15th November
For the first time this year Speakers&Publications Sub-Committee did not open the WI shop at High Wycombe especially for Christmas shopping. It used to be a social event with mincepies and coffees and the building all decorated.However, the building works opposite and flood damage repairs inside, it seemed a good opportunity to take the shop elsewhere. Luckily members in Little Missenden and Stony Stratford agreed to hold the sales in their houses and these were well attended.
The WI shop occupies a small area of the Bucks' WI Headquarters building in High Wycombe. It sells official stationery as well as a wide selection of cards, books, paper and foil kitchenware and toys. This activity contributes towards the upkeep of the building. It is open most Tuesday mornings and well worth a visit. It also affords a chance to look at Stuart Lodge which--after all-- belongs to the members.
19th November
After the sudden covering of snow last night, it was an afternoon and evening of heavy rain which resulted in an extremely wet drive to another WI's Annual Meeting. Here was a small WI in which the Officers really wanted to step down or shift positions but there was no one willing to take over--well, not this year anyway.But there is hope, as they have attracted a couple of new members who are willing to watch and learn so we have installed assistants and it is up to the officers to use them and train them up.
Has this WI got the youngest member in Bucks at 22 years of age?
21st November
Another dreadful wet night for travelling but well worth it. Those who missed the show by Bucks WIZZ at Holmer Green missed a treat. It was lively, well-dressed and great fun. The audience (no spare seats) was most appreciative and those on stage were obviously enjoying themselves. It takes a lot of time and planning to put on a show like this and although one doesn't begrudge the event being in aid of the Children's Society, one wishes that it could have had a more obvious WI connection: it would have shown that music and drama were alive and well in our Federation. How nice to see the late Muriel Rutherford's tappers still strutting their stuff!
23rd November
Another good event.
Tonight was a demonstration in Winslow Public Hall of flower arranging and festive food preparation organised by Winslow WI. This was open to the public and it came---extra chairs were needed. John Holland and John Parrott were the demonstrators and they performed an excellent double act. The beautiful flower arrangements were donated to the raffle along with the prepared dishes. The creation of spun sugar was sensational and the tipping of a bowl of whisked egg-white over his own head by John should have been preceded by the warning "Don't try this at home".
It has come to my notice that the WI should have an anti-bullying policy for its groups. Each WI plays host for a group meeting every other year and it is up to that WI to decide where and what to do, with the support of the Group Convenor of course.
Suppose that after you had given a lavish party for friends, one of your guests who is not so well-endowed financially returned the favour and invited you round for a more modest affair. How many of you, in your thank-you letter, would say "What a pity you didn't use the 4 star hotel like I did! You could have had more guests and more special food etc."?
As my old uncle would have said, "Manners, you brute! Thar's pigs aboot." It goes better with a Northern accent but you get the drift.
Sunday 25 November 2007
Sunday 11 November 2007
Women's interests at heart
November 2008
Wow! A comment which I only found after I had posted the whole of October in one fell swoop.
I do believe that WI committees can become too large. It happens because one year there is one extra nominee for committee and no one wants to discourage just one extra from joining. The next year the committee is replaced and the extra place is passed on. The same thing happens later and like Topsy the whole thing grows. The WIs where this happens are lucky because it is a problem which those WIs that are struggling to get a committee at all wish they shared. The only answer would be to look up the original decisions taken by the WI when it was formed and have a skim through the records to see if the number of committee members had ever been formally altered at an annual meeting and then go from there. But if your committee becomes more than a quarter of the membership, I think it should be culled.Members should not be hurt but keen to deserve their place on the committee--after all lots of jobs can be done by non-committee members and sometimes one is safer on the committee than off!
Will that do,Aichzed? What do the rest of you think?
1st November
It was the week for the meeting of the Education&Current Affairs sub-committee. As usual this was extremely busy as there are plans in hand for events right through 2008.It becomes rather confusing because one has to pre-think timing schedules for the monthly newsletter and opening dates for applications so far ahead. However it is the only way to work--one cannot really do anything spontaneously in the WI as much as one would like to appear so.
This health day It's a Woman's Thing is going to be really good as we have some high powered medical people lined up to speak and how often is one able to be told of the latest scientific developments face to face? I hope everyone will make the effort to come along and show that the WI is interested and involved with the medical advances of today.
We are also planning sessions for members to update their Hygiene Certificates and heard more detailed reports of the success of the Let's Cook scheme in Bletchley which was featured at the Council Meeting. I have a feeling that the team will disappear beneath a heap of pots and pans after Jackie Moffat's appeal. It will be like the Burundi Bears all over again! WI members do enjoy a project where they can help or take an active part: there is always a marvellous response.
