Chair's Letter - April 2026
- Mar 24
- 2 min read
THANK YOU – for once again not leaving me on the stage
at Worton Hall looking at empty chairs. It really is a day
not to be missed so a huge thank you for making it so
worthwhile and enjoyable. Can I please say a huge thank
you to our sponsors – OSJCT – Order of St John Care Trust. Their support benefits us all and I want to formally acknowledge our collaboration.
Next month sees us start the planning for the 2027 Annual Meeting - ideas most welcome. Please also be aware that the NFWI Annual Meeting will be taking
place in June, once again online. So, get planning – what about a Watch Party in your local hall or in a member’s lounge? All Delegates will have full support from both OFWI and NFWI in carrying out this
important role.
Whilst I don’t like to pick out individuals, can I thank Linda Mustill, trustee and wearer of numerous hats, for her service on the Board. Whilst Linda has stepped down from the Board, she will still have various other roles to support OFWI.
And so, a new WI year begins, and those programmes will soon be crisp and clean in our bags. I hope as you read this, most of you will have had your Annual Meetings and are settling
into your new year. March has been a busy time for you, your WI Advisers and Trustees as we support you during your Annual Meetings. Thank you to the WIs who have let me through their doors to conduct their AMs!!! So brave! I know that there are some WIs who have had to close their doors, but I hope those members affected have found a new WI. It is hard for everyone when a WI suspends but if we can retain all members, that brings a positive.
There are also revised membership forms for us to complete as we enter a new era. Change comes in many guises, but the objects of our organisation remain as always, the education of
women and girls and we do it formidably. Long may that continue.
Whilst our WI calendar has been busy, I do hope you have found time to look at VIA, the new on-line learning platform. WI members receive free access to most courses on VIA. To ensure VIA recognises your WI membership, please use the WI Member login option. If you create an
account using the general sign-up/login route, your membership won’t be automatically linked. It has a lovely, friendly layout and the usual array of wonderful courses and opportunities but is easier to navigate.
I would like to introduce as trustee of the month - Hilary Dix - it might only be 14 years, but Hilary has given so much time and energy to OFWI:
‘As a fairly new member of the WI, fourteen years, I have enjoyed coming up through
the ranks to be an OFWI Trustee. A WI committee member and subsequently taking on officer roles, joining the Combined Arts sub-committee, doing the WI Adviser training and then joining the Board. I thoroughly recommend the journey, the wonderful people I’ve met
and the opportunities I’ve had along the way’.
With love and best wishes.
Tracy
Tracy Strain
OFWI Chair
01235 765285
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