1928 - Annual Convention

              22 A L B E R T A W O M E N ' S I N S T I T U T ES
a splendid meeting was held. One of the resolutions passed specified that
the constituency dues be paid not later than A p r i l 30th in each year. The
chairmen of standing committees have a good grasp of their work.
A district conference was held in Edmonton in March with a good at­tendance.
Enthusiastic reports were received f r om all the constituencies and
f r om the convener of household economics and the supervisor of G i r l s ' Clubs.
Mrs. Short told the story of the Alberta exhibit at the C . N . E . ; Miss Mac-millan
gave an inspiring address on Citizenship; Mrs. Huyck gave a
practical talk; Dr. Bow spoke on maternal mortality; Hon. Mr. Hoadley
outlined the efforts of his department to bring medical service within the
reach of people in the outlying districts. Miss Marryatt gave an illustrated
address on the wild flowers of A l b e r t a , i n which she led us into a veritable
fairyland, which each of us may discover and enjoy right here i n A l b e r t a if
we have but the eyes to behold the beauties around us.
This conference is to be held biennially, i n the years alternating with
those in which the provincial convention is held in Edmonton. It was
unanimously agreed that the district would raise a scholarship of $ 50, to be
awarded to the girl attending the Vermilion School of A g r i c u l t u r e who
stood highest in general proficiency and general deportment. Miss A n i ta
Ricker, of Riley, was the winner and w i l l receive the $ 50 when she returns
to V e r m i l i o n to begin her second year.
As I look over the reports of the branches I f i n d much of interest that
could be told, but all of it should be included i n the reports of the conveners
of standing committees. If it is not there make sure that it was reported
to your constituency chairman.
Many branches have found it a good plan to make some one, a director
or a chairman of a standing committee, responsible for one meeting i n the
year. At the beginning of the year she is given carte blanche to plan her
day.
I would pay tribute to those conveners whose f a i t h f u l and painstaking
co- operation has been responsible for the success of the A l b e r t a Women's
Institutes in this district. Experience will bring us a greater measure of
success, and we look forward to the coming years with unfaltering con­fidence
that the Institute women of this district w i l l be found faithful in
doing their bit " F o r Home and Country."
REPORT OF DISTRICT No. 3
( Mrs. H . J . Montgomery, Wetaskiwin, Director)
There are still a few Institutes which are a bit negligent in answering
correspondence, but on the whole this is better than formerly. If each
delegate w i l l take the word back to her home Institute these few w i l l mend
their ways, and it w i l l be a matter of great satisfaction to the constituency
conveners, who are almost without exception busy women.
In our fifteen constituencies we have 122 branches. Of these five are
inactive, leaving 117 in a healthy condition.
These have a total membership of 2,569. It is impossible to give an
accurate statement of the amount raised by these Institutes, as two of the
largest constituencies omitted to report their finances, but I have succeeded
i n finding that thirteen constituencies raised the sum of $ 5,235.72 last year.
This has been spent in furnishings for rest rooms and community halls,
planting hedges and shrubs and otherwise beautifying cemeteries and school
grounds and equipping the latter with swings, teeters, etc. Several Institutes
keep up libraries, others do a great deal of work for their local hospitals.
One furnished a private ward in memory of a deported member who had
taken a great interest in this particular branch of its work. They are
also painting their hospital this spring. Still another gives attention to the
care of expectant mothers, paying their hospital expenses when necessary
and furnishing layettes. One is helping to care for and furnish funds for
the care of a child with defective eye- sight. A v i o l i n was bought for a
crippled boy. These are but a few of the many things our women are
doing to help the unfortunate.