Bervie W.I. holds annual meeting, welcomes new member

The Bervie Women's Institute met at the hall in Bervie, Wednesday, April 5, at 10 a.m. After the usual openings, president Sylvia Hasbury read a prayer followed by 12 members answering the Roll Call with a joke and the payment of the annual membership fee. 

The Bervie W.I. reported 874 volunteer hours this past year and Mildred Griffith received a gift for perfect attendance. The group currently has two extra copies of the “150th book” at a cost of $21 each if anyone needs one. A $150 donation was made to the Grey Bruce District scholarship fund.

The plant, yard and bake sale will be held Saturday, May 20 at the hall, from 8 a.m. to Noon. Ellen Waye will assist with the advertising. The District Annual is May 25 at Walkerton. Elsie Schular will look after a door prize for the Heritage Show at Paisley, Aug. 19-20. Mildred Griffith gave the sunshine report. 

Following a delicious pot luck lunch, the secret pal gifts were exchanged and the minutes of last year’s annual meeting were read. The various reports were presented and adopted. Sandra MacDonald gave the nominating committee report showing no changes in officers this year. Sylvia Hasbury installed the officers for 2017-18. 

Annual donations of $20 each will be made to ACWW Water for All, ACWW Women Feed the World, Erland Lee Home operating, Adelaide Hoodless Homestead (upkeep) and the Erland Lee History preservation and maintenance fund. 

Sylvia presented a Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) pin to new member Bev Berndt. Betty Jean White and Janice Hewitt were recognized for 40 years with the Bervie W.I. Sandra MacDonald read the W.I. bylaws and one change was put forth and adopted. 

The next meeting will be at the hall, Wednesday, May 3, at 6:45 p.m., with Tony McPhail speaking on electoral reform.
 

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Sylvia Hasbury (right), president of the Bervie Women's Institute, presents an FWIO pin to new member Bev Berndt at the annual meeting Wednesday; photo courtesy of Islay Eby