NFWI Annual Review 2015-2016

IMAGE: Ian Weir
WELCOME
JANA OSBORNE
General Secretary
W
hilst I can hardly
believe an entire year
has passed since we
were reflecting on the
unprecedented successes of the
WI centenary, this year has really
seen the WI build on the amazing
spotlight that we enjoyed
throughout 2015. With such great
increases in the number of WI
members and the number of new
WIs being set up, the organisation
really does seem to be going from
strength to strength. Following
the amazing events throughout
the centenary, this year has really
seen all federations working hard
to open new WIs to accommodate
the increased interest garnered
last year. Curiosity about the WI
and the range of opportunities
open to women through WI
membership continues as more
women decide that now is the
time to give their local WI a try –
or to set up a new one. These
membership increases are down
to everyone’s hard work at every
tier of the organisation, from the
NFWI spokesperson discussing
new resolutions in the national
press, to the federation trustee
and WI Adviser organising a new
formation meeting, to the WI
member handing out membership
flyers at their local farmer’s
market and inviting her friend
along to a meeting. The WI is
strongest when we all pull together,
and these membership increases
are a real testament to all three
levels of the organisation working
in harmony towards a shared goal.
One major new project under
development specifically designed
to make members’ lives easier and
more informed, and to help the
NFWI share both important
policy information and
inspirational content with
everyone in the WI is the new
members’ only website. This site
will provide everything that every
WI member needs
to know to help plan
meetings, events,
and get involved
with the resolution
process, and will
share new
inspirational
projects to try from
all of the NFWI
committees, videos
demonstrating new
skills, and suggestions on how
every WI member can get the
most out of her membership. The
site will be accessible to every WI
member through the Membership
Content System using their email
address, and we are working hard
to make this as smooth as possible
to ensure that as many members
“ Th e
organisation
seems to be
going from
strength to
strength.”
as possible want to engage with
this very special online portal.
With such a huge undertaking, we
are working with WI members
who have generously agreed to
test the new site to make sure it
works for a variety of different
skill sets and interests, and we are
looking forward to launching a
wealth of information on there
soon. The selection of two new
mandates at this year’s Annual
Meeting was a very positive
demonstration of members’
continuing commitment to Public
Affairs. This year’s result was a
steadfast sign of
members’ dedication
to campaigning for
change. There is good
news too from
Denman; an increase
in the number of
students attending
the college is an
essential step in the
right direction. My
thanks go to the
NFWI Trustees who all dedicate
so much time to ensure that the
WI continues to go from strength
to strength. Thank you to each of
the 69 federations, and to all of the
the staff who do so much to
ensure that every WI member can
truly enjoy her membership –
here’s to another successful year!
7 SECTION 1
THE WI IS HERE
TO INSPIRE YOU
The NFWI in action
providing information
and inspiration for
every WI member
4 5
IMAGES: Keith Morris, Bookham Butterflies WI, and Pershore WI
DON’T MISS:
32
36
38
FEDERATION LIST
NFWI
COMMITTEES
BOARD OF
TRUSTEES
17 SECTION 2
THE WI IS EVERYTHING
YOU WANT IT TO BE
Federations working
with the NFWI to
provide the best
opportunities for
members
41
42
MEET THE TEAM
FINANCES
25
SECTION 3
THE WI IS WHAT
YOU MAKE OF IT
“How would you
describe a typical WI
member?” There’s no
such thing!