President’s Report AGM 5th September 2020
INTRODUCTION
It has been an honour for me to be National President Soroptimist Republic of Ireland.
This organisation has a wonderful legacy of working to improve the lives of women and girls. We are like minded women who want to make a difference to the lives of women and girls everywhere. We stand up for women through our advocacy, raising awareness and our programme action work.
Last October none of us could have imagined what 2020 would bring. On the 27th March 2020 the Government and HSE “Stay at Home” Order came into effect which led to the cancellation of many Soroptimist events including our Girls Public Speaking Final on 21st March and the 54th Joint North South Conference on 16th May. Many of our members have been cocooning at home or working from home. Many have been working on the frontline. Every Club has made great efforts to ensure that members have kept in touch and vulnerable members have been assisted by their Soroptimist Sisters.
My theme for the year has been “Hear our Voices” and it has been my goal to hear the voices of the members of our 16 clubs throughout the country and to strengthen the 2-way communication between members and our National Association.
I had hoped to do that through a number of means including visiting our clubs. In my first 4 months before we went into lockdown, I had the pleasure of visiting several Clubs including: SI Bray, SI Mullingar, SI Cork, SI Wexford and SI Drogheda. Unfortunately, once lockdown was enforced further club visits were no longer possible. Since then, I have continued to communicate with every club through different means including phone calls, what’s app, Zoom, email and the old reliable post.
I have really enjoyed Two Club Presidents’ Zoom meetings which gave me the opportunity to get to know our Club Presidents better, to hear their concerns and for all to learn from each other and to share ideas for our organization and I am delighted that incoming President Mary Kerr intends to continue with these meetings.
N/A officers and I are increasingly using WhatsApp and Zoom to communicate with members. The National Executive has continued to meet regularly via zoom during the lockdown and reports are posted on our website. Executive reports continue to be posted before a meeting, to give clubs time to read them and to prepare for the meeting and ask questions. I encourage members to read reports to see the work of the executive on your behalf. I have continued to have our voices heard through my use of social media, including Facebook and Twitter to promote and highlight the work of Soroptimism.
Our voices continue to be heard.
Domestic Violence: 2019 saw the end of our National Project Safe Home Safe Community. While Ireland has achieved progress towards gender equality -Sustainable Development Goal No 5 - women continue to suffer violence. Throughout the year I have represented Soroptimist International ROI at a number of events including Women’s Aid Femicide Watch 2019.
Turn Off the Red Light Campaign On 28th November 2019, I attended the Ruhama 30th Anniversary Conference “The Sexual Violence of Prostitution and Pornography.” This was quite a disturbing conference highlighting the harsh realities of prostitution and the increasing violence of pornography.
Girls Public Speaking Competition The Girls Public Speaking competition got off to a great start. I attended a Regional Final in Drogheda in January. Unfortunately, due to COVID 19, the Final in Dungarvan was postponed. I look forward to attending the rescheduled Final in Dungarvan on 3rd October 2020 if Government restrictions allow.
Belfast Conference We are delighted that the Belfast Conference will go ahead in October with a new format which will be a virtual conference. Federation President Isobel Smith has developed a programme which includes live and recorded presentations. There is a fantastic line up of speakers with Baroness Hale, Dr Alison Gardner, Jane Garvey and Professor Sue Black OBE. All their biographies are on the conference website.
Soroptimist Centenary Celebrations
Five nominations from Soroptimist International Republic of Ireland were accepted for consideration for SIGBI’s “Who is She?” project, part of the centenary celebrations. 100 Soroptimists will be showcased for their contribution to their communities and to Soroptimism. Our nominees are; Tess Hogan, SI Cork, Anne Kavanagh, SI Dublin, Judith Ironside, SI Ennis, Dr Patricia Mc Caul Collins, SI Drogheda, and Mildred
O’ Brien, SI Bray. It is with great joy that we have received the news that Mildred O Brien has been selected in the first group of Soroptimists being honoured.
We continue to make plans for our Tree Planting ceremony at the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation at Glencree whenever it may be possible within Covid regulations. Mrs. Sabina Higgins, wife of President Michael D Higgins has graciously accepted our invitation to attend as Guest of Honour.
CONCLUSION
Our working model as an organisation has had to change how we do things. We are looking at new ways of carrying out our programme work. We are now working through a combination of virtual meetings and face to face meetings within social distancing guidelines. This hasn’t been easy for any of us, but we must embrace this challenge and work together for our organisation to continue and grow. Since women have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, we are needed now more than ever.
I would sincerely like to thank the members of our Executive who have worked tirelessly and with enthusiasm over the past year. You live the values of Soroptimism. Thank you to all members for your support and friendship.
In Friendship
Catherine Giblin.
National President Soroptimist International Republic of Ireland. |
