HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My best wishes that 2013 will bring you and your family good health and happiness.

ACWW CANADA AREA PROJECT
Thank you to all those members who have donated generously to the ACWW Project entitled “Climate Change and its effects on Women and Agriculture-Women as Change Agents”. I am pleased to report that the amount of $8,075.00 has been received. However, another $1,925.00 is needed so that the Area can reach its commitment of $10,000.00. Perhaps those members who have not yet donated to the project, would consider making a donation.

Canada Area can be pleased that they have once again reached out to women and their families in need of financial support, so that they may be empowered to move forward and attain better economic standards.

ACWW WOMEN WALK THE WORLD
Women Walk the World was a huge success. The amount raised, to date, is in the order of £40,000. The aim of this event was not only to raise money for ACWW but also to celebrate ACWW Day and promote ACWW, by joining together in friendship and to enjoy participating in the WALK.

Because there have been many requests for Women Walk the World to become an annual event, the ACWW Board members at their October 2012 meeting unanimously agreed that this event should take place again in 2013, on or around ACWW Day, April 29th. So members are encouraged to start planning now for the event.

The aim is to raise the image of ACWW, promote the organisation more effectively and, if practical, increase funds for ACWW. The future occurrence of the WALK will be reviewed at the 27th Triennial Conference in Chennai, India.

AREA FEES
Thank you to Category 1 Societies for sending your 2011-2012 Area dues of $400.00.

ACWW FUNDS
Pennies for Friendship Fund is a fund, which was set up in 1936 by the founders of ACWW with the aim of encouraging members to donate funds in addition to their membership fees, in order to make ACWW sustainable. Since 1936, Pennies for Friendship is what keeps ACWW going.

This fund ensures that ACWW continues its UN work, International Development Projects, the publication of ‘The Countrywoman’ magazine and other promotion and support materials, and the management of the core work of ACWW. Without the continued support of all members to the Pennies for Friendship Fund, ACWW would not be able to operate a strong base from which women across the world benefit.

Please continue supporting the work of ACWW with your financial support to
Pennies for Friendship. ACWW is thankful for your generous donations given in friendship to help the organisation to carry out its work of helping women and their families worldwide.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS
A reminder to individuals interested in the work and activities of ACWW that you may apply for individual membership at the cost of £20 per year, or £50 for three years. As an individual member, you will receive a copy of ‘The Countrywoman’ and may attend Triennial Conferences and Area Conferences. Canada Area has some 460+ ACWW individual memberships. I would encourage others to become Individual Members of ACWW and help in that way to support the organisation.

PENFRIEND/CORRESPONDENCE LINK SCHEME
The Pen Friend, Correspondence Link Scheme continues to be a popular way to carry out international friendships. One of the fundamental aims of ACWW, besides working to empower women worldwide, is to encourage such friendships.

By bringing women everywhere closer together, this enables them to communicate with each other more easily. Judy Parks, Cambridge WI, NS recently contacted me to say that they are very much enjoying their England, Scotland and Ireland pen friends. It is easy to become a pen friend by just contacting ACWW for details and they will be happy to get you started. Email contact: info@acww.org.uk

UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations defines ‘children’ as every human being below the age of 18, unless the law of his or her country deems him or her to be an adult at an earlier age, which is rare. UNCIEF estimates that 130 million children are born each year and in many countries children represent more than 50% of the population.

Are you interested in being a Friend of ACWW’S UN Committee? In the January-March 2013 publication of The Countrywoman, Sharon Hatten, UN Committee Chairman, stated “From time to time, ACWW’s UN Committee would like to invite you to attend UN functions held in various locations around the world. Often it is more appropriate for women in the regions to attend”. If you are interested in becoming a Friend of ACWW UN Committee, please contact Sharon Hatten, UN Committee Chairman, at un@acww.org.uk

UN International Days – February 2013
• World Wetlands Day (Feb.02)
• International Mother Tongue Day (Feb. 21)

ACWW AGRICULTURE CAMPAIGN
At the 2010 ACWW Triennial Conference in Hot Springs, a resolution was passed calling for the retention of arable land for food production. One of ACWW Agriculture Committee’s objectives for this triennium is to promote this resolution.

