P.O. Box 209
359 Blue Lake Road, St. George, ON
N0E 1N0

Competitions

Senator Cairine Wilson Competition (2009-2012)

Entries are invited for the Senator Cairine Wilson Competition for the 2009-2012 Triennium.

This award was began in 1957 by Senator Cairine Wilson for the most outstanding project in Citizenship. Over the decades a multitude of topics have been researched and entered.

The topic for this triennium is a 750 word essay on “Why Should I Vote?”   Living in Canada we have the privilege to vote at municipal, provincial and national elections, let’s celebrate this opportunity.

The essay is to be typed on 8 ½” x 11” white paper.  Entrants name and branch to be placed in a sealed envelope and attached to the back of the essay.

Your entry is eagerly awaited.

Any Women’s Institute member in Canada can enter.  The Provincial Units of Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada may submit one entry.  Provincial Units will be responsible for their own competition(s) and eliminations.  Contact your Provincial WI for the provincial deadline.

The judging criteria is:

The winner of this competition will be announced at the FWIC National Convention in Sidney, British Columbia in June 2012. A miniature replica trophy will be presented for permanent possession.  The original trophy is on display at the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead.

Tweedsmuir Competitions (2009-2012)
In 1945, lady Tweedsmuir, wife of Lord Tweedsmuir who was Governor General of Canada, donated three silver cups to the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada for competitions to be held each triennium.  The trophies with awards winners’ names, are displayed at the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead.

The successful entrants will receive keeper trophies (small replicas of the Tweedsmuir cups) and certificates at the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada Convention in Sidney, British Columbia, 2012.   

Any Women’s Institute member in Canada can enter.  The Provincial Units of Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada may submit one entry for each of the three categories.  Provincial Units will be responsible for their own competition(s) and eliminations.  Contact your Provincial WI for the provincial deadline.

Anyone winning the same category at the Tweedsmuir Competition for three consecutive trienniums, is ineligible to compete in the following triennium.

HANDICRAFTS COMPETITION
Crib Quilt 
Regulations:

• Approximate size 32” x 37”
• No cheater or commercial designs will be accepted
• Quilt to be pieced, appliquéd or combination of both techniques
• Quilt to be 100% hand quilted
• A heart to be incorporated into the baby quilt –either on the top or into the quilting
• Name and branch attached in sealed envelope

Points:

CULTURAL COMPETITION
Development of Program
Regulations:

• Create a program to entice not only WI members but members of the community to attend and participate in WI events
• Program between 20 and 30 minutes in length
• Program to be in media print, power point, computer, CD or hand written
• Include game or quiz to test knowledge of audience
• Name and branch attached in sealed envelope

Points:

HISTORY COMPETITION
Essay –“History of WI in Your Province”
Regulations:

• Research how WI was founded in your province and how the organization spread within the province (where you presently reside)
• Approximate length of essay 2000 words, double spaced, put in a folder or duo-tang. 
• Essay typed or hand written
• Name and branch attached in sealed envelope

Points:

Erland Lee Award
This prestigious award is presented by the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada to a man who most exemplifies those qualities of Erland Lee which led to the founding of the Women’s Institute, an organization which spread across Canada and grew to include millions of women worldwide.

Regulations:

• A certificate to be presented to a gentleman who has made an outstanding contribution to the Women’s Institute movement.
• Nominations can come from the branch, district/county, provincial or national level. Each province is entitled to one nomination per year, except for Ontario, which is entitled to two because of the size of its membership.
• Specifics of the nominee’s contribution to Women’s Institutes must be included with the nomination letter and forwarded to the provincial office for approval.
• Once approved by the provincial office, the gentleman’s name to be sent to national office. It must be received no later than March 31 of each year. A cheque for $15.00 per certificate, payable to “Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada”, must accompany the nomination. This cost is the responsibility of the nominating body.

A certificate will be forwarded to the province from national office, along with a brief resumé of the significant contributions of Erland Lee in forming Women’s Institutes in Canada.