Report from our delegate at the National WI AGM

2013   N. F. W. I.   AGM    Cardiff 1st June 2013

The meeting opened with the singing of Jerusalem

There was an Extraordinary General Meeting at the start of Proceedings

Special Resolution

‘It is hereby resolved by way of special resolution that the draft Articles of Association presented to the meeting marked A (the New Article) be and are hereby approved and adopted as the Articles of Association of the NF in substitution for and to the exclusion of all existing Articles of Association of the NF with effect form the date when the New Articles are filed with the Register of Companies, & the operative provisions of the Memorandum of Association having been consolidated into the New Articles, the existing Memorandum be amended & restated to include only the details of the subscribers set out in the Appendix to the New Articles.’

Resolution passed 5765 for 109 against

The AGM started with three Constitutional (Ordinary) Resolutions all concerning Article 38(g) which were outlined in the Blue and Green booklets

Clause 9    passed 5937 for 51 against

                passed 6044 for  38 against

                passed 5846 for 208 against

Chairs Address

Copy of guide re: WI Brand will be with WI’s soon, Moodle has been improved and made more accessible.

Membership is rising 500 new members each week, Denmam College was struggling, but that numbers were rising to 88% capacity. Numbers dropped 2011/12 but are improving, ‘Do It For Denman’ has raised £100,000, but needs £250,000, 5% (11632) members, 56% (3556) WI’s responded to the Denman questionnaire , there will be a report from and Independent Body in June, targets have been set for the next 3 years, Ruth Bond said the fate of Denham is in members hands. We were told that if we wished to make a donation to Denman , please send it direct. WI Enterprises are extending their range to include ’Cook in Sauces’ and Bake ware.

Hon Treasures Statement

Denman College funds reduced by 1.9 million and made a loss of £300,000 in 2012, WI Enterprises made £624,000 and the biggest earner for the NFWI is WI Life through the advertising. HMRC has said the membership fees are exempt from VAT, and NFWI will get another refund from HMRC of about £500,000. Subscriptions, 2/3rds of subs increase to got to the WI and 1/3 rd to the Federation, Subs for 2014 will be announced in July and will be in the August mailing.

The Accounts & Auditors report 2011/12 was adopted and carried

Guest Speaker: William Shawcross - Chairman of the Charities Commision

He spoke about his personal interest in the WI, his mother had been a member in the 1950’s, he had written a biography of the Queen Mother, 10 years ago, who was President of Sandringham WI for 65 years and her daughter is now the president. His post with the Charity commission, was to be the regulator on behalf of the public, he discussed the meaning of charity and what it meant to him, The Charity Commission are having tobe aware terrorism, fraud and the politicisation of charity fund raising, there are 30 new charities registered every day, roughly 5,00 a year

This was followed by the awards ceremony, of Lady Denman Cup, Huxley Cup, Elizabeth Bell, and National Quiz Award  etc….

Denman Report

The Denman Survey & Report  & financial situation had already been covered , so the question was posed ‘Why go to Denman?’Bookings have increased, there have had two open Gardens Afternoons, with cream teas proved very successful and more are planned. There are240 new courses, new tutors, new courses covering Upholstery, crochet, jewellery, embroidery, stained glass, rag rugs Thai cookery, History and Heritage plus ‘Men in the Kitchen’ ! and many more, there will be 3 new brochures a year, plus Denman road shows - one already held ,  which was a great success, there will be 10% reduction for new users, and 10% off for online bookings.

Guest Speaker: Griff Rhys Jones - Hon President of Civic Voice (previously Civic Trust) -which represents Local Amenities Groups

He spoke about the new planning laws and how it would affect towns and villages, especially the allowing of extensions up to 8 metres, with no planning permission needed. He was very enthusiastic about people volunteering to improve our own environment - he quoted Ellingham Park and the great difference made there. He had been touring North Kent in his capacity as President , and had visited Ramsgate, Margate Faversham & Canterbury, which were all making great strides into preserving the older parts of the towns. He was very enthusiastic about the WI resolution.

Resolution

Marylyn Haynes Evans proposed the resolution and it was seconded by Sybil Graham of the Cheshire Federation.

The two expert speakers for the resolution were Sean Spear from the C.P.R.E., for the resolution, he spoke about the’ Local Food Map’ and ‘Tool Kit’ for helping and supporting Towns and Villages (He suggested looking on the C.P.R.E. website for more information)

He was followed by William McKee CBE, against the resolution, he argued that the High Street will never go back to what it was , on-line shopping will increase, he calculated that 40% of existing shops will close in the next 5 years, that some Town High streets would become destination/ experience High Streets. Higher rates and  higher parking charges will contribute to 2,800 town centres failing out of 4,000 in existence . He stressed the point that there must be a mix of work places, entertainment and homes for a high street to survive. There were many questions from the floor, too many for all to be heard, there was considerable agreement with William McKee, some did not like the wording of the resolution, and there was heartfelt questions in strong support of the resolution

The resolution was passed

For 5266 - 87.41%

Against 758

Guest Speaker: John Humphrys - Radio 4 ’TODAY’  

John Humphtys asked for questions - this proved an aid for some very funny anecdotes featuring mainly his interviews with politicians, but when asked what his most memorable moment was, he related the time he was in Soweto, to cover the first elections, he spoke to an elderly woman who was waiting to vote (for the first time) and asked her if it was important for her, she said no, it was too late for her, but then indicated the pregnant lady next to her and said it very important for the unborn child. John Humphrys has written seven books, the proceeds from which go to his Charity, ‘Kitchen Table Charity’ this funds small projects mainly in Sub Saharan Africa, and is run by him mainly on his kitchen table - hence the name.

Chairs Remarks

There would be work carried out on the WI web site which would last 6-8 weeks over this summer.

2015 - the WI Centenary 1429 responded to the questionnaire, the O2 Arena was too expensive, so it will be held in Albert  Hall, attendance is expected to be high, so, possibly,  the proceedings will be beamed to Federations. A Baton for the celebrations will start in 2014, the ‘Inspiration Rose’ will be available in 2014, there will be a stamp, centenary collectables, (not decided yet)

Guest Speaker: John Willcocks

John Willcocks  is the singing/choir support for the WI.  He was there to encourage more WI  to have singing groups.  There will be a choir competition in 2015.  We all took part in an action song with gusto. .

The AGM closed with singing of the National Anthems and Jerusalem