The ACWW Agriculture Chairman, Anphia Grobler, reports that an Agriculture Campaign has been set up with its Mission Statement “In light of the loss of arable land for production to mining, building of infrastructure and bio-fuels, leading to a world food shortage, ACWW encourages families to utilise their own vegetable gardens”.

ACWW members can get involved in the campaign by:
• Encouraging local governments and community authorities to make unused land available for vegetable gardens and markets.

• Encourage Community Centres and Libraries to add gardening resources to their collections.

• Start a vegetable garden in your yard, school or community. The Agriculture Committee would love to hear about your activities.

You may send photos of your vegetable gardens, news of your advocacy efforts, recipes that use home-grown vegetable, etc. for possible publication on ACWW’s website, or in The Countrywoman magazine.

ACWW PROJECTS
The ACWW Projects Committee continues to support Rural Women, Families & Communities through its projects for water & sanitation, health education, nutrition, literacy, training, home economics, agriculture, income generation, leadership and scholarships in Social & Community Welfare. All the projects are monitored throughout their life to ensure success. In 2012, ACWW approved 24 Projects with funding amounting to over £125,000.

ACWW & BEQUESTS
You can help further the work of ACWW for women and communities worldwide into the future by leaving a gift in your Will for ACWW. Bequests enables ACWW to continue delivering their broad vision of seeing generations of women empowered through the relief of poverty and sickness, the protection and preservation of health and advancement of education. Any amount, from as little as £10, will make a real difference to ACWW’s ability to connect and support women and communities worldwide.

If you would like more information about ACWW Bequests, you may contact Lisa Barker, Operations Manager by emailing info@acww.org.uk, or phoning +44 (0)207 799 3875.

PHOTOS/ARTICLES
What ACWW activities have you been carrying out recently in your Society? I would love to hear about them. Please send me any photos or news clippings that you have on any of your events.

Thank you to all the societies who send me copies of their Newsletters. I am delighted to hear about the great work you do for home, country and the world. Also, you may forward your photos/news articles directly to ACWW London Central office for the attention of Jennifer Atigolo, Digital and Print Media Manager/Editor, by emailing pnp@acww.org.uk, so that it can be considered for publication in ‘The Countrywoman’. This way it could be shared with sister members around the world.

ACWW BOARD MEETING
In October 2012, I attended the ACWW Board meeting in London, England. It was a busy three days, which proved to be productive as members of the Board gathered to carry out the business of the organisation.

The Board meeting provides an opportunity for its members to meet face-to-face for discussions, debates and to make decisions for the benefit of ACWW. While attending the Board meeting, the members took time from their meetings to attend an ACWW panel discussion in the House of Commons hosted by Kate Hoey MP.

The Chair was ACWW World President, May Kidd and the panel included Kate Hoey MP, the UK’s first female Sports Minister; Mandana Hendessi OBE, currently works with the peace building NGO International Alert; ACWW Deputy President, Anphia Grobler (South Africa) and ACWW Secretary, Jo Ellen Almond (USA).

The theme “Why should rural women’s involvement in community affairs be encouraged?” included discussions on the following topics:

• Promoting a strong role for rural women in troubled societies.

• Informal vs. formal means of encouraging rural women’s participation.

• The role of education and culture in promoting the visibility of rural women. The event was very informative and helped Board members to become more aware of the need to enhance participation and leadership for Rural Women’s Communities.

TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE
The Triennial Conference is quickly approaching. Are you making your plans to attend this great event, which will be held in Chennai, India from September 26-October 2, 2013? The theme for the conference will be Empowering Women Worldwide – Encourage, Educate, Enrich. The Triennial Conference Committee and the Host Society DMI are busy preparing for the event.

All societies should by now have received the following Circulars with updated conference details:
• Circular 1 – Nominations for Officers and Specified Committee Chairmen (2013-2016) • Circular 1a – Request for Appointments to Specified Committees (2013-2016)
• Circular 2 – Call for Resolutions and Recommendations
• Circular 3 – Resolutions & Recommendations that have been accepted for presentation at Conference
• Circular 4 – Nominations for Officers and Committee Chairmen 2013-2016 (Biographical Details)
• Circular 5 – Call for Triennial Reports of Voting Member Societies 2010-2013

Please ensure that these Circulars are shared with your society members so that they will be informed.

