The most recent link in the process towards networking was a provincial conference, sponsored by CCLOW, which took place in May, 1983. Its purpose was to bring together women from all parts of the province; to explore the concept of networking and its implications for Nova Scotian women; and to determine how such a network could be established. A number of recommendations were made, notably that " a provincial fieldwork who can coordinate activities among the various groups in Nova Scotia and also assist local groups in providing the stimulus and resources to get started " be funded.

To help uncover the sorts of information valuable to this fieldwork, an intensive survey of seven areas of Nova Scotia was considered essential. In this report the results of that survey are presented with some recommendations based upon the findings.

Six areas of the province were included in the survey: Antigonish, Cumberland, Digby, Colchester, Queens, and Halifax County (Eastern Shore). Unfortunately, results from Cape Breton arrived too late to be included in the main report but will be added at a later date.

The questionnaires were distributed throughout the province with the generous support and assistance of key local women. They were: Margot Comeau-Metcalfe, Betty Campbell, Sylvia Collins Bev Champion, Sister Virginia Turner and Ginger Hogan.

These women attended a workshop in Halifax on May 5 in order to be introduced to the survey, to contribute to its revision and to discuss its method of distribution. The authors would like to thank all those women named for their generous help in conducting the survey. Without this help the survey could not have been completed in the six weeks available. We would also like to thank any others who assisted in the distribution of the survey and all the women who completed the questionnaire.

The method of application was carried out in one of two ways:
1. a local women's group invited women to attend a meeting at which the survey was explained, completed and collected or
2. the survey was distributed through personal contact with women in an area and collected after completion.

The questionnaire consists of 31 questions (see Appendix A) the main areas analyzed being demographic information; past educational activities; educational preferences; attitudes to learning and barriers to educational participation.