Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees conducts the business of the Federation in co-operation with the National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI).  The Board arranges the Annual Meeting and authorises schemes of work.  Board members are responsible for the financial management of the Federation, and oversee all Sub-Committee events.  They advise on staff appointments, salaries, office equipment and maintenance of Stuart Lodge, the Federation Office, in High Wycombe. 

Creative Crafts

The Creative Crafts Sub-Committee provides exciting events and welcoming workshops ​for members with an interest in arts and crafts - wool, fabric, glass or paper, knitting, stitching, drawing or painting.  Cookery and gardening are also within the remit of this team.   The Sub-Committee offers WI members opportunities to learn new and improve on existing skills.  It also arranges visits to places of Art and Culture such as historic houses, museums, exhibitions or galleries, and administers the BFWI Silver Cup and the NFWI Elizabeth Bell Challenge competitions.

Leisure and Lifestyle

​​The Leisure and Lifestyle Sub-Committee provides a variety of events, trips and  competitions relating to the areas of leisure and lifestyle, humanities and the combined arts, including The Lady Denman Cup writing competition and the annual Inter County Quiz and the Jigsaw Challenge.

Member Support

The Member Support Sub Committee is here to help you with the running of your WI.  Comprised of WI Advisers, the Resolutions Adviser and WI Adviser helpers, this group is responsible for handling the promotion, formation, suspension, closure and enlargements of WIs in Buckinghamshire.  

The team recommends suitable members for training by NFWI, with Federation support, as WI Advisers.  It is responsible for organising meetings to discuss Resolutions and organises delegates for the NFWI Annual Meeting.  This committee also provides training to help officers and committee members run their WIs.

Press and Communications

The Communications Sub-Committee assists the trustees and all Federation working groups in promoting events, and the image of the WI, through this website and on social media.  In  conjunction with the Press/PR Officer, it is responsible for external and internal communications, including email, print and digital news media, and TV and radio.

Together with the Digital Team Leader, "Comms" are responsible for training members in the areas of communications technology and public speaking, and assist the Federation Secretary with internal publications, ​such as the Year Book and Sub-Committee handbook. 

Science and Society

The Science and Society Sub-Committee provides leadership and encouragement to members taking action on National and County Mandates and Campaigns.  We work closely with NFWI and other campaigning and public service organisations, and we are responsible for fostering and encouraging activities in connection with Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). 

Speakers

The Speakers Sub-Committee is dedicated to maintaining the quality and diversity of the BFWI Panel of Speakers, the brochure for which is published every two years.   

Speakers recommended to the Committee are selected for audition at venues around the County.  WI members' written comments at these events are relied upon to determine whether a speaker is offered an entry in the Panel.   Speakers are invited to renew their place on the Panel, updating their details, every two years.  Interim changes are published in BFWI News.
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To ensure that the standard of speakers remains high, it is requested that WIs send in a Speakers' Report Form after each monthly meeting.

Federation Staff

A valued resource is our small but perfectly formed team of staff located at our HQ in High Wycombe.
Our Federation Secretary, Office Assistant and Bookkeeper work part-time hours for all of us, but pack full-time productivity into those hours for which we are very grateful.
Contact details by clicking this link: https://tinyurl.com/y7yvm7hb