Wednesday 20 December 2017

Support our campaigns this festive season

The festive season is a time for fun, sharing gifts with friends and family, and of course enjoying delicious food. But it’s also a chance to make a difference in support of WI campaigns. This post gives you some top tips - from tackling unnecessary plastic waste to reaching out to combat loneliness.

Stay updated with the latest resolution news and campaign actions by subscribing to the NFWI’s Public Affairs Digest, an e-newsletter sent to your inbox once a month. You can sign up via the website.

End Plastic Soup

Our End Plastic Soup campaign seeks to raise awareness of the problem of marine pollution from microplastic fibres released from clothing when it is washed. Here are some ways you can help reduce your impact over the Christmas season.


Tackle clothing waste
  • One rubbish truck full of textiles is landfilled or burnt every second. Instead of buying new clothes for your loved one that may not fit or suit them why not swap a clothing gift for a ticket to an event or activity, or a gift voucher that allows them to choose something they really love?  
  • If you are given clothing that doesn’t quite fit or you don’t like, hold a clothes swap at your WI in the New Year or try upcycling the item to your taste or turn it into something else altogether! 
  • New research from charity Hubbub found that one in four Christmas jumpers bought last year were thrown away or were unlikely to be worn again. Instead of buying a new jumper every year, dig out your old Christmas jumpers, swap with a friend or even refashion something you already own into a festive jumper. 

Wash well
  • With lots of events and visitors over the Christmas period you may be washing clothes more often – ensure you are filling up your washing machine to the max, washing at a low temperature (30°) and using washing liquid instead of powder. These measures will help to reduce the amount of microplastic fibres released when washing your clothes. 

Avoid plastic waste
  • Single-use plastics, or disposable plastics, are used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. Tackle disposable and single-use plastics by avoiding serving people with plastic plates, cups and straws and use paper or china if you are entertaining guests. 
  • Single-use plastics include coffee cups and plastic bottles. Only 1% of disposable coffee cups are recycled, with the UK throwing away 2.5 billion of them a year. 38.5million plastic bottles are used every day in the UK – just over half make it to recycling, while more than 16m are put into landfill, burnt or released into the oceans. Once in the ocean they break down further into microplastics which fish can mistake for food. Re-usable alternatives are available - why not consider a re-usable aluminium water bottle or re-usable coffee cup as a gift and use it as a way to tell your friend or family member about the WI’s campaigns to tackle plastic waste. 
  • Take inspiration from the NFWI Craft Committee’s creative, fun projects that use resources which would otherwise be thrown away. Why not use old milk bottles to make our festive fir tree or turn jam and baby food jars into a hot chocolate kit?
  • The WI successfully campaigned to get a charge introduced for plastic bags in order to tackle waste. You can avoid using plastic bags for your Christmas shopping by using a bag for life or the WI’s cotton bag


Link Together

Our Link Together campaign recognises that loneliness can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender and life stage. The festive season is a great opportunity to reach out to others in your community.
  • A small act of kindness could make a real difference to someone’s day over the festive period, such as calling a fellow member you haven’t spoken to in a while or taking the time to speak to neighbours who may be lonely. For more ways to get involved with the campaign, download our action pack.

Food Matters

Christmas is a time to enjoy good food and good company, but this can often mean more waste too. We can all play our part in reducing the waste that often comes with the festive season. Our Food Matters campaign focuses on reducing food waste so that good food isn’t wasted at all levels of the food chain.


Credit: iStock.com/Eivaisl
  • According to Wildlife and Countryside Link, 114,000 tonnes of plastic packaging will end up in the bin - and not recycled - over the festive period. To avoid unnecessary wasteful packaging, buy your fruit and vegetables loose and be aware of what types of plastic can be recycled.
  • No matter how hard you try there is bound to be some leftover food at the end of the festivities – you could use the leftover turkey to turn it into a completely different meal like this WI recipe for turkey in a leek and mustard sauce. Love Food Hate Waste also has lots of ideas about how to use up all your Christmas leftovers.
  • Recycle your Christmas tree – if your tree has roots it will be possible to plant it in your garden or in a large pot with fresh compost, you can then bring it back into your house for next year. If your tree cannot be re-planted, check whether your council collects Christmas trees (which they usually turn into compost). If they don’t, then take it to the garden waste area of your local tip. Find your local council here

