The Annual National Meeting of the Witches' Institute was held this past weekend in Hogsmeade, Scotland. And far from confirming the general ethos of the two century old group, a major change was voted in. The majority of members attending (by a 70% margin) voted to admit muggle members for the first time.
For those who are unfamiliar with the group, The Witches' Institute is a group for women which was created in 1811 by Egeria Rowle and friends, who were said to have deplored the lack of social occasions for only women of an evening. Over the last two centuries the group has grown to the modern organisation which promotes the ongoing education amongst women, alongside friendship, charitable fundraising, and the all important socialising. As National Secretary, Eunice Travers, explained, 'in the UK and Ireland groups are organised on a regional basis and generally meet monthly. Each region organises its own educational and social calendar, but a typical meeting includes an educational talk or demonstration of some kind, a competition for attendees to take part in and some time for socialising and refreshments.' I am also told that groups also take outings to national or regional events or attractions at appropriate times.
This national meeting, however, is unlike many annual meetings of major organisations. Alongside the expected large meetings which discuss budgets and amendments to national rules, there also large debates on subjects in the public consciousness, demonstrations of various hobbies and pastimes and many other break away groups. All of this activity was enthusiastically attended by a large number of women from around the country, in addition to some international invitees.
As entertaining as all of the programme items were there seemed to be only one topic conversation kept returning to: would the AGM actually vote to allow muggle women with magical ties to join the organisation? There were a wide range of views shared, both frankly and more cautiously on both sides of the argument, along with a variety of possible solutions if people voted in the positive.
Narcissa Malfoy, long time WI member and until recently President of the Godric's Hollow WI (South West regional meeting), had this to say: “Whilst I applaud the efforts of integration, particularly the lowering of the age at which magical children of muggle parents are introduced to our world, I do not feel it is necessary or even possible to integrate every aspect of our society. In the case of the WI I feel that as our activities often rely on members' magic it is unrealistic to integrate muggles when they have a comparable organisation of their own.” Mrs Malfoy is correct, the Women's Institute is a similar organisation in the muggle world, and is believed to have been inspired partly by a Canadian muggle who heard of her witch sister's time in the Witches' Institute.
It turns out, however, that the majority of delegates do not share Mrs. Malfoy's reservations, or their fears are allayed by the long and over-running discussion which takes place. In the end approximately 70% of the delegates vote in favour of allowing muggle members, more than the 60% threshold for major rule changes. A second vote is also put in place, which establishes a four month trial period where muggle women are invited to join the Godric's Hollow WI, since it meets at Crosshaven Community Centre, and the group will petition for additional Portkey provision for muggle women who wish to attend meetings closer to their home, or in other locations (membership of multiple branches is permitted). Branch President Elodie Higgs said she looked forward to welcoming new members and had been working with other members of the branch committee to ensure a smooth transition if the vote was passed. “Any women wishing to attend, witch or muggle, may join us at Crosshaven on the second Thursday of the month. If you wish to submit to the monthly competition, the upcoming theme is 'friendship across a divide' and can take any written or artistic form. A maximum size of one sheet of parchment for written entries or 12”cubed for crafted or three dimensional ones.” She also added that questions could be sent to the committee via owls marked 'WI Business'. The meeting begins at 7pm and many will surely be looking on to see how this new step of integration progresses.