The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

g ipeommon "7 .IV By Donna Russett ‘. hange is constant. Whether we adapt well or not, it is all around us. The seasons change; we change our wardrobe. We change our mind. We must be open to change. As I reflect back on the last two years, I think of the changes there have been. On the Executive, we have a new Public Relations Officer. Two new Regional Vice-Presidents are elected each year. The Program Co-ordi- nator will be changing in November. And most recently, we have a new Executive Secretary ~ Chris Green. The positions of New Branch Co-ordinator and New Branch Organizer have existed since August. 1991. A recommendation car- ried at the August 1995 Board meeting changed these titles to Membership Co-ordi- nator and Membership Organizer. It was felt the new titles better reflect their mandate - to attract new members. to organize new Branches and to encourage present meme hers. The Membership Co-ordinator will also be changing in November. he Provincial Board change each year. As I Half of the thirtyâ€"four Board Directors of 0 President. I have had the privilege of work- ing with fifty-one. And among the many benefits are the friendships made around the Board table. A major change has been the acquiring of our new Provincial Office and the challenges that entailed, But we have always realisti- cally tackled our challenges. Since I938. the focus of FWIO has been the environment. At the March Board meet- ing the Board Directors voted to launch a new focus for the organization - Safe and Healthy Communities. At the same time. a provincial Health Committee was estab lished to study health issues and present briefs and recommendations to government. Through resolutions and briefs. we lobby the gov- ernment to make changes to benefit women and their fami- lies. It is through organizations such as ours that women, leam- ing and working together for change. build safer and healthier communities. Recently. we have been recognized for changes going on at the University of Guelph, The second half of our 3550.000 pledge. promised from the FWIO 75th Anni- versary Project, was presented at the official opening of the new addition to the College of Family and Consumer Studies on Septem- ber 29. The Women's Institutes are included in the list of donors to the new wing housing four applied nutrition laboratories and an observation room. “Challenges of a Changing World" was the theme for both the ACWW Area Confer- ence in Orillia and the ACWW Triennial Conference in New Zealand. Our organiza- tion will survive as vital. viable. visible and necessary as we come to grips with the chal- lenges of our changing. technological world. “The Women ’s Movement is absolutely and without question the most powerful intemalional force for progressive social change on this planet. ” Stephen Lewis Ouili Show... continued [ram page 1 Peggy Knapp - Associated Country Women of the World Area President for Canada, Charlotte Johnson - Federated Women’s In- stitutes of Canada President, and Donna Russett - FW'IO President. all spoke about the organization‘s long, proud history and its commitment to making a difference in the lives of women and their families. today and in the future. Once again. the souvenir mugs ‘ere used, and cookies and quares were erved courtesy of Norfolk North and South Districts. Throughout the day, members could visit the other buildings at the Museum complex and see costumed interpreters bring history to life. An added attraction was an exhibition by Peter Etril Snyder. an Artist from Water- loo. who was personally in attendance. Centennial plates and other mementoes were on display and for sale in the Gambrel Barn. The day was complete when. as we left the gates. we saw Women's Institute volunteers waving signs that said “Thank you for com- ing!" Reprinted from an article submitted by Helen Young. President of the Norfolk Nath Dislrict Women 'r\' Instilule, to her local paper. the Port Dover Maple Leaf July 19, 1995. In November. there will be anotherchange. you will have a new President. To be a part of the discussion and exchange of ideas around the Executive table has been interest- ing. educational and rewarding. As I prepare to hand over the gavel. I do so with great support. We have a unique organization that provides encouragement. develops pride in and gives personal satisfaction to pumupatâ€" ing members. And the one thing we all share is the common thread ot’change. Don/m Russell is the President anIn' Ft'tl't‘rult’d Worn en '5 Initimlrs (ifOnIarir), flirtation (llhfiztmata Eliair SAT u RDAY. NOVEMBER 4. 1 995 Christmas Conn-s early at the Erland Lee (Museum) Home this year. as we gear upfor a holiday sea, son of exciting C [iris/mas ideas. Demonstrations on making traditional Victoâ€" rian tree ornaments. traditional Christmas cooking and baking ideas, as wellas creative Christ- | . ,, ‘ mas derora/ing are on the y .‘ agenda, The Christmas \ ' ‘ fair runsfrom I0 (rm. to l 4 p.m. a . Home 8x Country. Fall '95 3