Bits and Bobs from Little Rock

Well we all arrived safely at the Airport only to find that the Airplane broke down so all those conference delegates flying home via Chicago ended up being re-booked and will all get home later than expected! Well how dare we complain - its not a Volcano!!

The Conference was wonderful for 'us first timers' - I learnt a great and now am very keen to set up a support group in our Federation as so many others seem to have them. I think a celebratory Lunch would be good if I can persuade one of my 'notable' neighbours to be a speaker! My husband enjoyed it too - I wouldn't like to speculate on what those spouses got up to on their tours!!

However it is about those less fortunate than ourselves - I have met someone here at the Airport from Cameroon - she has no water in her village!

On a salutary note for everyone - my Delegate Friend from Hampshire had pencils to give out (everyone here gave us pins) but they arrived late - so she gave them to an African Delegate who said 'thank you - now every child can have a pencil and not have to share one'. I think this brings home to people what ACWW is all about.

Thank you for all your positive comments about this blog - I hope it has helped those who were not able to be here - we missed you all.

26th Triennial Conference- Gala Dinner

The Gala evening was a great success with a pre gala evening with great entertainment from the Hot Springs National College. Champagne Cocktails or Fruit cup was served and everyone had dressed up - there was even a hat!

The Dinner was great with a poem read by one of the American Delegates to celebrate the success of the conference. We were entertained by an amazing Flute Ensemble, who's programme featured global unity.

We enjoyed a Chicken Wellington with seasonal vegetables followed by a chocolate mouse tulip.

Everyone was given an engraved glass plate and left the Conference feeling that it had been a great experience.

26th ACWW Triennial Conference - Day 6

Announcements this morning included the information that Shutterfly web site will not be up and running for two weeks.

Then the meeting began with competition winners being announced. The results of the Elections were up on the screen - it seems like a Scottish take over but more information on the results will be in the Countywoman I am sure.

We then had a minutes silence for Isabela Jariega-Nowacka, the Polish MP who was killed in the recent Polish President's Air Crash - she was an active ACWW member.

A Resolution to destroy ballots was proposed, seconded and agreed.

The resolutions were then revisited

Resolution 7 - withdrawn

Urgency Resolution re Subscriptions - Carried

Recommendation 1- Tree Planting - carried

Recommendation 2 - Individual Membership - Carried

It was noted that 163 Quilt squares had been submitted and the expected total amount raised is £2023

There was then a presentation on the life of Madge Watts 'From Vancouver Island to the Isle of Anglesey'

This covered much of the research work that Linda Ambrose has been doing - she will publish a book on Madge Watts next year.

Then the closing ceremony began with the Summation of Conference.

The New Zealand delegate highlighted the significant things - the Volcano, the Hospitality of the USA Members and the five 'Fs' - Friendship, Fun, Fellowship, Food and Finance

She spoke about the many reports which showed that ACWW is on Track and ended with a tribute to the World President.

The World President than paid a hearty vote of thanks to the host society and the work they had done to organise such a successful Conference.

The Chairman of the Country Women's Council of the USA responded saying it had been a privilege to host the Conference and hoped everyone would go home to build a global network of friendship and love.

The Deputy World President gave a vote of thanks to the World President who was elected to her first office 30 years ago! She has an impressive record in ACWW but she is a loved and respected figure across the world and because of her the world is a better place.

The World President then gave her farewell address - she said she had taken the road less travelled, had spoken across the world and attended many Conferences and events but this Conference tops them all. Reflecting on the last 6 years she is looking forward to freedom. she owed a debt of gratitude to her wonderful Team - the ACWW Board 2007-2010, ending with 'Goodbye and thank you for listening'

The new World President then spoke telling all of us the Chinese proverb 'may you live in interesting times. Her address ended by saying that she had dreams and vision summed up by the song 'Id like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony'.

Next it was the presentation of the chain of office and badges to the incoming board members by the World President.

The closing address was given by the outgoing World President encouraging attendance at conferences, sharpening the focus and celebrating the achievements of ACWW - this was followed by the Song of Peace.

After which the Flags were taken out and the ~Platform party were escorted from the stage by Firemen again.

In the Afternoon the World President Chaired that last Council meeting - key events were the resolution to round up the 5% increase in subscriptions to the nearest Pound, which after much debate was agreed. and an amendment to by law 18 (postal Votes) - carried.

As Conference votes to abolish Council a new Constitution is needed and this will be produced and sent to organisations as soon as it is ready.

A bucket for small change was brought to the President - it contained $811 dollars! for PFF

UN Representatives were appointed.

There was no date for the next meeting of Council as council had been abolished.

The Area Meetings followed Chaired by the Chair of the Projects Committee - much of this was a repeat of the meeting last Thursday for the benefit of new arrivals. The Irish members promoted the next Area Conference in Dublin details of which will be in the next Country Woman.

The new Treasurer asked for anyone to email with Questions so that issues could be dealt with immediately.

Then we were all dispatched to get ready for the Gala Dinner!

26th Triennial - Outings

Today we did a tour of Hot Springs starting with the Hot Spring and visiting one of the Bath Houses to learn the history of Hot Springs from the time of the Native Americans to the present day. We then went to the Museum of Modern Art (not as good as MOMA in New York!) - but interesting local art.

Then it was to the winery where we tasted Arkansas wine - only small amounts though!

