The Federated Women’s Institute of Ontario will hold its annual conference at Wilfrid Laurier University on June 4, 5, and 6.
This is not the first year that the conference is open to anyone, but organizer Shirley Thaiss said this year the public is being invited well in advance. People do not have to be a Women’s Institute member to attend.
“We hope to see at least 300,” Thaiss said in an interview on Monday.
A full day bus tour has been arranged for the Saturday for those who are inclined, and that tour will return in time for the banquet.
A full day WI-style bus trip is also planned for Friday for those who wish to arrive the day before, or, a Friday afternoon tour is also available.
Registration forms, deadlines, competitions (some new ones), workshops, a book exchange, tours, and much more are a part of this year’s conference.
Those who remember to register before March 1 in will qualify for an Early Bird Draw entitling one member to a refund of her registration fee.
The Women’s Institutes are holding their biennial conference at Wilfrid Laurier University.
The theme of the conference is Women Informed, and participants can attend a number of educational workshops.
The keynote speaker this year is The Honourable James Bartleman, former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
The conference includes a panel discussion on The State of Food and Agriculture in local communities and guest panelists include Dorothy Duncan (author, historian, international lecturer on Canada’s culinary history, and advocate of the one mile diet), Ann Clark (associate professor of the Department of Agriculture at the University of Guelph) and Daryl Ball, (regional information co-ordinator with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
Thaiss acknowledged that in some parts of Ontario, Women’s Institutes are closing.
But, she said, that is not the case everywhere. She is president of the Georgetown chapter, and it has 27 members. “I think some are closing because the members are growing older,” she said. “But some are growing. We’d like to get out the word that the Women’s Institute is alive and well. I think sometimes some people think it’s time is passed, but the New Dundee chapter has over 70 members.”
The conference is open to all women, and is a mini-vacation with the opportunity to learn new things and to make new friends. Registering by March 1, gives people a chance to get first choice of the workshops. Those participating are asked to select four workshops, and will be able to attend two of their choices. The workshops include:
– Loving the Skin You’re In with Diane MacMillan, about style and shape versus,fashion providing tips to enhance the features you love and camouflage the ones you don’t, and making the most of what you’ve got without having to spend a fortune;
– Moms Gone Green with Charlotte Day. It provides ten simple tips to help reduce environmental impact and live happier, healthier lives. It considers eating green and how it affects people personally, locally, and globally;
– Circle Dancing, with Audrey Fyfe. No partners or previous experience required. Each dance is taught. Dress comfortably, casually.
– Ontario Christian Gleaners with Elaine Merkus. Every day people can see images of hungry and starving children. Every 30 seconds eight people will have died from hunger while thousands of tons of food are wasted. The Gleaners have found a practical solution and are using Ontario’s surplus to feed the hungry in the world.
– Opportunities for Young People in Organic Farming with Ann Clark. She is an associate professor of the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph, and a coordinator of the Major in Organic Agriculture. Grazing livestock has been one of her areas of research;
– Nothing More Comforting – Our Ancestors’ One-Mile Diet, with Dorothy Duncan. The workshop includes samples of historical recipes. Books will be available for purchase.
– Gardening – Plant Combinations, with Daisy Moore. This shows how to combine plants for all season long and keep the flower beds interesting. Learn about support and companion planting;
– Plastic Bag Mats, with Mary Dicky. How to make mats from milk bags. They have many uses and help keep plastic out of the landfill. Dicky, with the help of others, has sent many mats to people in Haiti;
– Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection, Staying Ahead of the Game with Dr. Kenneth A. Kobayashi. Learn about the different types of skin cancers, several different aspects of protecting skin to prevent sun damage and skin cancers, and raise awareness of unusual spots on your skin which might be skin cancer; and
– Vaccinations – presenter to be confirmed. This workshop will be an open discussion on people’s experience with and concerns about vaccinations. What does your doctor say?
The final registration date is April 1, and registration forms and all details of the conference are available at www.fwio.on.ca (events calendar), from a local Women’s Institute branch or by contacting registration chair man Annemarie McDonald at 905-873-2519 or at annemarie4@sympatico.ca.