SOS for honey bees

While our honey bees will be tucked up in their hives for the cold weather, now is the time to start thinking about how you can support these precious pollinators once spring arrives. Our SOS for Honey Bees campaign calls for more research into the causes of bee decline, and for communities to create habitats to support pollinators.
  • Now is the time to plan your spring planting, ensuring there’s plenty of pollen and nectar for bees to forage on throughout the seasons. Make your garden bee friendly using our gardening guide by planting these flowers

SOS for High Streets 

Our high streets campaign encourages members to celebrate their local high streets and urges decision makers to support high streets that are fit for the future. 
  • Over the last ten years changes in shopping habits have hit the high street hard. When combined with a slowdown in consumer spending and increasingly high rental and business rates, many high street businesses are struggling. By shopping local to buy your gifts and food you are supporting the high street as a hub of social and community life. You can read more about the campaign online




Monday 18 December 2017

Didcot Sewage Treatment Works Visit

Guest blog by Catherine Blaxhall Chair of Oxfordshire Public Affairs Committee



Following a discussion with our Public Affairs team in Oxfordshire around the ‘End Plastic Soup’ resolution we decided to contact our local water supplier, Thames Water to ask if they were aware of the enormity and seriousness of the contamination of microplastic fibres and what, if anything, they were doing to help alleviate the problem. Waste water treatment centres play a vital role in the issue; tiny microplastic fibres are too small to be caught by their filters and are flowing into rivers and the sea where fish and other sea creatures are mistaking them for food. Waste water treatment centres also produce sludge from the process, which contain microplastic fibres that is then applied to farmland across the UK.

We decided to ‘go to the top’ and emailed their CEO and were very pleased to receive a reply the next day from their Senior Public Affairs Advisor who had been delegated to respond.  His response was so enthusiastic and positive. He had researched the WI and our previous campaigns before we spoke and clearly realised how beneficial working together could to both organisations – we had so much in common!

Henry suggested OFWI members meet himself and his colleague from the Thames Water Education Team at our local sewage treatment works in Didcot on 18 September to learn more about how waste water treatment centres work.

The day was designed to encourage us to think more about how we can change our own washing habits to play their part in tackling the problem, the impact of plastic and non-flushable objects, such as wet wipes, entering the sewage system and to learn more about how waste water treatment centres operate.


We were given a fascinating and insightful tour of the site and a presentation in the education centre explaining the process of filtering sewage from its arrival at the plant to clean water finally returning to the water course less than 24 hours later. On the tour we saw a whole skip load of congealed wet wipes and other objects inappropriate for flushing that had been caught in the process.

Filtering out the tiny microplastic fibres at sewage treatment works is not currently happening, but research is ongoing and it is hoped that, with pressure, sampling for microplastic fibres could become mandatory at waste water treatment centres to better understand the scale of the issue. The onus is on all of us to address the problem by washing our clothes at lower temperatures, washing full loads only, using liquid detergent and being more conscious of the amount of clothing we purchase and then dispose of.  


Everyone agreed that the visit had been fascinating and informative and not quite as aromatic as we had anticipated! It really helped us understand so much more clearly our own responsibilities in contributing to the problem and how by just making one minor change we can make a difference and influence change. 

Friday 15 December 2017

NFWI Loneliness Survey

Over the summer, the NFWI launched a short survey on loneliness. In total, more than 500 responses were received, amounting to over 2,500 individual thoughts, opinions and personal experiences shared across all of the questions! Thank you to everyone who took part!

The results have revealed a huge variety of measures and strategies that could be adopted more widely by local communities, including WIs and Federations, to help alleviate loneliness amongst different demographics. Valuable suggestions were also made around how local and national government could take further action. Here we set out some of our main findings. 

The role of government

Respondents were divided as to whether it should fall to government to tackle loneliness. We heard from several respondents that as a hyper-local issue experienced by many of us, loneliness is best tackled through community action and by simply taking responsibility for those around you. Of those that believed government should play a bigger role, there was support for an awareness raising campaign to remove the stigma associated with loneliness and a dedicated national strategy.


