1937 - Convention Report

              TWENTIETH PROVINCIAL CONVENTION 2."
As our organization has for one of its objects the betterment of conditions
for children, it is very fitting that we should have a representative on that
Council, and I wish to thank Mrs. Harold W. Riley, President of Alberta Council
on Child and Family Welfare, for the goodwill she has at all times extended to
Alberta Women's Institutes, and it is my earnest hope that now our two organ­izations
are working together in close harmony, they may continue to do so, that,
by our united efforts, Alberta may become a better place in which for children
to live.
I believe I have now covered the activities of the term fairly fully. There
are many things I had hoped to accomplish which I did not succeed in accom­plishing.
It has been my keen desire to have a Provincial objective set up, but so far,
little has been done along this line. Of course, we have our scholarships at the
Schools of Agriculture. But these are paid out of the Provincial Fund and little
or no attention is given to it by the individual Institutes.
What I would like to see would be some objective toward which every
branch would give its attention. I feel sure if we had such an objective our
incentive to attain it would cause us to improve our work very much.
Various objectives come to mind, but I intend to mention only one or two.
Could we not set about trying to evolve a distinctive Alberta Handicraft—
a style which, wherever it is seen, will be recognized as from Alberta. I think
that if each Branch made use of the talented women among its membership
something could soon be evolved.
Or it might be that we could prepare a household book to which each Branch
could contribute recipes or household plans. It could contain ideas on gardening
in Alberta, or home management. Whatever form it would take it is 1113' idea that
it should be such that every Branch, indeed every member, could contribute
something.
There is a large field to be developed in drama. Alberta lags behind a bit,
but if the Institutes should think well to sponsor drama activities, I know it
would be a very short time until real improvement would be seen.
Of course you understand these are merely suggestions, and are offered as
such. It is my desire to see Alberta Women's Institutes develop into a powerful
organization which will always be a symbol of progress and goodwill.
I believe we have already accomplished much, and I hope the efforts of your
Council during the term just closing meet with your approval. The members
have had many anxious moments on your behalf and have tried to solve each
problem as it arose in a manner best fitted to promote welfare.
Personally I have found great pleasure in my association with the work, and
though it required long and frequent absences from home, still I feel repaid many
times over lor anything I was able to do, by the kindly words such a large number
of you have been so thoughtful as to express. You have all been so generous in
your words of praise of our efforts and so willing to assist in every possible way
that you have eased the hard places and made the journey very smooth and full
of much happiness.
It is my earnest hope that you will extend the friendly hand to my successor
in office and give to her the loyalty and support you have at all times given me.
I wish her every success from the bottom of my heart.
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