32 , 



there is giving a W. I. exhibit; there is the running of lunch and tea rooms; 

 there is ,co-operatin,g with the Farmers' Institute. No one will question 

 that in furthering these plans the W. I. is making a proper use of funds. 



PRIZES IN SCHOOLS. 



Prizes are offered for different branches of Domestic Science and of 

 horticulture* and allied sciences. Athletics and gymnastics are also en- 

 couraged. There are, it is to be hoped, no Institutes which offer money 

 prizes. The best prize is a book on the subject for Which prize is offered. 



Aid is given in different ways to improve sanitary conditions and appear- 

 ance of schools. No W. I. need hesitate as to such work being within the 

 scope of the mothers of the neighborhood. But it is often a question as to 

 how the reform can be worked. The W. I.'s should deal with it impersonal- 

 ly and impartially'and be careful not to antagonize those in charge. 



PRINTING YEARLY PROGRAMMES. 



Mrs. Davies' views on this topic are interesting. She sayi?:- 



"Institute work in B. C. is, as yet, in its infancy. It is in a 'more or less 

 experimental stage and careful thought and planning is necessary to enable 

 the Institutes to accomplish the work for which they have been organized 

 the bettering of the conditions which surround us. Our Institutes are al- 

 ready supplying what is a great need in many communities, a place of 

 meeting where ladies young and old may meet and discuss things of interest 

 to all. These meetings take much time and thought to plan anything 

 worth while takes work without this careful thought the meeting cannot 

 prove interesting or useful. If dull or seemingly of little benefit, members 

 will not attend, prospective members refuse to join, and who can 

 wonder at it? :' 



We women live busy lives and to throw away an afternoon waiting for 

 something to happen, for someone to have a brilliant idea is decidedly an 

 aggravation and we do not care to have it happen again. 



Who then should be responsible for these interesting meetings? The 

 president? Only as a member of the Institute. Of course she has to keep 

 in touch with everything of moment in her Institute but her duties are 

 usually so many and so varied that it is hardly fair to hold her responsible. 

 The Secretary-Treasurer? Well, if she keeps her minutes, her .finances, her 

 correspondence all straight and up to time, surely she is doing her share 

 towards making the Institute a success. Who then better than a few, say 

 3 to 5, of the members chosen for their interest? Let them be regularly 

 appointed at the annual meeting as a standing committee for the year, and 

 with the President draft out the year's programme and in due time hand 

 to the Secretary printed copies for circulation. 



Printed programmes are one of the best ways of advertising the W. I. 

 meetings. Members enjoy showing the printed copies to- their friends. 

 They find it much easier to keep the meeting in mind, to come prepared 

 to join in discussions of topics and to answer the roll call with subjects 

 suggested. 



Other advantages are: The time of meetings need not be taken up by 

 discussions as to next meeting but can be devoted to educational and social 

 interests; the printing of programmes is dignified and business-like and 

 puts the Institute at once on a higher level and greatly adds to its repu- 

 tation as a progressive and live organization. The cost of printing will be- 

 easily met by the fees of new members joining. 



