Thinking about 2008 and hidden talents

August 29th
How the paperwork mounts up during the summer recess! I meant to count the items but forgot. Of course, it is like starting a new academic term.
Our local committee members have the 2008 speakers booked but the usual little competitions and the tea hostesses are yet to sort out. It is a false economy to go for all the cheapest speakers or those from voluntary or trade groups--not that the more expensive a speaker is, assures one of the best performances: it doesn't work like that. Often the reverse is true and travel always adds to the cost anyway. Members are guaranteed 11 meetings for their annual subscription and it is up to the WI committee to provide the most interesting and varied programme possible within budget.
At this time of year we also have to think about volunteers for committee in 2008 in time for the Annual Meeting in November.The nomination papers for the County Federation Executive are also circulating as the programme for the next two year stint gets underway. I wish more people would consider joining the county sub-committees or the local one. It is not a life sentence as with all appointments there is a finite end which is there to be used.
This evening there were the usual post-mortems on our own summer events and on county federation meetings attended. We feel we have had a successful summer in spite of the weather.
September 3rd
This month our WI Book Group has been reading The Olive Readers by Christine Aziz. None of us had heard of this novel and it was an unusual choice for us as it is set in the future but isn't really science fiction. The plot all hinges on the corruption of power possible for an international corporation which has the ability to manufacture water. It is interesting and topical for WI members studying ecology and trying to restrict their carbon footprint.
But have you noticed how the future and the past seem both to be getting closer?
September 5th
Our WI promotion stand at the Winslow Show has borne fruit. Two potential new members visited the September meeting and another is heralded for November. One of our visitors is a young mother who feels she needs some time for herself and the other is a full-time carer. I am glad to say that the members were very welcoming to both ladies and I am sure they will be back next month.
At the end of October there is the last Autumn Council Meeting to be held at the Civic Centre in Aylesbury which is to be demolished. Every WI is expected to send a delegate.I was very disappointed at the lack of volunteers for this and for observers too. The Federation produces a synopsis of the business part of the meeting so it is not an arduous task and the standard of speakers is always excellent. Future Council Meetings will have to drastically cut the number who can attend so some members may live to regret not having seized the opportunity when it was given.It may be a speaker of the same ilk as Anne Widdecombe or Paul Whittaker next time and the seats will be rationed.
Our President gave the members the unwelcome news that the booked speaker on Reflexology had phoned the previous evening to say she couldn't come. Miraculously a member who had joined this year had volunteered to take her place. How often this happens in the WI--someone has never revealed her skills and qualifications and then takes eveyone by surprise.
We watched a very good demonstration and two lucky guinea pigs were chosen to be treated. It was a most interesting and friendly meeting which everyone enjoyed.