International President Report – 2023
Well, what a year that has been, after 2+ years of various covid lockdowns it all started in July with the fantastic International Rally in Melchtal, Switzerland. Thank you everyone in WIMA Suisse for giving us such a good time.
Our social media has clearly demonstrated how busy divisions, individual members and small groups have been, getting back to what we do best by meeting and supporting each other at regular local and international events as well as those individuals lucky enough to be on their lifetime adventures.
It has been an opportunity to move on whilst not forgetting those of our members who we have lost since 2020.
In September we welcomed WIMA Iceland and Begga to our community and were delighted when WIMA UAE was resurrected by Katrina in November after it had almost disappeared through lack of members and activities.
Following discussions at last year’s ICNP meeting about membership subscriptions and a subsequent discussion paper, national presidents agreed to set up 2 funding support opportunities, one in the form of grants up to a total of €500 to assist members to attend the annual International Rally and the other in the form of loans to national divisions to help with start-up or development costs. These funds are raised through the annual subscriptions being increased to €1 per member per year.
International Treasurer, Maris Varik also has a small fund of donations from some national divisions who have overpaid or donated to assist those divisions who really struggle to pay their annual fees. If you are a national president and your members find it difficult to afford the international subscriptions, please contact Maris and see if there are funds available to help you.
To help promote events and friendships between neighbouring divisions, our International Web Manager, Karin Willers, has set up a new international WIMA events calendar where members can see what is going on beyond your own division and to which you are invited to join in. Ideal if you cannot manage to go to the International Rally but still want to travel a bit further. The calendar is on our WIMA World website.
So, as a sisterhood of women interested in motorcycling, I think that our future is looking bright, thank you to all who actively contribute time and money to make this happen.
At a personal level, over the past 12 months I have managed to visit and spend time with members of WIMA Netherlands, WIMA GB and of course, WIMA Switzerland. Hopefully I will manage to meet several more divisions in your own countries over the next 12 months
I have decided, with the support of my own National President, Siân Davis, to put my own name forward to continue as International President for a further two years. Applications are still being accepted for nominations for International President from any other members who may wish to take on the role, with the initial period being 3 years followed by one possible prolongation of 2 years.
So here is to our future, starting with WIMA France’s 2023 “Douce” International Rally.
Zara Strange, International President
France – June 2023