SI St Austell and District A Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland Club website

President Barbara’s Message December 2009

As we approach the end of 2009 and I am three quarters way through my year as President of SI St Austell & District, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on the events of the year so far.

The members of SI St Austell and District have put themselves out and about in the community during the year and in doing so have increased the public’s awareness of Soroptimism. We have beach cleaned, collected at St Austell’s Torchlight Carnival, swum in the Swimathon, marshalled at the Race for Life held at Eden, attended open days at various venues with our information boards, continued to take the residents of Penrice House Residential Home on morning outings, supported the Women’s refuge, promoted the Data Link project in various communities and helped out with the Red Cross Appeal Week collection and with refreshments at local events on several occasions.

We have had fun nights on our social calendar. Friends and relatives have enjoyed joining us for the quiz evening in aid of WaterAid and the Bingo evening when we raised funds for Project Sierra. At each event we were asked when the next one was to be held. The latest in November – an Antiques Roadshow evening was a big hit when Roger Tappin from Bonhams entertained us and valued our “priceless treasures”. One innovation this year has been the bring and share scheme for food at some of our social events. This has proved very popular.

On August 2^nd the club members all pulled together to make our main fund raiser for the year a great hit. This was a sponsored walk around the clay trails in the St Austell area. We received a lot of publicity and support from BBC Radio Cornwall and the name of Soroptimists was aired very regularly on the radio.

I have enjoyed the privilege of being the President of such a united club and look forward to the New Year and what it may bring with hope.

 President Barbara with the cup for the Best dressed stall at the Hospital Fete

I joined the Soroptimist Club of St. Austell & District in December 2002 after three extremely traumatic years in my family’s lives. I found a focus and a purpose for my life after joining with like-minded women in helping to improve the lives of women and children locally and globally. I found friendship and a sense of belonging. In return, I believe that I have contributed to the various activities that the club engages in.

I have chosen the Radio Cornwall Appeal Fund as the charity I would like the club to support during my year as President. This fund awards grants for the benefit of organisations and causes which bring people together in their local community within the county of Cornwall. The reason for this choice is that I am a firm believer in community acitivities and I am convinced that helping to achieve a mutual goal is of great benefit to the giver and the receiver.

I would like to put back the fun back into fundraising and to create a relaxed atmosphere at our social evenings where we will be able to enjoy each other’s company and friendship.