If you ever wondered why the WI was a charitable organisation, it's because we actually are a force to be reckoned with in terms of highlighting and campaigning on various issues. And you can be a part of this
Resolutions Are Your Chance to Create Change
The Women’s Institute is democratic and member-led, and the resolutions process is unique in putting members at the heart of decisions about our campaign activity. Every issue that we campaign on stems directly from a resolution put forward by members and adopted at the Annual Meeting. WI members have a unique opportunity to turn a concern into a national campaign every year, backed by the whole of the WI.
Current Campaigns
We campaign on a huge range of issues – from promoting women's rights and fostering health awareness, to encouraging sustainable development and building a fairer society.
Thinking Differently: Autistic and ADHD Women and Girls
See the Signs
Make a Match
Stop Modern Slavery
Climate Change
End Plastic Soup
No More Violence Against Women
Past Campaigns
Care Not Custody
Carers Welcome
More Midwives
Time to Talk about Organ Donation
5 Minutes That Matter
Food Matters
Get on Board for a Better Bus Service
Link Together
Make Time for Mental Health
SOS for Honeybees
How a Resolution becomes a Campaign
Stage I
Between July and September, WIs and federations submit resolutions about current issues they are concerned about to the NFWI.
Stage II
In early autumn, the submitted resolutions are discussed and debated by federation and member delegates and reduced to a shortlist.
Stage III
Between November and February, federations and WIs hold meetings to discuss the shortlisted resolutions, giving every member the chance to have their say on the shortlist. Each member casts their selection for the resolution they support the most.
Stage IV
The NFWI Board of Trustees reviews the results of the member selections and agrees on the resolutions to go forward to the Annual Meeting. This is usually one resolution, but sometimes more than one is taken forward. These resolutions are then again discussed by each WI to determine how they wish their delegate to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Stage V
At the Annual Meeting, delegates hear from the resolution proposer, seconder, and experts on the topic before they cast their votes on behalf of WIs. If a resolution is adopted, it will go on to form the basis of a WI campaign.
Our meeting was very well attended and pretty noisy... we all like to have a catch up before the meeting starts.
Sandra began with a brief note on the WI resolution which is being proposed at our Annual Meeting this year. If it is voted through, we will be campaigning on this resolution next year:
Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife: Water quality in our rivers is shameful. Legally, designated bathing waters must be regularly monitored for pollution. The NFWI urges its members, the wider public, local authorities and Government to make, support and promote applications for official designated bathing sites on appropriate stretches of rivers in their area. This will be as instrumental to the clean up of rivers as it has been for water quality improvement at coastal beaches.
We voted unanimously in favour.
Sandra then made a presentation and little speech to Rowena, our outgoing founding president. The current members made a collection and were able to give her a selection of wines as sincere thanks for helping to form and for keeping The Bombshells running during some difficult times. She was tearful and very grateful as she happily clinked her way back to the table.
Sandra discussed the Summer Fete, and the sign up sheet made the rounds during the quiz.
The evenings main event was a quiz, always popular with the Bombshells, the theme of the quiz was April Fools .
The questions were a little tricky and everyone was mystified, but this didn't stop the fun. It was a noisy evening with lots of laughing, requests to Sandra to repeat and then repeat again questions because it was too noisy to hear.
1st place team got 9/17. Then 3 teams all got 8/17 and to everyones amusement, Joans team only got 6!! But it's never about the winning with the Bombshells, and everyone went home with smiles on their faces.
Thank you so much to Mel for the notes and pictures which enabled me to write the blog this month as I was too ill to attend.
Comments