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About us


How we work

As a limited company with charitable status,we are run by a Board of Trustees consisting of up to 12 members and up to 4 co-opted members.

Their aims are:
To be responsible for the overall running of the federation
To ensure that its activities are within the objectives of the WI
To ensure that its activities cover  all its aims and interests
To make policy decisions
To develop plans which are carried out in conjunction with the sub-committees
To constantly review the programme and the service it provides to members
To appoint annually the various sub-committees and the federation appointments
New Board of Trustees Members are:
P Ashworth
Pat Ashworth, Vice Chairman and Chairman of PAWS, Member of Horsell Afternoon 
Chris Butterfield, Press Officer -new member and member of Tadworth Court WI. One of the team that made the wall-hanging for the Surrey Room at Denman.Chris Butterfield
Betty Dominy
Betty Dominy, Joint Chairman of Home Economics- new member and a member of New Malden WI, Tutor for hygiene,preserves and bread-making.
Beryl Dunham, Vice Chairman and Chairman of Leisure Activities- new member and President of Horsell Afternoon WI, dual member at Brookwood.Beryl Dunham
Elizabeth Fisher
Elizabeth Fisher, Chairman, Member of South Godstone
Pauline Milborrow, Vice Chairman and Chairman of Special Events, Member of MersthamPauline Milborrow
June Parrett
June Parrett, Joint Chairman of Home Economics- new member and member of Box Hill Eve. WI, Group Convener of South Heathlands Group.
Jane Randell, Federation Treasurer, Member of Seale and Sands WIJane Randell
Sheila Webber
Sheila Webber, new member and member of Eastwick WI. Currently Group Convener of Emlyn Downs Group.  Denman College Representative.

There are 5 sub-committees

SPECIAL EVENTS

Chaired by Pauline Milborrow, this sub-committee raises money and promotes Surrey Federation. Many varied events are covered including Surrey WIs at local Shows, entertainment and other fundraising ideas. 

HOME ECONOMICS AND CRAFT

This sub-committee, jointly chaired by Betty Dominy and June Parrett,  aims to encourage members of all abilities to gain or improve their knowledge and skills in a variety of subjects by means of classes, lectures, demonstrations and day schools. Members' suggestions for crafts or cookery to be covered are very welcome.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

Beryl Dunham has taken over the chair on this sub-committee which aims to encourage a wide range of leisure pursuits. Events are organised under the following themes: art, leisure, literature, holidays and sport. Ideas for activities are welcome. 
Also under the Leisure Activities umbrella falls The Camera Club which meets regularly at our Paris centre. Most meetings feature a speaker and a competition or display of members' pictures. New members are always welcome.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS WORLDWIDE &  SCIENCE (PAWS)

Pat Ashworth chairs this sub-committee that has three main spheres of activity. To encourage an interest in public affairs issues, to further the work of the ACWW and promote interest in matters of a scientific nature. These aims are promoted throughout the county by arranging talks by speakers specialists in their field, visits to related venues, informative displays and discussions and debates on topical issues. One or two special events per year are arranged to support the work undertaken by ACWW.
The East Surrey Science Group and the Three Counties Science Club  are well established and prove that science is fascinating and fun.

MEMBERSHIP

The Membership sub-committee is responsible for the welfare of WIs in the federation. It consists of WI Advisers, trained and appointed by the NFWI and re-appointed annually, the members of the Board of Trustees and some co-opted members. It is now chaired by Joy Greasley whom we welcome back to this appointment after a very busy time as Vice Chairman on the Board of NFWI.

 WI Advisers arrange events linked to helping WIs plan and run their meetings effectively. There are usually a number of events annually to help the officers of each WI and local groups, including committee workshops, resolution briefing meetings and public speaking courses. The Advisers are responsible for opening new WIs and the promotion of the WI is a priority. 

One other appointment to note is Wendy Davis, the incoming Editor of Surrey WI News. This monthly publication is the main channel of communication directly from Board of Trustees to members and is full of news, keeping them fully informed of events and matters of importance.