The Registration Form has been printed in the July-September 2012 and October-December 2012 of ‘The Countrywoman’. The Early Bird registration deadline is 25th May 2013 and the final date for registration is 1st August 2013. Conference information and registration form can also be obtained on ACWW's website.

ACWW Area Presidents suggested that ACWW members going to the 2013 Triennial Conference, take one or two reading books in the English language (taught there as a second language) with them in their luggage. Also, you could take a small pack of new school supplies for children age 4-14 such as notebooks, pencils, erasers and rulers.

Those not able to travel to Chennai may like to contribute these items by asking a friend travelling there, to take their items on their behalf. All donations will be given to the children who are in the care of DMI. It is another way for you to help children in need. Please note that books, etc. should not be sent to ACWW’s Central Office, or to Chennai, but should be taken directly by you or a friend to the Conference.

ACWW CANADA DOLL
During the October Board meeting, each member was given a doll to travel with them between now and Chennai as a ‘light-hearted way’ to further ‘Pennies Collections’. The dolls are handmade from the same fabric to show that across the world even though were all different yet we are ultimately all the same. Each member can name their own doll and dress them as they wish. All the dolls will meet again at the Triennial Conference in Chennai. Our Canada Area doll is named Joy. The name is of old French and Latin origin. I thought the name to be appropriate since it symbolises the joy received by many women and their families worldwide through the generous support of ACWW.

 

This is a photo of Joy. I will be sending a picture of the doll and its poem to each society. Even though Joy will not be with you in person, you may share her photo and poem at your meetings, or with your groups. Have fun with Joy! I would be happy to take with me any postcards or Pennies for Friendship donations that you wish to go with Joy to Chennai when I travel with her to the conference.

REMINDER
A ‘Request for Membership Information’ form was sent out to all Area societies from ACWW Central Office several months ago. The form was to be completed and returned to ACWW Central Office either by postal mail, or by email (scanned copy). It is important for ACWW to have current information of all member societies in order that you can be contacted and to be able to send relevant information in the most efficient way. If you have not already completed this form, please do so and send it to ACWW as soon as possible.

UPDATE – ACWW LIFE MEMBERS
ACWW Central Office is updating its list of Life Members. If you know if there are any active or inactive Life Members in your Society, please send their updated details to Central Office.

ACWW WEBSITE
The ACWW website (www.acww.org.uk) is an excellent means of acquiring updated information about the many ACWW activities being carried out around the world and it is also a way to obtain details on the various development projects. Also, you may follow ACWW on Twitter (@acww_news) or join ACWW on Facebook. (Associated Country Women of the World – ACWW)

THANK YOU
A big Thank You to the Canada Area members for all your support and for all you do to support the work of ACWW. I leave you with these words from this beautiful poem written by Joanna Fuchs.

PEACE OF TIME
New Years come and New Years go,
Pieces of time all in a row,
As we live our life, each second and minute,
We know we are privileged to have you in it.
Our appreciation never ends
For our greatest blessings: our family and friends.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Margaret Yetman ACWW Canada Area President

GREETINGS!

 “Life is Family & Friends” was the title of an article, which I recently read in a favourite local magazine, the 'Downhome'.

These are meaningful words for us to think about on a daily basis and to realise just how precious our family and friends are in each of our lives.  I hope that everyone had an enjoyable summer with family and friends. By the time you receive this newsletter, the season of autumn with all its beauty will have arrived...Enjoy!

ACWW Canada Area Project
I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those who have sent donations to the Area Project entitled “Climate Change and its effects on Women and Agriculture-Women as Change Agents” carried out in the Caribbean, Central and South America Area. To date, the amount of $7,000.00 has been collected.  We need another $3,000.00 for the Area to meet its $10,000.00 commitment. I would ask that others consider making donations to this project.

Canada Area once again has reached out to women and their families in need of financial support, so that they may be empowered to move forward and achieve better economic standards.

Area Visits
During this triennium, I am pleased to report that to date I have visited the Societies of NLWI, FWIO, MBWI, NBWI, PEIWI, QCWI, BC, FWIC and NS.

