21/01/2010

Dear WIZO friends and colleagues, members of Lapid Seminar, ladies and gentlemen.

It is my great privilege as the representative of WIZO.uk, the founding mother federation of WIZO, to deliver my summary of the MOR.

Every day we are bombarded with hundreds of symbols, brands and logos.  They become so familiar to us that they are part of the wallpaper.  This morning, with the end of the MOR in sight, I logged on to check my e mails and there, blinking at me, in the corner of the screen were the four little coloured flags of the Microsoft emblem.  I was transfixed.  It will never be just Microsoft to me again.   It will always make me remember Maya, the brave young woman who told us the story of an abusive husband, who destroyed her self esteem and her confidence.  But who picked her up off the floor at her darkest moment?  We did, WIZO did, and the Microsoft computer programming course was the challenge that she needed to lift herself out of the downward spiral that was her life.

Just one woman, and just one story from the six thousand pleas to the WIZO call hotline, another vital service under the threat of dramatic cutbacks needed to balance the budget.  And what is the reality of these cutbacks?  Our dedicated leader, Tova Ben Dov, who is competently following the footsteps of so many generations of talented hard working chairman, did not hesitate to tell it like it is.  Only with the implementation of an emergency plan throughout 2009, an estimated 20,000,000 shekels sliced from the budget can put us back on course.

When the going gets tough, the tough get on with the job and Tova did not flinch from the desperately difficult decisions that she had to make, which impacted on the lives of so many families.  Tova told us how she has delicately steered the WIZO ship through stormy seas and calmer waters are now on the horizon.

By her side, throughout these difficult decisions making processes was our Director General, Haim Zamorsky, whose contribution to World WIZO, throughout the last 20 years, is immeasurable.  A new chapter is opening for him and all of us wish and Vard all the best for the future.

After a nine month gestation period, a new treasurer was born, and Tova called this little girl Atara.  Atara is a fast learner and she was soon accomplished in addition and an expert at subtraction, a talent which come into play during this second year of a two year efficiency plan.  Atara told us all that the WIZO federations income accounted for 67% of WIZO’s participation in expenditure and acknowledged the trend busting increase of 14% in fundraising achieved the Israel WIZO federation.  Atara urged every federation to remit each shekel as soon as possible to help with cash flows.  A treasurer’s job is complex and demanding and we congratulate you on your new appointment and feel sure that you are the right person for this taking job.

Our acknowledgement also of hard tasks, efficiently executed by Telma Neri and her Audit Committee, who grapple with the Amuta rules and have successfully implemented 84% of all finance division decisions.

A rich history and continuity makes WIZO what it is today, and no MOR would be the same with the gracious company of Honorary Presidents, Mrs Raya Yaglom and Mrs Michal Modai.  Mrs Jaglom, on behalf of the delegates, I commend your campaign initiative to keep children born in Israel here with their families.  It is indeed a worthy cause.

Mrs Modai, your fund sponsorship for Dudi, the student from Ahuzat Yeladim, which enabled him to be part of the March of the Living, in Poland, is so worthwhile, and I do not believe that there was a dry eye in the house as his headmaster, Yossi, translated the story of this problematic and rebellious child whose life had been transformed by a volunteering programme with special needs children.  Dudi said that the kids enjoyed and so did he - positive strides from both parties and another success story from this outstanding WIZO facility in Haifa.

Every federation establishes a special bond with its own projects.  The touring day was, as always, the highlight of this conference.  State of the art buildings and facilities such as Kadima and Nahalal, continue to evolve as hubs in their own regions and deliver world class services to the local residents.  The afternoon spent in the southern Tel Aviv area where the population benefits from wide ranging services and programmes on offer at centres sponsored by Mexico, Switzerland and Italy.  We spent several marvellous hours watching the youngsters in action, and it makes it all worthwhile.

Team tourist, Lilly, Janine, Orna and Saya, you did it again.  Efficient as ever, with a smile, you count us all out – and you count us all back, and the numbers come out right every time.  I realise now that you must be graduates of the ‘Firsts Steps in Mathematics” scheme explained to us by the two professors on Wednesday afternoon.

Helena Glaser is our president with boundless energy, vision and commitment.  She urged us to take a long and objective look at our movement as our 90th anniversary approaches.  The many missions that Helena has undertaken to every corner of the globe have given her the opportunity to see the federations in action.  Helena acknowledges that WIZO faces enormous problems, emanating from the lack of in-depth and comprehensive dialogue between World WIZO and the federations regarding the core WIZO issues and the future of our movement.  Only with these frank conversations will we all gain a better understanding of the enormous financial commitments that World WIZO has to cover, as well as the challenges and obstacles facing WIZO.  Helena continued with her hope and plan that World WIZO must invest in the WIZO federations across the world and furnish them with professional tools and skills to upgrade marketing, fundraising, communications and membership.  Our WIZO volunteers, both here in Israel and across the world, are at the heart of our movement, and everything must be done on their behalf to ensure that we serve them in the best and most efficient manner.

World WIZO’s 90th Anniversary can become a springboard for special fundraising initiatives, and the Anniversary Fund is the best place to start.

The important challenge that we take on, is to seek out young women to take on leadership roles.  Are any of you wondering what this chair is for?  This is the chair that I have ready and waiting for the Aviv member who I so desperately hope to see here next year, as a fully contributing member of the World WIZO Executive.  As you can see I have already placed the 2010 work plan in place for her.  It is just a little light reading as she settles in.

