About us
Little Chalfont Evening WI is one of the 6600 WIs around the country. We meet on every second Tuesday of the month, and you can find our programme under events. We also get together for walks, games evenings, craft sessions, meals community activities and much, much more.
Nationally, the WI has always campaigned on a wide range of issues & today, with over 212,000 members, represents a significant voice in the UK legislative process. We campaigned for Equal Pay as far back as 1942 & women's rights continue to be an important part of our focus. Our campaigns range from action on climate change to the need for more midwives.
For those who are new or not so new, the WI is a huge organisation. There is the National Federation Women’s Institute (NFWI) who filter information down to the Federations and the Federations send it down to each WI in their group. Little Chalfont Evening WI (LC Eves WI) belongs to the Buckinghamshire Federation WI (BFWI).
National Federation Women’s Institute - NFWI
Is run by National. It has all the information that you need to find out everything about the WI. It has recipes, craft, resolutions, something for everyone. It is members only. If you haven’t signed up for it, please do as it is an amazing resource.
They also send out the MyWI magazine that you receive in the post.
NFWI have an Annual Meeting (AM). The AM is typically held in late May or early June but this is dependent on venue availability. First notice of the meeting is sent annually in advance, directly to all federations and WIs in the July NFWI mailing.
The AM venue changes on an annual basis to give as many members as possible the opportunity to attend. The venues currently used are some of the best in the UK and include the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Echo Arena in Liverpool, and the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff.
LCEves, Chalfont Common, Chorleywood take it in turns to send a delegate. The delegate will then write a report and send it to each group. Other members may buy an observer ticket through BFWI.
The NFWI AM is (usually) where the final vote of the resolutions is held. If there is more than one resolution at this stage, we are not voting for which one should go forward but it is a yes or no on each one and may end up with two resolutions in one year.
The NFWI Board of Trustees is a panel of members who are elected to provide overall leadership to the organisation.
A total of 12 members makes up the Board, plus the Chair of the Federations of Wales Committee (elected by federations in Wales) who is an ex-officio board member.
In addition, the Board can co-opt two further trustees from within the membership. The Board can, therefore, be a maximum of 15 members.
Trustees appoint four officers from their number:
The Chair, the Honorary Treasurer and two Vice-Chairmen.
The current NFWI Chair is Ann Jones
Buckinghamshire Federation Women’s Institute - BFWI
Is run by Bucks Federation. It has information on events run by BFWI and lots of other resources. No sign up required
They also send out a monthly newsletter via email and you will need to sign up to it.
BFWI have an AM which is usually in early May and held in Aylesbury. All Bucks members can buy a ticket and attend. LCEves send one delegate who will come back to our meeting with a report.
The Buckinghamshire Federation is run by the Board of Trustees. Trustees serve for two years and are elected by the members of Buckinghamshire WIs. The Federation officers (Chairman, Vice Chairs and Treasurer) are elected by members of the Board of Trustees and stand for nomination and re-election each year.
Currently the posts are held by:
Federation Chairman - Joycelyn Cull (Winslow WI and Winslow Early Birds)
Honorary Treasurer, Hilary Haworth (Ashley Green WI),
Vice Chairmen, Lynn Foster (Long Marston and Puttenham WI)
Thelma Sackman (Winslow WI and Winslow Early Birds)
The Board of Trustees conducts the business of the Federation in co-operation with the National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI), and in accordance with the WI's Aims and Charitable Objects. The Board arranges the Annual Meeting and authorises schemes of work. Board members are responsible for the financial management of the Federation, and oversee all Sub-Committee events. They advise on staff appointments, salaries, office equipment and maintenance of Stuart Lodge, the Federation Office, in High Wycombe.
Little Chalfont Evening Women’s Institute – LC Eves WI
littlechalfonteveningwi.weebly.com
The Little Chalfont Evening W.I. is run by the committee that was voted in by the members. The AM for our group is held in November. Members volunteer to be on the committee. The new committee is put forward to the members and the President is voted for from the committee. All members are eligible to be committee members (and are positively encouraged) and all committee members are eligible to be President (but you can say no)
We are an active group and do a lot in the community.
We make an annual Story Sack for a local school either, St Georges, Chalfont Valley E-ACT Primary Academy or Little Chalfont Primary School.
We collect toiletries for the Women’s Refuge.
We design, maintain and decorate the Village Triangle.
We make and serve the refreshments at the Farmers Market.
We have stalls and make refreshments on Village Day.
Please always remember that this is YOUR WI, and we encourage all members to get involved as much as possible to make the most of your experience.
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