Soroptimist International GBI

As I didn’t arrive back from Asia until 9th February, my activities were detailed in the last Blog with a follow up article in the ‘Soroptimist’.

 

Two days after returning home, I joined the teleconference with the Manchester conference committee. The committee is working hard and plans are well underway. The website is operational and the booking form should be with you soon.  Do book early - we are restricted to a maximum number of 1600!

 

Four days after returning, an extended SI Offficers meeting was being held in London.  For the first time, this meeting was to include the Federation Presidents and the Federation Chief Executive Officers.  Gina and I discussed preparations in a telephone call on my return from Bangladesh.  All the documention was emailed by Gina - three days to read and assimilate - I already had a commitment on the Saturday prior to  travelling to London.  Gina and I agreed when we arrived to have a breakfast meeting the following morning to discuss the planned agenda for the coming days.

 

14 February, the meetings commenced.  International President Hanne made her very first task the welcome to newly elected SI President ELect, Alice Wells, presenting her with her badge of office.

 

This was a first meeting of its kind and I really wasn’t sure quite what to expect of the next three days.  This was a time to put aside the SIGBI hat and think ‘SI’ and consider the future development of the international organisation.

 

The meetings were positive, productive and conducted in the spirit of friendship and understanding giving some very positive outcomes to develop at the SI interim Board meeting in August. 

 

Leaving for home at 6.30a.m. on the 17th January to get home and back to work asap, how could they close a section of the Motorway, having me sit in queues for almost 2 hours?  I wish I could have met the person who failed to put the hardner in the cement meaning the overnight closure became an all day closure too! I was kept up to date with progress thanks to the car radio.

 

Finally home and back to the day to day SIGBI work and the numerous emails - no escaping!.

 

Saturday 27th I attended SI Plymouth’s 80th Anniversary dinner and was honoured to respond to the Toast to SI, especially so as this Club is in my own Region.

 

Because of engagements already accepted, I was unable to attend the CSW in New York.  However, IP Carwen is there as I write, together with Hilary Ratcliffe and Judi Challoner.  Email can be a blessing - I had a late night email from Carwen saying that our team was in Atlanta - JFK airport was snowbound.  I was charged with getting a message to the SI Programme Director.  With a ’round Robin’ to several US members, including the Federation President, all was well.  And we are managing to communicate via Carwen’s Blackberry.  However did we manage years ago?

 

This following weekend is a busy one -  all about that next time.

 

We have had a few sunny days this week.  The Crocus and Aconites are open and to my pleasure, my bees have found them.  I have watched the hives and see that the bees are returning home with pollen - a good sign in the hive that her majesty is laying again!  I do hope this really is the start of spring!