Membership.

The WI are a group of ‘girls’

Who vary in their ages

Between them they have many skills

And some are wise old sages!

If you could catch their knowledge

And put it in a book

And add in all the recipes

That they all like to cook

Mix it with their wisdom

And a bit of humour too

You’d get a flavour of the WI

And what it could do for you!

It’s more than cooking and sewing

There are talks and games and crafts

And it all gets done and dusted

With an awful lot of laughs

So seek out your local WI

And go along to a meeting

You’ll find it very interesting

And you’ll get a lovely greeting

And just in case you’re worried

About nude calendars and stuff

Rest assured they’ve no intention

Of posing in the buff!

It’s not that they are all too shy

About the ‘altogether’

I think the real reason might just be

The chilly English weather!!!

What type of member are you?

Are you an active member, the kind who would be missed,

Or are you just contented that your name is on the list?

Do you attend the meetings and discuss things with the crowd,

Or do you always stay at home and grumble long and loud?

Do you help with committee, visit a member who is sick,

Or leave the work to just a few, then complain about the clique?

Do you support all functions and do a useful job,

Or is your only comment, 'I'm just one of the mob'?

Come to WI more often and help with hand and heart,

Don't be just a member but take an active part,

Think this over, members, you must know right from wrong,

Are you just a member or do you just belong?

This poem appeared in Warwickshire's Newsletter & came to my eye via the Oxfordshire Federation News & Views Newsletter.