Campaigns & Communication Team
CAMPAIGNS & COMMUNICATION TEAM
Chair Suzanne Plamping
Are you looking for something new ? Are you wanting to get involved in Federation activities? Then the opportunity to join this Team might be what you are looking for. The aim is to oversee all aspects of communication with and on behalf of the Federation. This includes all media contact, social media, website, printed format and 'in person' promotional events. To develop and publicise WI campaigns and promotions. email:secretary@nottswi.org.uk if you are interested
NOVEMBER
It's been a busy month with the launch of the Nottinghamshire Fed Campaign Calendar (a copy is with your Officers, on Facebook group and on SharePoint). It has lots of ideas to help you get involved, from quizzes to craftivism ideas. We also had the WI Voices event at Ruddington, with the wonderful displays. Congratulations to Ruddington WI in winning the public vote with their display of SOS “Save the Bees” and to Runners up Forest Town WI with their display of WI campaign from 1930 “Ban the importation of performing animals”.
We have fabulous letters to the future, with winner Rosemary Shatliff of Annesley WI and runner up Margaret Edge of Shireoaks WI. At the event we had a raffle and the winner of the craft hamper, Annettte of Radcliffe on Trent WI has been busy. She has written to let me know what has happened to the prize; “Very grateful for your care at the WI promotion in Ruddington. I won the massive craft raffle prize. With a group of women, I ran an evening designing mugs for the WI national campaign to profile Domestic Violence 'Not in my Name'. We again raffled your amazing craft box which raised £46 which we donated to Nottingham Women's aid. Our designs have been submitted to WI Wales.” What a great way the event promoted WI in the wider community and supported Nottingham Woman’s Aid.
I attended the official opening of the Sharewear distribution and sort space - named as ‘Re-launch Celebration.’ It was a great event attended by their patron, His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering; Deputy Lieutenant Mark Goldby – their Ambassador Lead; Councillor Richard Butler, Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council (who I also recently met at the “thank you” session at Mansfield Library for the Inspire Care Square Blanket Knitting Challenge) ; and Councillor Andy Brown, Mayor of Rushcliffe Borough Council, as well as representatives from other supporting organisations and businesses.
Don’t forget the Resolution Shortlist meeting on Tuesday 26th November 7:30pm - via Teams, look out for details (booking via admin@nottswi.org.uk). A great way to get some information on the resolutions that each member has a vote on.
Just want to say to everyone - Thank you for your work in inspiring women and being bold in your community.
OCTOBER
TAKE PART IN “16 DAYS OF ACTION” 25TH NOVEMBER – 10TH DECEMBER
This autumn we are encouraging members to take action to end violence against women by pledging to take part in 16 days of action. Spearheaded by the UN, 16 days of activism against gender-based violence runs from 25th November (International Day to End Violence against Women) to 10th December (Human Rights Day). Ideas on how to support it are in the Campaign Calendar.
Resolution Shortlist meeting Tuesday 26th November 7:30pm - via Teams, look out for details (booking via admin@nottswi.org.uk). A great time to get some information on the resolutions that each member has a vote on.
SEPTEMBER
We hope you enjoyed the WI Voices display at Ruddington, if you are interested in campaigns Clean River Action is taking place between 16 and 22 September.
You or your WI could get involved by:
1. Arranging a stunt: there is Stunt Toolkit on MyWI.
2. Take part in citizen science: The WI has partnered with Freshwater Watch to offer WIs and members the opportunity to conduct citizen science in their local area. Between 20 and 22 September you can sign up to get a free water testing kit to check the condition of your local river. Testing is easy to conduct, and you can instantly upload your results to contribute to their National Report. Details also on MyWI.
3. Share NFWI social media graphics (let us know if you need a copy)
4. Craft a dragonfly keyring or River Goddess: If you’re feeling creative, why not check out NFWI Clean Rivers craft projects? The crochet dragonfly is a quick and fun project, perfect for the Week of River Action. It can be a great conversation starter or a small gift. Maybe you can use it to start a conversation with your MP?
