International President’s Report 2022
The 2022 International Rally in Switzerland will be the first time in 3 years that we have all sat together to discuss the governance of WIMA International, such a lot has changed, or been cancelled since our last face-to-face meeting in 2019 in Castleton, England.
Owing to the global covid pandemic we have not been able to ride together as we normally would, local, national and international travel and events have had to be cancelled and yet membership seems to have held up well, even growing in several divisions.
Let us thank all those officers and members who have managed, through internet meetings and social media to maintain our values of friendship amongst all women who have an interest in motorcycling and for supporting all women.
A true example of that common spirit is the way that WIMA divisions and members responded to the Russian invasion of Ukraine by donating over 16,500€ to support WIMA Ukraine and the hundreds of women and children who were being hosted and sheltered by National President, Alena. These are the funds that we know about but there were other donations sent directly to Ukraine.
Global events will nearly always have an impact upon our members and I am sure that many will have not been able to attend this International Rally in Melchtal because of the effects of unemployment and recession on family finances. Whilst WIMA International cannot solve all of these problems, I hope that members of the International Council of National Presidents will set aside time to discuss how best we can support our divisions and members, especially those who are struggling with membership numbers or resources at this time.
Now we are in 2022 it is time to once again do what we do best, to ride together, to hold events big and small to which all members are welcome, no matter what they ride, or their style of riding or how new or old their beloved motorcycles are. It is time to support each other and to enjoy each other’s company.
I have already resumed my trips to European divisions with WIMA Netherlands in May at which I learned a lot from members about they want from their WIMA and where I and the whole team can do better. I hope that future International Rallies in USA and Australia will give me the opportunity to visit divisions beyond Europe because together we are a wonderful women’s organisation that has become a major and constant part of my life.
I hope that we will all be able to adapt to our changing world where women have greater access to motorcycles, where adventures are within the reach of greater numbers of women riders but where the core of our association is the companionship and support of all women who have an interest in motorcycling.
As WIMA members we all share that common interest, whether it is riding a moped to get to work or a big shiny bike to go around the world on. Whilst this week will be an exciting week for us, we must not forget all those loyal members who cannot be with us in Switzerland in 2022.
Zara Strange, International President
May 2022 – France