News

Is there a role for you in the Federation’s ranks? 

Have you ever wondered if there is a role for you at the Federation? If you feel you have something to offer, want to learn more about the roles available, what is involved or there is any other way in which you could support your Federation, do please speak to your Adviser. The secretary of your WI or the office can put in in touch with her. 

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Updates from NFWI

Good news for members who rejoin

In last month’s SWIN we published the table of subscription rates for 2021. No sooner had the magazine gone online than we had notification from the NFWI that the ineligibility of the pro-rata subscription rate to members who re-join was being reduced from ten years to one year. 

The aim of the pro rata ineligibility period for former members is to prevent WIs being disrupted by individuals switching their membership on and off, the NFWI explains. 

Reducing the period from ten years to one year will bring a more welcoming and encouraging approach for former WI members wanting to re-join. It will also help WIs wishing to invite former members back. 

This will come into action from April 1 so it can be active and applied throughout the next pro rata year. 

The NFWI’s statement adds: “There are so many life events that can lead to women feeling they have to give up their WI membership, such as moving house, new career, becoming a mother, periods of debilitating illness, increased demands on time due to caring etc. 

“We know that many of these members would like to re-join as soon as they feel able to and their WIs want to be as accommodating as possible to help them do so. 

“Reducing the pro rata ineligibility period to one year is a very practical and impactful way of enabling WIs to offer this understanding and support.” 

Re-forming rule is reformed

Extending the subscription by three months has resulted in a change affecting WIs which have been suspended but were intending to re-form in January. 

The constitution states that after a WI is suspended, “the balance of the funds remaining after the payment of all outstanding liabilities shall be handed over to the Board of Trustees of the Federation, to be held by them until the WI is re-formed, or for three years or until a new WI is established which in the opinion of the Federation Board of Trustees serves the areas formerly served by the WI, whichever is the shorter period. If the WI is re- formed within that time, the funds will be passed to the re-formed WI. If at the end of that time the WI has not been re-formed, the funds are retained by the Federation”. 

Due to the previous subscription year starting in January, it was common for WIs to be suspended at end of December/ January with a view to reopening in January three years later, in order to get a full year out of subscription rate when they re-formed. 

Several Advisers and Federations pointed out that the subscription extension of three months meant that if the WIs reformed in January, as the constitution says they should, many members will have to pay the full £43 from Jan-April, and then another £44 in April. If they delay their re-formation, they would lose these funds. 

The NFWI Board have agreed that these WIs should be given a three month extension to re-form and still get the funds. 

What’s new on MyWI 

The following resources have been added to My WI: 

• How to host a virtual meeting
• Take your sub group online
• How to look after your mental health during Covid-19
• FAQs about COVID-19
• Craft projects using your ‘craft stash’
• Store cupboard recipes
• Keeping moving
• Guidance on creating goody bags
• Low cost meeting ideas
• Members Resources section which has lots of helpful content in one place. 

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Climate change: Why we must do something 

I wish I could start this article about the climate by giving you some reassurance about the future of our planet but I can’t except that it’s not too late as long as we act now! 

I am very much part of the problem: I drive a small polluting car, I have gas fired central heating, I eat beef, butter and cheese, I don’t grow enough vegetables in spite of having a garden, I bank with a High Street bank that invests my money in fossil fuels and I love to travel when I can afford it. 

I joined the WI in the 1980s following in my mother’s footsteps and having given talks to many WIs about cheese. I have enjoyed the opportunities it has given me but until recently I have not contributed to the campaigns. 

It was when I was representing my WI at The Time is Now lobby in 2019 that I met other people from my area who were concerned about climate issues. About 20 Mole Valley residents met our MP, Sir Paul Beresford, for half an hour in a room in the House of Commons. When time was up he left the room and we talked to each other and exchanged emails. I believe that was the most useful outcome of the meeting. 

In the following weeks I went to local meetings of Dorking Climate Emergency and Extinction Rebellion. The people I met were interesting, well informed and passionate about global warming. 

