1937 - Convention Report

              TWENTIETH PROVINCIAL CONVENTION 41
Mrs. J. P. Ferguson, our W. I. President, has been with us both years with a
splendid address, and we hope to have her again this year, and also to hear from
her daugjiter Margaret, who will have just returned from the Coronation.
Last year the music was under the supervision of Agnes McKerrow, with
Anola/ Thompson at the piano, and we had many new and interesting songs, with
the girls entering into the spirit of the singing splendidly, as they did the year
before, when Mrs. Thompson took charge of it. Miss Pepper, of the Department
of Agriculture, of Ottawa, gave a splendid address on " Girls' Work in Other
Provinces", and expressed the wish that the W. I. G.' C.' s would spread to other
provinces, as we are so well organized.'
Miss Brighty, of the Department of Health, gave a good talk on " Personal
Hygiene", stressing self- knowledge, self- reverence, and self- control. Miss
Mclntyre spoke on " Personal Relationships." Mrs. Elizabeth Sterling Haynes
gave a helpful and instructive lecture on " The Theatre,,' and we expect to have
her with us again on July 15th.
Every year we have a handicraft exhibit. In 1935 the list of winners is too
long to give, but will be found in the magazine. Last year the art and novelty
exhibit was won by Jane Popham; quilt, Calgary Girls' Club; wool work, Gertrude
Ridge way.
The banquet and show make another yearly feature. Last year we saw
" Aiine of Green Gables."
There have been two good Conferences in Lethbridge in conjunction with
the District W. I. Conference, under the District Director, Florence Current.
The girls have their own programs, and this year it was exceptionally good. I
want you to see it. They had a demonstration. on " Applying Makeup", by Miss
Robson, of Lethbridge, and many of the ladies joined us for that. Fifty- seven
were present, and many contributed to the morning's program with jokes and
music. The speakers last year were Mrs. Ferguson and Mrs. Campbell, while
this year they were Mrs. D. Clark and Mrs. Grevett.
The Clubs of Districts No. 1 and No. 2 met with the W. I. Conference in
Edmonton in April, 1936. Seven Clubs were represented, convened by Kay
Fulcher, Director. In addition to the reports, etc., there were talks from Mrs.
Brown, Mrs. Ferguson and Miss Fuleher. They joined the W. I. for the afternoon
session and were present for the show and lunch.
There are 54 Clubs, 44 of which are reporting regularly. Three of these are
Junior Clubs. There are three Clubs, the Diamonettes, Diamond City;
Warner Golden Grain, New Dayton, and we hope one is forming at Innisfail.
The average membership is ten.
We give a prize to the Secretary who does her work best, and last year it
went to a new Club, Gladys Sorgard, Turin Toilers.
You may think my report rather long, but there is so much to sa}', and the
work is so interesting and so important, that I feel wre should give considerable
thought to it, especially for the sake of the future of the W. I. I have attended
meetings of the Girls' Clubs where their papers, programs and demonstrations
would put to shame many a W. I. meeting I have attended. These young women
thus trained will make the very best members of the W. I., I am sure.
One thing we need, and need badly, is more Supervisors, who can forget
themselves in the work they are called upon to do, and can think wisely and be
sympathetic with youth and its needs. Such Supervisors will get their awrard in
the joy they get out of being allowed to attend the girls' meetings in an advisory
capacity. Believe me, it is an uplift in itself, and I can assure you that you will not
regret it, if you will just organize a club for the young girls in every town or
country community where there is a W. I. Of course, it takes time: I grant you
that, and you may have to give up an occasional bridge party, or the like, but it
is worth the trouble.