Alberta Women's Institutes
For Home & Country
Get Your Handicrafts Entries In!
The 2022 Handicraft List and entry forms are available to download. The Provincial Office will be sending out an email with the direct link to these as well. Watch your inbox for these. But if you cannot wait or want to get a jump on gathering your submissions, simply down load the full Handicraft List, Information sheet and entry forms from our website.
You can find the link to our Handicraft Page under the Awards & Competitions menu. Or click here!
Remember that all articles entered into the competition have to have been made since January 2020. Each submitted entry MUST be completed by the person submitting the entry. Each branch can have two articles in the same category, but of those articles, each must be submitted by a different member.
If you have any questions, please contact Marilyn Wattenbarger, Handicraft Coordinator. All her contact information can be found on the Handicraft Information sheet and entry forms, as well as in the Handicraft List.
Happy Crafting!
Provincial Convention – Early Bird Registration open!
Greetings all,
The Provincial Convention date is set for June 7 and 8th, 2022. We are so excited that once again we can hold an in-person convention!
The them this year is Building on Our Strengths… and boy do we need this. Check out our designated Provincial Convention page to download your registration package and get all the full details!
April News and Notes
- In this Issue:
- Invitation to Stony Plain Constituency Conference
- Update from Handicraft Coordinator
- In Memory
- News from FWIC
Women Inspiring Women
This is the Government of Canada’s Theme for International Women’s Day, which is today, Tuesday, March 8th. Take a moment to show your appreciation of the women in your life!
This theme: Women Inspiring Women: “celebrates all the women and girls who inspire us by demonstrating leadership in the choices they make in their day-to-day lives to contribute to the social, economic, cultural, and political spheres.
In Canada, unlike in many other countries, women are free to study and be leaders in the field they choose, care and provide for their family, express who they are, and fight for their beliefs.” To learn more about what Government of Canada is doing visit their website.
Personally, I am forever grateful for all those strong, inspiring women who came before me, who forged a path for me to walk so much easier. I am proud of the strong roots they planted and the guidance they provided. Additionally, I am inspired and humbled by those young women coming up behind me. I hope that in some small fashion, I can give them something to look up to and to be inspired by as well.
Amnesty International Canada provides some Reflections on International Women’s Day as we celebrate women. To learn more visit their website.
March News and Notes
- In this Issue:
- Reminders of upcoming deadlines: Resolutions, Creative Writing
- Learning Opportunities – FWIC, District 3 Event, Hobbies & interests
Spring 2022 Home and Country
Greetings,
The Spring Issue of the Home & Country is now available! In this issue:
- Celebrating 125 Years
- District Reports
- Volunteer Opportunity – Be our Editor!
- Remembering WI
Human Trafficking Awareness: Joint Statement Issued
The House of Commons proclaimed February 22 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day to help bring awareness to the magnitude of modern-day slavery in Canada and abroad and encourage Canadians to take steps to combat human trafficking.
Today a Joint Statement was issued from Alberta’s Acting Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Sonya Savage, Children’s Services Minister Rebecca Schulz, Community and Social Services Minister Jason Luan and Status of Women Associate Minister Whitney Issik on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
““Human trafficking is a dehumanizing and predatory crime that violates a person’s most basic human rights and dignity. Traffickers exploit their victims and rob them of their freedom – all for their own gain. We must do everything we can to fight this heinous crime and stand up for victims and those at risk of human trafficking.”
Wellness Tips
Below is a recent update from the Government of Canada, that I felt would be beneficial to our members. This pandemic has put a strain on all aspects of our life. Even our mental health.
Wellness Tips
Mental health is an essential component for living a healthy life and a main factor in overall health.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a profound effect on all of us, including on our mental health. To take care of it, you can:
- Set realistic goals for yourself.
- Accept yourself and others.
- Try new activities and hobbies.
- Prioritize your physical health.
Working on your mental health can increase your coping skills, improve self-esteem and resilience, and help create healthy relationships with others.
To learn more about mental health and wellness:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/topics/mental-health-wellness.html
Visit the Wellness Together Canada portal for confidential mental health and substance use resources, including counselling, by selecting the button “Get support”: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/mental-health.html
Editor Wanted for Home & Country
Alberta Women’s Institutes is accepting applications for Editor of the Home & Country Magazine and Annual Report Book.
This position is appointed for 3-year term and may be appointed for an additional term at the discretion of Council.
The Editor sits on the Editorial board, along with the Provincial President and the Provincial President Elect. The Editorial Board has jurisdiction over any articles that may require decisions before printing.
- The Home & Country Editor is responsible for the following:
- The decision of which submitted articles will be printed in any given issue
- The decision of which submitted photographs will be included
- Editing the length of any article she feels is necessary
- The layout of the magazine.
- Prepares the Annual Report Book for printing in April or two months prior to the annual Provincial Convention each year. It will be distributed at the Provincial Convention.
- Submits a written report for inclusion in the Annual Report Book.
- Attends the annual Provincial Convention, if possible.
- The Editor may attend a Council meeting at her own request, or that of the Provincial President, should there be any issues to resolve.
- Any expenses incurred for the publishing of the magazine will be reimbursed upon submission of receipts.
The News You Need To Know
The collection of news below has been compiled by Linda Toews, AWI President-Elect. Thank you Linda for all your had work in gathering this information.
Breaking COVID News
Premier Scott Moe has announced the end of restrictions schedule in Saskatchewan. As of Monday, February 14, the vaccine passport will be eliminated. Quebec has also announced a lifting of restrictions. Ontario is looking at their options.
In Alberta, Premier Jason Kenney has announced that the Restrictions Exemption Program will end at midnight tonight. Capacity restrictions will also be lifted on venues accommodating 500 and less, including libraries and places of worship. Mandatory masking for all children and youth in schools and for youth aged 12 and under in any setting will end February 13 at 11:59 pm.
The Alberta Plan will proceed in 3 stages as given below.
Step one
Effective Feb. 8 at 11:59 p.m.:
· Restrictions Exemption Program (REP) ends, along with most associated restrictions.
· Entertainment venues will continue to have some specific rules in place:
o Restrictions on sale of food and beverages and consumption while seated in audience settings will be removed.
o Restrictions on closing times, alcohol service, table capacity in restaurants and interactive activities will remain in force.
· For all businesses, venues and facilities – whether they were previously eligible for the REP or not – capacity limits are removed, except for:
o Facilities with capacity of 500 to 1,000, which will be limited to 500.
o Facilities with capacity of 1,000-plus, which will be limited to 50 per cent.
Effective at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 13:
· Masks will no longer be required for all children and youth in schools.
· Masks will no longer be required in any setting for children aged 12 and under.
Read MoreItems of Interest.
Alberta Women's Institutes 