My visits to the Societies always offer me the opportunity to personally meet members, and to promote the work of ACWW.  I sincerely thank all the Societies for your kindness and thoughtfulness shown to me during my visits.

Women Walk the World
On and around 29th April 2012 will be remembered as the time women around the world walked for ACWW.  Canada Area members were among those who participated in this special event. The purpose of the Walk was to raise the profile of ACWW, while at the same time to raise additional needed funds for the work of ACWW.  The Walk was indeed a great success, receiving to date the amount of £3,513.26.

Canada Area members enjoyed their Walks in many different ways while at the same time had fun and fellowship raising $2600.00 to promote the valuable work of ACWW.    I would like to share with you the following thank you letter to Canada Area, which I received from Lisa Barker, ACWW Office Manager. Lisa wrote:

“I write on behalf of the Central Office team, to thank you for the cheque of £850.00, we received 27th July 2012.

Congratulations to all the members in Canada who participated in Women Walk the World, and raised this amazing amount.  Please extend our thanks to all who took part and gained sponsorship. 

This is a most welcome contribution to our funds.  We appreciate their generosity and support of the work of ACWW”.

Area Fees
Thank you to all Category 1 Societies who have sent their annual Area dues of $400.00. A reminder to those societies who have not yet sent their annual dues that they were due 16th August 2012.

ACWW Funds
Pennies for Friendship Fund is a fund which supports International Projects, United Nations (UN) links and networking, International Extension work and the management of the core work of ACWW. By the way, the ‘penny’ in the Pennies for Friendship is symbolic. It was chosen in 1939 as the smallest coin that could be donated to ensure that the essential work of ACWW would continue.  Since ACWW receives no government funding, it is totally dependent on dues and donations received from its members. ACWW Treasurer & Finance Committee Chairman, Alison Burnett, was pleased to report in ‘The Countrywoman’ that 2011 was a record year for Pennies for Friendship Collections.

Women Feed the World Fund, Water for All Fund and the General Projects Fund are other ACWW funds that help to support the work of ACWW.

ACWW is grateful for your generous donations given in friendship, to help the organisation to carry out its work of helping women and their families worldwide.

Individual Memberships
Individuals who are interested in the work and activities of ACWW may apply for individual membership at the cost of £20 per year or £50 for three years. As an individual member, you will receive a copy of “The Countrywoman” and may attend Triennial Conferences and Area Conferences.

Canada Area has some 460 ACWW individual memberships.  I would encourage other members to become Individual Members of ACWW and help in that way to support the organisation.

Pen Friend-Correspondence Link Scheme
Did you know that Area members can become International Pen Friends through ACWW?

One of the fundamental aims of ACWW, besides working to empower women worldwide, is to encourage international friendships. The Pen Friend-Correspondence Link Scheme, has become a popular way to carry out such friendships. By bringing women everywhere closer together, this enables them to communicate with each other more easily. It is easy to become a pen friend by just contacting ACWW for details and they will be happy to get you started.  Email contact: info@acww.org.uk

United Nations (UN)
In March of this year, the World President, May Kidd, along with 14 ACWW delegates, attended the United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 2012) in New York. The priority theme, ‘The Empowerment of Rural Women and their Role in Poverty and Hunger Eradication, Development and Current Challenges’ brought together almost 2,000 women from nearly 370 NGOs from all over the world to share their concerns, problems and possible solutions. Common problems included transport, education, medical services, elderly care, markets, income and rural to urban migration. 

ACWW members attended parallel events which enabled them to better understand the needs not only of the women in our own country but others from around the world; widows, discriminatory legislation and violence against women and girls were among the needs.

ACWW UN Committee presented the topic ‘Rural Women Sharing Problems, Exploring Solutions”.   Surveys were provided to the committee members which included Canada, England, Norway, Malaysia, and Grenada.

ACWW Agriculture Committee facilitated an event entitled ‘Nutrition: Rural South Africa and Rural Tonga.

World President, May Kidd, participated as a panelist at a German side event ‘Fair Chances in Rural and Urban Areas’.

