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| Title | Women's Institute Convention Calls for Small-Town Groups |
| Subject | Wooddale, Branches |
| Description | Branches |
| Language | en |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Type | text |
| Source | Alberta Women's Institutes; AWI Collection |
| Identifier | AWI0811077 |
| Date | 1979 |
| Collection | Alberta Women's Institutes - Collective Memory; Alberta Women's Institutes - Collective Memory |
| Repository | AU Digital Library; AU Digital Library |
| Copyright | For Private Study and Research Use Only; For Private Study and Research Use Only |
| Transcript | WOMEN'S INSTITUTE CONVENTION. Officials and members of district four, Alberta Women's Institute, took time out from their busy convention schedule for a banquet at the Stampeder Hotel Tuesday night. Here, enjoying the annual get-together, are left to right, Mrs. C. L. Alexander, Cayley, district director; Mrs. John Richards, Red Deer, vice- president; Mrs. M. G. Roberts, Drumheller, provincial president; and Mrs. Don Dougan, Strathmore, recording secretary. Women's Institute Convention Calls For Small- Town Groups There is a great need for women's institutes in smaller towns, Mrs. Carl Alexander told the opening session of the Alberta Women's Institute, District No. 4, conference at the Stamoeder Hotel Tuesday. " Who else would fill the need the women's institute does with the various proiects it sponsors?" she asked. ' The world has never been so poor in love, fidelity and purity." Mrs. Alexander, District No. 4 director, told the 43rd annual conference. " It is upon women that the responsibility to replenish this supply rests." Wl members must get enthused about the organization in each community if they want it to grow and flourish, she went on. " We must progress with the times and show our obligation to the community." In the business session, Mrs. Alexander reported a, n estimated membership of 900 in the 43 branches in District 4. There are 400 members in the seven girls' clubs sponsored by the women's institute. More than $ 15, 000 was raised by WI's in the district in 1962, she reported. An additional $ 535 was donated to libraries in the area. PROJECTS WI projects in the district during the past year included a •* 500 donation by Turner Valley WI to aid in build; r g a new swimming pool. Wheelchairs were donated to various hospitals and a slide projector was given to an 11- year- old muscular dystrophy patient. Layettes wee given to different hospitals anc" clothing was sent to mental patients. The Mental Health Association also received assistance. Tn some communities, fire victims were given aid. Medicine Hat WI provided tricvcles for the chMdren in the home for retarded children to help them learn co- ordination. Raymond and Bow Island WI helped with the senior citizens' homes in their communities. Gladys Ridse and Warner WI soonsored a travelling art display. Langdon WI adooted several children in Hong Kong and India. Dinton WI started an annual garden tour and plant sale. A $ 600 scholarship, a'on? with awards for proficiency, has been given to deserving students from District No. 4. M'NUTES Mrs. Don Dougan of Gleichen read the summary of the minutes of last year's conference in Lethbridee. The resolution regarding the adoption of the Red Ensign as Canada's national flag is slated for Parliament, she reported. Mrs. Pear". Liebelt of Warner, assisted by Mrs. Stanley Nash of Gladys Ridge, will head the committee for resolutions. Nominations for provincial secretary and district director will be sent to Mrs. N. H. Nolan of North Taber. Mrs. Alec Symeic of Lethbridge is in charge of the courtesy committee. The idea box, containing suggestions made by delegates regarding new projects and ideas, will be under the cart of Mrs. G. R. Rinehart of Card-ston. The Ideas will be published in booklet form for distribution to groups. Delegates divided into groups for " buzz sessions" to discuss ideas for a district project. Mrs. Herb Goodwin of Ald-ersyde, speaking on behalf of her grouo, suggested under- privileged students be given assistance to continue their education. She also suggested the provincial grouo sponsor a student from another country and bring him to study in Canada. CLOTHING NEEDED Mrs. Anne Lowrey of Dinton said the CNIB, 406 16th Ave. N. W., was in need of used clothing. Mrs. Lucy Big Plume of Sar-cee noted the need for young Indian students to continue their education. Speaking on hehalf of her group, Mrs. William Marck of Medicine Hat said the WI's should encourage a drive to keen Canada free of billboards and other advertisements " cluttering up the countryside." She suggested a beautifica-tion project " to rid the country of junk" be started in preparation for the Centennial. Rest rooms could be maintained by the WI she added. Mrs. Marck also noted that th# Unitarian Service Committee has asked WI's to make felt slioners for Korean orphans. Mrs. W. J. Ockley of Calgary asked that younser women be encouraged to attend WI meetings and thus increase member-shin. Volunteers are needed for helping with Red Cross and other organization, said Mrs. Alec Symeic of Lethbridge. Other ideas given by her group included closer work with Indian grouos; district cook book; exhibit of handicrafts and exchange with other WI's. LIBRARIES Mrs. Kay Willocks of Blackie, for her session, suggested libraries in smaller towns could be helped by WI members. She also suggested a need for vocational schools in small towns to prevent school drop- outs. Representing her section, Mrs. Pearl Liebelt of Warner said that " all groups should be thinking of an idea for the Centennial year. The Mental Health Association and the retarded childrens' groups need all the support they can get, " she added. Another idea was to encourage the speaking of French in Western Canada. Constituency. conveners arc Mrs. G. C. Newman of Calgary- Okotoks; Mrs. Don Dougan of Gleichen; Mrs. T. H. Nolan of North Taber; Mrs. J. W. Knibbs of Grassy Lake; Mrs. Emmer-son Porter of Medicine Hat; ; Mrs. A. W. Masy of Little Bow: and Mrs. James Ramsey of Warner. |
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