 The role of local communities 

As expected, respondents were almost unanimous in recognising the importance of local communities in tackling loneliness.  A few key themes emerged from the range of ideas that were shared. First, the value in organising regular local events that are free or low cost and accessible to people of all ages. Several respondents highlighted the need to ensure the availability of evening as well as day time opportunities to accommodate people who work full-time. It was recognised that community spaces, including churches and community centres, could be used more to host activities.

Second, the importance of being aware of neighbours who might be lonely and taking the time to speak to them and simply say hello. Third, respondents believed that local events and support services could be signposted better through, for example, a community newsletter and leaflets in GP surgeries, chemists, libraries and supermarkets. Finally, several felt that local communities could do more to help raise awareness of the causes and impacts of loneliness as well as the barriers to accessing activities and support.

How WIs and Federations are already combatting loneliness

By its very nature, we know that the WI can help to alleviate loneliness. As part of the survey we asked members to describe any activities they undertake to reach out to people who are lonely. What we found was that many members, since the launch of the campaign and before, have identified their own ways of tackling loneliness which they have embedded into their everyday procedure. If your WI or Federation would like to take action and is looking for more inspiration, download our campaign action pack to read our Basic Guide. 



Next steps

The survey results will be used to help us shape the direction of the Link Together campaign in the New Year when we will be looking at ways to progress the NFWI’s resolution to ‘alleviate loneliness’ during 2018. We also plan to share the results of the survey more widely to spread best practice and influence the development of local and national policy around loneliness.

Please contact publicaffairs@nfwi.org.uk for further information about the survey and the Link Together campaign. 

Thursday 14 December 2017

Healthwatch and the WI: Together we can help people get the best care

Kaf from Old Trafford Wonder Women writes about how you can work with your local Healthwatch to feed back about your experiences of local health services.

Photo: Altrincham hospital 

When you or somebody you care about is ill or needs support, nothing matters more than good quality local health and social care services.

One of the reasons I love the WI is the way it enables members to get more involved in every area of the community. We’re doers – we don’t sit back, we speak up for ourselves, our families, and for all local people.

As an organisation, we’ve done lots to help people get the best health and social care. Our campaigns have stimulated more people to donate their organs and discuss their organ donation wishes, to call for more midwives, to help reduce social isolation and encourage carers to feel welcome in hospitals. I’m the President of a relatively new branch - the Old Trafford Wonder Women WI, all of 2.5 years old - and one of our most interesting challenges has been to find ways to take action locally on the national resolutions passed at the Annual Meeting.

In addition to my role with the WI, I’m the Volunteer Co-ordinator for Healthwatch Trafford. Healthwatch is here to listen to what people think of health and social care, to call for changes where they’re needed, and to help people find information about local care. I’ve worked in the public sector since 1999 and I believe strongly that people should have a say about local services.
My team of volunteers speak to people across Trafford, finding out what works and what they’d like to change about local care. They travel to all areas of the community, making sure that everybody can have their say.

No matter how big or small the issue, speaking up about it can make a real difference, as the odds are that if it matters to you, it matters to somebody else too. There’s a Healthwatch for every local authority area in England, so there’ll be one local to you – you can type your postcode into the search box on the www.healthwatch.co.uk homepage and it’ll show you where your local Healthwatch is based and how to get in touch.

During the last few months, Healthwatch has been running its ‘It Starts With You’ campaign, to demonstrate the power people’s voices can have. 

As advocates for our local community, there’s a huge opportunity for Healthwatch and our WI to work together more effectively. I would love to see us encouraging more people in our community to speak up about what they think of services. Healthwatch has already supported parts of our work too, such as our Time to Talk about organ donation campaign, and I’m looking forward to finding more opportunities for us to collaborate.

I'm sure your local Healthwatch will be keen to hear members' experiences of being a carer supporting a patient in hospital - how was their care? Were you enabled to stay / did you have extended visiting hours? You can work with your local Healthwatch to ensure change happens in your area.

So please do spread the ‘It Starts With You’ message. You can find out more about the campaign here.

And if you’d like to become a Healthwatch volunteer in the Trafford area, or you have an experience of local care to share – good or bad – please get in touch.

You can find details of your local Healthwatch branch here.

