ABOUT US

THE WI is an organisation of individual Institutes each belonging via a County Federation, in our case Berkshire, to the National Federation of Women’s Institute (NFWI).  The NFWI belongs to the Associated Countrywomen of the World (ACWW).  This structure enables each Institute to organise itself according to member’s needs with a small selection of NFWI rules (e.g. about committees and finances).

YOUR MEMBERSHIP entitles you to serve on any of our committees or working groups, to take responsibility for a particular activity, to enter National competitions and to take advantage of the learning opportunities offered at all levels of the WI.  You may also represent our Institute in any of the County of Federation meetings to which we are invited.

DEAN RISE WI was formed in 1992 as it was felt there was a need for a Women’s Institute which could meet in the morning.  It is a member of the Thames Group of Institutes which comprises Cookham Dean, Cookham, Remenham, Cockpole Green, Mill Green and Knowl Hill, which all meet together once a year.

 
MEETINGS
We meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 10.00am. at Cookham Dean WI Hall, Church Road, Cookham Dean, Berks SL6 9PD (next door to Cookham Dean Village Hall).  The meetings finish at approximately 12 noon.  There are 10 meetings a year at the Hall, and usually two more informal house meetings.  The meetings begin with coffee and proceed to general Institute business before our speaker is introduced.  

Its members, the Trustees of our WI, are elected at the AGM which is usually held in March.  They meet a week or two before each monthly meeting to conduct the business of our WI, to administer its funds and to discuss suggestions for policy and plans of action.  The conclusions of its activities are presented to the membership for their approval at the Monthly meeting.  A small Sub-Committee drawn from all members of Dean Rise arranges the yearly programme of Speakers.

BOOK GROUP 

Our Book Group meets bi-monthly on the first Thursday of the month from 10am - 12pm on an informal basis at a member’s house.  We read a varied range of books and this is followed by a lively discussion.  There is no fee. Contact Mrs Maureen Lawrence. 

BRIDGE GROUP
This group meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 10am - 12pm.  Contact Mrs Kath Pinto.

Scrabble is held each fourth Thursday at 2.00pm.  

This group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 10.00am. 

SOCIAL EVENTS 
From time to time outings are arranged to places of interest.  There are many social events in which to participate and at some of these husbands  are welcome.  Members can also take part in Berkshire Federation outings and events as publicised in its monthly Newsletter.
 

Our subscription is £44.00.  About half of this is paid to the National and County Federations and the rest pays for our own meetings. 
 
We welcome you to Dean Rise and hope that this short summary will help you to understand our activities and that you will enjoy our meetings.