About the WI

More About the WI

The National Federation of Women’s Institutes (the NFWI) plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities. Current campaigns range from ending violence against women, reducing food waste to improving the environment for future generations.

WI Structure

Abberley WI is a self-governing group within the framework of the WI constitution and rules. We are part of the Woodbury Group of WIs in the Teme Valley and belong to the Worcestershire Federation,www.worcswi.moonfruit.com with its office at WI House, Elgar Business Centre in Hallow. The WIs and Federations make up the National Federation www.theWI.org.uk

Each level of the organisation is run by a committee of elected members; Abberley WI committee is listed on the committee page. The NFWI Board of Trustees is democratically elected every two years by WI members.

The national headquarters is in London; the WI’s adult education centre, Denman College, is in Oxfordshire. The NFWI employs around 70 staff, headed by a General Secretary.

Campaigns

Members democratically decide all campaigning issues. Each year members submit resolutions to a selection process where the most popular suggestions are put to the vote at the AGM. If members support these resolutions, they become mandates and form the basis of campaigning activities in the years ahead.

Denman College

The NFWI owns a residential, adult education centre, Denman College, in Marcham, Oxfordshire. It offers members and the public a wide range of courses from cookery and aromatherapy to photography and painting. Other courses give members the skills needed to run a WI, such as leadership skills and public speaking.

Funding and WI Enterprises

The majority of NFWI income comes from the annual subscriptions. Other sources of revenue include grant-making bodies, educational trusts, commercial sponsors and investments. WI Enterprises Ltd is the trading company of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes. It exists to raise revenue for the NFWI, provide benefits for members and generate funds for federations and WIs.

For more information on the WI please visit the website www.theWI.org.uk