The WI

[Isitdone]

Does anyone still belong to the WI?

Im in my early 30s, a few young DC and would like to be part of a group of like minded women, I’m new to my area and figure it might be a good way to meet new people however, what do they do now?

Im not on SM (apart from dabbling on MN) so out of the loop

I left because of the TWAW stance. And the membership fees are extortionate for what you get and the magazine is utter crap.

@TakeMeToYourLiar i actually love the company of older women so it would probably be right up my street if that’s the case

That's the pro rata rates. So if you join part way through the year you don't pay for the whole year.

If they have gone up to £110 I won't renew next year.

I think you have misread the pro rata bit. Fees go from April normly at 44 a year for this year. It is less if you join later in the year.

Do they accept all women in their groups including cis and trans women? Difficult to get confirmation in this thread so far. If so I'll be inclined to look into joining

Unfortunately they accept certain males.

@Carrieonmywaywardsun Yes, judging by PP and since looking at press and media they do accept CIS and trans women

I wonder if they accept women who are just, you know, women. Not cis. Not trans. Just women.

From the diversity policy

Transgender women are welcome to join the WI and to participate in any WI activities in the same way as any other woman.

A person who was assigned female at birth but who identifies as non-binary is able to join the WI. This is because they fall within our women only exemption as they were assigned female at birth. As mentioned above, the WI does not ask members to prove their sex when they join the WI

I'm a member, really enjoy it, especially the mixed ages bit. Different groups have a different feel, so it's worth 'shopping around' as it were. Some are very traditional (singing Jerusalem each meeting etc.), some are very young, some are very into activism. Ours has a mix of ages from early thirties up to eighties, no Jerusalem, quite relaxed.

I had no idea some groups actually sing Jerusalem!!

Very few do, ours never has and I don’t think any in our city do as we’re all fairly new groups.

I think the few who do tend to be very long running traditional groups.

Course they do 🙄

It’s nowhere near that amount and never has been, it’s around £44 annually.

I'm in my 40s and in our local WI. I'm one of the younger ones but not the youngest by some way. There are some great activities and I have met some lovely people.

It’s about £44 a year, not that much.

That’s the pro rata rates, so if you join for the first time part way through the year you pay a proportion of the £44 total.

I want to be stunned to learn that WOMENS institute accepts men, but sadly, I’m not in the least surprised.

I looked into joining a while ago but when I found out they deem a woman to be what one 'feels' as opposed to what one is it put me off so I didn't join. I joined a different group specifically for women only and I've made some of the best friends I've ever had

I've often thought about joining the WI and I've just looked up local groups. One of them is called Buns & Roses. I like the sound of them.

There's also one called Rhubarb & Custard (we're in the epicentre of the Rhubarb Triangle).