## Suffolk West Federation of Women’s Institutes Charity No. 1179294 ## Trustees Report |rt|| |---|---| |**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**| |Maggie Glavin|Chairman| |Sue Archer|Treasurer| |Helen Lindfield|Vice Chairman| |Anne Ling|Vice Chairman| |Julie Higgins|| |Linda Gridley|| |June Bryant|| |Shirley Rogers|| |Yvonne King|| |Tina Walker|| ## **Governance** The Federation has a constitution approved by the National Federation of Women’s Institutes and by the Charity Commission. The managing trustees are voted for every two (2) years by the WIs of the Federation. They take office after the end of that year’s annual meeting. ## **Staff** The Federation employs two part time members of staff: Federation Secretary Rachel Hows and Finance Assistant Rachel Sparks. ## **Objects of the WI** The objects of the Federation are to further the purposes of the Women’s Institute movement in West Suffolk. The main purposes of the Women’s Institute organisation are: (a) to advance the education of women and girls for the public benefit in all areas including (without limitation): i. local, national and international issues of political and social importance ii. music, drama and other cultural subjects; and iii. all branches of agriculture, crafts, home economics, science, health and social welfare (b) to promote sustainable development for the public benefit by: i. educating people in the preservation, conservation and protection of the environment and the prudent use of natural resources; and ii. promoting sustainable means of achieving economic growth and regeneration (c) to advance health for the public benefit (d) to advance citizenship for the public benefit by the promotion of civic responsibility and volunteering. ## **Achievements** We consider our greatest achievements are supporting the interests of our members and giving opportunities for activities both new and established. Our Trustees work hard to run fun and educational events at Federation level and offer support to WI committees in running their own WI’s ensuring the continuation of enjoying the friendship in so many ways that the WI is known for. Our staff have had mandatory training and a fire risk assessment. Our Members Advisory Committee (Mac) Joined Public Relations (PR) committee joined to become Members Support Team (MST), as the 2 groups of committee members were the same the aims crossed over. Public Affairs Committee have been successful in sourcing knowledgeable and entertaining speakers to support the National Resolutions so that members can be knowledgeable when casting their votes for the resolutions to go forward. ## **Summary of the main activities of the organisation** Our annual meeting in April was well received by members although not all tickets were sold. We are hoping that after such good feedback we will sell more tickets next year. The speakers were Chris Bales from Suffolk & Norfolk Police talking about cyber security. Many members said this was the most useful part of the meeting stimulating discussion and food for thought in their personal life. Yum Yum Fudge spoke about their processes and being a small local factory in nearby Woolpit, they welcomed visiting groups. Many WI’s had already run visits but the tastings were well received and the fudge stall was very busy during the lunch break. Our afternoon speaker was Becky Jago, a newsreader from ITV Norwich who gave an entertaining talk about her life, her career experience and the backroom work in a news room. During the year we ran a Quiz night with fish & chip supper which was very popular. The monthly Soup & Natter continues to be popular for between 15 and 20 members. Other activities included a Science day, Meet the Author Kate Sawyer, Strawberry tea and games evening, paddleboarding, various crafts such as glass fusing, Jigsaw challenge, Kurling, paper crafts as well as regular activities of Mahjong, ten pin bowling, walks, Craft & Chat mornings. Outings to Holkham Hall at Christmas, Cromer End of the Year Show, Barnsdale gardens also took place and were over-subscribed. ## **Financial Review Reserves Policy** The Federation holds reserves for several reasons. 1. To cover cash flow situations where for instance the subscriptions which provide a substantial part of the income are only received in March April to cover the whole year. 2. To cover for unforeseen emergency or unexpected needs. 3. Cover for unforeseen day to day operational costs such as employing temporary staff to cover long term sick absence. 4. To meet planned commitments that cannot be met from future income alone. 