by Elaine Hennessy
Public Relations
WI District of North Renfrew
WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — The Women’s Institute for the District of North Renfrew, hosted the Eastern Area Convention on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018 at the Cobden Legion.
It was an interesting day.
Eastern Area President Christine Reaburn, from Westmeath, called the meeting to Order at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Flag Ceremony and singing of O Canada. The North Renfrew District President Juliana Coulas, and Ms. Reaburn welcomed everyone to the meeting. A short Memorial Service was conducted to remember members who passed away. Minutes of 2017 Convention were approved, and also several financial Reports.
A motion was passed that Ms. Reaburn and Irene Robillard be the Area Voting Delegates at the 2019 ACWW Triennial Conference to be held in Australia.
Area by-laws were discussed. A motion was passed that the area donate $500 to the FWIO Emergency Relief Fund to assist Ottawa/Arnprior areas — Dunrobin, White Lake, Kinburn and Calabogie — following extensive damage caused by tornadoes.
Ms. Reaburn gave her President’s Report, and her term is now completed. She recalled how this district and have grown and become instrumental in the life of the members and the communities in which they live.
Some of the highlights Ms. Reaburn touched on were:
the first Branch in North Renfrew was organized by Laura Rose in Beachburg in 1904
* In September 1937 an afternoon tea was held in Westmeath due to a Vice Regal Visit by Lady Tweedsmuir to which all Branches in the District were invited.
* Following a resolution from NR District that a portrait of Adelaide Hoodless be placed in the Archives in Ottawa a presentation was duly made on May 8, 1950
* North Renfrew hosted the Area Rally in Pembroke in 1977 – Max Keeping was the guest speaker
* NR has hosted the Area Conventions in 1999 in Pembroke, 2010 in Westmeath and today.
* Between 1914 and the early 1990s, Area Conventions were held firstly in the Chateau Laurier, then the Talisman on Carling Avenue followed by KCAT
* It was the 90s when the Area Convention started to rotate around the Districts.
“When we break for lunch let us remember Eastern Area member Clara Lintel Deakin who in 1950 composed the Women’s Institute Grace,” Ms. Reaburn said.
Ms. Reaburn thanked the districts who extended invitations to her to attend Annual Meetings in 2017 and 2018.
“I enjoyed them immensely,” she said. “Your hospitality to me, and to my travel companion Ruth Douma, was much appreciated.”
She added that exploring the Eastern Area with Ms. Douma was accomplished with much laughter and fellowship.
Ms. Reaburn thanked the members for their dedication and commitment to Women’s Institute.
“I am impressed with the care, respect and love you give to each other and your communities,” she said.
Linda Zelem F.W.I.O President gave an address. She resides in the Hamilton area and currently works full time. She thanked all members for the donation of $1,000 that was given to the University of Guelph for research on Lyme Disease. FWIO has 3,000 members; money has been given to the Erland Lee Home. Feb. 19, 2019 is W.I. Day; B&Bs are advertised in the Home & Country Magazine; there is a sub-division of branches with some meetings in the afternoon, and others in the evening.
Various reports were provided.
Public Relations officer PennyLee Prevost gave her report. She advised how she had met many people as PRO, and talked about ways to promote the Women’s Institute. Tweedsmuir Co-ordinator Liz Campbell gave her report and talked about setting up displays at Conventions, and how three items are judged. Each winner is presented with a cheque, and may take their entries home. A list of items for the following year is given out at the Convention. Deborah Ireton of The Bernice Noblett Committee advised that Peggy Knapp was not nominated this year, but this nomination will be looked at again next year. Diane Wade of the Scholarship Committee advised that two scholarships will be given out each year in the amounts of $500 each.
Ruth Douma chaired the Afternoon Session. Ballots were cast for Voting Delegates. A presentation of Area Scholarships was presented. Two grandmothers accepted the Scholarships on behalf of their granddaughters.
Brittany Curry who happens to be from the North Renfrew District, and Cassandra Allen. Ms. Curry’s grandmother, Margaret, from Beachburg, accepted her scholarship.
Irene Robillard gave a slide presentation on the 2018 F.W.I. C. Convention that was held in Winnipeg. The Theme was Making Change Count. There were inspiring speakers, hoop dances were performed by Aboriginal people, topics were discussed about Kids Helping Kids, and a W.I. Story Quilt was on display. Irene was wearing a golf shirt with the new W.I. Logo on it. These shirts are available at a cost of $45. Small flags with the logo were passed out to each branch at the Convention. Ms. Reaburn gave an update on A.C.W.W. This organization is involved with projects in many countries. Some objectives are to reduce poverty, have quality education, clean water, affordable and clean energy, health education, violence against women, and climate action. To date, 15 projects have been completed. Ms. Reaburn advised that only 56 members had participated in the ACWW Global Survey of Living Conditions of Rural Women. She urged all members to take the time to fill out the Survey which is on line. Canada Area is supporting 3 ACWW Projects this triennium as follows; a solar pump for South Africa, Art Therapy in Romania, and “Fertilize Your Future”.
The Election & Installation of Area Officers was carried out by Linda Zelem and are as follows: President Cheryl Sullivan; 1st. Vice President Sandy Millar; 2nd. Vice President Ellen Martin; Secretary Ann McDonnel; Treasurer Liz Raymond; Public Relations Cindy Zorgel; Tweedsmuir Jane Hilary; Bernice Noblett Committee-Chair Deborah Ireton, members Myra Kelly & Mona Saunders; Scholarship Committee Chair Rodina Bell, members Lynn Clelland & PennyLee Prevost; Financial Reviewers Linda Dunn & Esther Grabowski; Eastern Area Board Director Cheryl Sullivan; Area Voting Delegate Cheryl Bunda; Alternate Area Voting Delegate Mary Inglis.
An invitation was received from the Carleton District who will host the Area Convention on Oct. 28, 2019. Draws were made for several door prizes. The meeting closed with the Retiring of the Flags and singing God Save The Queen.