Valerie Stevens, a member of the ACWW UN Committee, in expressing her views on the event had this to say in the April-June 2012 of ‘The Countrywoman’:

“For eight days I listened to government spokesmen and an incredible range of speakers, who presented some heart-breaking facts and some seeds of hope”

ACWW continues to have their voice heard on an international level through its various UN Agencies;

UN International Days - October

• International Day of Older Persons (Oct.11)
• World Rural Women’s Day (Oct. 15)
• World Food Day (Oct.16)
• International Day for the Elimination of Poverty (Oct. 17)

ACWW Projects
ACWW actively supports a whole range of development programs in rural communities through its Projects and Trust Funds. Over 900 development projects have been funded since 1977; projects, such as, the Provision of Safe Water to a local community in Uganda; Basket Making for the Empowerment of Rural Woman (India); Rain Water Storages (Tanzania); to name just a few.  

Through its’ many projects, ACWW is enabled to carry out its valuable work of offering mutual support, friendship and practical help to its members worldwide.

I am pleased to report that some Canada Area Societies have undertaken ACWW projects. 

• BCWI:  New Hope project in the Dominican Republic to provide young cows for the population of Haitian immigrants in the Sugar Refinery of Carbucia Bayaguana.
• Les Cercles de Fermieres du Quebec:  Trauma Intervention Reduction and Post-abortion Stress, South Africa
• York County WI (ON): Ples (Home) Savings & Loan Scheme, Papua, New Guines; Empowerment of Rural Women through Capacity Building & Skills Development; Dry Season Vegetable Cultivation for Pregnant Women in Mamfe
• Manitoba WI: Water and Sanitation Project in Cameroon  

Please send me any photos or news clippings of your ACWW activities or any ACWW development projects you might be carrying out within your own society. You may also forward your items directly to ACWW London Central Office, to be considered for publication in 'The Countrywoman' to share with sister members around the world.

27th Triennial Conference
The dates for the 27th Triennial Conference to be held in Chennai, India are from September 26-October 2, 2013. The theme for the conference will be Empowering Women Worldwide – Encourage, Educate, Enrich.  With only twelve months until the Conference, the ACWW Triennial Conference Committee (TCC) is busy with preparations for this event. The India Society Sisters (DMI) are very enthusiastic and eager to be hosting the World Conference.

All societies will be receiving Circulars from ACWW giving updated conference details.  In fact, by now, societies should have already received:

• Circular 1 – Nominations for Officers and Specified Committee Chairmen (2013-2016)  
• Circular 1a – Request for Appointments to Specified Committees (2013-2016)
• Circular 2 – Call for Resolutions and Recommendations
• Circular 5 – Call for Triennial Reports of Voting Member Societies 2010-2013 Please ensure that these Circulars are shared with your society members.

The Application Form to register for the conference has been printed in the last two publications of the ‘The Countrywoman’. The Early Bird registration deadline is 25th May 2013, The final date for conference registration is 1st August 2013.

Conference information may also be obtained by viewing the ACWW website:  www.acwwindia2013.com

Reminder
A ‘Request for Membership Information’ form has been sent to all Area societies by ACWW Central Office.  The form is to be completed and returned to ACWW Central Office either by post or by email (scanned copy).  It is important for ACWW to have current information of all member societies in order that you can be contacted and to be able to send relevant information in the most efficient way.  Please complete the form and send it to the ACWW Central Office.

ACWW Website
The ACWW website (www.acww.org.uk) is a very good way to acquire updated information about ACWW activities around the world, and to get particulars on the various development projects.  Also, you may follow ACWW on Twitter (@acww_news) or join ACWW on their facebook page (Associated-Country-Women-of-the-World-ACWW).

World President
World President, May Kidd, while attending the UN  Commission on the Status of Women in New York was delighted to learn about ‘The Children’s Charter of the United Nations Women’s Guild’, as written by Dorothy Roigt.  I would like to share with you the words of this charter.

“There shall be peace on earth, but not until
All children daily eat their fill,
Go warmly clad against the winter wind,
And learn their lessons with a tranquil mind,
Regardless of their colour, race or creed,
Look upward smiling to the skies,
Their faith in life reflected in their eyes.” written by Dorothy Roigt

Let us continue as ACWW members to work together in quest of a better life for children and women worldwide.

