Bergland plays host to 84th area Women’s Institute convention

News Release
Women’s Institutes

The 84th Northwestern Ontario Women’s Institute Area Convention was held at the Bergland Community Hall on September 20 & 21. The Area Convention had not been held at this end of the District for almost 30 years. The 6 Branches of the Rainy River District Women’s Institutes hosted the event. They set up several displays of handwork projects, of handmade quilts, and of 4H course instruction books to decorate the hall and prepared copious amounts of coffee, muffins, fruits and cheeses for morning appetites.
The registration for the Convention began at 8:30am Monday morning with Carol Peterson, Carol Pratt and Joann Moen greeting all the members as they arrived.
Area President Ruth Brett called the Convention to order at 9:30 with O Canada and the reciting of the W.I. Ode. She introduced the Provincial President, Elsie Stephenson, to the Convention saying that the membership was pleased that she was able to attend. The Mayor of Lake of the Woods Township, Valerie Pizey, graciously welcomed the delegation, praising the Women’s Institutes for all of their accomplishments since their beginning in 1897. She said the women can be proud to belong to such an organization. The Women’s Institutes are one of the largest volunteer groups in the world.
The 46 women attending the meeting accepted the minutes and the financial report of the 2003 Area Convention as reported by Area Secretary-Treasurer Kristine Carpenter. Provincial Advisory Councillors Gerd Hamilton and Eleanor Wiersema reported on the FWIO conference in Oshawa and the Provincial Annual meeting in Barrie. There is a growing concern across the Province over the proposed increases in the annual membership fees. Provincial Board Director June Feaver, in her report, told the membership that she has been advocating for space in the Home and Country Magazine for the members in the Northwest. So she asks that the members send in more pictures and articles. Mrs Feaver also reminded the women that this is her last year as Board Director and that her position must be filled at next Area Convention.
Erin Rencher, the newest entrepreneur in the community, kindly agreed to talk to the members about her candy making business. During a break into the morning session, she demonstrated making chocolate roses much to the ladies’ delight.
Provincial President Elsie Stephenson spoke to the concern over the increasing membership fees and stated that the Provincial Office has decided not to raise the amount this year as planned. Mrs Stephenson spoke at length on the decline in W.I. memberships. She said it is important that this issue be addressed by all Branches in the Province. The new theme for ROSE programming in 2005 is “Sharing Our Heritage”. She urged Branches to plan sessions where members can recount memories, write stories, tour museums, have guest speakers, prepare ethnic foods and have any number of like activities.
Mrs Stephenson was very proud that the Women’s Institutes of Ontario Tweedsmuir Histories were awarded the Scadding Award of Excellence by the Ontario Historical Society. This prestigious award recognizes a historical society or heritage group which has made an outstanding contribution to the field of history. She praised all of the Branch , District and Area Tweedsmuir Curators for a job well done. She presented each of the Branches present with a copy of the award. What a great honour for W.I.
The Provincial quilt show will be held in Toronto on September 16, 17, and 18, 2005 and about 600 quilts will be needed. Quilts may be submitted for show or for sale by individuals, Branches, Districts, or Areas. This is the Provincial office’s way of helping with fundraising.
The Election of Officers was conducted by Elsie Stephenson with results as follows - Past President: Ruth Brett; Convention Chair: Mae Lesnick; First Vice-Chair: Joyce Cockle; Second Vice-Chair: Irene Huntley; Secretary-Treasurer: Barbara Clara; Tweedsmuir Curator: Eleanor Wiersema; Voting Delegate: Gerd Hamilton; Alternate Voting Delegate: Eleanor Wiersema.
Eileen Shannon, who has a business “Hummingbird Wellness” and Dorothy Friesen, whose business is “Body Talk” gave interesting presentations on their views of natural methods of healing and on alternative life styles for good health, giving the members plenty of food for thought.
Laurie Pentney spoke to the convention briefly about the history of the Tomahawk Lighthouse, which the family has made into a museum. She brought a large number of historical pictures and told the ladies that the Lighthouse has been featured in a TV series “Great Canadian Lakes - Lake of the Woods” on the history channel. Most of the ladies, despite the rain, went with Laurie on a tour to see the 100 year old lighthouse.
Monday evening, after a very good banquet, the members of the Convention were entertained by the lively music of the old time band “Hwy. 621” featuring Leonard Larsen, Jerry Fisk, Fred Brett, Bob Johnson, Evelyn Rencher and Ruth Brett. The convention members had a great time dancing and singing.
Leila Pettigrew, on Tuesday morning, gave an entertaining and informative report on the 2004 ACWW Conference in Tasmania. She and several others took a brief tour of Australia before the Conference.
There were no resolutions brought forward at this Convention. During a short business meeting, discussions took place regarding mileage for the executive of the Area Committees. A motion was carried to strike “100km one way “ from the Standing Rules. A motion was carried to delete clause 5. i) from the Standing Rules. This clause stated that” an annual honorarium of $50.00 shall be paid to the Secretary-Treasurer”. A motion was carried to pay the Secretary-Treasurer all justifiable expenses. Motions were carried to pay all bills and to change signing officers.
The question box was very full and it took some to deal with it all. Members want the small W.I. table flags again and Board Director, June Feaver will take care of that. Some members question one day registration rates and were told that that should be up to each planning committee. It was suggested that the conventions be only one day long but that was received with mixed opinions.
The District Branches, as hosts, were pleased to hear that the guest W.I. members had enjoyed themselves.
The District thanks Patsy Moen for graciously hosting the Provincial President Elsie Stephenson; caterer Sheri Stamarski for the tasty meals; Laurie Pentney for the Lighthouse tour and the members at the registration table for making the visiting members feel the warmth and friendliness of their hosts.