Protected: Members Information
Federation Conference 2009
SI Great Britain and Ireland Federation Conference at Cardiff 29-31 October 2009
SI Scotland South Region Silent Observer Award
Recipient for 2009 - Dr Audrey Morrison of SI Falkirk
As a researcher, while I am experienced in observing other people, I truly felt like a novice in my role as a silent observer at the Federation Executive Council pre-conference meeting, and wasn’t quite sure what to expect! My first thought was how many other silent observers there were in the room and how daunting this must be for council members seated round the large oval table and how difficult it actually is to be ‘silent’! Meeting other first-time Conference attendees (what a surprise-after 30 years of marriage to be considered a ‘virgin’!), such as Loveline Mbwdge from SI Kumba in Cameroon, helped in reinforcing the importance and similarity of the Programme Action we are involved in as fellow Soroptimists and, how similar our ideals.
Federation President Carwen Wynne Howells chaired the meeting and revealed the key challenges facing our Federation (membership, finance, communications, leadership and Public Relations), all of which separately or combined may affect the future survival and success of individual clubs and indeed the Federation itself. The council members present were faced with the difficult task of making decisions that could ameliorate existing and projected problem areas, especially where those involved issues surrounding finance. Carwen made a light-hearted yet serious reference concerning the organisation being the world’s best kept secret and emphasised the importance of both enhancing the profile of SI clubs and demonstrating to the public the impact of our Programme action work. Once votes were made to all the recommendations, and a strategic plan agreed in principle, the council had the unenviable task of putting those decisions before voting members on Saturday’s AGM. On a positive note, I have learnt such a lot about teamwork and camaraderie within the organisation! There is no doubt I have came away from this experience with the view that motivation and enthusiasm is the same no matter which SI club or federation we are from. We are truly are, and should always strive to be Sisters of Soroptimism and value the privilege and responsibility that comes with membership! I would encourage other new members to apply for a Silent Observer Award at future Conferences etc, as this is a truly inspiring and educational experience.
Audrey Morrison
November 2009
President’s Message
President Carolyn on right, Immediate Past President Margaret on left.
President Carolyn’s Message December 2009
My Name is Carolyn Lockhart and I wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity and privilege of being your Region President.
After much deliberation I have decided that the theme Programme “Violence against Women” continues to strike painfully hard in many areas of the world and therefore demands our support once again.
I know that clubs are working with their local womans aid groups and that some of these groups allow more involvement than others.
From attending the Programme Action meetings at Region last year I am aware that the Programme Action Officers are raising the awareness of trafficking and that they have discovered that it is in all areas of the country.
In some areas clubs have been helping to promote saver taxis for women travelling alone.
It is my intention therefore to work at these and other related area’s so that we are able to maximise our fight to reduce “Violence against Women”
To raise the profile of Soroptimism in Scotland South is another area that I feel can be tackled and that by doing so we will be able to recruit new members and thus increase our membership. We must also ensure that we work at retaining our existing members.
Good debate is a very important aspect of our structure and it is my aim to encourage more members to attend regional meetings, conferences and social events held throughout the region. I feel that this is how you find out more about the work that is done worldwide and also make new friends.
At Conference in Cardiff President Jackie announced a challenge to Clubs in this our 75th Anniversary Year. The Challenge is 75 for 75 the idea is for clubs to raise £75 or multiples thereof for water projects in Bangladesh and it is hoped that we can support at least 75 projects.
We are all aware of the importance of wholesome safe water for all people and one suggestion being that we hold a fund raising event on World Water Day such as a coffee morning or Cheese and Wine. I hope that all Clubs in the region will join me in support of this worthwhile and much needed project.
Part of my own agenda is to be able to visit some of the Clubs in the Region during the year to enable me to get to know more of you and in that way I would also hope that we will be able to inspire each other to raise our horizons.
Finally I look forward with real hope and spirit to the forthcoming challenges and I trust we will join together to make a difference
With best wishes to all
Carolyn Lockhart
Member Development Opportunities
SI SSR Development Officer Kay and the Regional Executive will be planning the activities for 2010. Further details will be communicated early in 2010.
Dates for Information & Communication Technology training days in 2010 will be publish in early 2010
Joint Region Conference
SI Scotland North and South Regions Conference - April 2010
Title - ‘Focus on Scotland’
snr-ssr-conference-2010-notice Download information
SI Scotland North and South Regions Conference - 2009 Report
‘2gether 2help’ was the title of the Joint Conference of SI Scotland North (SNR) and Scotland South (SSR) Regions held on Saturday 18 April 2009 in Dundee which was attended by 128 members of the two regions.
President Lexi, SI SNR, chaired the morning session and introduced local MSP Marlyn Glen who welcomed us to Dundee and also gave the audience an insight to her work and the projects which involved women and children.
The Joint Council meeting was chaired by President Lexi who navigated the members through the agenda in record time!
The final session of the morning was a one woman production – Jackie’s Story - written and delivered by Naomi Breeze which is a powerful and compelling account of one woman’s experience of domestic abuse. A must see for any Soroptimist! Naomi has written a number of other productions around a variety of social issues such as ‘homelessness’ and ‘looked after children’ to raise awareness within communities, voluntary and statutory agencies.