You may contact me via ACWW Central Office, who will be happy to pass your details onto me: email info@acww.org.uk

Thank you Canada Area members for all your support and for all you do to support the work of ACWW.

Margaret Yetman, ACWW Canada Area President

 AREA PRESIDENT’S SOCIETY VISITS

 Attended the convention of the Manitoba Women’s Institutes – April 15-16, 2011

(Brought greetings on behalf of ACWW and gave a power point presentation on ACWW)

• Attended the convention of New Brunswick Women’s Institutes – May 10-12, 2011 (Brought greetings on behalf of ACWW; gave a power point presentation on ACWW)

• Attended the convention of Prince Edward Island Women’s Institutes – May 28th, 2011 (Brought greetings on behalf of ACWW; gave a power point presentation on ACWW)

• Attended the convention of Quebec Women’s Institutes – June 3-5, 2011(Brought greetings on behalf of ACWW; gave a power point presentation on ACWW)

• Attended ACWW Canada Area Conference held at Bedford, NS from July 8-10, 2011. (A detailed report/photos can be found in the October-December 2011 of “The Countrywoman”.)

• Promoting to Societies’ members the ACWW Canada Area project for 2010-2013.  The project/area conference entitled “Climate Change and its effects on Women and Agriculture- Women as Change Agents”  in the Caribbean, Central and South America.  The Workshop/Area Conference was held in Grenada.  Canada Area funded the amount of $10,000.00 toward the project.

• Attended the St. John’s District meeting of the Newfoundland and Labrador Women’s Institutes on April 23, 2012 and brought greetings on behalf of ACWW.

• Attended the WI Week Ceremony at Government House on April 10th, 2012.
  (Brought greetings and spoke on the work of ACWW.)

• Promoted “Women Walk the World for ACWW” throughout the Area.

Margaret Yetman, ACWW Canada Area President

GREETINGS! Spring has arrived with unusual low temperatures and abundance of rain. For many in the provinces of Manitoba and Quebec, severe flooding is causing a lot of destruction and anxiety.

Canada Area Project
I am pleased to report that contributions are being received from members for the Area project in the Caribbean, Central and South America Area entitled ‘Climate Change and its effects on Women and Agriculture-Women as Change Agents’. I am sure that the funding amount committed by the Area for the project will soon be realised.

The project will enable women in the area to learn about climate change and its effects on women, girls, the economy and agriculture. The workshop will help to provide women with the skills necessary to move upwards and achieve better economic standards for themselves and their families. Canada Area is once again seizing an opportunity to reach out to women and their families in need.

Area Visits
During this triennium, I have, to date, visited the following Societies:

Newfoundland & Labrador Women’s Institutes
Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario
Manitoba Women’s Institutes
New Brunswick Women’s Institutes
Prince Edward Island Women’s Institutes

I will be visiting the Society of Quebec Women’s Institutes in June of this year.

My visit to the Societies gave me an opportunity to personally meet the members, as well as promote the great work of ACWW.

Thank you to the Societies for the kindness that I receive during my visits.

Area Fees
A reminder that the payment of $400.00 for each Category 1 Society will be due on August 16th, 2011, the financial statement’s form to accompany the payment; has been sent out to the provincial office of each Society.

ACWW Funds
A reminder to forward your donations to the Pennies for Friendship Fund, this is a voluntary fund which supports International Projects, UN links and networking, International Extension work, and the management of the core work of ACWW.

Members can contribute extra money to this Fund by using the Collection Box, which was introduced at the 26th ACWW Triennial Conference in Arkansas, USA by Alison Burnett, ACWW’s Treasurer.

You can also make contributions to Women Feed the World Fund, Water for All Fund, and the General Projects Fund.

ACWW is grateful for your financial support in helping the organisation carry out its work of helping women and their families worldwide.

Individual Memberships
Any individual, who is interested in the work and activities of ACWW, may apply for individual membership at the cost of £20 per year or £50 for three years. As an individual member, you will receive a copy of the ‘Countrywoman’ magazine and may attend Triennial Conferences and Area Conferences as a non-voting delegate.

I would encourage society members to take out individual memberships and by doing so will help increase financial support and membership, which will assist ACWW in its efforts to help women and their families in countries where it is badly needed.

