Dr Helen Naylor, Historian and Westminster tour guide, leads a bespoke walking tour of the City of London’s Secret Gardens.
Come and join us for a guided tour around Brighton Pavilion followed by afternoon tea.
Dr Helen Naylor, Historian and Westminster tour guide, leads a bespoke walking tour of the City of London’s Secret Gardens.
Dr Helen Naylor, Historian and Westminster tour guide leads a bespoke walking tour of the City of London’s Secret Gardens.
What does ACWW actually do? Read how a simple project like providing giant water butts to provide African villages with clean water has transformed the lives of women and their families.
back to News
THIS IS ME AND THE CLIMATE by ROSEMARY HORTON
Gas boilers v heat pumps – the shape of things to come? Rosemary Horton, our climate change ambassador, looks at the pros and cons about the way we may have to heat our homes in future.
back to News
A unique carving by an Indian workman inspired one of HMP Send’s artists to create a birthday card for the Countess of Wessex, commissioned by her local WI
back to News
THE Federation is delighted to announce the appointment of Ruth Bolton as our new part-time Digital Administrator.
Ruth writes:
I started my career in broadcasting in London, many years ago! Since moving to Surrey 15 years ago, I have translated these skills to event management, and inevitably, digital event management.
I have worked locally for an educational charity and a local school and more recently freelancing as a website builder and manager and the ‘back office’ manager of The Dance Project in Dorking.
I see my role as the Digital Administrator at SFWI as twofold: To keep the digital platforms up-to-date with the latest news and events; and to help committee members with the transition to Office 365.
Moving to Office 365 will be different for everyone — and I’m here to help either by phone, email, by referencing our WI Notes, or by running workshops.
I’m in the office on Mondays and Tuesdays and welcome any queries you may have — email me via the office.
I’m really delighted to join the SFWI team and to be working in an environment that brings women together for political, social and creative reasons. I look forward to meeting members and trustees.
back to News
Spring is here and the bees will be starting to get busy. Michelle Ernoult has some tips to help you create a banquet for these vital creatures in your garden.
back to News
WHAT do we mean when we say “Enlargement”? This time we are not referring to the results of lockdown eating and lack of regular exercise, thank goodness.
This dreadful pandemic has affected us all and we may take some time to return to our way of life pre-Covid, but the WI continues to flourish and inspire us. A few WIs are suffering from low numbers of members and increasing costs and are worried about their future.
However, there is a solution which may apply to this particular situation. It is called “Enlargement,” whereby one WI joins another to establish a new, enlarged WI which is clearly a happier alternative to suspension or closure. One WI is called the “terminating” WI and the other is the “continuing” WI. Each WI calls a Special Meeting and a WI Adviser is present at all the steps and proceedings.
At the Special Meetings of both WIs a secret ballot is held to approve the resolution and terms of the enlargement. At least one quarter of members must vote on the resolution and a three-quarters majority of those voting is required in favour of the enlargement, in both WIs.
It is a relatively simple process which will mean that members can stay together and also be involved in a happy, positive new step in the history of their WI. A combined meeting of the WIs is then held to agree the name of the new, enlarged WI, and an election of a new committee and President also takes place. After completing financial reports, funds from the terminating WI transfer to the continuing WI. A new, healthy and happy WI is formed.
If any WI considers this as a way forward please consult with your WI Adviser who will help you and discuss a plan of action.
Helen Mayne, WI Adviser
back to News
Surrey Federation of Womens Institutes (SFWI) Company limited by guarantee number: 2836301 Registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales number: 1026988 Registered office: 6 Paris, Parklands, Railton Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 9JX
© 2019-2021 Surrey Federation of Women's Institutes. All Rights Reserved.
