MFWI News

Hello everyone and from me, a sad farewell. This is my last Chair’s Chat before I stand down at the March 2022 Annual Council Meeting following a four-year term of office.

The past year has been a disappointing time as we have not been able to take you through a planned celebratory milestone of our centenary year due to one restriction or another.

I wish all the very best to whoever is appointed your new Chair. The decision will be made after the ACM on the 9^th of March, by the Board of Trustees (without me present) as per the constitution, so I cannot let you know who that will be.

I had no intention or aspiration for the role of Chair and my first year was a very steep learning curve as can happen when starting a new job, and there was a lot on the ‘to do’ list, so I hit the road running. To be honest, I had no idea how I was going to fit everything in, given my existing commitments, and was surprised at my nomination. I need not have worried as I had a very supportive team in both Sarah Endersby as Treasurer and Jules Hall as Vice-Chair.

I cannot thank them enough for helping us to move MFWI into the 21^st century, making us more eco along the way, and a lot more efficient across the Federation and within WIs. Digitally, there are very few WIs which do not use their officer emails and SharePoint now. For those still floundering, it is beneficial and is a great help, especially as new officers are voted in.

I have not been flavour of the month at times and I have had to wear many hats along the way as covid and other circumstances within MFWI dictated, Federation Secretary being one of them. This made for some very long hours, but if you care about what you do, none of that matters. It is also about doing what is best overall.

I am looking forward to getting back to a lifestyle which is my ‘normal’ and to get back to more crafting. Thank you to all for making the past four years memorable in more ways than one.

Take care, keep well and see you at some point in the future.

Lorraine x

Well, here we are fast-tracking through 2022 already. It’s February and the daffodils are out; my snowdrops have been out since December, and I am struggling to keep up with climate change bringing the shift in seasons, not knowing when to sow seeds or prune various bushes in the garden. It is that time of year where the sun is playing havoc showing up the state of my windows and reminds me that a full spring clean is imminent if I get the time between WI activities. Hmm, it’ll be a choice between crafting or housework—I think I know which will get the most of my attention!

It is resolution voting time, and I don’t know about others, but I did my share of demonstrating and banner waving before I got to the stage where I cannot walk the distances, can’t hold a banner for long etc, as the body tells me not to (and yes I did burn my bra too—saved lots of money over the years!).

There are some who believe campaigning on resolutions is just linked to those activities: it is not; that is just a small part of it. As we know there are many members who do not wish to (or can’t) show their support in that way. It does not mean you can’t do anything—you can raise awareness at a local level with smaller, less physical actions.

What are you all doing for the Show The Love campaign? We would love to see all your green hearts: it is a great way of bringing awareness to people, especially in February. Many are used to seeing red hearts, but green hearts create a good conversation starter. The same goes for the Canary Activism (you will have seen the links to this in my monthly mailing) of simple yellow canaries—all create awareness of climate change.

Keeping on the thread of campaigns (resolutions), why not look at Nikky Cussen’s knickers on page 8. It is another action relating to a campaign that is very easy to use to raise awareness with locally. All of these things just take a little time at very little cost, and certainly easy to do as a fun group activity at your meetings and in the wider community.

Of course, everything I write is irrelevant if members do not read, it so if you got as far as this, thank you! It would be appreciated if you could encourage your fellow members to not just read this newsletter but also to submit articles on behalf of your WI. The newsletter is spread far and wide and is another way of advertising yourselves, so why not use it?

Lorraine x