History Supplement of the Alberta Women's Institute

              HISTORY

SUPPLEMENT

OF THE

ALBERTA

WOMEN'S

INSTITUTE

arranged by the members and their husbands in her honor. She enjoyed seeing shearing being done at a large sheep station and found there were problems there too. As the Alberta Department of Agriculture had given the Alberta Institutes a Grant of $500.00, a full report was prepared and sent to the Hon. Mr. Halmrast. A full report of the Conference was also published in the March issue of Home and Country for all Institute members. A "Recommendation" was presented to the Cabinet of the Alberta Government suggesting changes in the Course of Studies at the Schools of Agriculture. A "Brief" was also submitted to the Cabinet including these recommendations. Mrs. Roberts felt proud to be representing the A.W.I. on the Board of the Vocational and Agricultural Colleges when most of these recommendations were accepted. The Second Annual Conference of the Indian-Eskimos Association was held in Edmonton. On the request from the Federated Institutes of Canada, Mrs. Roberts acted as their representative as they knew she had taken an interest in the Indian situation in Alberta. The A.W.I. had worked with the Indian Homemakers and had assisted in preparing Short Courses for them. They were also invited to attend our Conferences and Conventions and were warmly welcomed. As we began our 1962 season, Mr. Glen Eyford, Department of Extension was invited to help us take a "Look at Ourselves". We hoped that our organization might be able to eliminate some of the paper work many of our branch secretaries disliked. We took a look at A.W.I. in the community and tried to evaluate its purpose, its leadership and administration. Was its purpose in keeping with the times? An important consideration is that a leader takes on responsibilities, gives guidance to stimulate the organization and delegates authority. In looking at the administration part of our organization, we asked ourselves "are we top heavy with reports and reporting"? Are we too concerned in reporting the past and leave little time to plan for the future? Still seeking all the help possible, the Vice-President, Mrs. John Richards was sent to Saskatoon to attend a course on "Making Committees Work Effectively". After receiving the "Pink" monthly report forms from the branch secretaries, it seemed to me that it would be better if these were sent to the Vice-President. By tabulating these reports she would gain knowledge that would be essential to her when she becomes President. The format of the monthly report form was changed slightly and branches were instructed to send them to the Vice-President. In November 1963 a dream of mine came true-the Provincial Workshop became a reality. This Workshop was for Constituency Conveners and Provincial Standing Committee Chairman who met with council members in a most effective session. 15