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It’s Auction Night at Institute Each October, the Cumberland Women’s litriilute in Russell District hold: a Fa" Auction. One of the Branch members, Elaine Findlay, wrote the following poem to help promote this annual Sale Night The table's piled with treasures now. Heaped to overflowing. Ready for the auctioneer To come and get things going. Bounty from our gardens fair. Pumpkins. squash zucchini - There always seems a bumper crop From huge to teeny~waeny. Labours from our kitchens, Fresh muffins. cookies too. Jams from steaming kettles Bringing summer back anew. Pickled beats and chili sauce - Colourful in jars. Save the warm September sun To brighten winter hours. Don’t forget the odds and ends. Which make the evening tun: Some novels we enjoyed, and now Would share them once we're done; A dish. a mug, some crockery. Useful items all; A piece of brightly coloured cloth; A vase for blooms of tall; Souvenirs from far away; A necklace or a pin; Candles for your table; A trinket made of tin. These, and more. are waiting. Please look them over well, ‘For once the bidding's started. We want all things to sell. '50 put your hearts right into it. Your bright. high spirits don. For it’s Auction Night at institute - And it's “Going! Goingl Gonel" â€"___/__ Women Leading by Example By Mary Jane: Crieff Hills Community and Conâ€" ference Centre was the setting for the leadership workshop held by the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario. Thirty-one enthusiastic mem- bers Spent two-and-aâ€"half days sharing Ideas and learning about personal growth and community action. Leadership training has always been an important aspect of FWIO work. Membership involves fun. fellowship. learning opportunities and a positive involvement in community spirit. Anne Donohoe. Assistant Deputy Minister of Agriculture. Food and Rural Affairs. was thc keynote speaker. She encouraged Women's Institutc members to establish their priorities and policies by focussing on the needs ofthc members. Women‘s Institute has been such an influential organization for ninetyeeight years because ll has been flexible and has led by example. FWIO has always been an anchor in the community. She said it is on cspectully important women's organization ht:- cntis‘c “women will lead in the changes that Will he needed to improve the sus- tainability of nirul communities." Workshop leaders diSCUsscd many of thc opportunities aiuilithlc to women. New Brunch Co-ordintilor. Hildc Mordcn. discussed how to uttrnct new mcmhcrs and encourage prcs’unl memhcrs. New members are learning how to set up the FWIO exhibit Marg Harris. President Elect of FWIO. stated that communications mcans “to inform. to build under- standing. to lower barriers. toexchungc ideas and to present a point of View." A person‘s tone of voice. manner of speaking and dress nli affect the way one communicates. Her presentation was completed with a brief "Fashion Equation." Rie Van Sleeg. one of the workshop participants from the Low don Area. illustrated with clothing from Bracmer how a working woman can have over thirty outfits with two jockcts. four bottoms and five tops. Mary Juries. Provincial Public Rclalioits Officer. and Gicnna Smith. Provincial Program Coordinator. gave many ideas on met-ting fonnats. such its mystery outings. hands-onâ€"acttvtlies and tclcphone conferences. They includcd ways to promote the organi- /.;ition through dynamic exhibits and how to keep membcrs awzirc ofcurrcnt issues. Many uctivtties of currcnt interest. such as craft workshops and scholar- ships. were disc sscd. The importance oi keeping informed on issues and the proper methods of preparing resolu- lltitls were presented by Mary Lou Norton. Provincial Board Director from Prince Edward District. “Mnrkcting the WI" gnvc tlii partici- pants an insight into the work and future oi FWIU Tht-si: cn~ tlittstastic womcn will now be presenting workshops in their own communities. Their idcas. lilL‘iI' questions and thctr interest in all use pccls of tho WI tndicatcd that we need to continually communicatc With other members and our cummur nitics to kccp currcni. Their strong belief in th‘ goals and tthL‘L‘iiV " ofthe WI are u good indication that Women‘s lnsltttttcs in Ontario arc ulivc and well uftcruccntury ofproviding personal growth and com- munity action Marv Jam's [\ Illt' Public It’i‘lutirili.\ “flow for the I‘W/U Home & Country. Spring '95 9