Detailed information about WI recent campaigns may be found on the National WI website at http://www.thewi.org.uk/. The WI is non party political and non sectarian but it frequently finds itself campaigning on issues which are the subject of national debate.To keep up-to-date on the practical side of WI campaigns and lobbying, access the blog of Ruth Bond, the NFWI chair, at www.thewichair.blogspot.com.

Each year individual WIs put forward suggestions for campaigns. These are looked at by the National Committee and 4-6 are selected to place on a short list. The short list is then sent to each County Federation and the WI members are invited to attend "selection meetings" where the suggestions are debated.

A voting form for every member is then printed in WI Life, the Members' magazine. The votes are counted by each County Secretary and the result forwarded to the National WI.The top two or three campaign suggestions become resolutions and are put forward for debate at each WI.  Each WI votes and informs its delegate to the AGM of its decision.  If the resolution is passed, it becomes a mandate. The National WI may then campaign actively on the issue.The WI Life magazine is available free to all members and includes updates on progress and events related to WI expressed concerns and mandates.

The subjects of the resolutions for 2011 were:

• The closure of public libraries:

This meeting urges HM Government to maintain support for local libraries as an essential local educational and information resource.

This resolution was passed with a 97.79% majority. The NFWI will now campaign to raise awareness of risks to closure of libraries and work to mobilise support for local libraries.

• Proposed mega farms

This meeting abhors the practice of factory farming particularly large animals such as pigs and cows and urges HM Government to ensure planning permission is not granted for such projects.

This resolution was rejected by the delegates because it was considered badly worded and the membership had not received the relevant information to make a reasoned decision on an issue so important to the future of British agriculture. 

Whilst full details can be found on the National Federation of WIs' website at http://www.thewi.org.uk/ under Campaigns, there is a summary of current campaign issues under National WI Campaigns on the left.