President's Message
It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I thank you all for bestowing the honour of National President on me for 2018/2019. I am privileged to represent and to lead all the members of Soroptimist Clubs, throughout the Republic of Ireland. In fact I am incredibly proud of the goodwill, the dedication to serve and above all the friendships forged in our clubs.
I joined Soroptimist International Athlone & District in 1992 and have served as club president on two occasions. On the National Executive, I have been Honorary Secretary twice, the Vice President and President Elect. I am enthusiastic about taking on the role as National President of S.I. Republic of Ireland.
“The Power of One” is my motto to lead this year. The Power of One can change your club. It only takes one person to invite a new member to join, mentor a new member and offer to be a genuine friend. The Power of One can empower us as women. The success of achievement, the joy of friendship and the belief that YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I hope that you, as fellow Soroptimists are empowered to believe in your own ability to lead change and to be the best you can be.
Our ideals as Soroptimists are to educate, to enable and to empower women and girls. We work together on programmes to promote these ideals. Our national project is “Safe Home, Safe Community” with its focus on the issue of domestic violence. Soroptimist members in all of our clubs will advocate, raise awareness, create a conversation and fundraise to support the services on the issue of domestic violence. In 2014 The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women came into force. To date Ireland has not ratified this Istanbul Convention. As strong women, we have a voice and we will use our power, our voices, to ask why has Ireland not ratified the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combatting violence against women.
I am passionate about caring for the environment. I aim to instil a love of nature and a sense of awe and respect for our world. I would hope to share this passion with my fellow Soroptimists during my year as President
A century ago was the start of a whole new world for women, when women got the right to vote for the first time in 1918. The Suffragettes campaign to promote women’s right to vote, women’s voices, women’s involvement in all walks of life makes a difference for us all. Soroptimist International members continue this work to improve the lives of women. I am proud to be a Soroptimist and a feminist. If you share our vision we would be delighted to welcome you.
Thank you. Darina Dolan. |
