Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire. Admiral Vansittart Chapter

The Admiral Vansittart Chapter of the IODE began as the Duchess of Argyle Chapter of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire in Woodstock, on October 26, 1903 when the younger members of the Havelock Chapter #45 withdrew to form their own group. Its charter was granted on November 25, 1903 and the chapter number awarded to the organization was ON - 0656. In May 1908, a motion to change the name was sent to the national IODE Headquarters and in November of that same year, the name was officially changed to the Admiral Vansittart Chapter. The chapter's motto was “Ready and Faithful” (taken from the family crest of Miss Florence J. Ball, first regent of the Chapter) and was named after Admiral Henry Vansittart, who settled in Woodstock in 1834 after a distinguished naval career.
The Vansittart Chapter organized such events as teas, card parties, plays, organ recitals, fashion shows, dances and musical comedies, books fairs, and held various fundraisers in support of the war effort and local charities. During the Great War, Chapter members helped to form the Patriotic Women’s League where the women involved helped raise funds for mobile canteens, knitted socks and scarves for soldiers and assembled and shipped food parcels overseas. They also arranged a Coronation Fair at the Armoury and catered the Military Ball held annual by the 22nd Regiment with which the Chapter was affiliated with in the 1920s. For 38 years, up until 1952, the Chapter was known for its New Year’s Eve dances held annually at the Armouries that were considered the social event of the season. During the Second World War they joined forces with the Havelock Chapter to conduct salvage collections, driving trucks and sorting tons of paper and other material. The money raised was spent on the comforts for service men. In addition, they co-operated with the Havelock Chapter in raising money for the war memorial in Victoria Park.
Since 1946, one of their major fundraising ventures was their Opportunity Shop, housed in various locations over the years, which sold second-hand clothing and household goods to the public. Money raised by the shop went to the Woodstock General Hospital, Woodingford Lodge and other agencies across the city, as well as scholarships and other projects. Charitable initiatives supported by the chapter included an annual dinner for honour students at each of the local Secondary Schools, participation in local Citizenship Ceremonies, and sponsoring schools in Old Crow, Yukon and Jamaica. The Chapter also undertook the restoration of the Vansittart Vault in the cemetery grounds of the historic Old St. Paul’s Church, provided playground equipment to several city parks, and for several years sponsored the Second Girl Guide Company of Woodstock, which was known briefly as the 69th IODE Company. In addition, members of the chapter participated in provincial and national events and initiatives, including the creation of a genetic clinic that tested for hereditary diseases.
Prominent members of the chapter included Florence Bell (who held the position of regent of the Chapter for eight years), Betty Buck, Patricia Garland, Helen Karn, and J. H. Parker.
Although at one time it was the largest Chapter in Canada with 122 members, with declining membership, members of the Vansittart Chapter decided to close on December 8, 2010. A final tea was held for the remaining members in February 2011.