Ryder Lake Women's Institute
British Columbia Women's Institute
The Ryder Lake Women's Institute (RLWI) is a member branch of the BC Women's Institute and was incorporated as a society in 1934.
Women’s Institutes are active across Canada and throughout the world, originating in Ontario in 1897. All BC members are also part of the National and International organizations. For more information visit the BCWI website.
About us
The Ryder Lake Women's Institute is open to women that live in Chilliwack and meets at the Ryder Lake Hall at 7 pm on the first Wednesday of every month. Guests are welcome! All meetings are listed on the Events Calendar.
The membership fee of $50 p.a. is paid to the BCWI, and new members are welcome at any time. Our local branch does not receive any of these dues and therefore relies on fund raising and donations to support our programs.
For those interested in history, check out this article "79 Years of Serving Home and Country" by Bea Mazurenko from British Columbia Heritage, Fall 2014, pp.9-18.
Programs and Events
As well as collaborating on community events with the Farmers' Institute, the RLWI also organizes educational workshops, speakers and tours for our members, and joins with our neighbouring Atchelitz WI group for lunches. Members may attend the BCWI annual general meetings.
Recent events have included Christmas swag making, floral arranging, felted soaps, paint nights, speakers on container and herb gardens, canning and game cutting demonstrations and more! See the Past Events page.
Cookbook
The Ryder Lake Women's Institute Cookbook was published in May 2021 and contains over 180 recipes submitted by our members and friends.
Each recipe includes personal notes plus there are some fun old heritage recipes and snippets of historical information about the WI.
The cookbook is available for $15 at local events at the Hall or through the Chilliwack Museum Gift shop.
Community
The RLWI supports various community initiatives such as the Vedder Elementary food programs, and awards a 4H trophy which is presented annually at the Chilliwack Fair.
As a co-owner of the Ryder Lake Institutes Hall, the WI appoints members to sit on the joint hall committee and is actively involved in projects to enhance and upgrade the Hall. We have successfully applied for and received grants for two major projects
Contact
Contact rlwiinfo@gmail.com for more information or download a membership application.
Membership fees can be paid by e-transfer to rlwitreasurer@gmail.com.
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