Wednesday 6 December 2017

Link Together: How WI members marked World Kindness Day on 13 November

On 13th November, WI members came together to mark World Kindness Day as part of our Link Together campaign to alleviate loneliness. This blog highlights some of the unique and inspiring ways that members sought to reach out to others in their community and brighten someone’s day. If your WI or Federation took part in World Kindness Day and hasn’t yet let us know, we would love to hear from you! Please email publicaffairs@nfwi.org.uk.


World Kindness Day is just the start. We hope that members will take inspiration from these ideas and continue to carry out small acts of kindness throughout the year. 


Chadderton WI left little gifts around Greater Manchester.



Members of Chirk WI (left) and Maple Village WI (right) painted and decoupaged rocks with inspiring messages and left them around their local areas for others to find. 


Photo: Kay Knott, High Littleton and Hallatrow WI

Members of High Littleton and Hallatrow WI created 72 kindness envelopes to pop in the letterbox of neighbours. The envelopes were made from adult colouring book pages and each contained a wrapped Rose's chocolate.

Photo: Annie O’Neill, Redlands WI

Redlands WI visited the residents of Lakeside Care Home in Reading to share 7 homemade cakes. Members spoke to the residents about their families and their experiences of WW2. Members of Baldock and Clothall WI also visited residents of their local care home for a chat and cake.

Photo: Catherine Blaxhall, Oxfordshire Federation

Photo: Hilary Harris, Binbrook & District WI (right)

Members of Elmstead WI (left), Binbrook & District WI (right) and Neath Abbey WI (not pictured) organised afternoon tea or a coffee morning to support people in their local community.

These are just a few of the ways that members took part. We also heard how Mitton WI donated items to a local food bank and Pegswood with Bothal WI served soup, tea and coffee to local residents.

To find out more about our Link Together campaign and other ways to get involved, please visit: https://www.thewi.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/233830/Link-Together-Campaign-Actio n-Pack-Final.pdf.

Thursday 26 October 2017

NFWI-Wales engages WIs in the Not in my Name Campaign

Next month will be the 6th year since NFWI-Wales joined up with Joyce Watson AM, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales to establish the Not in my Name Campaign as part of our mandate to end Violence Against Women (VAW).  We are encouraging WIs to get involved, once more, in activities to raise awareness about VAW.

One in four women will experience domestic violence at the hands of a partner during their lives and, on average, two women a week will be killed by a partner or ex-partner. Research launched by the NFWI in 2009 found that VAW is a hidden issue happening in communities across the country and over 50 per cent of the respondents from rural and urban areas said they had experienced violence or abuse.

Since November 2012, Not in my Name has seen the recruitment of male ambassadors in speaking out against VAW during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25 November to 10 December) and making a pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about VAW.


WIs across Wales are being encouraged to use their strong community links to inspire men to get involved in helping prevent VAW by challenging the attitudes, behaviours and gender inequalities that contribute to VAW. Men can be agents of change and play a crucial part as positive role models to help us achieve a culture change where VAW is not tolerated by society.

On 21 November, NFWI-Wales will be hosting a cross-party stakeholder event at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay which will include a debate on “engaging men and boys in challenging all forms of VAW”. The winner of the White Ribbon logo competition will also be announced and all entries will be on display. Later that day, a candlelight vigil will take place at 6.30pm on the steps outside the Senedd to engage WI members, stakeholders and the wider public in marking White Ribbon Day. We look forward to welcoming local members, as well as members from as far afield as Powys, in joining us to show solidarity with victims of VAW across the world.




To find out more about the opportunities to get involved in Not in my Name, please visit https://www.thewi.org.uk/wi-in-wales/current-campaigns/no-more-violence-against-women.

Thursday 24 August 2017

Link Together: How you can take part in the NFWI’s campaign to alleviate loneliness

Our new campaign seeks to inspire WI members to take action on loneliness and share innovative ways of engaging with others who may be lonely.


While it can be hard to tell if someone is experiencing loneliness, there are many ways to let the members of your WI or federation as well as friends, family and people in your community know that you care.

Take time to be kind on World Kindness Day

That’s why we’re encouraging members to take the time to be kind on World Kindness Day on 13 November. If you’re looking for some ideas on how to get involved, why not make a pledge to do something kind for someone else? Could you offer to make someone a cup of tea, pay someone a compliment or even volunteer your time in your local community? Do-it is the UK’s national volunteering database and can help you to find opportunities near you – just type in your post code or town at https://do-it.org.

