WI Federation Day 2014
This year’s federation day was held at the Masonic Hall
in Grimsby. We were welcomed by the
Weelsby WI president, and after the minutes of the previous AGM and acceptance
of the Annual report, the reports of the various federation officers were
given.
Treasurer
The Treasure spoke first, and after the adoption of the accounts (which had been distributed to branches) she went on to explain that the Accounts are positive and healthy. We were reminded of the WI lottery and were asked to promote it, and to remind people that 60% of raffle ticket money comes back to our local federation. The federation club draw also continues.
In 2013 the Federation received a £1000 centenary grant and this has paid for display boards which are available to WIs to hire. The rest of the funding went towards training a new WI advisor and on banners. The Federation was also successful in an ‘Awards for All’ bid which has enabled the purchase of new computers and lap tops, and an alarm system to protect WI house.
Other investments last year included the installation of new double glazed windows to the rear of WI house in February. All the external doors have been replaced and the gates to the side of the house.
Woman’s World Magazine sales at £1 a copy continue to go towards the window fund and special thanks were given to Old Brumby and Hibaldstow WI’s for their donations to the WI House fund. There is talk of a ‘sponsored window walk’ to try to pay for more of the windows to be replaced.
As grant funding was received for IT this has enabled some Federation funds to be released into the House fund – they anticipate needing a new boiler soon…..
The Treasurer finished with a plea for anyone wanting to leave money in their ‘Will’ to the WI to please make sure this specifies the particular WI or the Federation otherwise any money is sent to the National Federation.
In future there will be a sliding scale of subs for those joining the WI mid-way through the year – it is hoped this will make membership more attractive – those late re-joining can’t do this though!
Chair
The Chair Sue Hawney has visitied over half of the WIs in the Humberside Federation, she gave a potted history of her involvement in the WI from childhood when her mother was Chair through to acting in WI productions at the age of 16, to finally re-joining in adulthood. Last year delegate bags were homemade, this year they are high street bags to tie in with the campaign to save the high street. The 2016 Calendar will feature Cakes and Crafts – all calendar entries and recipes need to be submitted by Thursday 18th December.
Sue went on to promote other events like the RHS collaboration to bring Bunny Guinness to the area to talk about ‘Transforming your Garden’ – the ticket price includes a glass of wine, tea, coffee and cake. A musical evening at Broughton village hall and the Christmas Fayre at Kirton on 22nd November – bring everyone! Mince pie day at WI house is planned for 4th December.
One person from the Federation is through to the Centenary fruit cake competition.
All the trustees are planning a 100 mile walk! There will be an archive exhibition and they are hoping for a commemorative service to mark the centenary too.
There are plans to prepare a new centenary banner – more details later, and there will be ‘live’ screening of the Albert Hall National Federation Conference, at a Cleethorpes cinema which holds 300 people. Some cinemas will have two way links through to the Albert Hall but these venues are not known yet.
The Centenary Federation day will be Saturday 18th April 2015 – venue to be confirmed.
Art, Sport and Leisure - Valerie Lancaster
Features of this year’s activities included the visit to Louth, Golf, Hidden and forgotten, Wentworth Castle, York, watercolours, and the establishment of the family history club. This coming year there is chapter 2 of Hidden and Forgotten Lincolnshire, a visit to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Activity day, Watercolours, and Lincolnshire Archives visit.
During 2012 a lot of work went into trying to locate archive material – there is now enough for an exhibition. Heritage lottery funding is being bid for – the bid has to be for a minimum of £3000, but the Federation will also help separate WI’s to bid together if necessary.
Home Economics - Maxine Moss Allison
Maxine advertised forthcoming events including the ‘Unfinished Objects Day’ on 26th April, the ‘Sew a little Scene’ event on 18th June and ‘Knitted Fairies’ on 12th July. She also mentioned that the catering team would be happy to accept new members.
Membership - Sue Hawney
12 WIs have significant birthdays ranging from 5 – 95 this year. Two new WIs have also formed; Killingholme, and Brigg Angels – the 3rd group in Brigg. Facebook and Twitter are increasingly being used by WIs. Some programme planning sessions are planned – she posed some questions, like, ‘have WIs reviewed their programme planning ensuring members have a say?’ ‘Is anything featured in relation to the national campaigns?’
She went on to explain how critical it was to keep membership lists up to date (MCS register) – particularly in relation to getting WI life out to the new members – but saving costs by not continuing to send to those who have left.
