President’s message
Our President’s Message
In April 2009, I was delighted and honoured to be installed as the new President for SI Sheffield, taking over from Diane McDonald, who did a wonderful job in 2008-9. My thanks go to Diane on behalf of the Club for her enthusiastic leadership and commitment.
Last year, many steps were taken to develop the Sheffield club and to raise the profile of Soroptimism in Sheffield helped by an enthusiastic executive committee and a number of new members. We are still actively seeking women who are interested in supporting the objects of Soroptimists and widening their own friendship group and would like to join the Club. We hope to increase the number of members and the range of skills within the Club, so that we can continue to support projects through Programme Action.
My charity, this year, is Breast Cancer Care which works to provide information and support for people affected by breast cancer. We intend to raise funds for the valuable work done by this organisation and our main fund raising event will be an evening presentation by The History Wardrobe in November.
In addition to the President’s Charity we will be focussing on other aspects of our Programme Action. Last year we established links with two Women’s Refuges in Sheffield who work with victims of domestic abuse. Instead of raising money for the Ashiana Women’s Refuge and the Sheffield Women’s Refuge we have consulted with them about other ways we can help. As a result we have provided goods such as toiletries, books, and toys for children, as well as kitchen items to help those who are moving on to new homes of their own. In addition to this we will maintain our links with the El-Shaddai Children’s home in Goa and of course, with Prior Bank Residential Home in Sheffield,
We continue to hold Business Meetings on the first Monday of each month, at Tapton Masonic Hall in Sheffield and Supper Meetings at Whirlowbrook Hall on the third Tuesday of each month. Our supper meetings usually include speakers who talk about interesting and topical issues and often raise awareness of social issues. This year they will include talks about Breast Cancer Care, the El Shaddai project in Goa and writing and publishing crime novels.
All in all this promises to be a good year, and I am looking forward to listening to, and working with our Members to keep SI Sheffield a vibrant and forward looking Club.
Jane Ferretti