Conclusion Strong leadership has played an important role in the success of the Women 's Institute move¬ ment. Knowledge is power, and the Board of Directors was diligent in training future leaders to form a nucleus of well-informed women within the organization. Leadership courses and semi¬ nars, reaching out to the grass roots instilled a confidence in women as they gained knowledge and expertise in business procedure, motions, resolutions and presentations. Changes in social legislation and gender equality have had a good measure of success due to effective government lobbying. The Women 's Institutes has been a unifying force for women in the community. The monthly meetings, faithfully attended served as a bond of camaraderie, and the act of meeting and shar¬ ing mutual concerns enriched the lives of the members. Mrs. Florence Matheson O.C . words sum up the ideals and aspirations of the goals of W.I . "raising and enriching the standards of life for our members, our families, our communities and human beings everywhere - an unselfish common sense organization which the world sorely needs and which gives its members a more tolerant understanding of people, friends, memories and souvenirs, all of which are priceless". As though yesterday, members nostalgically recalled leaving a nice warm country kitchen, to drive in darkness, up to three miles for an Institute meeting. This occasion had been cheerfully anticipated and one must not miss a meeting! The men, of course, had their share to contribute for this night, as in each household one was enlisted as the volunteer "baby sitter", and kept the fires burning through the long winter nights. At the completion of a winter's get-together, the host would hitch the horses, presenting them at the door of his house, for the ladies to drive home. The talk and laughter of the District, after one Institute meeting, was when one lady was given the wrong horse. Nothing daunted, howev¬ er, the ladies continued their ventures in cold sleighs for long drives through the glistening snow. Before the advent of electricity, and all the labor saving devices, rural life was, at the best of times, a challenge. The load was lightened by the shared joy and laughter, the exchange of recipes, of spring bulbs, and the relaxing social hour and refreshments that were part of every meeting. In less affluent times, Santa's Christmas gift of a bag of candy and an orange, for school and preschool children, compliments of the W.I . was much appreciated. Women 's Institute members were always visible in the district. In earlier times, visiting the school each month, collecting monies for worthy causes, taking a gift to a new baby, visiting the sick, bringing joy to the elderly with a basket of fruit or a bouquet of flowers. Sterling Women 's Institute members can take pride in their past accomplishments. One of the greatest challenges of the next millennium will be the conservation and protection of our plan¬ et's resources. As rural women, "we understand the implications of looking after the land, because if we take care of the land, the land will take care of us". The heritage we wish to pass on to future generations is good soil, pure water and a clean environment. The forests are the lungs of the planet, our soil is our greatest resource, and our existence is dependent on pure water. We must not compromise our co-existence with nature, to do so is to risk the health and quality of life, not only of future generations, but also of all of us. By responsible decision making, we will be acting in the best interests of "Home and Country". 193