Chair’s Address to the AGM October 2025

This year is the 250^th anniversary of Jane Austen, one of the greatest female writers who was so interested in issues relating to women of the 18^th and early 19^th centuries. I have absolutely no shame, therefore, in borrowing and adapting one of her most famous opening lines: - It is a truth universally acknowledged that one of the best organisations that a woman can belong to is the WI. Where else can you go to be independent, find fellowship and friendship, encourage your love of lifelong learning and perhaps indulge in a little activism.

It's not yet our 250^th anniversary, but it is 110 years since the WI was formed and we have much to celebrate.

The three functions of an AGM are to look back over the past year, to exercise our democratic rights and to consider what more we can do to enhance the membership experience and to support each other in the coming years.  

We have already exercised our democratic rights this morning by voting to accept the standing orders and I want to thank those of you who have come as delegates representing your individual WIs. We have received quite a few queries about the delegate’s role in the past few months and in November’s WOW, you will find a clear, straightforward summary of the role of the WI delegate. This article has also been put on the website.

Following National’s Annual Meeting in June, many of the delegates attended our hybrid General Meeting back in July to vote on a resolution to accept the changes to the CIO Constitution. The minutes of this General Meeting went out with the delegate’s pack.

Looking back at the last year, we are increasingly aware that not all our members receive the information that is sent out from WI House. Effective communication must be at the heart of the WI and we are striving to ensure that everyone feels informed about all things happening across the Federation. It is frustrating not know that a particular event was taking place, especially when so much effort goes into planning events by the Events and Craft and Leisure Teams. We know we must try to reduce the work load of WI secretaries in particular.

Another challenge is ensuring that the information you receive is timely, to enable you to plan ahead and buy tickets to go to events. One of the options that we are investigating to improve communication is Mailer Lite, an advanced email marketing tool. For it to be successful we have to have accurate email addresses. Our recent research shows that not all the data stored on our membership communication system is up to date. Some of the email addresses of members are missing or are not accurate. Can I please ask that when you go back to your own WIs that you ask your MCS reps to check their records and update them if necessary.  

Of course, we appreciate that as an inclusive organisation we know that some members do not have the internet or use emails. We have asked all the WIs to look at the needs of their membership. Where a member does not have access to email, we would encourage their committee to ensure there are alternative ways for them to receive information. Perhaps organise a buddy system or have a newsletter which is delivered.

Each week information from the National Federation in London is sent out to the Federation Secretary who is informed about what needs to be passed on to individual WIs. One recent mailing was about the Five Practical Pledges that have been devised as a result of a massive consultation process launched on WI Day last year. Based on feedback from grassroots members, the NFWI Board is committed to 5 actions over the next five years.

·         The first is to Review the percentage allocation of the annual membership subscription to ensure that WIs are financially sustainable and able to offer a vibrant and varied programme for their members.

·         The other actions are to Review and extend the membership model (to make it more flexible and attractive),

·         to launch a new approach to setting the NFWI’s campaigning priorities,

·         to introduce a revised system for administering membership data (ensuring the NFWI can better tailor its services for members.

·         and to undertake a comprehensive review of WI Life magazine to improve its content and cost-effectiveness.

Those are just the headlines. Your own WI Secretary will have the whole article to share with you. There is also an article from Melissa Green in October’s edition of WI Life.

As National is looking at WI Life, it’s appropriate for Wiltshire Federation to look at our own magazine WOW – Women of Wiltshire.

I would like to share with you how much I was inspired by reading about all the different activities in WOW in which you have been involved. If anyone wants to know how to promote their WI, they need look no further than what Ashton Keynes has done this month. The redundant public telephone box in Ashton Keynes has taken on a whole new function in the community. It is now a gallery for arts and crafts.

Steeple Ashton WI created a beautiful installation for a festival in St Mary’s Church in their village. New Sarum WI, passionate about campaigning, had a fascinating guided tour of Salisbury Riverpark. And Corsley WI hosted an evening of history, music and entertainment with many visitors joining them to hear about the Battle of Arnhem; they raised £500.00 in the process.

