The Rural Voice, 1997-02, Page 23Houston, adding that in addition to
seeing the country it taught
leadership qualities. "One of the
things I've noticed over the years is
that people who have been in WI
know how to conduct meetings."
"The Institute is training members
in general, business-oriented things,
such as helping them hold meetings
and speaking more adeptly one-on-
one," said Braeker. "Also we get
them more in tune with what's going
on with people today."
peggy
Keffer, a 31-year-old nurse
and mother of two young
children, who has been a
member of Majestic WI in
Brussels since 1986, supports that
belief. "The meetings are structured;
this is not just a social time. Through
WI, I have improved my
organizational and research skills as
well as increased my knowledge in
some areas. There are things I would
never have experienced, had I not
been in Institute. I have !earned the
many ways it touches lives outside
the community. It reaches out to
people. "
Enticing more young women to
discover this aspect of WI is the next
challenge facing the Federation.
Braeker says that currently FWIO is
restructuring from the provincial
offices down to the branches to make
the Federation more appealing for
'90s women. Membership in Ontario
stands at between 15-16,000, a
decline in numbers, which Braeker
attributes in part to the Federation not
having refocussed soon enough. "We
have been teaching home-oriented
subjects and of course many of
today's women are out in business.
The focus should have a greater span.
I feel we have been lax in keeping up
with that."
Keffer, who is PRO and 2nd Vice
of her branch this term„ says that
having been acquainted with WI all
her life through her mother's
involvement, she never viewed it as
an older women's organization. "I do
think that perception and the fact that
today's women have less time are
keeping many younger ones from
joining. But if people would look at it
a different way, if they would see it
as an opportunity to learn from the
seniors and bring new ideas, they
would realize there is still work that
can be done."
Braeker agrees. "We need the
younger women. We need not just
their ideas but their input to find out
how they can be helped today. They
have different challenges, having to
work outside the home, while
balancing motherhood. This is where
the Institute can be of value to them."
Regarding the WI's shift in focus,
Braeker says, "We are trying to look
at problems now from birth to
death," adding that FWIO has
supported the issue of living wills
and written government with
suggestions regarding this. "WI is an
option for the younger women. What
they want is not that different from
what the older group wanted, to come
home and feel in control. They can
be supported by the seniors who have
experienced some of the same
difficulties and can offer advice.
They can learn ideas, or simply find
someone who would help them by
taking the children for a day and give
them a break. It can be that basic".
Being together with women to
discuss issues and learn, offers
women of any age a chance to share
concerns and commiserate. "It is a
way to look at another person for
help and we are looking for any way
to help women," says Braeker.
Getting that message out to the
next generation may be one of the
most important crusades for FWIO.
While too little time may be a
deterrent for working wives and
mothers, Braeker says FWIO has to
begin promoting itself. "Women
today are not looking for things to
do. They need to know the
importance of what we do and feel it
is something they want to be part of."
One way to make it easier has
been a change in meeting times,
which were always held in
afternoons. Some branches meet on
alternate afternoons and evenings, or
will host workshops twice to make
them convenient for all. "Any groups
not willing to make these changes
need to recognize they may be
folding," said Braeker. "That's the
reality."
One frustration Braeker has felt is
that more mothers of 4-H members
do not join Institute. "Despite having
their children involved in 4-H, and
knowing that we support it, the
parents have never bothered to come
see what we're about," said Braeker.
Also, she adds, that while there are 4-
H members who go on to join
Institute, as Keffer did, there are not
as many as she would like. "This has
really bothered me. I'd like to see
them come to Institute after 4-1-1 and
go on with the learning process that
begins there."
This zealous conviction to the
attraction, duty and worth of FWIO
is common among its members who
speak with passion when discussing
the Federation and its work. "I can go
on forever, when I'm talking about
Institute," says Braeker. "Hopefully
we can get more young ones
involved because I'm sure there are
many areas where we still can work
to make improvements for the
betterment of family."
It is that aspect of FWIO, which
has Houston believing firmly in its
continued existence. "Oh, it will
survive. It has carried on for 100
years. There are a lot of smart young
women with bright ideas already
involved. Everyone knows it's too
good a thing to drop."0
Birthday bash begins
June 17 in Hamilton
From June 17-22, the incredible
successes of Women's Institutes
over the past century, will be
celebrated by 2,000 -plus delegates
from around the world at a WI
Centennial Celebration and FWIC
Convention 97 at the Hamilton
Convention Centre. Activities
celebrating the formation of the WI
will be combined with the triennial
business meeting of the FWIC.The
theme is Indebted to the Past;
Committed to the Future.
Linda Ambrose, author of For
Home and Country; The Centennial
History of the Women's Institutes in
.Ontario, and an assistant professor of
History at Laurentian University is a
keynote speaker. Motivational
speaker Rosalie Wysocki will also
attend.
There will be entertainment and
panel discussions, as well as tours of
the Erland Lee (Museum) Home and
the Adelaide Hoodless Homestead.
WI branches across the province
have been preparing for the event by
holding competitions for centennial
mementoes. Quilts, handicrafts and
artifacts from across Canada will be
displayed.°
FEBRUARY 1997 19