SW UK Poloshirts

Note to all SW supporters - do you want extra polo shirts for Arkansas? Let me know please -we'd better start thinking about ordering this autumn. (When we've all paid our deposits, of course).

Somerset Acww Project

Our Project in Cameroon for the Unique School Initiative is progressing well - we have 77% of the money(updated early October) and hopefully members in Somerset will have events to raise money as will be celebrating the United Nations Day for Rural Women on October 15th. Somerset have undertaken to raise 100% of the money for this project which is installing a water supply to the local School and buying school books for the library.

Our Africa Day in June gave us (those who were able to attend) a more in depth view of Cameroon as fact sheets, recipes, a quiz etc told us more about the country. Our display board also showed pictures of the school. See pictures further down the blog.

New A5 folding leaflet is most useful

Congratulations to the designer of the new leaflet - ideal for adding to letters and circulating generally. It was circulated widely at our Somerset day on Africa (lovely bright top worn by a Somerset member). Have recently been adding a copy to my letters to Pen Friend Requests (easy to photocopy at home as well).

NB: for WI members - it fits easily into your WI Diary - just right to give one away or show to members to advertise ACWW.

New Resolutions for 2010 received July 2009

The first two Resolutions deal with constitutional changes both put in by the Women's Institutes of Nova Scotia. At first glance they seem practical.

Res 3 - Women need access to Credit
In view of the United Nations' first Millenium Development Goal calling for eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, and to improve employment for women, be it resolved that the ACWW member societies call on their governments to make available access to credit for women. (European Area conference)

Res 4 - Stop use of Plastic Bags and Reduce use of Packaging
Be it resolved that all ACWW member societies urge their communities to stop the use of plastic bags and to reduce excess packaging. Consumers need to be informed and governments need to take action in order to promote a sustainable future. (European Area Conference)

Res 5 - Financial Management
Be it resolved that ACWW Member Societies encourage their members to: Ensure that women have sufficient knowledge about financial management in their households. Educate women to draw up a spending plan or budget to ensure financial security within the household.
(Southern Africa Area Conference)

Res 6 - Retention of arable land for Food Production.
Be it resolved that ACWW member societies urge their Governments to ensure that, with reports of a coming world food shortage and the search for alternatives to fossil fuels, sufficient quantities of arable land are retained for food production and not diverted to growing crops for bio-fuel production. (Rural Women New Zealand)

Res 7 - Pennies for Friendship
Be it resolved that paragraph 2 of Article VI of the Constitution shall be enforced forthwith, in so far as that paragraph refers to Societies making a donation annually to the Pennies for Friendship Fund (Fed of Women's Institutes Northern Ireland).

Recommendations

1: Tree Planting Project
Be it recommended that the Associated Country Women of the World urge all ACWW Member Societies worldwide (where possible) to plant trees as a contribution towards combating climate change. This could be an individual or group project. (Canadian Area Conference)

2. ACWW Board and Committee Members to hold ACWW Individual Membership
Be it recommended that it is a prerequisite for any candidate seeking office as a member of the Board of ACWW or a member of a Specified Committee to hold Individual membership of ACWW (Rural Women of New Zealand)

Preliminary comment surely Resolution 3 and 5 should work together!! Financial Management should work hand in hand with Access to Credit! Both sensible ideas.