Following lunch President Margaret, SI SSR, introduced 2 members of SI Crieff who entertained the attendees with a ‘flight’ around our Federation clubs of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI). Fun and laughter were linked with the real work and world of all SIGBI’s clubs.
Dr Kay Wilkie a member of SI Kirkcaldy then gave an illustrated presentation on the University of Dundee’s work with the National University of Lesotho. The focus is to support the development of sustainable human and information resources for health in Lesotho.
The final speaker of the day was Jean Black a member of SI Perth who introduced us to the award winning Enkhutazweni Food Garden Project which is supported by SI Perth members. Jean and her partner John spend 6 months of the year in South Africa and have made links with a school for vulnerable children to teach them how to grow garden vegetables on a piece of vacant ground. The vegetables are either sold or used in the school kitchen where Jean shares soup recipes.
An excellent day and the date for next year’s conference is Saturday 17 April 2010 at the Scottish Police College, Tulliallan, Kincardine.
Liz Jamieson
Immediate Past President SI SSR
May 2009
Region Meetings/Events
The meetings and events of SI Scotland South Region are listed below and all members are welcome to attend.
2010 Joint SI Scotland North and Scotland South Regions Conference
The joint conference of SI Scotland North and South Regions will take place on Saturday 17 April 2010 at the Scottish Police College, Tulliallan, Kincardine. Further details will be published by January 2010. For more information please check out the ‘Joint Region Conference’ page and Members Information page.
05 June 2010 venue to be confirmed.
10.30am Membership and Programme Action meetings for club officers. Club members can attend as observers.
12.30pm Regional Council Meeting which any member can attend.
2.30pm(approx) Annual General Meeting - members only
18 September 2010 venue to be confirmed.
10.30am Membership and Programme Action meetings for club officers. Club members can attend as observers.
12.30pm Regional Council Meeting which any member can attend.
Dates for the Council meeting of the new Presidential year will be published after the Annual General Meeting in June 2010.
Club Newsletters
sienna-97-web SI Edinburgh February 2010 News
sienna-96-web1 SI Edinburgh January 2010 News
si-glasgow-central-dec-20091 SI Glasgow Central News Dec 2009
si-glasgow-central-july-2009 SI Glasgow Central News
Federation Director
|
 |
 |
|
I have had the pleasure of attending several Federation Management Board / Committee meetings in Stockport and in London as an observer and at my own expense. The amount of information I have gleaned; the level of understanding I have attained; the warmth of the members of the Federation Management Team including Gina at the SIGBI office has meant that the experience has been invaluable and hopefully means I am more of a resource for the members of SI Scotland South Region.
As a Director of our Federation, the recently incorporated Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI) Ltd., there is clarity regarding the SMART Strategic Goals & Objectives which the Directors must attain through the membership; of the need to work as a team within the Federation Membership Committee under Kate Moore’s direction; with the Region Executive Committee members and as a Teams of Excellence Trainer to work alongside the other Trainers in both Scotland South & Scotland North Regions. I have been warmly welcomed to Scotland North Region Council meetings by President Fiona Watson and, once again gleaned more useful insight into doing things differently. It has been a delight to work alongside Region President Carolyn Lockhart and Extension & Membership Officer Anne Corrigan to date but to achieve the strategic goals set out in the “Yes, we can” campaign, we must all work together as a team, i.e. Together Everyone Achieves More.
SI Scotland South and SI Scotland North Region members are looking forward to their annual Joint Conference in April and before then I am looking forward to chairing a meeting of both Region Executive Committees with my counterpart in Scotland North, Janice Wilson.
As a Federation, we are at an exciting and challenging time but as an organisation of business & professional women who want to make a difference for women & girls locally, nationally & internationally, we are able to rise to the challenge!
February 2010
Contact Us
Please send us a message. We want to hear from you, whether you’re looking for information, have a complaint or suggestion, or for any other reason.
Region Officers
|
|
Carolyn Lockhart |
|
|
Eileen Hunter |
|
|
Jenifer McFarlane |
|
|
Polly St. Aubyn |
|
|
Isabel Crawford |
|
|
Naomi Lawrence |
|
|
Anne Corrigan |
|
|
Morag Rennie |
|
|
Kay Wilkie |
|
|
Margaret Dow |
About our Region
President Carolyn on the right and Immediate Past President Margaret at the Cardiff Conference in October 2009.
|
||
| The clubs in Scotland South Region are involved in local, national and international projects to raise awareness, act as advocates and take action to meet the organisation’s mission. Many clubs support national campaigns such as ‘Fairtrade Fortnight’ and End Water Poverty, while also linking into local issues and raising funds for local charities. At an international level all Soroptimists are supporting a four year partnership project titled Project Sierra – A family and a future, which aims to provide a secure, caring family home for children living alone in Sierra Leone, West Africa. More information is available at the Project Sierra website. Scotland South Region consists of 15 clubs – Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Girvan, Glasgow Central, Glasgow South, Glasgow West, Greenock, Hamilton, Kirkcaldy, Kirkintilloch, Motherwell & Wishaw, Paisley, Stirling and West Lothian. Members attend regular club meetings and enjoy fun and friendship while taking action.If you are interested in attending a club meeting near you in Scotland South or wish to chat with a Soroptimist to gain more information about the organisation please click on Contact us and leave your details. | ||
 |