6th November
Local WI book group which was a rather thin showing this month so we will continue our discussions on A Patchwork Planet by Anne Tyler next time plus Mark Haddon's A Spot of Bother. Thank Goodness we are all feeling positive about these titles after the disappointment of the sushi last month.We are thinking about another author for a literary event in 2008 and we have drawn up a short list.I wonder whether any of the reading groups in Bucks are going to take up the challenge to submit reviews which was issued in the latest WI Life magazine.It would be nice to read something about Bucks in the magazine.
Did you notice that the WI hit the headlines in the Daily Telegraph today. There was a report on a suggested resolution to back the licensing of brothels: "trust the WI to think the unthinkable" was the title.The writer was reporting on Hampshire Federation's move to make this a resolution for the AGM in 2008. Actually this idea came up on the short list for discussion several years ago. I remember many police forces were in favour but the membership preferred another subject and it never made the AGM. However it goes to prove we were even more ahead of the game--if you'll excuse the pun! If the WI has women's health and safety at heart, it would do well to support this issue.
But are we brave enough to see the headlines in June?
7th November
It was the local WI Annual Meeting tonight and we had a really good turn out. Actually it was a good opportunity to talk to each other and we attempted to alter the seating so as to break up those little fixed groups from which every WI suffers.I took along a potential new member and she described the meeting as highly amusing! Anyway she is going to join for sure so she must have meant it.
There were questions asked about the method of every member nominating the president from the elected committee before asking the nominees whether they are willing to stand. This is a time-honoured method which works.It means that every member has the chance to nominate her president or even herself for president. Then the nominees are asked whether they are willing to stand. In this way, someone who may never have considered that the membership would like her to stand is able to weigh up the idea and make a decision. She may say no the first time but who knows the next? A seed has been planted.
Our finances are in good order and our treasurer had worked out and presented to the members exactly how much money the WI needs to run throughout the year. Costs always rise but one good fund-raising event is usually enough to see us through. No one complained about the £1 subscription rise this year which shows that the WI Life has been winning friends during its initial year and it is only because of that that the rise has been so small.
Wow! A comment which I only found after I had posted the whole of October in one fell swoop.
I do believe that WI committees can become too large. It happens because one year there is one extra nominee for committee and no one wants to discourage just one extra from joining. The next year the committee is replaced and the extra place is passed on. The same thing happens later and like Topsy the whole thing grows. The WIs where this happens are lucky because it is a problem which those WIs that are struggling to get a committee at all wish they shared. The only answer would be to look up the original decisions taken by the WI when it was formed and have a skim through the records to see if the number of committee members had ever been formally altered at an annual meeting and then go from there. But if your committee becomes more than a quarter of the membership, I think it should be culled.Members should not be hurt but keen to deserve their place on the committee--after all lots of jobs can be done by non-committee members and sometimes one is safer on the committee than off!
Will that do,Aichzed? What do the rest of you think?
1st November
It was the week for the meeting of the Education&Current Affairs sub-committee. As usual this was extremely busy as there are plans in hand for events right through 2008.It becomes rather confusing because one has to pre-think timing schedules for the monthly newsletter and opening dates for applications so far ahead. However it is the only way to work--one cannot really do anything spontaneously in the WI as much as one would like to appear so.
This health day It's a Woman's Thing is going to be really good as we have some high powered medical people lined up to speak and how often is one able to be told of the latest scientific developments face to face? I hope everyone will make the effort to come along and show that the WI is interested and involved with the medical advances of today.
We are also planning sessions for members to update their Hygiene Certificates and heard more detailed reports of the success of the Let's Cook scheme in Bletchley which was featured at the Council Meeting. I have a feeling that the team will disappear beneath a heap of pots and pans after Jackie Moffat's appeal. It will be like the Burundi Bears all over again! WI members do enjoy a project where they can help or take an active part: there is always a marvellous response.
6th November
Local WI book group which was a rather thin showing this month so we will continue our discussions on A Patchwork Planet by Anne Tyler next time plus Mark Haddon's A Spot of Bother. Thank Goodness we are all feeling positive about these titles after the disappointment of the sushi last month.We are thinking about another author for a literary event in 2008 and we have drawn up a short list.I wonder whether any of the reading groups in Bucks are going to take up the challenge to submit reviews which was issued in the latest WI Life magazine.It would be nice to read something about Bucks in the magazine.
