SASKATOON — The Saskatchewan Agricultural Women’s Network (SWAN) is on the lookout for new members and for present ones to get more involved.
At SWAN’s annual winter conference held last week in Saskatoon, the 20 members attending said new members are needed. But just as important, they said, the organization needs more of its 125 members to get active.
The participation issue came up during a debate on a resolution that suggested holding the winter meeting every second year instead of annually as it is now. The motion was narrowly defeated.
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Linda Ungar, a board member from Melville, said conferences are a lot of work to organize, although the board has the expertise.
“What is the justification for 20 members,” she asked.
Malvena Dziaio, of Glenbush, echoed Ungar’s comments but said the conference “is the most visible thing we do.”
Margaret Cline, from Zelma, disagreed with the motion.
“We only get together once in the winter. If you cut back, you lose,” she said.
Membership not active
Getting more members out is a priority of SWAN, said Barb Gibson of Conquest. Gibson, who chaired the meeting, said there are a number of reasons more aren’t active.
Women have other commitments like off-farm jobs, or a belief that SWAN is affiliated with another group, and a lack of regional conferences in some parts of the province. Most of the board members live north of Davidson and a southern director is needed to organize conferences or meetings which would attract attention and members.
Off-farm jobs keep numbers low at the winter meeting, said Gibson. Not everyone can get time off and, on weekends, members are committed to their families.
Gibson said some organizations with hundreds of members don’t get any more people out than SWAN does on a percentage basis.
She says many women say they “have complete faith in what you’re doing,”and therefore don’t feel the need to participate in or join SWAN.
To draw new members it was suggested that SWAN offer short programs at existing farm organization meetings, let the media know about specific issues SWAN plans work on, or tie in an event with the International Year of the Family.