ACWW NOTIFICATION
ACWW have changed their constitution and the way they distribute their funds. In pre-covid (constitution change) years, money collected by Federations was assigned to specific projects chosen by each Federation. This policy has now changed with all monies going into a central pot, so we are now unaware of which projects benefit. The Federation Trustees have discussed the situation and don't feel satisfied in the way the money is being spent.
The Federation is extremely grateful for all your support over the years, but they now feel the time has come to re-evaluate their contribution to ACWW, so therefore from this year onwards Nottinghamshire Federation of WIs will no longer be affiliated and collecting for ACWW as a Federation. However, this does not prevent individual WIs or individual members collecting and donating directly or becoming a member. As of April 30th 2024 please send your cheque directly to ACWW at The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London, SE11 5RR or you can donate online via their website acww.org.uk
Since the National Federation and the Charity Commission have relaxed our charity giving rules individual WIs can donate to any charity of their choice if it is related to a charity which shares the objects of the WI - local or national (not an individual or animal charity).
SHOW THE LOVE BAGS
2024 is a new year with new challenges – this year the Campaigns and Communication Team challenge you to make bags. An enclosure form is with your WI with all the details. The bags can be made from reused fabric, or any spare material you no longer need. When you have made the bag perhaps you might want to add in a few food items, then we would love you to donate it to your local food bank. Trussell Trust - Hope and Bassetlaw Group have replied and are pleased that we are linking together to show the love to the environment (reducing plastic) and to your community. They will then reuse any bags we make.
What to do:
1. Bag your bags (make sure they are strong and large enough - there are patterns on SharePoint).
2. Count up the bags and drop off at a food bank or alternatively at County Office
3. Complete the form (or email it) https://forms.office.com/e/qPBjniJsJW
4. Make some more bags and repeat. The challenge runs over the next 6 months. Submissions should be made by 1st October, so we can have a count up.
We have some exciting plans for September to celebrate the WI and the ‘Voices of Women’ there will be a Co-operative Competition for your WI!
SIMPLE ACTIONS FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT
Did you know that Nottinghamshire Federation WI collect these items to re-use/recycle?
- Jewellery & Watches in any material even if damaged or broken
- Currency any coins or banknotes, UK & foreign (even if out of circulation)
- Mobile Phones
- Cameras old film, digital and video
- Stamps loose, single, albums, first day covers, presentation packs, collections
- Gadgets Sat-Navs, Ipods, MP3 players, games consoles, games & accessories
- Inkjet Cartridges
You can take items to County House or to any Federation event you are attending.
Events mentioned above can be found in previous enclosures, SharePoint and on website https://nottinghamshire.thewi.org.uk/county-office-booking-forms-and-downloads
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The poster gives you details of any of your unwanted jewellery that we can Recycle, the proceeds will help to raise funds for the Federation. An enclosure to your WI includes more details for anyone wishing to post direct. However, you can also bring your items into the Federation County Office for the Communications Team to box and bag up – these include the items in the poster but also e-recycling items – these all have raw materials that can be reused in them: we are collecting
- Mobile Phones
- Cameras (old film, digital and video)
- Gadgets (Sat-Navs, Ipods, MP3 players, games consoles, Tablets, e-readers, (games & accessories)
This project helps the environment but will also raise funds for the Federation.
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If you want to hear more about what NFWI are doing on Campaigns sign up to digest https://mywi.thewi.org.uk/public-affairs-and-campaigns/public-affairs-digest Or observe on our committee or join the team, we meet via zoom currently the second Tuesday 19:30. You are welcome to come along as an ahoc member for a specific campaign or as a general member to help shape the campaigns and events in Nottinghamshire.
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Development of the Digital Team
We have a digital team who support WI members with digital matters. This is not a closed group and more people are welcome, whatever level of commitment you can give.
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If you have a Resolution you wish to submit please contact secretary@nottswi.org.uk
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