Past President’s Review
Margaret Badley President’s Report 2008-9
I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity which you have accorded me of being president of the Bedford Club of Soroptimist International for 2008-9.
I began my year with a number of aims:
- 1. That we should have relaxed and enjoyable meetings with a minimum of formality which it seems to me we have moved towards. We have had some very good social evenings mostly organised by the committees (including Exec), such as, eating at the Park or Singing Along a Abba which gave us the time and space to socialise. Rita is building upon the enjoyment theme for example, with the supper meetings.
- 2. That we should begin to review the way the club was operating. A 3 year strategic plan was developed which Rita and Pauline have utilised in their planning. These discussions are ongoing and include the role and composition of committees, their convenors and members and were informed by our club review evenings.
- 3. That we should begin to reconsider our response to the problem of many organisations that of the recruitment of new members and the nurture of both new and existing members. The Membership Committee ably spearheaded by Janet Darby has produced a valuable booklet and procedures which may well form a template for other clubs in the region. It is easy to forget that we are the crucial resource of the organisation.
- 4. We needed to set up a club website to attract younger members for whom the net is automatically the first port of call and make it more obvious what we do. As a result of a superb workshop I have now set up some flexible web pages. This will form a valuable aid to Rita’s theme of “Let’s make our voice heard!”
- 5. I had also wanted to raise money for the President’s Charity (Raynaud’s and Scleroderma), as well as Project Sierra and Wee Care. Mostly inspired by a tour de force by the founder and director of the Raynaud’s and Scleroderma Association, Anne Mawdsley, quiet, authoritative and humorous, the committees very effectively organised two companionable and fun events which raised a substantial sum.
It has been a year of many excellent speakers and other events which the committee convenors will discuss but I had had originally hoped that we might have more “hands on ” charitable work but apart from supporting the refuge by taking presents for the children to give their parents this has proved to be more difficult. For example, one major project, working with Bedfordshire Police, became mired in changes towards Bedford becoming a unitary authority and police promotions which illustrate again the need for a more long-term approach. This work will probably evolve over the next few years.
I feel very optimistic about the state of Soroptimism in Bedford. We have shown a willingness to co-operate, support each other and move forward without losing touch with our roots.
I wish to thank all of you who so ably and, often unobtrusively, supported me during this year, particularly Rita and the Executive but also all of you who have guided and encouraged me over the last 12 months. Thank you all for your help, advice, and friendship during this year and I offer my very best wishes to Rita Beaumont in her presidency.
Margaret Badley