26th Triennial Conference Day 2

The Deputy President (who had arrived despite the Volcano) was welcomed by the World President.

There was then a reminder about the voting arrangements for the Registered delegates from Europe - Conference Vote carried now to be enacted.

The Board was then introduced.

The World President then gave her Keynote Address, welcoming delegates and then recounting stories of her travels both enjoyable and dreadful. There were many sites across the world in Africa and many other places - often involving getting up at 4am and travelling in dreadful cars on unmade rocky and precipitous roads.It involved sharing rooms with rats and being offer red stream water to wash in complete with snakes despite this the visits were often inspiring. The World President has been given many gifts, goats, vegetables, live chickens etc. This has given her an in depth knowledge of women and communities and their needs and wants which are the same the world over. It also has shown her what poverty and deprivation really means, food shortages, no clean water or sanitation, illiteracy and no opportunities for learning. The World President highlighted issues of skills shortages, the Caste system,lack of loans,health and mortality, water borne diseases and issues affecting children and old people. ACWW provides much practical support and works against gender based discrimination - it has achieved much positive success and helped thousands of women, it can influence the UN.

The profile of ACWW is low and it can seem like a secret organisation but its achievement are great for Women Worldwide. ACWW can empower women to find a voice, however it needs to be through having a firm financial footing.

The World Presidents address was presented with much humour, sincerity and as she said was just an overview, I am sure the full text will be printed for others not able to be in Hot Springs.

Tea Followed with the opportunity to shop in the American Country Store and admire the collection of quilt squares brought by delegates from all over the world.

After Team the Area President's gave their reports - they are all in the green book which I will share with everyone when I get home.

Canada was first (p20) followed by South Africa (p17) Central and South Asia,(p18)

The Deputy World President gave her report - again its in the green book (p5) but she also that we are small scale funders - not big like many other organisations but a Little goes a long way and in her travels she has found that someone who cares is as important as funding. She also gave a wonderful ten point plan based on Noah's Ark

The Secretaries report came next (p7) - presented by a Welsh member because the Secretary had not made it through the Volcanic Ash!

Then it was lunch - a delicious Hot Soup - very welcome as there was a dreadful thunder storm out side with torrential rain!

In the afternoon we began with more Area Presidents reports

East, West and Central Africa (P15), and then the Finance report (p8) There was proposal to increase the Subcriptions but to be honest the Finance report was confusing and did not go down well - it will return on day 3..

Next was a presentation and video about the 27th Triennial Conference to be held in partnership with DMI (Daughters of Mary Immaculate) in Chennai, India in 2013 - it looks fascinating!

The Area Presidents continued their reports :-South East Asia and the Far east (p19), South Pacific (p23), USA - who got us all singing! (p25) Caribbean (P21) and of course Europe (p22)

As each Area President gave their reports the delegates from those areas went on the stage and stood behind them - this was a great way to see every ones costumes or corporate 'uniforms'

After Tea the New York UN rep told us about her work promoting the aspirations of women.

At then end of the day we returned to finance again - everyone was really tired by then!

However Resolution 1 & 2 were carried - see Circular 3

This is of course my own personal view from my notes - apologies if I get anything wrong. I hope you are all as disappointed as I was that my Husband did not find and equivalent to the Koh i Nor Diamond on the Diamond digging Spouses tour!