Did you notice that the WI hit the headlines in the Daily Telegraph today. There was a report on a suggested resolution to back the licensing of brothels: "trust the WI to think the unthinkable" was the title.The writer was reporting on Hampshire Federation's move to make this a resolution for the AGM in 2008. Actually this idea came up on the short list for discussion several years ago. I remember many police forces were in favour but the membership preferred another subject and it never made the AGM. However it goes to prove we were even more ahead of the game--if you'll excuse the pun! If the WI has women's health and safety at heart, it would do well to support this issue.
But are we brave enough to see the headlines in June?
7th November
It was the local WI Annual Meeting tonight and we had a really good turn out. Actually it was a good opportunity to talk to each other and we attempted to alter the seating so as to break up those little fixed groups from which every WI suffers.I took along a potential new member and she described the meeting as highly amusing! Anyway she is going to join for sure so she must have meant it.
There were questions asked about the method of every member nominating the president from the elected committee before asking the nominees whether they are willing to stand. This is a time-honoured method which works.It means that every member has the chance to nominate her president or even herself for president. Then the nominees are asked whether they are willing to stand. In this way, someone who may never have considered that the membership would like her to stand is able to weigh up the idea and make a decision. She may say no the first time but who knows the next? A seed has been planted.
Our finances are in good order and our treasurer had worked out and presented to the members exactly how much money the WI needs to run throughout the year. Costs always rise but one good fund-raising event is usually enough to see us through. No one complained about the £1 subscription rise this year which shows that the WI Life has been winning friends during its initial year and it is only because of that that the rise has been so small.
Friday 2 November 2007
Underground rumblings
October 3
Local WI monthly meeting when we were entertained to a talk on language. This proved to be an interesting subject as it covered dialects and how our language continues to change. The delivery was rather flat which was a pity but most people got something out of the evening.
We took in nominations for next year's committee and planned our coming Group Meeting when we will be the hostess WI.
October 4-11
Fourteen members from Bucks' WIs travelled to Sicily on a very enjoyable and educational holiday. We visited Syracuse and studied the antiquities from centuries before the birth of Christ and the Roman period afterwards. We were awed by the smoking Mount Etna and by the enormity of the spread of its lava after recent eruptions. The sea was warm, the hotel impressive and the food and wine delightful.
We shared our experiences with a group of Americans many of whom were alumni from Michigan University. I was so proud of how much more mobile we WI members were and it was kind of cute to be referred to as "The Brits"!
October 13
Today is the opening day for the Bucks outings to the Tutankhamun Exhibition at O2. Originally just two coaches were booked but it was soon obvious that demand would be high. We were lucky to secure another 46 tickets to the exhibition but no more are available before Christmas.
How difficult it is to sort out an oversubscribed event! Cheques have to be altered, numbers cut, new dates offerred etc.etc. Sure to be grumbles and claims of unfair allocations. However, it shows that this is what the members want and we do our best.
October 15
There was a good turn out for the Group Meeting to hear Gabriella talk about her progress from convent to convicts. She got to the topic eventually as is her wont! Gabriella is of Polish descent but has been brought up in Wolverhampton: she has a marvellous personality which comes across to an audience almost immediately.
The reports from other WIs are always interesting and one is amazed by the variety of subjects and activities covered. The outings that the Group Convener organises are very popular and help to finance the group meetings. It is the end of term for group conveners so nominations are being sought but if she is good we tend to keep her as long as possible.
October 22
I suggested to the local WI that our members all did something today to reduce their carbon footprint. Anything, however small. I wonder whether anyone remembered. I did not wash my teeth under a running tap; I got out of the bath instead of adding a little more hot water in order to wallow there for longer; I didn't fill the kettle over full for a pot of tea. Now I must keep it up and add some more savings in order to feel I am making a difference--as everyone is fond of saying.
October 23
The Bucks Half yearly Council Meeting--the last at the Civic Centre, Aylesbury. The WI has had a love/hate relationship for years with that place. Catering has always been the chief bone of contention.I enjoy council meetings and I was particularly interested in the talk about ACWW from a member of the Hampshire Federation which is hosting the next European Conference.
The display of BFWI's prizewinners' silverware was most impressive and looked very attractive. The Federation Archivist reminded us of the past glories of BFWI which is an historian's remit but ours is busy making plans for us all for the future too which is good to know.
The speaker James Wight was entertaining. It is strange how amusing these bluff Yorkshire men appear to be eg Gervaise Phynn, Derek Longden and Freddie Trueman. It cannot be just the accent.
October 29
Did you see the items about WRAP , the agency for reducing household food waste? They were quoting the WI as an authority on producing good food and then re-using the leftovers. It seems to be a Bring Back Bubble and Squeak campaign--except the recipe in the Daily Telegraph used olive oil! Never! Olive oil? What's wrong with lard or dripping?