Encouraged by the Paris Agreement but bitterly disappointed by our Government’s response, they took non-violent action locally and in London to emphasise the urgency of the situation. Many of us disapproved of the action but we can’t deny that the climate is now higher up the agenda than ever before. 

I do believe that the combined action of Greta Thunberg, school strikes, David Attenborough, Extinction Rebellion, Countryfile, Friends of the Earth, Wildlife Trusts, the WI and hard work by individuals and organisations have raised awareness. This is not a political issue — it is for all of us regardless of our political opinions. 

Yes, as individuals we are trying. We need to encourage each other and as we lead up to COP 26* — the Climate Change Conference due to take place in Glasgow in November this year — show that we are willing to make the changes needed to reduce carbon emissions. 

So what can I do? I can talk about my concerns to my friends and mention that during lockdown I’ve taken the time to check with my energy supplier that my electricity comes from a renewable source. I can Show the Love by making a green heart (being creative is good for us); I have bought a shopping trolley, saves using the car. When COVID-19 restrictions allow I will join activists in expressing my concerns. I will grow more vegetables this year… 

This would all be difficult to do in isolation. If you are reading this you must be online so I would encourage you to look up your local organisations: Friends of the Earth, Surrey Wildlife Trust, WWF, Extinction Rebellion, Greenpeace, Climate Action (your town), Transition (your town) CPRE (Council for the Preservation of Rural England), Plantlife to name but a few. 

I have found it inspiring to be part of an action group and I have huge respect for the efforts that are going on to bring about the changes needed. 

Rosemary Horton, SFWI Climate Advocate

?Rosemary welcomes your questions or opinions and is offering to give talks on the subject via Zoom to interested WIs. Contact her at hortonrosemary@ymail.com 

* COP26 will be the biggest diplomatic conference the UK has ever hosted, with over 200 world leaders set to attend. The WI will be working closely with The Climate Coalition to provide members with plenty of activities and events to attend in the lead up to COP26. 

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Take a walk to help ACWW 

This year has started like no other so the urge to hibernate (aided by the weather and COVID-19 restrictions) is almost irresistible. However I would urge you to think forward to ACWW Day on 29 April.

This could be celebrated by planning a walk for Women Walk The World or if restrictions stop us walking together, or in small groups, maybe we could add the distance we walk individually each day together to make an impressive total, and contribute a sum per mile! 

As the Meetings in a Bag were so successful prior to Christmas, maybe a similar effort with an international theme could be put together to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March. There is so much information on the ACWW website under Funded Projects where you will see that relatively small amounts of money are benefiting so many women and their families. 

Finally, for those of you who knit for ACWW projects overseas, please, please continue knitting but hold on to the garments until normal travel arrangements are resumed. 

The result of the tea towel competition should be announced soon! For more information please go to www.acww.org.uk.

Jill Mulryan, ACWW Representative

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Surrey County Show

The Surrey County Show 2021, which would normally take place on the late Spring Bank Holiday Monday (the last Monday in May) will not be taking place this year because of the uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The 2022 Show is likely to be on the last Monday in May, the Spring Bank Holiday Monday as this has always been the custom, although this has yet to be announced by the organisers. However, it is expected that SFWI will participate in the 2022 Show.

The WI schedule for 2021 had been created by using the 2020 one and adding two more classes. The rules were adjusted to say that entries could have been made within the previous 2 years. We are now keeping the same schedule for the 2022 Show.

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The Huxley Cup

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Calling all Crafters for a New Campaigns Project: WI Women in Activism

The NFWI Public Affairs team would like to invite WI members to take part in our new craft project ‘WI Women in Activism’. The project involves creating procession banners or pennant flags, with the aim of featuring them in an NFWI online exhibition to mark International Women’s Day in March (8 March 2021) and using them in any future marches we attend once Coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

What is the purpose of the project?

The project offers WI members the chance to get involved in campaigns and stay active on issues they care about. The banner/flag could focus on a particular WI campaign or cover a range of campaigns. You could choose a single issue, and highlight particular elements of that issue (e.g. climate change and the impacts on women) or create a banner highlighting all of the gender-focused issues that the WI campaigns on (e.g. equal pay, gender-based violence and women in politics).