You could also hold a pledge event to highlight how the members of your WI or federation are taking part in World Kindness Day and taking action to support people who may be lonely. Why not decorate your event using our bunting template which you can fill in with your pledge of kindness? Simply download the campaign action pack and get crafting!

If you’re interested in taking action within your WI or federation, you might like to have a look at our basic guide (below). The WI has a long history of supporting and reaching out to people in the community and so we know that many members will have already embarked on great projects that aim to tackle the issue of loneliness. If this sounds like your WI, let us know what you think of these suggestions and if you have any further ideas on what more WIs and federations could be doing to reach out to members and non-members.


You can also share your experiences and ideas on how loneliness is best tackled by taking part in our short online survey which can be accessed here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/33GSYWH. The survey will be open until 31 October 2017. 

There are lots of other ways you can get involved and help to make a difference. Are you interested in how local health services are tackling loneliness in your area? If so, why not contact your Health and Wellbeing Board in England, Public Services Board in Wales or Local Health Board in Wales to find out what steps they are taking? To help you get started, visit the LinkTogether page of the My WI website (under the ‘Public Affairs and Campaigns’ tab) to download a template letter or contact the Public Affairs Department at publicaffairs@nfwi.org.uk.

To find out more about the Link Together campaign, download the action pack here or login to My WI (https://mywi.thewi.org.uk/).


Tuesday 11 July 2017

Yellow Ribbons & Hearts for Grenfell - WI Members Support the Missing


Guest blog post by Joanne Croxford and Melissa Russell, Gothic Valley WI (Middlesex Federation)

A wonderful gesture to counterbalance a disaster - members of the WI have donated their time and love in the shape of handmade ribbons and hearts to decorate the area surrounding Grenfell Tower.


The idea was born after we attended the peaceful protest alongside survivors of the tragedy which launched the Justice 4 Grenfell campaign. It was there, walking shoulder to shoulder with our community and those directly affected, that the call for the WI's history of coming to the aid of those most vulnerable in their society was heard at its most clear.

At this point, we were volunteering a lot of our time to the community's effort to support locally and sharing this on our social media pages which resulted in many WI members from far and wide contacting us to ask how they too could be a part of the movement to heal Grenfell's community. 

It was too early to ascertain how WI members could practically support Grenfell's residents, so we did exactly what WI members do best and decided to get knitting/crocheting to support the #YellowRibbonForGrenfellMissing campaign which has emerged with the yellow ribbon, the internationally recognised symbol for the missing, being worn by locals and hung in the area surrounding Grenfell. 

We were compelled to make an appeal on social media to fellow WI members to do the same and mobilise their best crafting efforts - expressing the urgency for donated handmade items to ensure that the community felt the love and support in the immediate aftermath of this terrible tragedy. 


Members had less than two weeks to get making yellow hearts and ribbons and the response was truly heartwarming. Homemade hearts and ribbons began pouring in from all corners of the globe ahead of our decided date of 3rd July to hang all contributions directly next to the Grenfell site. Members from the #hearts4ldn group were in touch, too, who had already been involved in making hearts as a response to the Manchester and London terror attacks for members of the public to take with them for the public to take with them from the sites of as a gesture of love and support. We combined forces and the envelopes began arriving filled with love in the truest form in the brightest of yellow.


On 3rd July we came together with representatives from both #YellowRibbons4GrenfellMissing and #hearts4ldn with other local volunteers to hang the amazing efforts of our fellow WI members outside the Notting Hill Methodist Church directly next to Grenfell Tower. 


What happened next was literally one of the most humbling experiences we have ever experienced. Locals emerged from their homes, hugged and cried with many of us with the greatest of thanks to all WI members for their gesture of love and support. Twitter and Facebook have been alive with messages from locals praising our efforts and representatives of those directly affected have touched base to show their gratitude directly, too.


What's next? Locals have invited us to increase our efforts and continue to decorate the area, using the power of yarn to connect the wonderful community centres through locally which have been pivotal in providing much needed provisions for Grenfell's survivors. Never one to deny a challenge, we are appealing to WI members all over the country to take part in any way they are able to raise awareness around those still missing from Grenfell in the form of more handmade donations or by spreading the word that the memorial exists and urging members to visit.


