Annual General Meeting 2004
REVIEW: July 6-7, 2004

Northumberland Regional High School, Alma, Pictou County, Nova Scotia

More than one hundred and fifty members and guests attended the 2004 Annual General Meeting in Alma, Pictou County, on July 6th and 7th.

Our host for the AGM was the Pictou District WI and members enjoyed the beautiful new Northumberland Regional High School facility. On the evening of July 6th, the District hosted an evening of entertainment enjoyed by one and all.

Greetings from the Premier, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Status of Women, local MLA, County Warden, FWIC, and School Principal were received. A special greeting from the West Virginia Community Educational Outreach Service President, Grace Staggs and a brief address from our Honourary President, Anne d'Entremont were also received by the members and guests at the opening ceremony.

Many displays lined the entranceway to the school and members enjoyed the opportunity to pick up program and project information. Marisha Lamond, coordinator of the 2004 WINS Rural Water Quality Project - Phase 2, made a brief presentation and had information on the project on display.

During the business session the 2003-2004 annual report, including the financial report and budget for the 2004-2005 year were passed.

All four proposed resolutions on Child Sexual Abuse, Cell Phone Dangers, Shortage of Nurses and an Agricultural Disaster Plan were approved with no amendments.

During the luncheon, special guest, John A. McLean, was honoured with the prestigious Erland Lee Award. Dot Chisholm of the Springville-Island WI read the members a letter written about Mr. McLeans efforts and assistance to his wife, Dr. Ellen McLean and to WINS and the Women's Institutes movement as a whole. Mr. McLean was quite moved by this presentation and is a worthy recipient of this FWIC national award.

After lunch, Jeanne Cruikshank, Atlantic Canada Vice President of the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors, gave a presentation on changing food trends. Jeanne concluded that consumers attitudes and lifestyles are changing and grocery retailers are trying to keep up with these trends. Retailers recognize a greater need for convenience, continued health concerns, variety of eating experiences and the consumers expectations for value.

Ruth Blenkhorn, WINS President reported on her attendance at the ACWW Triennial Conference that was held in March in Hobart, Tasmania. Ruth outlined her experiences at the conference with photos of the area, conference and of the people she had met. She said that 57 delegates from Canada took part along with six hundred delegates from over 46 countries. The next ACWW Conference will be held in 2007 in Finland. A Pennies For Friendship Parade preceded this presentation and just over $600 was donated by members and guests for this ACWW fund.

J. Lynn MacLean presented the FWIC Executive Officer's report and told about the national organization's activities. She encouraged members to start thinking about attending the 2006 FWIC Convention in Red Deer, Alberta.

Delegates were surprised with the theme of the afternoon exercise break - belly dancing! Thanks again to Donna Bullerwell of Caribou WI who led the members and guests though a fun and somewhat humourous exercise break.

Public Relations Officer, Carol M. Crawford, presented her final report as PRO to the delegates. She encouraged members to think about goals for the branch - to write them down and as they are accomplished, to check them off. Carol gave many ideas on how to encourage volunteerism within the branches and encouraged the Board to set guidelines this fall to come up directions for making branch banners. Carol was thanked for five years as PRO and for her enthusiastic approach to this position.

The draw for the stained glass lamp was made and the winner is Brenda Teed of Brookfield, NS. Brenda is the daughter of Elsie Tattrie, North River WI. More than six hundred dollars has been raised through the sale of tickets on this lamp. Our thanks again to Mr. Wayne Blenkhorn for making the lamp for WINS.

Past Presidents in attendance were recognized during a rose presentation. Ellen McLean, Marion Newcombe, Winnie Forbes, Isabel Archibald, Pauline Meek and Lynn McLean were given a round of applause.

Lorraine Frauzel, chair of the Handcraft committee, announced that 35 entries had been received in the Smocked Ornament Competition. The winner is Ruby Moody of Sable River and Area WI.

Lorraine also announced that the winners of the 2004 Family Scholarship are Benjamin Carver, sponsored by Barss Corner WI and Stephanie Mills, sponsored by Sherbrooke WI. The winner of the 4H Senior Public Speaker award was Sara Mahaney of Shelburne.

Jo-Anne Smith, chair of the Membership committee, announced that the winning branch of the 2004 Reach For the Stars Award is Sable River and Area WI with four new members. The name of the new member who won free registration to the AGM is Linda Prendergast of Homeville WI.

Joann Cory, chair of the Program committee, encouraged members to continue to have programs on the history of the Acadians and to also have programs on Agricultural Awareness. She asked the members to keep up their good work by making finger puppets, turbans, toe socks, knitted bears and layettes for various causes.

Lauren Seaton, chair of the Editorial committee, commented on the changes this past year to the Home and County newsletter and schedule.

Karleen Gale, chair of the Rural Issues committee, encouraged members to review her detailed report in the 2003-2004 annual report.

Winnie Forbes, chair of the Nominations committee, made special mention of departing Board Member and Lunenburg District Director, Lorraine Frauzel and also leaving the board this year, Carol M. Crawford, PRO. Both ladies were thanked for their many efforts. Winnie mad a special welcome to Anita Emeneau, the new Lunenburg District Director.

At this time Ruth Blenkhorn asked the Board of Directors to come to the stage. FWIC Executive Officer, J. Lynn MacLean, had the honour of installing the new 2004-2005 WINS Board of Directors.

It was the end of another wonderful AGM and many thanks to the AGM planning committee (Jo-Anne Smith, Aleah P. Lomas and Joann Cory) and many thanks to the Pictou District Women's Institute branches who helped to create this special event.

Aleah P. Lomas, Guysborough District Director, invited everyone to travel to the Sherbrooke area next July for AGM 2005. The AGM closed with the reading of the WINS vision statement and a wish for a safe trip home!