1931 - Annual Convention

              20 A L B E R T A W O M E N ' S I N S T I T U T ES
When the " bottom fell out" last fall we abandoned the hope of the vacation
t r ip east or south, and remained in Alberta— boasting of the unparalleled
weather conditions right here at home. As individual members of any organ­i
z a t i o n we pay our dues and contribute regularly to its maintainance, whether
we attend every meeting or not. Should we not be equally loyal to our A . W J .,
even though by force of circumstances we may not be able to take advantage
of all the opportunities offered?
Study carefully the financial report; if you see where expenditures may
be curtailed without causing disaster to the organization, f r a n k l y say so when
this matter is under discussion; but if you demand all that you are now
receiving, then, without a murmur, pay your provincial dues, not forgetting
exchange.
Last, but not least, one word more about the Annual Report. As prev­iously
stated, weeks and weeks of close application are given to the compila- '
t i o n and editing of this Report, and the cost of p r i n t i n g runs into hundreds
of dollars. Of the former I am not c o m p l a i n i n g ; the work is i n t e r e s t i n g and
agreeable, while the information gained well compares with a post graduate
course in A . W . I , work. But when we invest our precious dollars and cents in
any enterprise, it is only good business to be certain that the investment
returns a fair rate of interest.
There is a question whether the Report is worth the money we put into
it. Not as to its l i t e r a r y value, for it contains real masterpieces in addresses
given by noted speakers at each session. Not as to its educational standard, for
the reports contain the most authentic information on the foremost topics of
the day. The vita! question is, do the W . I . officers and members read or hear
read any portion of its contents?
In this day and age every home owns a Bible, I hope; but how many souls
are comforted or how many children are blessed by its teachings if it is
carefully Io: ked in the bookcase, except when the minister comes to dinner.
If the copy of the Report, which is mailed to the Secretary of each Women's
Institute in the province, is carefully, or otherwise, pigeon- holed in some dark
closet, never again to see the light of day u n t i l house- cleaning time, when it
journeys forth to the bonfire in the back yard, then, I say, the time and
money spent in its issuance is foolishly spent. Please give this problem serious
consideration. We, the Council, wish to spend the P r o v i n c i a l F u n d to the
very best advantage and according to your wishes; it is your privilege and
duty to say how that shall be.
1 sincerely thank you for the opportunity you have given me of serving
this organization, which I love so dearly. To come in contact w i t h officers
and members once again has been a real pleasure and inspiration.
REPORT OF BUSINESS S E C R E T A R Y - T R E A S U R ER
Mrs. J. Regan, Edmonton
S e r r ^ J r - T p H v i l e g e
n
a n d P^ asure to again submit my report as Business
ofav I n ™ / C r ; ° n C e a g 3 m c r ° p e r a t i o n o f t h e Branch Secretaries has"
bv form 1 ? P fill i P m , m ) ' W ° r H ' 3 5 i n l o r m a t i o n h a s b e e " easily obtained
order take < H M ?" d p r o m p t I - v t u r n e d . Keeping Institute affairs in
order take, considerable time and attention and I have to spend a great deal
of time each day answering letters and w o r k i n g on the books Circular letters
dealing w. th Constituency Conferences, Outlines of Standing Committees