We are now well into Springtime and how lovely it is to see the various gardens, parks, verges coming alive with the spring flowers and being closely followed by the trees, bushes and other garden plants. Did everyone remember to put their clocks forward on time? it is something that I always forget until the next morning, so I am either super early or an hour late and no matter how hard we try, there is always one clock or watch that gets forgotten!
Earth Hour was on Saturday 27th March 2021 and Earth Day, which follows on takes place on 22nd April each year. This year’s theme is ‘Restore Our Earth’. Please take time out if you can do a bit extra, maybe litter pick in your local area, recycle or simply change your energy usage. Think of how you can contribute or just spread awareness on the Climate Change issue within your community, every little helps.
MFWI’s actual birthday is 6th April 1921, and I am hoping to see a few of you at our Sunday Afternoon Tea on 11th April from 14:00–16:00. See page 5 for details. If you feel inclined to join us on Zoom, summer hats would be welcome, and it’s bring your own refreshments (Fairtrade if possible). No big speeches, no formality, all just for a bit of fun!
For those of you that take an interest in these things, there have been changes to the WI constitution and some policies. Copies of the constitution and the following policies can be found on MyWI: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Complaints Policy/Form and ‘Access to Carers’ to Members with Disabilities at meetings and Events.
April is MCS month (Membership Communication System). I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to keep this information up to date at all times for all levels of the organisation. If anyone has any issue with updating the MCS, please do email mcs@mfwi.org.uk and either Sarah or myself can help you.
As I am sure you will appreciate, the office will not be opening to the general membership for a little while yet. We need to see how everything goes to plan with the Government Guidelines. Can I please ask that you do not send anything to County Office that needs a signature or is too large to go through a normal letterbox. There is no-one there to receive these items and getting them redelivered is a royal pain. Both the Treasurer and I are accepting items at our home addresses, please contact us for the details until further notice.
I am happy to announce that all our Advisers have been re-appointed by NFWI. They are Geraldine Attias, Sarah Endersby, Elizabeth Morrell, Yvette Rathbone, Carol Sullivan and Sarah Wilson, more news on them next month. Thank you all for doing a sterling job for our WIs!
Many of you will have seen and taken part in a member survey recently in order to help decide what type of meeting we hold for our Centenary AGM. If you have not yet taken part, please do, as it is far better for us to know what you think than to decide for ourselves. I frequently ask for members’ opinions and responses with the take up being a little lacking – we can’t do what you want unless you tell us.
Lastly – A Happy Centenary Birthday to us. Let’s hope we can celebrate somehow as being 100 does not happen every year!
Lorraine