Resolutions 2014

The shortlist of resolutions for 2014 has now been decided and WIs across the country will vote for the ones they wish to support by January 24th 2014.  After this time, a final selection of resolutions are taken forward to discuss at the summer AGM.

If a resolution is passed at the AGM, it will become a mandate and forms the basis of campaigning and awareness activities carried out throughout the WI membership in the years ahead.

Below is the latest mailing from the WI with the shortlist for 2014. The Sotonettes are also blogging about each issue in advance of their vote at the end of November 2013 so please have a read at our views on the subjects too – links below.

“There were a good selection of resolutions this year, 51 of them. This was such an improvement on last year when there were only 22, many of them rather poor. Discussing each one in detail, as we do at the Selection meeting to choose the shortlist, took a long, very intense day. Some very good resolutions unfortunately fell by the wayside, including two from Hampshire, but the short list consists of some campaigns which we will really be able to get our teeth into. They are:

  • Campaign against female genital mutilation. This is in keeping with WI campaigns on violence against women and girls and promoting female rights. The DPP is working on it, but we can certainly add our voice. Read our blog post.
  • Provision of non-acute hospital beds. This is a campaign we could do locally to ensure that there are places made available for people who are able to go home but can’t because there is no-one to look after them; it would also apply to dementia patients who occupy nearly a quarter of hospital beds. An NHS hostel bed would be cheaper than one in a hospital. Read our blog post.
  • Funds for womens’ centres to cater for the specific needs of vulnerable women at risk of offending. This is another campaign which sits well with our promotion of female rights. Keeping women out of jail helps on so many levels, particularly concerning their families. Read our blog post.
  • Increasing organ donation. We are not alone in campaigning for this, but even if we only encouraged more of our members organ donations could be increased. Read our blog post.

Do you feel strongly about any of the issues suggested above?  If so, would you be willing to write a blog post about it?  We’re hoping to get the discussions started before the meeting so any input from Sotonettes members would be greatly appreciated.  Find out how to contact us here.