5. To support the office costs following the sale of owned premises and the rental of current premises, with a view that new premises may be purchased in future. The proceeds from the sale of the Federation’s own property are held as reserves to give both access and income. Our capital has been invested through Barratt & Cooke of Norwich, an established stockbroker specialising in community and charity investments, with the intention of having inflation proofed income and increase in values combined with a low to medium risk. Due the Federation making losses on our accounts in the last few years the income from the investments has been used for the running of the federation, whereas previously this had been added to the capital. The accounts show a deficit of £21,684.38. Considerations are being made regarding the next 5 years including office space and staffing. Increased electric charges are not capped in the way domestic fuel has been and we are on a grid within the business park of our office so cannot take advantage of the charity discount. Our investments continued to perform well and recovered all of the reduction of the previous year. The Reserves Policy and Investment Policy are reviewed annually. Our membership is around 1100 and only 43 WI’s, about two thirds of the number 5 years ago which seems to be a common trend in most areas. The effect is that the Federation’s income from subscriptions and there are fewer members to attend events. Some events were cancelled due to lack of numbers. The MST committee have worked towards improving our visibility by attending local events and in particular the Christmas Light Up evening, talking to people, and this paid off when another WI opened in July. Their aim is to target a couple more villages in the coming year. The Board and staff have looked at ways to reduce costs wherever possible and increase income and will continue to do so. A Strategy Group is to be formed in late 2024 to consider the future 5 years of the offices, how they are used and staffing. The current lease is due for renewal in May 2026 and decisions have to be made 6 months ahead of that date. The Federation is also making enquiries regarding Employment Practices Liability to protect the Board, WI’s committees and all volunteers against personal liabilities. We have cover for Personal Liability and Business Liability, but some WI’s members who are considering standing on the committee have asked if there is legal protection for them. We hope that this will reassure prospective committee members, volunteers and their families that their homes etc are not at risk. We look forward to the next year being more financially successful. A Strategy Group will be formed to focus on the next 5 years, looking at costs, membership, and promotion. Covid changed the world and we have to look to the future in a different way. The Board have been constantly reviewing the finances but this group will look specifically at the office space, how it is used, how the office is run and other aspects. Suffolk West Federation of Women's Institute Charity No: 1179294 Accounts Year End 30th September 2024 Suffolk West Federation of Women's Institutes Year ended 30th September 2024 Incorne & Expenditure Income 2024 2023 23.762.Tr) 3255.￿7 91(MJ 33,037.00 Sitspended Instltute5 Dlvldend & Interest GranLIGfftAtd Creatlve Leisure Actlvltles Members Advlsory Commlttee Event Commlttee Publlc AffaiTS PR&Me Sport Catering Commlttee 12,677.( 986.00 1,455.00 590.00 65&1JJ I2,6￿.(￿1 437.( 10.300.00 275.00 2.470.00 1,667.00 1,642.00 2,032.Q) L633.fXI 58J61 65,099.00 Expendlture Federation Board Of Trustees Creatlve Lelwre Actfvlties MembersAdvlsory Commi Event Committee PublFt Affalrs PR & Medla Sports & Leisure (aterf￿ Commlttee Cholr 67265.UJ 812.(K) 363IKJ 997.Ll) 8A31. 37&LK) 74,311.(X) 989.00 791.OQ 1,182.00 7,435.00 173.CKJ 2,212.00 445.00 407.00 l3(￿.(x) 80,645.IJ) 87,945.00 Surp￿$/(defidt) for the year 121.684.00) 122,846.001 Suffolk West Federation of Women's Institutes Year ended 30th September 2024 Balance Sheet Assets 2024 2023 Offlce Equlpment Chalrmans Brooch Trade Debto Bank CurrentknuTrt Float Barratt Cooke Prtrpayment of Exwdlture Accrual of InCO￿￿t 897. 240.C 20.CKI 1,055.00 240.00 42.00 18,725.00 80.00 404,426.00 650.00 423a85.lJ) L153. 3,613.00 437A77. 428,831.00 Liabllites Trade Credftors 5usppnded Institutes F￿￿$ NFWI Affillatk)n Fees 26 682.00 6,435.00 222.00 78.00 other Credltor-women Insplred Acvuèl of Eyndtture Prepayment of Income 850.00 2.617.00 7JSS.111 10,884.00 Totsl assets less liabilities 430,222.(JJ 417.947.00 Capmal & Reserves Accumulated Funds Surplus {Defictt> Denman College Fund Investment Movement Proflt & Loss 414,841. 414,841.00 21,024.(J) 33,9S9m (2L684.￿} 4.928.(X) 122,846.001 43Q2Z2.00 417,947.00 Is I f Ip¥i' O£B££8_ la Illl Ill