You may visit any number of WIs on the Island up to three times before you decide to join. (Insert link to ‘Find a WI’ page). It is a good idea to do this, as they are all very different - in terms of time and day of meeting, where they meet, number of members, and probably most importantly, what they do. You may be shown a programme of events for the upcoming months or even the year ahead.
If you click on the individual WI pages (link needed here) you will get an idea of what happens at a meeting - no two WIs are the same. But generally, in the course of a meeting, there will be some sort of Speaker or activity, a time for business notices including info from National and Federation, and time for refreshments and chat.
Many Wis organise sub-groups, which are held in addition to their main meeting. For example there may be a book club, a gardening group, a supper club, a craft group. Not all the members want to join a club, some clubs may be small, others larger. Some may be seasonal, such as a walking group, gardening group or croquet group. Some may be held regularly on a particular day and time, while others may be ad hoc when enough members want to get together, eg for a theatre trip. If there is a sub-group that you would like to start, have a word with the Committee and they will help you to organise it. There may be a small payment for joining a club, to cover hall hire etc.
Most of our Island WIs belong to a wider Group of WIs with between 4-7 WIs in each group. Some WIs have opted out of belonging to a wider Group, but for those who belong, it is a chance to arrange bigger events combining all the WIs in a Group. For example, Groups have recently organised a garden party, a beetle drive, a line dancing evening, a theatre trip, and booked a special Speaker.
IOW Federation also have a very active Arts & Leisure Group which is open to all members. For example, the A&L committee have recently organised a bake-off event, a private visit to an open garden with afternoon tea, a ten-pin bowling event with lunch afterwards, a theatre trip and a beach walk and picnic.
If you would like to get involved at Federation level, there is the chance to help in the WI tent at the County Show, an annual event held in July, plus other events run by Federation throughout the year.
Each WI Secretary will have information about all their WI events, Group activities and Federation events which will be shared with you.
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