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WI: Women Involved is our slogan for 2016! Travelling through this beautiful province in September and October while attending 13 Area Conventions, I had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful WI Members who shared their thoughts, ideas and visions for the future of FWIO. From north to south and east to west, the hospitality received was gratefully appreciated. The journey was sometimes challenging, but always interesting! It was great to see so many WI Women Involved! Andrea Morrison, Sheila Schuehlein, President of Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health and I were on hand in Kincardine on October 29th to receive the Community Foundation Grey Bruce Grant of $4,000 that will be used for a Rural Women's Health Support Initiative which will feature workshops in the Grey-Bruce Area on "Caregiver Burnout". This will be a cooperative effort between FWIO's ROSE Program, and local WI Members. The HRAI Donor Appreciation Dinner took place on November 23rd. We are most grateful to the HRAI Golden Horseshoe Chapter, Manufacturers, Marlene & Hollie Archer and Shirley & Jack Cranston for their donations to the heating and air conditioning project at the Erland Lee (Museum) Home and Carriage House. The Women's Institute Rose project will unfortunately be delayed until the Spring of 2017. A Retired Teachers' Grant for the Museum in the amount of $2,000 was announced, and the Digitizing Grant from Library and Archives Canada in excess of $38,000 was also approved! The Environmentally Friendly Hints Book has been updated and 200 books are now available. Andrea and Kim have been working hard to get our website up-to-date and secure. The FWIO website will be receiving a facelift in the New Year. The Annual General Meeting was held at the Casablanca Winery Inn in Grimsby. Reports were given by the Coordinators and Officers, and our Accountant, Sara Detweiler, from Bairstow, Smart & Smith LLP, reviewed the Financial Statements for the year ending September 30, 2015. Copies of the Annual Report may be requested from the Provincial Office. A full summary of the AGM can be found on page 12. AGM Restructuring Vote: Results of the vote will be included as a separate enclosure. The Provincial Board will be reviewing the vote and investigate any legal ramifications before implementing the changes. Comments presented to the Board Directors and AVD's will be discussed at the January Board Meeting as well. If you are planning on attending the ACWW Triennial Conference in England in 2016, and would like to book a pre or post conference tour, please contact Arthena Hecker for details. I would like to thank the FWIO Board and retiring Board Members and Coordinators, WI Women Involved, for their efforts in support of FWIO and their Communities. Kim Sauder, Administrator of FWIO, Andrea Morrison, Program & Communications Manager, Leah Gauthier, Office Assistant, Lynn Zizzo, Bookkeeper and Alyssa Gomori, Curator are doing a wonderful job! One common theme that was discussed at every Area Convention was the need to increase our membership. I am happy to announce that Maureen Jennings, author and creator of the Murdoch Mysteries Television Series became a Member of FWIO at the AGM! In 2015, we welcomed the Women Inspiring Women WI (Brant County) and the Aurora WI, as well as over 100 new Members. New Branches are being planned to open in 2016. Looking to the future, with WI Women Involved, I am confident that FWIO will grow and flourish. The ground-work has been laid and it is our job to build upon it. "I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do." - Leonardo da Vinci, Artist and Visionary Wishing you all the best for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. Yours for Home and Country, Margaret Byl by fwio preside nt margaret byl 3