You may visit any number of WIs on the Island up to three times before you decide to join. 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.
Each WI Member pays a subscription fee to cover the cost of her membership and to help with running the organisation.
The 2025/26 subscription is £51, which is split between your own WI, Federation and the NFWI to help with running individual groups and the organisation as a whole. The Membership year starts in April – if you join after June you will pay less (fees are pro-rated for each quarter).
This works out at only £4.25 a month - less than a couple of cups of coffee!
Each WI has the flexibility each year to decide whether to either waive their portion of the subscription fee, reduce it slightly, or keep it the same as set by NWFI.
Each WI member on the IOW is entitled to: 11 meetings, (no formal meeting in August). These will usually include an activity, speaker or demonstration.
WI Life magazine (distributed 8 times a year from NFWI, direct to members’ letterboxes). This includes articles about WI members, campaign updates, lots of news and photos from around the country and a Crossword/quiz section. WI members also benefit from discounts from many organisations who advertise in the magazine.
My WI – The National WI website.https://mywi.thewi.org.uk/welcome-to-my-wi. The latest news, information and ideas of how to get involved in campaigns.
The Learning Hub - https://learninghub.thewi.org.uk/ - a huge choice of online courses, all free, run by the National WI.
Fed News - the quarterly newsletter produced by IOW Federation, edited by Georgina Moon, Federation Secretary.
There are many opportunities to get involved in group activities, events, campaigns. Listen to interesting speakers and meet like-minded women.
If you click on the individual WI pages (under Find your WI) 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.
If perhaps you have recently retired or would simply enjoy a more active role in your WI, you might consider joining the Committee. There are three roles which exist in each WI which are:
President - responsible for the overall running of her WI.
Secretary – ensures Committee business is carried out.
Treasurer – oversees her WI’s accounts and gives financialadvice to the Committee.
There may additionally be a Vice President, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Programme Secretary so there’s likely to be something you would enjoy and find rewarding.
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