Notes on Meeting 21 September 2020

 

Notes on Leigh on Mendip WI “Virtual” Meeting – Monday 21 September at 7.30pm, online via “Zoom”

All members had been invited to join this meeting – although we do appreciate that not everyone has the access to enable them to do so.   11 members joined in for our virtual meeting.

Apologies:  JWi

Updates since the last online meeting on 23 July

August Goody Bag and Newsletter

30 members contributed to the newsletter with a great range of stories and pictures. Caroline did a fabulous job of collating it. Committee put together the contents and helped deliver. Very well received with lots of messages of thanks. Book suggestions worked well and author Raynor Winn is a Somerset Zoom speaker on 22 October.

Outdoor Meetups

Risk Assessment for these meetings had been agreed and sent to all members.  They continued through August and September (thanks to Jan and Barbara for organising).  Numbers erratic due to many members getting away or seeing family, but a total of 66 met up at 14 events since 23 July. Still much enjoyed. 3 being organised this week.

Formal meetings/meeting in the Hall

Mary has already confirmed to members that due to the current restrictions there will NOT be a meeting in the Hall until further notice (hopefully early 2021 but who knows?). The current guidelines would not offer us a sociable gathering which is what most members want.  Rules may well change again this week.  Later on we will consider meet ups of 6 in the hall abiding by the regulations.                                                                                    Comm

Tai Chi

Now indoors at Mells.  Jo to discuss with those who attend about committing to a fixed number of weeks to ensure we have enough to pay.  The teacher seems fairly relaxed about how it is organised.                                   JC

Walking in Small Groups

A few members have responded to this and Mary took more names tonight – some of Committee feel 4 would be maximum ideal group size.  We will discuss further at Committee in October.                                             Comm

WI Somerset Zoom Speakers

SCFWI Weekly zoom session will run until the middle of November at least.  They would like to hear how many of our members are watching them and what they have or haven’t enjoyed. If you have watched any, please send details to Mary by end of month.  County are preparing a list of speakers they are aware of who would do a Zoom talk for us. MM also has list of those through Unofficial WI Facebook – needs checking through. No idea of costs at this stage.  MM asked if we would like to try a Zoom speaker for one of our “monthly” meetings.  Not much response – perhaps discuss at Committee.                                                                                                      Comm

AGM by paper/email

Members of the Committee had emailed or delivered on 10 September:- the 2019 Financial Statement, info re Committee (Barbara standing down, Sue D to be voted in and rest of committee willing to stay). Questions and approval requested by 20 Sept. Six members (Pauline, Sue V, Rosita, Mary C, Jan P, Sue D) replied by email to approve Finances, Sue D on Committee and rest of Committee stand – in this order. No other questions tonight.  The Finance Statement was proposed by Pauline and seconded by Sue Vaughan.  Caroline proposed Richard Blunden to continue as the Auditor for next year.  Unanimously agreed.  President and Secretary Reports were sent out last week. MM proposed the Secretary’s report to be adopted.  Agreed.  Those at the meeting were in agreement for Mary Mears to remain as President.  She commented that she will be standing down next Spring.  Other members will confirm their posts at the next Committee meeting.  MM will make returns to County and Charity Commission this week.  Pauline, who was not able to attend on Zoom tonight, wanted to put on record how grateful she is to the committee for all they have done and are doing to keep all the members in touch.  A plants was presented to Barbara to say Thank You for many years serving on the Committee.                                                                              MM

Denman College

NFWI has confirmed after appropriate consultation regarding redundancies, that it will close Denman permanently.  Zoom consultations were made available to discuss the future of the assets.  We are not aware of any Leigh on Mendip members joining in.  Barbara commented it is a great shame to lose this wonderful asset for the WI.   Mary encouraged members to continue with the online courses, which run until at least mid-November.

New WI PR Newsletter

Available for anyone to sign up for – national news, ideas, fun bits.  JP and MM signed up so far.  MM encouraged others to do so.                                                                                                                 ALL

Calendar & Diary:      Orders by end Oct to CH – check regular purchasers.                                      CH

Bulbs:       Hopefully will arrive later this week for distribution.                                                 MM/JC

Green hearts pin badge:       Each Institute have been asked to make a decorated green heart pin badge.  No offers tonight.  Perhaps one of the other members would be interested.

Birthdays:  Yvonne this month.   We will continue to send cards ongoing at least whilst not meeting. SD

AOB:    SCFWI Annual Meeting in November.  This will be held on Zoom.  More details closer to the time – we do not know if there will be a limit on numbers.

 

The business concluded Mary then did a Fun Quiz, testing our knowledge on the WI with 25 questions.  Many thanks for organising it and the photos of past events that accompanied each question were much enjoyed.