The Irish Countrywomen's Association is to begin a membership recruitment drive. It also intends to revitalise the organisation to face the challenges of the new century.
Speaking at its annual general meeting in Athlone, Co Westmeath, yesterday, its president, Ms Eva Coyle, said the ICA was proud of its history but should not live off it. "We must have an organisation that caters for modern needs in a new century just as the ICA did at the beginning of this century," she told delegates.
"Looking at the future I see the ICA as an organisation for all the women of Ireland which attracts younger women and is relevant to all women and their families," she said.
"We must have an organisation that achieves real change, whether it be in health policy for every member of the family, care of older people in hospitals, environment issues, education or regional development," she said.
Ms Coyle said the ICA's policy-making structures were to be centralised, eight new committees were to be set up immediately and the recruitment drive was to be initiated.
"I want the ICA to be the organisation of first choice among the women of Ireland. Today we represent women in business, in a range of careers, those working in the home and those seeking work," she said.
Ms Coyle identified consumer affairs as an area in which she saw the ICA playing a more central role. and She said that with EU support 10 ICA members would receive intensive training in consumer-related issues.