Provincial Convention 2003 Review
“Excellent! What Fun! The Best Convention Yet!”

Here are just a few of the comments heard about the WINS Provincial Convention held July 8 - 10, 2003. Over 140 members and guests celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Women’s Institutes of Nova Scotia at the Howard Johnson Hotel in Truro.

The celebrations started with a ‘ball’ - a golf ball that is! On the afternoon of July 8, 28 golfers and 6 ‘cheerleaders’ took to the course at the beautiful River Run Golf Club in North River. Many of the players dressed in 1913 costume to celebrate our 90th anniversary. Prizes were offered for authentic costumes and golfing skills. The golf tournament was held as a special fund raiser for WINS and the organizing committee presented a cheque for more than $400 to help with Convention expenses.

Overall Golf Tournament Winners: The Petit Fores!
Dorothy Rand, Isabel Tait, June Marie Main and Joan Hennigar

Meanwhile back at the hotel, the members of the Hants Central District WI were busy setting up a quilt exhibit, entitled “Ninety Years of Quilts”. It was a beautiful display of new and old quilts made by WINS members over the years. A free-will offering at the door and tickets sold on a crib quilt provided $200 towards the convention expenses.

As a ‘get acquainted’ session, mini workshops were held on the evening of the 8th on the art of smocking, bread dough art, a session entitled ‘what is it?’, butter making and making ice cream!

The Convention officially opened on the 9th with President Winnie Forbes welcoming all members and introducing head table guests. Guests included Mike Langman and Gail Keddy of Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries; Mayor Mike Smith of Colchester County; Elizabeth Rushton, ACWW Area President for Canada; Margaret Yetman, FWIC President; and Mayor Bill Mills of Truro.

We were also happy to welcome special guests, Nancy Bannister, President of NBWI and Ruth Dickie, Past President of NBWI.

After the President’s address and the financial statements were read and approved, Ellen M. Simpson, Chair of the Resolutions Committee presented a resolution on the kidnapping of Canadian children. This resolution was sponsored by West Pugwash WI and was passed by the delegates.

Six special resolutions regarding WINS bylaws were also passed by the delegates. More information can be found under Resolutions.

Chair of the Nominations Committee, J. Lynn MacLean, introduced four new District Directors; Coni Murray of Cumberland Colchester; Aleah P. Lomas of Guysborough; Sharon Lynk of Kings East and Julia Llwellyn of Kings West District.

In the afternoon, our keynote speaker, Nancy Regan, kept WINS members entertained as she let us in on the “Ten things she learned from TV”. These things included knowing when to ‘change the chanel’ and to remember to ‘see what’s on the other side of the pancake’. She talked about the stars she has met through the years and how those experiences have taught her to be adventurous and not afraid to ask questions.

Members attended two workshops during the afternoon on Heritage Roses and Public Relations. A tour of the NSAC Alumni Garden was also held along with a viewing of the Adelaide Hoodless rose bed planted by the WINS Alumni in 2002.

Motivational speaker, Marnie Parker, joined the members after supper for a discussion on positive life experiences, choices and challenges.

Districts took part in the evening entertainment by presenting “Ninety Years of Fascinating Women and Song”. Districts chose a woman from various decades and presented a skit on her life and performed a song from the decade.

On the 10th, the morning session began with the Membership report and the presentation of the Reach for the Stars Challenge plaque to Tartan WI. Free registration to Convention was won by new member, Edna Grant of Gore WI.

Program Chair, Joan McNeil, announced the new programs areas of study for the next triennium; environmental issues concerning agriculture; your health and the services available in your community; and, a look at the country of Australia.

The winner of the 2003 Handcraft Competition Quilt was Anita Emeneau of Lunenburg WI.

As a special way to mark the 90th anniversary of WINS, two Provincial Life Memberships were presented to Pauline Meek and Isabel Archibald. Six Past Presidents were in attendance and each was presented with a rose and a round of applause from the WINS members.

Elizabeth Rushton, ACWW Area President for Canada, expressed her pleasure being back in Nova Scotia once again. She told of the work of ACWW around the world and the importance of Pennies for Friendship. A total of $844 was raised during the Convention for this fund.

Margaret Yetman, the new FWIC President, reviewed the structure of FWIC and the necessary link between the provincial WIs and FWIC. She thanked our members for taking part in the FWIC competitions and announced that Jean Palmeter of Grand Pre WI was the National winner of the Senator Cairine Wilson Rose Bowl Trophy. Jean’s poster entitled, Women Weaving Threads of Tomorrow won this national prize.

The new WINS Board was installed and Past President, Winnie Forbes was presented with a gift and flowers from the organization. Newly elected President Ruth Blenkhorn was presented flowers from her home branch, Port Williams WI and was presented with the WINS President’s pin by Winnie.

An invitation from Betty Ann Battist, Pictou District, was issued to travel to Pictou in July 2004 for the WINS Annual General Meeting. WINS Vision statement was read and everyone was wished a safe trip home.