We then had lunch at what is the equivalent of our County Showgrounds with the Lunch prepared and served by the Arkansas Home Extension group - this was a large Hall and afterwards I asked my new friend who had been responsible for preparing and serving the meal how many members came to their regular meetings - 300!!! She is a great person and we have become fast friends.

Then it was off to the Garvan Woodland Gardens owned and managed now by the University of Arkansas. These were wonderful gardens and restored some faith for me - I had begun to think that Americans didn't Garden!

Afterwards I am sorry to say I was exhausted and fell asleep!

We missed the Interfaith Service this morning after which the results of the Elections were announced - it seems that we have a new World President from Scotland!!!!! Wonderful news as were all the other results - but more tomorrow!

26th Triennial - Day 4

Today we Europeans moved to the front of the Hall - we were at the back before so now we have a great view and can hear clearly! more UK people are arriving each day so we are growing in number!

Day 4 began with a welcome from the World President who was encouraged to see no empty seats which she was expecting after last nights evening when many delegates danced the night away! ( WP has a very dry sense of humour!)

Sadly we began with a minutes silence as the National President of Australia had to leave Conference as her husband had died suddenly.

Then it was the turn of those standing for election to speak for one minute in support of their candidacy. (see Circular 4 although many people did not remotely resemble their photographs)

From 10.30 the voting began and the Conference resuming at 2pm after lunch.

We queued to cast our votes - see photo!

Afternoon Session

Taking Edna Junkins advice in the afternoon the Board put on baseball caps and dark glasses - this was their incognito hats!

Then the Chairman of Committees gave their reports

First the Project Committee Chairman (Green book p 11&12) She highlighted the New Jerusalem Project in Peru which provided clean water for a community with a previous high level of child deformities caused by polluted water.

Then the Mongolian Green Streets Project and lastly the work in Sri Lanka.

Closing her report with Kofi Annan's words that clean water was a fundamental human right and asking delegates to remember that every 20 seconds a child dies because of polluted water. An astounding statistic was that 2.6 billion people lack access to sanitation.

ACWW is truly making a difference.

The Promotion and Publications Commitment Chairman was unable to be in Hot Springs so the report was read by a committee member - (p12/13)

Next came the Chairman of the Agricultural Committee(p9) who highlighted a project in Sierra Leone.

The Chairman of the UN Committee (p14) spoke next - they have produced papers on the Millennium Development Goals (I have copies)

Resolution 7: Pennies for Friendship - although carried there was great discontent about the lack of scrutiny of the voting process in view of this it will be brought back to Conference for another vote on Tuesday.

Throughout the Conference photographs have been put up on screens every day - these will be available at http://acwwusa2010.shutterfly.com/ but not until we all have returned home - so try this next weekend!

There was a discussion about those not contributing to pennies for friendship, followed by the presentation of 'money boxes' for everyone to use for collecting money (I have a number of these)

Workshop reports followed, and then a report on the Pen Friends Scheme with more People needed who were prepared to use languages other than English.

The meeting closed with the information that no one had come forward to host the 2016 Conference and those interested should contact the General Secretary

The USA Evening

Well what a fantastic time we all had! Around the room were farming demonstrations showing the rich and fertile land of Arkansas and the diversity of American Farming. We were all given a goody bag with loads of rice, nuts, mozzarella, soya candles, pop corn, peanuts and much else ( please come to Heathrow on Thursday am and bail Chris and I out - I am sure you are not allowed to bring food into the UK!

Many of you will notice in the photo a former World President milking a cow!

I just don't know how we will get the model farms home - they are lovely but very heavy!

I loved the shinny red beads with a matching lobster - I will be wearing them everywhere!(and so will Chris!) The band was truly Arkansas and altogether it was a great evening - I feel sorry telling you all about it when you were not here!!

26th Trienium Day Three

The meeting began with the singing of 'All over the World'

A new resolution was presented

Be it resolved that the membership[fees for Category 1, 11, 111 and 4a (Excluding 4b) will be increased by 5% for the next Triennium'

There will be a vote on this later in the Conference.

Resolution 3 Women need access to credit (see Circular 3) Carried

Guest Speaker Enda Junkins - a psychotherapist and a laughter therapist

'Laughter: The light Solution to Stress'

An excellent and very funny presentation which got us all laughing and participating begining with a group temper tantrum!

Enda used Hats to make us laugh - we loved the 'Crab hat for going sideways and the Scarlett O Hara for 'don't give a damn' days.

We then went to the workshops - everyone had a chance to attend each workshop.

Leadership - Up and Moving

Good exercises and ideas - but I don't think members in our Institute would appreciate being given a turnip for 'turning up'

Recycling, Resolution and Results

Nothing new here for the Brits although we were able to share ideas with other delegates over lunch - they didn't appreciate our fines for putting the wrong thing in the wrong bin or 'Spy Bins'

Laughter: The light Solution for Stress

This gave Enda Junkins the opportunity to go into more depth following her earlier presentation we played with hats and beach balls and learnt the positive effects of play and laughter.

Plenary

Finance report : Carried

Resolution 4 (see circular 3) Stop use of Plastic Bags and Reduce Packaging Carried as amended

Resolution 5 Financial Management Carried

Resolution 6 Retention of Arable Land for Food Production : Carried

The amendment was rejected following a vociferous debate!