WIZO Israel is at the sharp end of our work.  Yochy Feller, Chair person of WIZO Israel, presented her proposal for three international working groups, with a vision of WIZO towards its centennial. The dialogue will include participants from Israel and the Diaspora and focus on a renewed WIZO vision and its realisation, a financial recovery plan and worldwide anniversary celebrations.

WIZO Israel braces itself for the effects of the drastic budget cutbacks.  It is easy to say, and it is easy to write, it is not so easy to implement. Only yesterday we sat and listened to the stories of those brave and dignified women who opened their hearts and souls to us – innocent victims like Coral, Malvan and Rachel, who have all been helped to escape from a cycle of violence and from the stigma of an ‘at risk’ family.  WIZO is a shield in hard times, and what price to you put on this shield?  I do not have an answer.  But what we all have now, are marvellous up to date ideas on how to raise that money, so that WIZO can continue to be that shield.

The fundraising session was exactly what we have been requesting for so many years.  We can all go back to our federations and kick start our fundraising endeavours with new enthusiasm.  Well done Esther and your team of Mickey, Annette, Monique and Maly.  Please keep those succinct and meticulous proposals coming.  Please package them in a modern, donor friendly way and you can rest assured that we will do our best to reel those donors in.

And here we must acknowledge Helen’s tenacity in securing a $4,000,000 legacy from WIZO in Norway.

Communication with our members and supporters is a priority.  I commend the work of Ingrid and Tricia on an excellent WIZO Review.  Please take note Ingrid, I am asking you to airbrush my hips in all future issues.  We are looking forward to an e-news in the not too distant future.

The website is gradually reaching its full potential.  Let’s all blog and twitter ourselves firmbook, here is mine. “These are the children who most need a safe place to learn, a place to heal, to build a better future and a place just to be children.  Every child has the right to an education.

Hassida Danai, Chairperson of the Early Age Division, eloquently talked us through the vital work of her enormous division. Reorganisation and changes in structure, necessitated by budget limitations have taken place.  However the introduction of pilot schemes in eleven centres in partnership with parents, which include linguistics, story telling and music therapy are creating new revenue streams and, if the plan is successful, which I am sure it will be, the model will be rolled out to a further twenty five centres.

Ruthie Rubinstein, Chairperson of the Education Division, reminded us that WIZO’s education network gives each and every one of our students the opportunity to reach his own full potential and to realise his abilities.  WIZO continues to teach and prepare every pupil to have the confidence to confront life’s challenges and obstacles.  To quote Tova ‘Our children are trying to live a normal life, often in an abnormal situation’.

Sylvie Pelossof, Chairperson of the Organisation and Education Division, chaired an excellent final session.  Most of you know my view that as a membership based organisation this department should at least have the word ‘membership’ in its title.  Many countries contributed with worthwhile suggestions on important and useful schemes for searching out, nurturing and retaining members.  Keep it personal, use every ly into the hi tech age.  It has to be the way to go in a green and paperless future. Congratulations, as always, for the excellent Fuller Picture and its wide range snapshots of life in Israel today.  Well done Brenda and Liron.

The Publicity Department efficiently run by Zippy, Nurit and Anat, does a first class job in keeping us informed.  We look forward to a wonderful campaign from you for the 90th Anniversary.

Celia Michonik works tirelessly in the vital arena of public affairs and NGO departments, not an easy brief.  However her comprehensive reports are invaluable to us as we endeavour to combat the growing threat of anti Semitism.

On behalf of the all the delegates of the MOR it is my pleasure and privilege to pay tribute to the first class directors in our WIZO schools and youth villages.  Together, with their dedicated teams, they deliver outstanding levels of services and we can see the children flourish and bloom under their guidance.

Just when you thought that you had heard every educational quotation in the tool available to you, embrace new technology and never lose sight of the fact that every member must be valued.  We should endeavour to go that extra mile to make sure that every one of our members feels special.  Remember, one day she might leave us a legacy.

Vicky, our fabulous Aviv representative, linked to us through technology, applauded the recent Aviv Seminar and urged federations to sponsor Aviv girls to attend in the future.  We all know that one visit to one of our projects is worth a thousand words.  The seven Aviv girls from the UK who attend this seminar last November, have not stopped talking and spreading the word since they returned.  The investment was worth every penny to us.

Sylvie, your team is doing a great job thanks to Ahuva, Briana and Rachel.  Keep up the good work.

It is impossible for me to mention each and everyone who makes up the hard working team here both volunteer and professional – but each of you is fully valued and appreciated.

The MOR is always privileged to be addressed by our first class speakers and Ehud Yaari lived up to our expectations as he talked us through the chilling prospects facing Israel as Iran inches towards the nuclear red line and creates nuclear devices.  Ehud outlined Palestinian options for the future – the two state solution and the threat of a third intifada.

The MOR gives many groups the opportunity to meet informally and meaningful discussions have taken place between the European federations, the Latin American federations and the past presidents.

I am proud to be a WIZO volunteer and I know you are as well.  We are proud to work alongside so many dedicated WIZO women.  We are proud that the doors of our projects will always be open to everyone who needs us and no-one will be turned away.

I am proud that we are able to take a woman who has been battered and bruised, not only by her partner, but by life itself and help her and her family on the right road.

We can be proud of Israel, a tiny country which is making unparalleled contributions to the world of science and technology, and at this very moment, we are very proud of the lives being saved in our Israeli field hospitals in Haiti.

Israel has always been a symbol of triumph, hope and faith.  Tonight, whatever lies ahead, we are reinforcing our pledge to support Israel and WZO and hope and pray that from now on we will be untied for a better WIZO future.