Annual Meeting, Elections, Literary Quiz and Book Swap

February is Annual Meeting time and our out-going President Sandra hosted with her faithful committee around her. Previous to the meeting all members were sent the Presidents Annual Report.

First Sandra reminded us of the meetings we had enjoyed over the past 12 months:

Resolutions and Bingo, AM, Literary Quiz and Book Swap, a Local History Talk, a Skin Care Demonstration by Oriflame, a Talk and Gin Tasting by local gin distillery Cabin Pressure Gin, a fascinating Talk on Pathology, a fun Lesson in Indoor Bowls, an energising Lesson in Ceroc Dancing, an inspiring Crafting Session with watercolour tips to produce a Christmas card, an amusing Talk about the History of the British Seaside and of course our glam Christmas Party hosted by Sandra.

We were also reminded of the fundraising events the committee had organised and how much they had raised, from the local fete and Christmas bazaar to the decadent cocktail evenings and Burn's night celebrations.

Extra events organised by the committee were detailed including coffee mornings, tea and cake afternoon catch ups, sumptuous afternoon cream teas, cocktails at local venues, a Petanque evening, a theatre trip and visits to Denman House for West Sussex Federation events. Our thriving book clubs also got a mention, both Morning and Evening clubs are at full capacity and meet monthly to discuss the latest book of choice. We also enjoyed a culinary trip around Europe with our summer themed party sampling food and drink from Germany, Italy and France.

So as you can see there is always something going on.

Our Treasurer extraordinaire Joan gave her 5th Treasurers report and revealed that we have a very healthy bank balance due to our successful fundraising and thriving membership.

Thanks must go to all of the committee for their continued efforts to ensure our WI is one that is so successful. From L-R

Janet - former committee member and incoming President, Joan - Treasurer, Maire - Secretary, Sandra - out-going President of 3 years, Fi - Website and Social Media coordinator, Sara - valued committee member and Lorena - Social Secretary. We were missing three of our fab committee members who couldn't make the meeting: Kelly - Membership Secretary, Mel - Programme coordinator and cocktail queen and Sarah another valued committee member.

The elections followed with the exciting news that we have a new President, Janet who has been a member of the Bombshells for the past two years. We wish her lots of luck in her new role, she will no doubt be excellent! The committee as listed above were all successfully reelected for another year.

The business part of the meeting over, Fi then talked briefly about International Women's Day which is coming up on the 8th of March. IWD is a global day that recognises the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, highlighting the ongoing fight for gender equality and women's rights. Here's what the Bombshells are looking to do to mark the day and get involved:

1. Wear purple on the 8th of March. This is the colour of IWD and symbolises JUSTICE and DIGNITY.

   
   

2. Bring FEMENINE HYGIENE items for the Horsham Matters food bank collection in March. Specifically: deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, razors, face cleanser etc NO sanitary products please as the food bank has enough of these.

   
   

3. Think of the WOMAN WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU MOST and send me a photo of the lady in question along with her name and reason she is so important to you (I will publish my number on the Info Group chat shortly) Just a photo or just words is fine, but I'd love to hear from all of you. I will endeavour to put something together to honour these amazing ladies going forward. TIA

   
   

4. Finally join us for a tea, coffee and cake date the day after IWD, Monday 9th March 2pm at Stooks, Newbridge Nurseries. Please wear your FINEST PURPLE if you have it, or a Bombshells T-Shirt if you have one for a photo opportunity which I hope to get published in WSFN.

A multiple choice Literary Quiz compiled by Sarah was next, you can see from photos below that we all puzzled over the answers, but every team managed to score well.

And finally the book swap where everyone who bought in a book got to take another one home... a great way to recycle books and expand your reading matter.

There were 29 attendees.