A new WI Adviser Jean Mumby is being trained.
Sub commitees meet 6 times a year and you don’t have to be a Federation Rep to sit on one, so volunteers are welcome.
Public Affairs - Jennifer Nix
Jennifer started by saying the WI ‘Inspires’, ‘it is what you make of it’ and ‘what you want it to be’.
Most of the trips this year were booked solid, and included a 4th trip to RAF Scampton and there is still a waiting list of people who would like to go. Visits were made to the magistrates courts in Grimsby and Scunthorpe, and a special forensics trip to Lincoln University. The Great Food debate was well attended with Ladies in Pigs, the NFU and many others contributing to the debates.
Jennifer went on to highlight some of the other successful WI campaigns through the ages. In 1926 the campaign was for the introduction of school dinners, 1964 saw the campaign to stop smoking in public areas and 1970s promoted breast screening.
Any member can send in a resolution idea by September each year – these go into a long list from which a shortlist is then formed. The shortlist is published in WI life in November and in December and January votes for the preferred resolution are submitted. Jennifer urged members to return their votes. In March we find out which one has been successful and Jennifer then has very little time to find relevant speakers locally so that we can discuss the resolution prior to the National Federation AGM. This year’s resolution meeting is Thursday 24th April at Bonby, and the resolution concerns organ donation. Jennifer has secured two expert speaker nurses from Lincoln and North Lincolnshire Hospitals.
The Gone but not Forgotten trip is full now, but there is a trip to the Sheffield Assay office that deals with Hallmarking – with a bit of time for retail therapy too!
The ACWW day this year is 6th November – they are hoping to revamp this. Any ideas or thoughts? Places to visit etc?. Please pass on.
ACWW – Marjorie Grisdale
ACWW have approved 21 projects now and £130,000 was raised last year. Our funding went to Sierra Leone where the production of ground nuts and pineapples was promoted to lift people out of poverty. We reached our local target, and more, by raising £956.01 – 16 WIs supported the project, think how much more we could have raised if we had all participated….
Every WI is affiliated to ACWW but individuals can also join for £25 a year. Next year’s main meeting for ACWW will be held for the first time in this country.
The Pennies for Friendship fund has also raised £400. WIs collect small change at monthly meetings.
Denman – Maureen Moody
Last year the message was ‘use it or lose it’ in relation to Denman, this year things are looking better. There is up to date programme planning; new and exciting courses; and with events being substituted if bookings are low. There is a marketing plan and three brochures a year being published. Internet booking is helping and new events like Denman in Bloom; a murder mystery event; flower event and even a wedding are all attracting visitors.
The Haberdashery Stall at Denman – where people have contributed unwanted craft materials and books has managed to raise £5000 and this has been used to buy equipment for the teaching block. 93% of the budget was achieved. A consultant has been appointed to look into the future of Denman and the NFWI is 100% behind Denman. A new promotional DVD has been produced – (which was played over lunchtime).
A Rosebush – ‘Inspiration’ has been produced for the centenary and the Federation
Maureen has booked a centenary visit to Denman for our federation in May 2015, there are 7 courses on offer – details are with WIs.
Maureen reminded delegates that Denman does help with travel costs if 3 members travel together.
IT - Sue Bolton
From April to October last year a computer club met to help increase confidence in using computers amongst members. Six new laptops have been brought for the federation and a new PC for the office, security software has also been purchased. From 16th July the computer club will start again but this time as a drop in session.
Maureen encouraged members to become familiar with the Moodle – the WI on line learning environment. There are sections on ‘learn how to….’ Browse the Moodle craft area for instance and there is a Tote bag to make. A Moodle drop in day has been arranged for Wednesday 25th June 10 -3 at WI House for those who want to become more familiar with what is on offer.
The Humberside web pages are now accessed from the National Federation pages. If WIs have their own web site this can be linked from here. She pleaded for WIs to check their details, venue, meeting dates etc. on the national web site and get back to her with any changes. Sue is happy to help WIs set up a web site. The National Federation is promoting, (and given the rise in social media use she has re kindled) the Federation Facebook page and asked members to both ‘like’ the page and ‘share’ it.
Centenary – Jackie Cheetham
Jackie outlined the activities planned for the baton transfer from East Yorkshire by boat to Humberside on 21st May, then Humberside to North Lincolnshire at Cleethorpes on 28th May. We were asked to vote for the photos that most reflected our Federation from those that had been submitted – for inclusion in the Baton. There was a lovely photo of our Kirton Gala tea tent which I voted for.
