A very interesting talk in Gwent

Today, I went over to Gwent for a coffee morning held for ACWW. Valerie spoke about her trips to Hungary and Belarus. It was fascinating - we could have listened for much longer. It was good to see Alison (coping well with her leg well wrapped and supported) and Therese, Jo and several familiar faces. Great to have an ACWW meeting again.

Malawi trip for NFWI members

Ruth Bond (NFWI Chair) and Emily Boost (WRW Project Manager) are visiting Malawi with Oxfam and the Mumsnett co-founder to get an insight into MDG5 Maternal Health and the inherent problems. WRW soon to issue MDG bookmarks.

ACWW did it first in Finland 2007 - I did send the WRW office a bookmark early last year to show what ACWW had produced at the last Triennial Conference. In fact we issued them to all attendees at our Somerset 'UN International Day for Rural Women' in Oct. 2008 and our 'Spotlight on Africa' day last June '09. All thanks to the fact that I was emailed the design. We also had them printed for a day that Roma did in Devon. I will search my email files to see if I still have the design and if so can email to anyone who wants it.

Newsetter from European Area President

Received newsletter today. A European Fund has been started to help E European women to attend Hot Springs.

Death of daughter

Heard some very sad news today, Dato Ursula Goh's daughter has died. How very hard to hear of the death of your child - I have sent a card on behalf of Somerset Federation. ACWW will forward any cards sent to the family.

Response from NFWI

To ACWW supporters - I thought you might be interested in the reply I received from an email I sent to NFWI last night (in theory to Ruth Bond - but answered on her behalf!!)

PS: I have to admit on reading what I wrote - I realise that not all my comments were answered (or even good English) BUT still it is a response!! As usual I have an idea - type it out - and engage my BRAIN later!!

From: Marianne Sladowsky To: "eileen.hurd@btinternet.com" Sent: Tuesday, 19 January, 2010 9:41:02

Subject: ACWW Dear Eileen, Thanks for your email on ACWW.While it is true that the Board decided not to send an official rep to the conference, they have nominated a member who is going to vote on behalf of the NFWI. This official vote, along with the presence of a number of other members at the event, means that the WI will have a strong presence.

As you mention, we are holding a pre-conference event at the NFWI offices, where we will hear from ACWW spokespeople and have sessions on the resolutions being debated. We will certainly let all members know about this event in WI life and we will also get the member who will vote for the WI to write an article about her experiences afterwards.I hope you can understand that for financial reasons, it was felt that it would not be sensible to send a delegate to the event. It would have cost us about two thousand pounds, which they felt was money better spent on printing campaign leaflets and holding events for all members.I hope that makes the situation a little clearer. We are well aware of how important ACWW is to members and will do all we can to publicise the conference to all members.

Best wishes,Marianne

Marianne Sladowsky
Head of Public Affairs
National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI)
104 New Kings Road,
London SW6 4LYT: 020 7371 9300 ext 21007980 449 145
www.theWI.org.uk

eileen.hurd@btinternet.com PostCode: BA3 4TY WI Name: Binegar Comments:

Dear Ruth - from recent correspondence with Joy Thomson, NFWI ACWW Rep, I understand that NFWI are not sending a representative to the ACWW conference in the USA this April. We were discussing this at our BOT meeting today and I was told that DFID have given sponsorship to a national union because they have a good network system and could cascade what they have learnt to members. Could the WI apply for a grant to send all ACWW Reps to future ACWW Triennial or European Meetings - our national network is countrywide, information could easily be cascaded to our local WIs and this would improve international links, which we advertise on the website but are sadly only supporting through members who have subsidised their own travel to the USA and previous Triennials.

I appreciate that it is a little late for the event this year - but in future years it could be a very worthwhile project and through the Reps who go out giving talks in their own counties genuine links could be made with women worldwide.WI members work hard at fund-raising for many ACWW projects it seems very sad that their hardwork and dedication is not recognised through occasional articles in WI Life. Will the Pre-conference meeting to be held at NFWI in March receive any publicity - what will members countrywide think when they learn that NFWI will not be represented in Hot Springs!!

(personal opinion)

March 9th 2010

NFWI are holding a Pre-ACWW Triennial Conference workshop on Tuesday, 9th March 2010. It will take place at the NFWI's London Office commencing at 11am and concluding at 3pm. A light lunch and coffee/tea will be available during the day.

There will be presentations and information on the Resolutions that will be discussed at the ACWW Triennial Conference and ACWW speaker(s). It will be a good chance to meet fellow delegates attending the Hot Springs Conference.

I emailed Joy Thomson today and she has confirmed that NFWI are not sending a delegate and this will be an opportunity to ensure that any votes can be sent with delegates who are attending.

Snow cancels some events.

All seem to be affected by recent snow and more forecast - events being cancelled due to road conditions!! Lovely sunshine today - blue skies, sun and crisp snow - beautiful.

Happy New Year

Had snow overnight and woke to a pretty garden. Our little Xmas tree by the children's log cabin!! How sweet!! We all have snow and our Irish family have old snow and lots of ice - so we're having a colder year so far!!