A centennial commemorative booklet. including many photographs of the highlights of the centen- nial celebration. is being planned. Pre-order forms for the booklet will be included with registration. The Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario are hosting this WI Centennial Celebration 5. FWIC Convention '97. In Ontario. several precon- tennial activities have already taken place. The Centennial Prelude Quilt Show 8. Barbecue at the Ontario Agricultural Museum this past Summer attracted approximately 4.000 Women's Institute members and friends! A centennial plate. song and rose have already been chosen. By the summer of 1996. Dr. Linda Ambrose. Assistant Professor with the History Department at Laurentian University, will have completed the history of 100 years of the Women's Institute. As Continued on page 10.“ Home & Country. Winter '96 9