Report by C Startin
Treasurer
The Treasure spoke first, and after the adoption of the accounts (which had been distributed to branches) she went on to explain that the Accounts are positive and healthy. We were reminded of the WI lottery and were asked to promote it, and to remind people that 60% of raffle ticket money comes back to our local federation. The federation club draw also continues.
In 2013 the Federation received a £1000 centenary grant and this has paid for display boards which are available to WIs to hire. The rest of the funding went towards training a new WI advisor and on banners. The Federation was also successful in an ‘Awards for All’ bid which has enabled the purchase of new computers and lap tops, and an alarm system to protect WI house.
Other investments last year included the installation of new double glazed windows to the rear of WI house in February. All the external doors have been replaced and the gates to the side of the house.
Woman’s World Magazine sales at £1 a copy continue to go towards the window fund and special thanks were given to Old Brumby and Hibaldstow WI’s for their donations to the WI House fund. There is talk of a ‘sponsored window walk’ to try to pay for more of the windows to be replaced.
As grant funding was received for IT this has enabled some Federation funds to be released into the House fund – they anticipate needing a new boiler soon…..
The Treasurer finished with a plea for anyone wanting to leave money in their ‘Will’ to the WI to please make sure this specifies the particular WI or the Federation otherwise any money is sent to the National Federation.
In future there will be a sliding scale of subs for those joining the WI mid-way through the year – it is hoped this will make membership more attractive – those late re-joining can’t do this though!
Chair
The Chair Sue Hawney has visitied over half of the WIs in the Humberside Federation, she gave a potted history of her involvement in the WI from childhood when her mother was Chair through to acting in WI productions at the age of 16, to finally re-joining in adulthood. Last year delegate bags were homemade, this year they are high street bags to tie in with the campaign to save the high street. The 2016 Calendar will feature Cakes and Crafts – all calendar entries and recipes need to be submitted by Thursday 18th December.
Sue went on to promote other events like the RHS collaboration to bring Bunny Guinness to the area to talk about ‘Transforming your Garden’ – the ticket price includes a glass of wine, tea, coffee and cake. A musical evening at Broughton village hall and the Christmas Fayre at Kirton on 22nd November – bring everyone! Mince pie day at WI house is planned for 4th December.
One person from the Federation is through to the Centenary fruit cake competition.
All the trustees are planning a 100 mile walk! There will be an archive exhibition and they are hoping for a commemorative service to mark the centenary too.
There are plans to prepare a new centenary banner – more details later, and there will be ‘live’ screening of the Albert Hall National Federation Conference, at a Cleethorpes cinema which holds 300 people. Some cinemas will have two way links through to the Albert Hall but these venues are not known yet.
The Centenary Federation day will be Saturday 18th April 2015 – venue to be confirmed.
Art, Sport and Leisure - Valerie Lancaster
Features of this year’s activities included the visit to Louth, Golf, Hidden and forgotten, Wentworth Castle, York, watercolours, and the establishment of the family history club. This coming year there is chapter 2 of Hidden and Forgotten Lincolnshire, a visit to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Activity day, Watercolours, and Lincolnshire Archives visit.
During 2012 a lot of work went into trying to locate archive material – there is now enough for an exhibition. Heritage lottery funding is being bid for – the bid has to be for a minimum of £3000, but the Federation will also help separate WI’s to bid together if necessary.
Home Economics - Maxine Moss Allison
Maxine advertised forthcoming events including the ‘Unfinished Objects Day’ on 26th April, the ‘Sew a little Scene’ event on 18th June and ‘Knitted Fairies’ on 12th July. She also mentioned that the catering team would be happy to accept new members.
Membership - Sue Hawney
12 WIs have significant birthdays ranging from 5 – 95 this year. Two new WIs have also formed; Killingholme, and Brigg Angels – the 3rd group in Brigg. Facebook and Twitter are increasingly being used by WIs. Some programme planning sessions are planned – she posed some questions, like, ‘have WIs reviewed their programme planning ensuring members have a say?’ ‘Is anything featured in relation to the national campaigns?’
She went on to explain how critical it was to keep membership lists up to date (MCS register) – particularly in relation to getting WI life out to the new members – but saving costs by not continuing to send to those who have left.
A new WI Adviser Jean Mumby is being trained.