October 31
A neighbouring Group Meeting was held tonight and I had been asked to talk about Coins for Friendship and the ACWW and its links with the WI. It is amazing how few WIs actually know why we collect for ACWW but happily contribute every year. I feel it is an opportunity missed if it is not explained as those coins are the main source of income to the organisation.
After 10 minutes of that, I rushed out for my local committee. One misses the pre-November committee meeting on pain of finding oneself assigned some ghastly task for the coming year! It should all be left to the members to sort things out for the next session of the committee but a lot is really fixed in advance which is not really all that democratic. Unfortunately apathy rules in many cases which is sad.Members get what they deserve in those situations!
Local WI monthly meeting when we were entertained to a talk on language. This proved to be an interesting subject as it covered dialects and how our language continues to change. The delivery was rather flat which was a pity but most people got something out of the evening.
We took in nominations for next year's committee and planned our coming Group Meeting when we will be the hostess WI.
October 4-11
Fourteen members from Bucks' WIs travelled to Sicily on a very enjoyable and educational holiday. We visited Syracuse and studied the antiquities from centuries before the birth of Christ and the Roman period afterwards. We were awed by the smoking Mount Etna and by the enormity of the spread of its lava after recent eruptions. The sea was warm, the hotel impressive and the food and wine delightful.
We shared our experiences with a group of Americans many of whom were alumni from Michigan University. I was so proud of how much more mobile we WI members were and it was kind of cute to be referred to as "The Brits"!
October 13
Today is the opening day for the Bucks outings to the Tutankhamun Exhibition at O2. Originally just two coaches were booked but it was soon obvious that demand would be high. We were lucky to secure another 46 tickets to the exhibition but no more are available before Christmas.
How difficult it is to sort out an oversubscribed event! Cheques have to be altered, numbers cut, new dates offerred etc.etc. Sure to be grumbles and claims of unfair allocations. However, it shows that this is what the members want and we do our best.
October 15
There was a good turn out for the Group Meeting to hear Gabriella talk about her progress from convent to convicts. She got to the topic eventually as is her wont! Gabriella is of Polish descent but has been brought up in Wolverhampton: she has a marvellous personality which comes across to an audience almost immediately.
The reports from other WIs are always interesting and one is amazed by the variety of subjects and activities covered. The outings that the Group Convener organises are very popular and help to finance the group meetings. It is the end of term for group conveners so nominations are being sought but if she is good we tend to keep her as long as possible.
October 22
I suggested to the local WI that our members all did something today to reduce their carbon footprint. Anything, however small. I wonder whether anyone remembered. I did not wash my teeth under a running tap; I got out of the bath instead of adding a little more hot water in order to wallow there for longer; I didn't fill the kettle over full for a pot of tea. Now I must keep it up and add some more savings in order to feel I am making a difference--as everyone is fond of saying.
October 23
The Bucks Half yearly Council Meeting--the last at the Civic Centre, Aylesbury. The WI has had a love/hate relationship for years with that place. Catering has always been the chief bone of contention.I enjoy council meetings and I was particularly interested in the talk about ACWW from a member of the Hampshire Federation which is hosting the next European Conference.
The display of BFWI's prizewinners' silverware was most impressive and looked very attractive. The Federation Archivist reminded us of the past glories of BFWI which is an historian's remit but ours is busy making plans for us all for the future too which is good to know.
The speaker James Wight was entertaining. It is strange how amusing these bluff Yorkshire men appear to be eg Gervaise Phynn, Derek Longden and Freddie Trueman. It cannot be just the accent.
October 29
Did you see the items about WRAP , the agency for reducing household food waste? They were quoting the WI as an authority on producing good food and then re-using the leftovers. It seems to be a Bring Back Bubble and Squeak campaign--except the recipe in the Daily Telegraph used olive oil! Never! Olive oil? What's wrong with lard or dripping?
October 31
A neighbouring Group Meeting was held tonight and I had been asked to talk about Coins for Friendship and the ACWW and its links with the WI. It is amazing how few WIs actually know why we collect for ACWW but happily contribute every year. I feel it is an opportunity missed if it is not explained as those coins are the main source of income to the organisation.
After 10 minutes of that, I rushed out for my local committee. One misses the pre-November committee meeting on pain of finding oneself assigned some ghastly task for the coming year! It should all be left to the members to sort things out for the next session of the committee but a lot is really fixed in advance which is not really all that democratic. Unfortunately apathy rules in many cases which is sad.Members get what they deserve in those situations!
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