REGIONAL PROGRAMME ACTION AWARD 2007-2008

During her year as Regional President, Joyce Boorman suggested that the Region should have a Programme Action Award as there were both International and Federation ones.

Following the end of the 2007-2008 Club year, Joyce (then IPP), President Carole and President Elect Sue considered around 100 Programme Focus Report Forms. From these was drawn a short list of 10 projects. It was not an easy task as projects were varied - small, large - short term, long term - involve a few members, all the club etc etc. But whatever they were there was certainly a sense of ‘passion’ in them all.

In their deliberations, Joyce, Carole and Sue found that in the final few there was a very narrow margin between them.

In her presentation of the inaugural award Joyce commended the two clubs in joint 3rd place - S I Reigate and District and SI Kingston-upon-Thames and District; Reigate for its support of Shambalai School, Tanzania in raising money to improve buildings, and Kingston for its unique meeting with the Home Secretary to discuss trafficking, policing, drug and alcohol abuse and other topical issues. In second place was SI Gosport, Farham and District for its refuge outing; they organised a visit to a local farm park for 7 families (with 14 children) followed by a picnic.

But the Club to which she presented the 2007-2008 Regional Programme Action at the Council meeting held on 20 September 2008 was SI Southampton and District for its work with the safehouse for trafficked women in partnership with the Medaille Trust.

Many congratulations to members of SI Southampton!