We are planning to begin a ‘freshen up’ of the memorial so will be returning to the site monthly to see that new donations are added and those weathered replaced.

All we ask is that knitted donations are created using synthetic yarn to respect certain religious faiths in their belief of representation of living matter. 

If you would like to contribute to the initiative, please email joannecroxford@icloud.com or m-j_russell@hotmail.com 

We would like to add how very proud we are that members of the WI who have thus far been involved have done exactly what we do best - binding a community in turmoil with true gestures of love and gratitude.



Wednesday 14 June 2017

NFWI Resolutions Process


As you may be aware, the NFWI has been conducting a review to consider ways to improve the resolutions process. Feedback has been received from members, WIs and federations, and the NFWI has already made a number of changes to improve the process.

Much of the feedback received concerns the timings at shortlist stage, which for many WIs does not currently allow them enough time to consider the resolutions.

In response to these concerns, the NFWI has decided to pilot an alteration to the timings for shortlist stage for the 2017/18 process. This change will allow the most possible time for members to consider resolutions at shortlist stage and aims to allow more members to engage in this important stage of the process.

The changes to the process are explained in more detail below, but in brief they are:

  • One organisation-wide deadline of 9th February 2018 will be set by the NFWI for selections to arrive with federations;
  • This deadline will be publicised in WI Life so that all members know when they must send their selections to their federation;
  • Federations collate and count selections between 9th and 16th February, and must send in tallied results to the NFWI by close of play on 16th February 2018
  • The role of federations in counting selections will be simplified, offering federations a range of options to receive and count selections in the simplest way possible;
  • The NFWI will extend its own internal deadlines to allow as much time as possible for members to consider their shortlist selections.

A full timetable for the 2017/18 resolutions process is at the bottom of this blog post.

Benefits of the change

  • This system will allow all WIs the longest possible time to make their selections at shortlist stage, and will ensure that every WI has at least the whole of December and January to do this;
  •  It directly addresses the most commonly raised concern about the process from members;
  • It improves communication about the process as it allows this date to be printed in WI Life, ensuring that every WI member will know the deadline for their selections to be received by their federation.

The changes in detail

The NFWI has set an organisation-wide deadline for shortlist selections to be sent to federations. This date is 9th February 2018.

This change has been made in response to concerns expressed by members who often say that they do not have enough time to consider the resolutions in their meetings. This change means that every WI will have, at a minimum, their December and January meetings to consider the resolutions.

Federations will then have a week (9th-16th February) to count selections and report their results to the NFWI. Please see below for guidance about the responsibilities of federations in counting selections.

The NFWI has been able to extend this timeline because the NFWI Board of Trustees have agreed to consider the selection results remotely, rather than at the February Board meeting, and by lengthening WI Life copy deadlines.

What is the role of federations in counting selections?

It is clear that federations are adopting a number of different approaches to counting selections. This guidance is designed to clarify this role to ensure that the process of counting selections is as smooth and easy as possible for federations to undertake.

Federations are not required to verify selections received from WIs by checking forms for signatures, or by only accepting the original forms from WI Life.

Selections can be accepted by federations in a variety of ways – this is not limited to the selection form in WI Life. Selections can be submitted:

  • On the form included within WI Life, or a photocopy of the form;
  • A representative from each WI (such as the Secretary) can provide the total selections for each resolution by phone, post or email.

By adopting this approach to receiving and counting selections, federations can reduce the time needed to undertake this task.

How can federations count selections as efficiently as possible?

We hope that by clarifying the role of federations at selection stage, the process for counting selections will be simpler and less time-consuming.

Federations may also wish to consider using an electronic tool such as SurveyMonkey which can also be a very quick and easy way to count selections as all the work is done for you. Each WI can submit their selection results online, and the system calculates the totals for you.

Any WIs that do not have online access can send their selections in the usual way, and the federation can input them into the survey tool quickly and easily. Once every WI has input their results, the totals can be viewed by the federation by logging in.

The NFWI Public Affairs Department can support any federations who wish to trial collecting shortlist selection results in this way by producing a standard template survey. If you would like to trial this system during 2017/18 please do let us know.

What is the role of WIs in the selection stage?

WIs should ensure each member has the opportunity to cast an individual selection, and can use a flexible approach to achieve this.

