Over the last month your new committee has started working together.  It’s been sad to see people stand down who made so much effort last year, but great to see the enthusiasm that new committee members bring to the job.  As promised, we have arranged that each committee member now has a designated area of responsibly.  These are as follows:

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• President – Me (Laura)

• Vice President – Fiona

• Treasurer – Sarah

• Assistant Treasurer – Tonia

• Secretary – Jayne

• Assistant Secretary – Kay

• Events and Fund Raising – Gillain W.

• Monthly Meetings – Sheila and Nikki​

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We don’t, of course, expect our committee members to run everything that takes place at Gems.  And we don’t want to as all our members contributions are welcomed and, frankly, needed to keep us able to offer such a fantastic programme of activities.  So please everyone continue to step up to suggesting events and activities and ensuring that things run smoothly.

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A special thank you to Sheila this month for hosting our plant sale in her fabulous garden.  We all enjoyed the cakes donated by so many of you and bought loads of plants you had given us to sell.  An amazing £186.90 raised!

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In May we were also able to welcome a number of new members.  I am sure that everyone will want you feel at home with us and assist in any way we can to involve you in groups and events. 

I had the pleasure this month of acting as the delegate for not only Gems but also three other local WI’s at this year’s National Federation Women’s Institute Annual Meeting.  I was able to see how Women’s Institute at a national level functions, appointing officers, adopting standing order, hearing speeches by our National Chair and Honorary Treasurer and vote in favour on changes to our constitutional rules and on the resolution on public affairs the “Bystanders Can Be Lifesavers”.  It was a very interesting day. 

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Gems is a charity and each year we choose a local charity that we will donate to.  Last year we were able to give a total of £1,000 to Blood Runners.  We need to choose a charity for this coming year.  If anyone has a charity that is close to their heart, could they please send me their suggestions as soon as possible.  It would be helpful if the person suggesting a charity could prepare a very short presentation so that we can discuss it at our All Members Meeting and vote as to which one we will support this year.

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It seems that our Book Club is so popular we need to start another one. Sue B has kindly volunteered to take this on and, whilst I understand she may already have many of you who want to join, please contact her directly if you are interested to see if she can fit you in.

 

We will be taking stalls at the Family Fun Day which will be held at Elm Court on Sunday 17th August.  There are lots of decisions to be made about how we will run our stalls, and we will be holding meetings at 6.00 p.m. before each of our monthly meetings in June, July and August in the café at Wyllyotts. This will be a major fund-raising event for us so I would like to think that, as you did last year, as many of you a possible will volunteer to help.

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Laura.