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Our structure

Across Scotland

SWI (SCIO) oversees the entire organisation, and is led by a Board of Trustees. National committees, made up of members, assess activities and report to the Board – currently there are Finance, Skills & Events and National Conference committees – while the SWI Heritage Group ensures the organisation’s history is preserved for future generations. A small staff team manages daily operations, events, and communications.

There are 28 Federations, across Scotland. Federations help coordinate activities, share resources, and provide support across Institutes within their region. They also ensure that the voices and interests of local members are represented at the national level. Each Federation is composed of multiple Institutes and is usually governed by an elected committee that includes roles such as President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

At the heart of the Scottish Women’s Institutes (SWI) are over 400 local Institutes, which serve as the grassroots foundation of the organisation. Each Institute is a community-based group that brings together women from all walks of life. They meet in towns and villages across Scotland where members can get together to learn, socialise and have fun in their own communities