Chair's Letter - May 2025

THANK YOU! I do know that shouty capitals are not the order of the day, but you really did exceed my expectations and rise to the challenge of not leaving me on my own at the OFWI Annual Meeting! The sun shone, Worton Hall looked magnificent and so did those in attendance from my vantage point on the stage. Thank you for all the feedback – mostly good and some very helpful thoughts and suggestions for next year. We will take on board a shorter lunch break and ensure our speakers are comfortable with the microphones. You are amazing – thank you.

Congratulations to all newly elected and re-elected Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers, your WIs know how lucky they are. May I just reiterate my point regarding communication that

I mentioned at the Annual Meeting. Presidents, your help in ensuring the communication flow that comes from the Federation to your WI and then on to the members, is much

appreciated. I don’t want any Oxfordshire members to feel a disconnect from the Federation but cascading information is our main delivery method. So please Presidents, be that

conduit and ensure all the news reaches our lovely members. As I mentioned, not all members receive a copy of Oxfordshire Inspires but if everyone can have sight of it each month, then we have done a good job. Remember, it works in reverse and the Board do appreciate hearing from you.

I know some of you will be discussing this year’s resolution at your May meeting “Bystanders can be Lifesavers” in readiness for the NFWI Annual Meeting in June. Our next project here

at the Federation is to ensure that all runs smoothly for this event - as I said last year as we prepared for the Royal Albert Hall. It will be 2027 before we meet in person so online it is. We will be sending out plenty of information and all the details needed for delegates. If you are meeting as a group to watch online, do please ensure you send a picture for “Over To You” as this is new territory for us all.

Enjoy the Spring sun.

With love and best wishes.

Tracy

Tracy Strain

OFWI Chair

01235 765285

tracy.strain@oxfordshirewi.co.uk