So, what have I been doing for the past month? It’s been busy as usual but there have been some opportunities to be a little more relaxed on meeting up with others. I have had a birthday lunch with Hayes & Harlington WIs, an afternoon tea and chat with my own Ruislip Evening WI, a Public Affairs meeting, a Board meeting, a lunch with ex colleagues, 10 of my regular days with my dad, four Craft Inns, a Craft Pop In and an Annual Council Meeting plus one rare day out with my very supportive husband.
Talking of the ACM, is was an extremely hot day and every one of us was melting. Despite that we carried on and Ann Jones, NFWI Chair was very well received, was inspiring (a bit of a misused word these days) but she really was, and I know dispelled some ideas of who an NFWI Chair is—they really are just like you and me!
Dr Katy Willis, Ambassador for Hope for Justice gave a very good and informative talk. Dr Willis also donated her fee to Hope for Justice and gave us links to resources (which I will send out in a mailing) to help understand and spread the word on the issue of Modern Slavery which can be used in conjunction with our own NFWI resources on MyWI.
In short, we can each do our bit to raise awareness without having to get personally involved or putting the victim or anyone else at risk. We can check where we buy our products from as ethical consumers by looking at the supply chain and if companies are signed up to the Slave Free Alliance.
I have had a lot of feedback from the meeting and despite the spinning of many plates, everyone seemed to think it was well run. This came as a surprise to me as not only do I dislike public speaking, but I was also operating two laptops, an iPad and my phone all at the same time. I will do my best to edit the recording and produce the video clips of each of the speakers for viewing in due course for anyone who was unable to attend.
Here are a few of the comments that were in the chat. There are too many to list, but the consensus was that all the speakers were both well received:
I’d like to thank Lorraine and the Board of Trustees for organising the council meeting under difficult circumstances that covered all the ‘business’, was informative, educational and enlightening. Well done to everyone.
It was lovely to meet you, even if only virtually. It was super also to hear our new NFWI Chairman Ann Jones speak, what a delight she is. I also thought your speaker Dr Katy Willis was excellent too. Altogether a super morning!
I just wanted to say well done on today’s meeting, you all did really well, and the Modern Slavery speaker Katy was excellent and of course it was great to have Ann with you as well. I’m sure everyone found the meeting really interesting. Thank you again I enjoyed being with you.
Loved the meeting on Thursday, disappointing that more members didn’t ‘book’, they missed a treat!
Thank you to you and the Committee for a very interesting and well-run ACM last Thursday.
Thank you for a great meeting, well done Middlesex.
Thank you for a great meeting. I joined in from the paddling pool.
Thank you for an informative meeting.
Thank you for a good meeting and an excellent speaker on a challenging WI resolution
Thank you for a really thought provoking and interesting meeting.
Take care and hope to see some of you soon.
Lorraine