Photographs of your completed banner/ flag should be submitted to pa@nfwi.org.uk by Friday 5th March 2021. The actual banner/ flag is for you to keep.

The website also highlights some key work on our current and key campaigns.

Key Words

Activism, a force for change, feminism, inclusivity, trailblazers, women’s rights, bold and inspiring, growing and relevant, inclusive and flexible, intersectionality, strength, education, awareness, womxn, female empowerment, justice.

Key Questions:

• What does the WI fight for?
• What does campaigning mean to you?
• What message are you trying to convey?
• What do you stand for?
• What future would you like to see for women?

Points to consider:  

• You don’t need to be a professional crafter to take part! Even if you are new to crafting, your banner or flag could be small and use basic techniques such as cutting out and glueing on, stapling or simply drawing on.
• Try and include ‘The WI’ somewhere on your banner/flag big or small.
• Be bold, eye-catching and inspiring.
• Think long-term; we want to be able to use these banners for years to come.
• Get creative! We know climate change is a big issue, but there are many WI campaigns you can choose from – especially issues that particularly affect women.
• The banners and flags will be stored in homes, so the size needs to be considered.
• If you have a regular WI meeting place where the banner can be displayed (once COVID -19 restrictions have eased), consider creating a larger project.
• Use striking colours and imagery (people, symbols, words, campaign logos, icons, quotes).
• There are various techniques you can use to create your piece – appliqué, embroidery, patchwork, image transfers, printing, painting, stitching and glueing, along with an array of embellishments such as ribbons, buttons, lace, braids, tassels and fringing.
• Try to upcycle as many materials as possible for the banner/flag.
• The top of the banner needs to be straight but you can choose to create a shaped bottom (curved, pointed or embellished with prairie points, fringe or tabs).

For more information visit, My WI and if you have any questions, get in touch with us at PA@nfwi.org.uk. 

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The Lady Denman Cup 2021 – ‘Let me show you what a woman can do!’ 

This painting by the artist Artemisia Gentileschi forms the basis of the 2021 Lady Denman Cup Competition, held in partnership with the National Gallery, which had planned a major exhibition by this 17th century Italian woman artist who was tortured for being raped (yes, you read that right!). 

For the competition, members are invited to submit a piece of writing, fact or fiction, in any style — story, poem etc. — based on this painting of the artist as St Catherine of Alexandria. 

Professor Emma Rees argues that Artemisia’s paintings vividly depict “revenge and female empowerment;” bold and often extremely violent in theme, depicting Biblical stories of murder, rape, brutality and subjects such as Judith beheading Holofernes, and Jael’s murder of Sisera. She asks: “Are they a provocative and unapologetic forerunner of today’s MeToo movement?” 

The Rules

• Entrants must submit four copies of their entry, typed if possible on A4 paper and consisting of no more than 500 words.
• The entrant’s name, Federation and WI should appear on the first copy only. 
• Each entry must include a total word count; entries with over 500 words will not be accepted. 
• Entries must be accompanied by a completed Individual Entry Form which can be downloaded from MyWI. 
• Entries should be posted or emailed to SFWI HQ by Friday 30th July.
• Any entries sent directly to the NFWI, without being approved by Surrey Federation, cannot be entered and will be returned to the entrant. 

Results will be announced by early December 2021.

Prizes: 

1st prize: Book tokens to the value of £75.00

2nd prize: Book tokens to the value of £50.00

3rd prize: Book tokens to the value of £30.00

The winner/ winning Federation will be presented with the Lady Denman Cup.

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Revised date for 2021 NFWI annual meeting 

The date of the NFWI’s Annual Meeting has been changed from 19 April 19 to 8 June. It will still be hosted at the Royal Albert Hall in London due to the changing picture regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Further details, including a booking form, are included in the January mailing to WI secretaries. 

The NFWI board has agreed to a link delegate ratio of one in eight WIs to reflect social distancing requirements and the hall’s capacity to meet them.The safety and wellbeing of members and staff are a key priority and the situation will be monitored and reviewed as necessary.

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