SI R.o.I. President’s Report for A.G.M. 11th May 2019.
At the start of my year as President of S.I. RoI my target was to create a conversation on the Istanbul Convention as my input to our national project “Safe Home, Safe Community”. I lobbied public representatives. I talked about it at every event I attended. I wanted our government to ratify this instrument to make Ireland a safer place for women & girls. On International Women’s Day 8th March 2019, the Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan, ratified the Istanbul Convention on behalf of the people of Ireland. Now Ireland has to follow agreed procedures and protocols when dealing with violence against women. Thank you to all Soroptimists who helped to make this happen.
To date I have visited 12 clubs. I met so many inspirational women. I am in awe of the talent, the tenacity, the vision and the incredible ability to complete the project. Above all I am proud of the support and care we offer each other. The following is a synopsis of my travels: Public Speaking Competition events, local, regional and the national final all sponsored so generously by HSBC Bank. I’ve also been to a cross border workshop on The White Ribbon Project, “Walk in Her Shoes” drama workshop on domestic abuse, Afternoon Tea for Chori Chora project in Nepal, an inspirational public Celebration of Women for International Women’s Day, Nollag na mBan in aid of local services for people with special needs, traditional music and chat for Pancake Day, warm & welcoming lunches to meet with club members, working Christmas buffet in support of local charities and Lunch by the Lake in aid of women’s refuge. As a friendship & service organisation we have so much to celebrate. Be proud to be a Soroptimist and all the wonderful work we do for our communities, and above all for women and girls.
This year we are getting a steady stream of enquiries about membership through the website, if this trend continues we will need to look at the club base around the country. Maybe some of our daughters, nieces and friends could be encouraged to join. May I repeat, Be proud to be a Soroptimist.
I have enjoyed my role as National President so far. My very dear friends in my local club, SI Athlone have supported me at every turn. I am so grateful to them all. We look forward to meeting many of you in Athlone on 21st September for The President’s Event. We promise you a warm welcome, wonderful speakers, inspirational programme action reports and an opportunity to enjoy the friendship and fun that makes our Soroptimist gatherings.
Thank you to President Catherine Milhench and the members of SI Northern Ireland for organising this conference on the theme of Positive Mental Health, “Think On It”. We all need to find a balance in our lives; family, work, friends, spirituality, self-care, physical wellbeing are but some of the aspects of our lives. To end I offer you Oscar Wilde’s advice “Everything in moderation, including moderation.”
Wishing you all a very enjoyable summer and a rejuvenated return to Programme Action in September.
In friendship,
Darína Dolan, President,
SI Republic of Ireland.
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