I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the Swallowtail WI. Starting with the committee.
Roisin is our Vice President and my right hand woman. She's the first smiling face you see when you arrive and she's my own personal talking clock - she keeps me running to time during the meetings and committee nights and makes sure we all get home at a decent time. She's in charge of most of our technology and did a brilliant job on the website. She also runs the most active of our clubs, the dog walking group. If Roisin is my right hand, then Szara is my left. She's our secretary and she keeps on top of the paperwork and trust me when I say that's an awful lot. She writes the record of every meeting and keeps us up to date with what’s going on in the WI. She's our raffle queen and quiz mistress, and helps to keep us financially afloat. Our committee meetings are an event in themselves and I doubt there are any other committees who have quite as much fun or laugh as much as we do. A lot of that is down to Szara. Vicki has the most challenging job of all the committee, she's our treasurer and we're completely indebted to her, and she's the reason we aren't in debt. I have to admit we press ganged her into the role before she knew what it involved and she's been on a hugely steep learning curve but she's cracked it and we have the accounts to prove it. She's our chief negotiator, with everything from reduced venue rent, discount chips to compensation from Barclays, she's saved us a lot of money this year. Vicki is also the talent behind our crochet butterfly badges and they're the way to spot a committee member. Jody is our assistant treasurer and she has helped Vicki sort out the accounts and battle with the WI spreadsheets. Jody is the one who emails you to make sure we have snacks and drinks at every meeting and without her it would be water and stale biscuits. Jody is also our go to woman for cross stitch squares for the tablecloth whenever someone falls through. Kate is in charge of contacting the speakers and making sure they turn up and have everything they need when they do. She's one of the warmest and friendliest people I know and she greets visitors and helps them settle in. Kate also organises our fantastic film club and is head of committee socials. It's definitely not all work and no play on the committee and we've all become really close friends over the past year. Kim is in charge of all the important things that make the Swallowtail WI so special. She takes care of our tablecloth, sewing on every square you make and keeping track of all our supplies. She writes all the birthday cards and most importantly of all, she lays out the snacks! I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped out with the behind the scenes tasks over the year. Anita who makes sure the kitchen and bathroom are clean and fully stocked. Louise who took our fairies to the show. Kate who typed up our tips guide. Jenny King who designed our tickets for next year's quiz and Jenny Bach who is our new resolutions advisor. Kerry who set up and runs our book club and finally thank you to Ruth, Jeanette and Lucy who helped us form the original committee. Sadly life got in the way and they had to step down. We miss seeing you at committee and you're always welcome back. While we may be the faces of the Swallowtails what you don't see are our understanding family and partners who support us with our mad ideas, like setting up a WI and don't complain, at least not too much, when we abandon them several times a month for various WI duties. We are happier women because of the WI and so I like to think they benefit too. Plus we pay them in cake. Finally I would like to say a big thank you to you the members. Without you there would be no Swallowtail WI, no great nights out or new friends made. Every single visitor we have, especially those from federation, comment on what a warm, friendly atmosphere we have here and that's because of you. You're always willing to welcome new people, to get involved and you show up month after month. We do this for you and the reward of being part of the Swallowtail WI is definitely worth it. Thank you. Claire
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