WIs can ensure members can submit their selections by offering a range of ways to do this:

  • Completing the form from WI Life or a photocopy of the form during a meeting;
  •  Allowing members to submit their selection direct to the WI secretary via post, email or telephone;
  • Conducting a secret ballot at a WI meeting;
  • Collecting selections using electronic tools, such as via email or using a survey tool like SurveyMonkey.

It is the responsibility of the WI to keep a record of the number of selections cast for each resolution.

What is the NFWI doing to ensure WIs can take part in the selection process?

In addition to this change, the NFWI has produced a wider range of supporting materials to enable WIs to consider shortlisted resolutions. These materials include:
  • More engaging briefing notes;
  • Powerpoint presentations that can be used to present each issue in your WI;
  • Online and printable quizzes to test your knowledge;
  • Resolution discussions guide;
  • A frequently asked questions document.
All supporting materials for the 2016/17 shortlist selection process were published on the NFWI website during the first week of November, significantly in advance of the arrival of WI Life.

We aim to continue this commitment for the 2017/18 process, with a range of materials available from the first week of November. This means that WIs that meet in the middle or end of November can discuss the resolutions then if they wish.

These materials will continue to be promoted via the Public Affairs Digest e-newsletter, social media and in WI Life. Please do pass on details of these resources to WIs in your federation.

What other changes has the NFWI made to improve the resolutions process?

The NFWI has made the following changes to make it easier for members to get involved in the resolutions process:
  • New submission materials including a clearer timetable document, updated resolution submission form and clearer explanatory notes to support WIs who wish to put together a resolution;
  • More support and guidance offered to federation Resolutions Advisers and proposers prior to resolution submission;
  • Promotional campaign to encourage WIs to submit resolutions, including infographics for social media and blogposts from resolution proposers of successful campaigns;
  • Online submission option introduced;
  •  Where possible the Public Affairs Department agreed revised wording for resolutions prior to the shortlist selection stage;
  • Revised approach to the shortlist selection meeting to support federation representatives to make their decision;
  •  Guidance note on potential next steps provided to all unsuccessful proposers, and detailed feedback provided to those who requested it;
  • More engaging resolutions materials provided in a range of formats, including consistent format and structure, explanation about how the WI could work on the issue if it was passed;
  • Online content to support resolution discussions including videos and social media Q&As to answer member questions.
Should you have any questions about this change, please contact the Public Affairs Department on 020 7371 9300 or pa@nfwi.org.uk.

NFWI Resolution timetable 2017/18
This timetable gives all of the major dates and deadlines for the 2017/18 resolutions process. Please use this to plan your meetings within your WI or federation. In addition, information will regularly be added to the NFWI website (www.TheWI.org.uk/resolutions) and the Moodle.


1 July 2017
Mailing
Resolution submission forms sent to federations and WIs.
15 September 2017
Closing date for resolutions to be submitted to the NFWI – federation deadlines may be earlier.
25 September 2017
Federation shortlisting representatives notified of details of resolution shortlist selection meeting. Resolutions longlist circulated.
2 October 2017
Federation representatives meet to compile shortlist of resolutions, supported by NFWI trustees and staff as appropriate.
1 Nov 2017
Shortlist resolution resources including videos and PowerPoint presentations published on NFWI website
17 Nov 2017
WI Life
Shortlisted resolutions, paragraphs of essential facts and points, and selection slip appear in November issue of WI Life.
December & January
Federations and WIs hold meetings to discuss the shortlisted resolutions. Members select the resolution they support the most.
9 Feb 2018
Deadline for resolution selection results to be returned to your Federation. (Check arrangements for this with your WI Secretary)
16 Feb 2018
Deadline for Federations to return tallied selection results to the NFWI
Late Feb 2018
NFWI Board of Trustees finalises resolution/s for
2018 Annual Meeting agenda, based on the number of selections from WI members.
1 April 2018
Mailing
Annual Meeting resolution/s briefings and wording sent to federations, WIs and WI Advisers.
April 2018
WI Life
Annual Meeting resolution/s published in WI Life.
April & May 2018
Federations and WIs hold meetings to discuss the AM resolution/s. WIs vote for or against each resolution.
4 May 2018
Deadline for resolution amendments and urgency resolutions sent to the NFWI.
June 2018
Vote on resolution/s held at the Annual Meeting.
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