Peacock WI has been engaging with its community both locally, nationally and internationally. What started as a project to raise 10,000 poppies mushroomed into 31,000. The motivation was to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of the end of WWII. Peacock WI was formed just 2½ years ago and its membership has grown phenomenally. At the end of October, they will have created a magnificent installation of poppies cascading down the tower of St Bartholomew’s church and along Corsham High Street. They have been using a vacant shop in the precinct which is a drop-in for people to come and sew poppies. They noticed that it has become a social hub, where members of the community who are lonely or may not meet many people, come along for a chat and coffee. I do think what they have done is a splendid example and the type of activity which can be replicated in different parts of Wiltshire. If you already have community activities please share what you are achieving so we can learn from each other.  

Last year we celebrated the success of being awarded a grant from Hills and Community First to fit a stairlift at WI House. However, this led to a serious concern about safety in the Meeting Room should an emergency arise. Many of our craft activities are located in the that room. After a fire risk assessment we embarked on a serious improvement plan and all actions were completed in just over 6 months. Fire doors are in place, we have a fire detection and alarm system and all staff are trained. A huge thank you must go to Rebecca and the staff at WI House for all their help making us Health & Safety compliant.

This essential work, which was not anticipated when we set the budget earlier in the year, was costly. “Closing the funding gap” led to Theresa’s bold challenge to the Trustees when we were thinking of a novel way to raise additional funds. What about a wing walk? I think Bren was the only Trustee who made eye contact. So, a few months later, on a rather wet and windy day, some of us braved the weather to go and support Bren at Rendcomb Aerodrome a little airfield a few miles north of Cirencester. Bren, dressed in many layers under a cosy bright red flying suit, boldly climbed onto the top wing of the biplane, was strapped on and with a wonderful wave took off down the grass runway. As a result of Bren’s adventure, she has raised over £2,000 pounds. We are extremely grateful to all those who have sponsored her or given a donation. There is still time to donate if you would like to. 

Very sadly we have had to suspend six WIs this year. All of them closed as no-one was prepared to take on a committee role. It is vital to start thinking of succession planning now and encourage members to consider standing. On a more positive note, we have opened Bybrook Ladies in Yatton Keynell and Corsham Belles, an afternoon WI in Corsham. I joined some members of Bybrook Valley at their village fete on a wet and windy afternoon in September. In spite of the weather their enthusiasm shone through, encouraging some new ladies to come along to a meeting.

I cannot finish my report without mentioning Campaigning. This year’s resolution “Bystanders can be Life Savers” has inspired many of you and it is great that so many WIs have taken the initiative to organise CPR training, not only for themselves, but also for their friends and neighbours. Defibrillators have been demystified too. This is a wonderful resolution that has been quite easy for our membership to get behind and support. You are certainly making a difference.

This time last year, at our AGM, the focus of the day was on a resolution to stop domestic abuse. Lady Lansdowne and Nicky Alberry, Chair of the Charity, “Society Without Abuse”, challenged us to do something. One in four relationships are toxic and the numbers do not seem to be reducing. It not only affects adults but the impact on children cannot be ignored. Led by Gill Gibson-Piggot, chair of the Campaigns Team, we set ourselves a target. We aspired to have two trained Ambassadors in every WI in Wiltshire. Recognised by their special badge, the ambassadors trained by SWA, Society Without Abuse, would be empathetic listeners who could signpost people, members of their WIs, friends, colleagues their family members, to appropriate support. Wiltshire Federation funded the first trenche of training. But now all future training will be covered by an award from the Denman Grants. We are delighted to have received this grant and I have had very positive feedback from the Team at Denman Grants who said they were “overjoyed to receive a project that will have such a huge impact on the local community”

With that in mind, on WI day, 16th September, we invited our team volunteers, Ambassadors, representatives from SWA and Lady Lansdowne to a special tea at Willowbrook View in Wichelstowe to say a huge ‘thank you’ for what has been achieved already. Bren, Shauna and my husband each made the toasted coconut and lime celebration cake that was in September’s WI Life. One very important takeaway message from the event was that SWA have approached all the schools in Wiltshire offering a training package for the safeguarding officers about domestic abuse and the impact on children. Only 80 schools so far have responded. If you personally have an involvement with any of the schools, it would be great just to enquire if they are aware of this training package.

This is my final AGM as Chair of the Wiltshire Federation, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to you all.

It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside your Board of Trustees and the dedicated office team at WI House. I have greatly valued their support, collaboration, and camaraderie throughout my term.

I’ve learned so much from them all — their wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise has been both inspiring and invaluable. Their guidance has helped shape my role, offering both encouragement and gentle nudges when needed.

The trustees have an unwavering commitment and make so many contributions to our Federation. I am truly grateful.

Thank you.