History Supplement of the Alberta Women's Institutes

              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