Hoath with District WI

At present we have 54 members, with an average of 35 attending each month. Our members come from all over the surrounding district including Marshside, Chislet, Beltinge, Herne Bay, Sturry and even as far afield as Birchington.

The annually elected Committee of 8 meets the Thursday prior to each meeting to discuss past meetings and plan future events. The following week at our WI meeting we cover the record of the previous month’s meeting, any correspondence from the National Federation, as well as our local office in Canterbury, and record our financial status.  Members are informed of forthcoming events and social activities and those whose birthdays fall in the current month receive a posy of flowers. Each month we have a Speaker on a variety of topics. Tasty refreshments are provided by different members each month. Guests are welcome to visit twice in a year before deciding whether or not to join us.  Each member has to pay an annual subscription, of which we keep a proportion for our funds. Our subscription for 2012 is £31.50 – set by National WI – and includes a magazine that is delivered directly to all our members. East Kent Federation also produces a monthly newsletter for all members, giving information about the many activities and events happening within East Kent.

Two Craft Groups, one morning and one evening, meet once a month. Our Ladies that Lunch meet on the first Thursday of each month at various places to eat and have a laugh. The Walking Group meets twice a month. One member has recently started a Theatre Group, organising bookings for various shows, and going along as a group not only gets discounts, but is more fun for people who might otherwise have to go along on their own.  

We have use of the residential WI Denman College near Oxford, where any of our members can sign up for one of the many 3, 4 or 5 day courses available. Every other year we award a bursary via a ballot, which gives one of our members a chance to attend.  In June the National Federation holds the AGM and in 2012 it will be in London at the Royal Albert Hall when resolutions, chosen by the membership, urge the government of the day to take action on a wide range of issues. A Delegate is sent on behalf of our linked WIs to vote, enjoy, and report back. Each year our own East Kent Federation holds an Annual Council Meeting and this provides an opportunity to meet up with friends and fellow members of other WIs.

Several of our members are volunteers for the WI Emergency group, which is part of the KCC Emergency Group, and may be called upon at short notice to help out in the event of a local disaster or crisis.

Barbara Milne, President