Canada Area Conference
Plans are well underway for the Area Conference, which is being held July 8-10, 2011, at the Mount Saint Vincent University in Bedford, NS. The theme for the conference is ‘Empowering Women Worldwide – Encourage, Educate and Enrich’. The Planning Committee is busy finalising plans to ensure that the conference will be enjoyable for everyone. It will be an opportunity to learn more about the work of ACWW.

Women Walk the World
On or around ACWW Day, 29th April 2012, members throughout the world are asked to join in Women Walk the World for ACWW.

The walk could be an organised ramble; a walk around a neighbourhood; a walk to the well to get water; a walk to the fields to tend animals; a stroll in a park; or whatever you like. The aim of the walk is to raise the image and promote the work of ACWW as well as increase funds. Where possible, members should seek local sponsorship.

Everyone should be starting their walk at the same time, say 10am, in different time zones; this would result in members walking at all times during a 24 hour period. You should start now to plan how you will carry out the ‘walk’ in your area.

Photos/News Clippings
Please send me any photos or news clippings of your ACWW activities or any ACWW projects you might be carrying out in your own society. You may also forward your items directly to the ACWW London office; for publication in The Countrywoman.

New Society
Congratulations to the Southern Ontario Support, who recently became a Category IVa Member Society of ACWW. Canada Area is pleased to welcome you as a Member Society.

World President
I would like to share these words with you from the World President’s message, printed in the April-June 2011 of The Countrywoman.

ACWW -EMPOWERING WOMEN WORLDWIDE: this is the theme for the triennium 2011-2013. That broad statement covers every aspect of the work of our organisation. Whether we are training women farmers in Uganda, providing rural families in Bangladesh with safe drinking water, or giving women a voice through our long-standing consultative status with the United Nations; we are empowering them and benefitting whole communities.

You may contact me by e-mail em.yetman@nf.sympatico.ca

Thank you Canada Area members for all you do, in supporting ACWW.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the Canada Area Conference in Bedford Nova Scotia.

Regards,
Margaret Yetman, ACWW Canada Area President

Greetings! I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone good health and happiness in 2011.

Canada Area Project: I am pleased to report that a Canada Area project in the Caribbean, Central & South America Area has been approved by the ACWW Projects Committee. The Area will fund £8,596 towards air travel, accommodation and meals for five participants from the Grenada Home Makers’ Association at a workshop on climate change and its effect on women and agriculture. They will also be able to attend their Area Conference – theme, Women as Change Agents – which coincides with the workshop.

Canada Area Conference: the conference, hosted by the Women’s Institutes of Nava Scotia, will be held at Mount Saint Vincent University, Bedford, Nova Scotia, from July 8-10, 2011.

Area fees: To date, all Category 1 societies have submitted their 2011 dues. Your financial support will assist with my travel expenses in visiting societies and promoting the work of ACWW. Thank you!

ACWW funds: Pennies for Friendship is a voluntary fund which supports international projects, UN links, extension work, and the core management of ACWW. A collecting box designed to help members raise donations was introduced by Treasurer Alison Burnett at the 26th Triennial Conference in the USA. It is also a publicity tool promoting the good work of ACWW; it could even help to gain new members.

Individual membership: I would encourage anyone interested in the work of ACWW to apply for individual membership at a cost of £20 a year or £50 for three years. They will receive copies of The Countrywoman magazine and be able to attend Triennial Conferences and Area Conferences as non voting delegates.

United Nations International Days: In December 2010, Sharon Hatten, UN Committee Chairman, circulated a letter to Canada Area Societies, attached to which was a document outlining important events at the UN. She suggested that the themes for these be made available to members for discussions within each society and the results reported to her committee. I encourage societies to do so and help its advocacy for a better life for women and their families.

News clippings/photos: I would appreciate any news clippings or photos of your ACWW activities, not only for my own information but the Area scrapbook. You might also forward these items to The Countrywoman for publication.

I would also be glad to receive brief descriptions of any ACWW projects that are being carried out within your own societies.

Thank you to all member for all you do to support ACWW.

Regards,

Margaret Yetman, ACWW Canada Area President