It was a modest fundraising proposal that required some immodesty, but the calendar produced by the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada featuring its members seems destined for success.
Some of the women in the photographs “are more dressed than others,” said FWIC executive director Barb Sheardon, but no province balked at presenting a photo of one of its members for the calendar.
The idea came from Saskatchewan WI member Virginia Kreklevich, who as her province’s representative to the FWIC board was placed on the national fundraising committee. She had to come to a board meeting with one idea to make the group money.
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“I said, ‘I can cook like crazy and bake like crazy but I can’t bake for the whole of Canada,’ ” said Kreklevich from Foam Lake, Sask.
“My local WI group said, ‘go for it,’ so I took the idea to the FWIC.”
She added that there are no names in the calendar but people might recognize the representative from their province.
Manitoba WI president Joan Rodgers said in her newsletter that the calendar is “eclectic with some women in bathing suits, some in nothing at all, and some fully dressed – an example of the diversity of women in FWIC.”
Besides the 10 provinces, the other two months show the FWIC board in front of two historic places in Ontario – WI founder Adelaide Hoodless’ homestead and the farmhouse that belonged to Erland Lee, an early supporter of the WI movement.
The calendars cost $10, including postage, and are good for two years, 2008 and 2009. Each provincial WI receives $1 of the sale and the FWIC will clear about $5 each after expenses. The group printed 5,000 calendars.
Kreklevich said she is happy with the result but will now be under pressure to follow up with a fundraising idea for next year. She said the Saskatchewan WI has almost sold out its allotment of the calendars but she can get more. Saskatchewan residents can call her at 306-272-4191.
People in other provinces who want a calendar can contact the FWIC at P.O. Box 209, 359 Blue Lake Road, St. George, Ont., N0E 1N0.