Sub commitees meet 6 times a year and you don’t have to be a Federation Rep to sit on one, so volunteers are welcome.
Public Affairs - Jennifer Nix
Jennifer started by saying the WI ‘Inspires’, ‘it is what you make of it’ and ‘what you want it to be’.
Most of the trips this year were booked solid, and included a 4th trip to RAF Scampton and there is still a waiting list of people who would like to go. Visits were made to the magistrates courts in Grimsby and Scunthorpe, and a special forensics trip to Lincoln University. The Great Food debate was well attended with Ladies in Pigs, the NFU and many others contributing to the debates.
Jennifer went on to highlight some of the other successful WI campaigns through the ages. In 1926 the campaign was for the introduction of school dinners, 1964 saw the campaign to stop smoking in public areas and 1970s promoted breast screening.
Any member can send in a resolution idea by September each year – these go into a long list from which a shortlist is then formed. The shortlist is published in WI life in November and in December and January votes for the preferred resolution are submitted. Jennifer urged members to return their votes. In March we find out which one has been successful and Jennifer then has very little time to find relevant speakers locally so that we can discuss the resolution prior to the National Federation AGM. This year’s resolution meeting is Thursday 24th April at Bonby, and the resolution concerns organ donation. Jennifer has secured two expert speaker nurses from Lincoln and North Lincolnshire Hospitals.
The Gone but not Forgotten trip is full now, but there is a trip to the Sheffield Assay office that deals with Hallmarking – with a bit of time for retail therapy too!
The ACWW day this year is 6th November – they are hoping to revamp this. Any ideas or thoughts? Places to visit etc?. Please pass on.
ACWW – Marjorie Grisdale
ACWW have approved 21 projects now and £130,000 was raised last year. Our funding went to Sierra Leone where the production of ground nuts and pineapples was promoted to lift people out of poverty. We reached our local target, and more, by raising £956.01 – 16 WIs supported the project, think how much more we could have raised if we had all participated….
Every WI is affiliated to ACWW but individuals can also join for £25 a year. Next year’s main meeting for ACWW will be held for the first time in this country.
The Pennies for Friendship fund has also raised £400. WIs collect small change at monthly meetings.
Denman – Maureen Moody
Last year the message was ‘use it or lose it’ in relation to Denman, this year things are looking better. There is up to date programme planning; new and exciting courses; and with events being substituted if bookings are low. There is a marketing plan and three brochures a year being published. Internet booking is helping and new events like Denman in Bloom; a murder mystery event; flower event and even a wedding are all attracting visitors.
The Haberdashery Stall at Denman – where people have contributed unwanted craft materials and books has managed to raise £5000 and this has been used to buy equipment for the teaching block. 93% of the budget was achieved. A consultant has been appointed to look into the future of Denman and the NFWI is 100% behind Denman. A new promotional DVD has been produced – (which was played over lunchtime).
A Rosebush – ‘Inspiration’ has been produced for the centenary and the Federation
Maureen has booked a centenary visit to Denman for our federation in May 2015, there are 7 courses on offer – details are with WIs.
Maureen reminded delegates that Denman does help with travel costs if 3 members travel together.
IT - Sue Bolton
From April to October last year a computer club met to help increase confidence in using computers amongst members. Six new laptops have been brought for the federation and a new PC for the office, security software has also been purchased. From 16th July the computer club will start again but this time as a drop in session.
Maureen encouraged members to become familiar with the Moodle – the WI on line learning environment. There are sections on ‘learn how to….’ Browse the Moodle craft area for instance and there is a Tote bag to make. A Moodle drop in day has been arranged for Wednesday 25th June 10 -3 at WI House for those who want to become more familiar with what is on offer.
The Humberside web pages are now accessed from the National Federation pages. If WIs have their own web site this can be linked from here. She pleaded for WIs to check their details, venue, meeting dates etc. on the national web site and get back to her with any changes. Sue is happy to help WIs set up a web site. The National Federation is promoting, (and given the rise in social media use she has re kindled) the Federation Facebook page and asked members to both ‘like’ the page and ‘share’ it.
Centenary – Jackie Cheetham
Jackie outlined the activities planned for the baton transfer from East Yorkshire by boat to Humberside on 21st May, then Humberside to North Lincolnshire at Cleethorpes on 28th May. We were asked to vote for the photos that most reflected our Federation from those that had been submitted – for inclusion in the Baton. There was a lovely photo of our Kirton Gala tea tent which I voted for.
Report by C Startin