4W’s - WALTON WONDER WOMEN WISHing - Clue #4

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The four of us gathered at Tim Horton's with Sherry McCall for coffee/tea and conversation. Sherry does have her bookmark in her hand.
WISH CLUE #4 - AN ACT OF KINDNESS FINDS FRIENDSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP

Our team, the 4W’s - WALTON WONDER WOMEN WISHing had to improvise on this as we do not have a local establishment that serves refreshments of any kind in our village. I asked a local lady, Sherry McCall, if I could pick her up to join us for coffee at Tim Hortons in Seaforth. I told her it was in regards to a WI Scavenger Hunt that we were participating in and she graciously accepted.
When we got there drinks were purchased and we participated in the Smile Cookie Campaign that was going on…supporting the Ontario Student Nutrition Program - Huron Perth. (Upon writing I realize this is another organization that a Walton WI member supported!!)

Since two of our WISH members, Nancy Denham and Mary Peterson, along with Sherry all know that there is a WI branch in Walton we, Ruth Axtmann and myself, Margaret McInroy, told them about the history of WI and how we reach out into the community supporting Walton Community Hall, Huron-Perth Christmas Bureau, The Legion Poppy Fund, Brussels Fall Fair, etc. Unfortunately due to Covid and our dwindling number (currently 5 members) we haven’t had any fundraisers in the last couple of years.
I did mention how sad it is that WI was started in Ontario and the numbers are decreasing and wondered how we could get members to join. I mentioned our WI venture into Zoom meetings and not having to leave home to attend.

I also shared that the WI has over 190,000 members in the UK who just acknowledged their 107th Anniversary on September 16th, but in respect for HM Queen Elizabeth II, a much loved monarch and WI member, they were not holding their usual celebrations. As an example the Golden Triangle Girls Women’s Institute, a vibrant, modern WI branch based near Norwich, England started in 2011 with 22 members now has 70 members and a waiting list to join! They are attracting ladies of all ages and walks of life.

We know our three non-members in attendance well and know from previous conversations that they respect the WI and what we stand for but have no desire to join. We asked why?
These ladies are already active volunteers in other organizations and just don't want to add more into their busy lives. The politics within organizations was also mentioned as a deterrent for joining.
Nancy gave each of us a bookmark and we forgot to include one in the picture that we remembered to snap just as we were leaving.
Even though we didn't follow directions well and got no new members, we certainly had a great time discussing WI and each other’s personal involvement within our home community and farther afield.

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