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Hear Our Voices We Stand Up for Women
Presidents Report Interim National Executive Meeting 20th June 2020
It’s hard to believe that we are already halfway through 2020 and what a strange year we have all experienced. I hope that members have come safely to this stage of the COVID 19 pandemic. Most of us have had a mix of positive and negative experiences in the past few months. I am sorry for those who have lost loved ones or have experienced ill health, mentally or physically. Hopefully we will come through the remaining phases safe and well.
The pandemic forced us to look at new ways of communicating with each other. I have had the pleasure of communicating with all 16 clubs during this time either by phone, what’s app, email Zoom, Facebook and Twitter. Every Club has made great efforts to ensure that members have kept in touch and vulnerable members have been assisted by their Soroptimist Sisters. Clubs throughout the country have continued to raise awareness of the impact of COVID 19 on women and girls. The National Executive has held monthly virtual meetings successfully via teleconference and Zoom. National and Regional Presidents have also had virtual meetings with Federation President Isobel Smith. Federation Counsellors have also continued to meet. We have received SIGBI briefings twice a month highlighting soroptimist work that has continued through the pandemic. All clubs are welcome to contribute to these briefings.
Unfortunately, we have had to cancel events including the 54th Joint North South Conference. We are in the process of returning registration fees. We will look forward all the more to the 2021 Joint North South Conference which will be hosted by incoming National President ROI Mary Kerr and incoming Regional President NI Melanie Douglas. The National Executive looks forward to rescheduling the AGM for September within HSE guidelines. The Final of the Girls Public Speaking competition will be rescheduled for Autumn when it becomes possible to host within the HSE guidelines for hosting events.
We are delighted that Federation President Isobel Smith has confirmed the Belfast Conference will go ahead in October with a new format which will be a virtual conference. We look forward to receiving more details in the near future and to supporting the new format.
Many events have also gone online. Fellow Soroptimists and I joined a session of the UN Global Online Forum Act#ForNature streamed from Oslo and Nairobi on 10th June. Delegates spoke passionately on the impact of biodiversity loss on the health of our planet and the impact this has on society. We learned that Governments must reform economic strategies and put environmental protection at the top of the Agenda. 17-year-old Ayush Chopra spoke on the destruction of marine life with 8 million pieces of plastic going into our oceans daily. We have seen the healing of our planet during the COVID 19 pandemic.
(Continued......)
(Read President Catherine's February interim report >>) |
What an honour to be President of this amazing organisation.
it is our vision and mission that lies at the heart of who we are. What excites me is the idea that this is even a possibility and that we can work with others with the same intent to make it happen.
My theme is ‘We Stand Up for Women’ My hope is that this can be a platform for us to clearly articulate the difference that we make to the lives of women and girls.
Isobel Smith
SIGBI President 2019-2020 |
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Who Is She? – Showcasing Soroptimists for the Centenary
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SIGBI Benevolent Fund:
Eligibility
To receive help from the Benevolent Fund, an applicant must have been a member of a Soroptimist Club for at least 3 consecutive years. Assistance is given in the form of grants, either as a one-off payment for a specific need, or as a regular quarterly grant to supplement the beneficiary’s income. The fund does not make loans.
To apply
Application Forms for financial assistance from the Benevolent Fund may be obtained from your Regional Representative, Clare Comerford (Clare.comerford1@gmail.com) or from the Benevolent Fund Secretary (sigbi.benevolentfund@yahoo.co.uk). All information is treated in absolute confidence. The only person with whom the applicant will discuss her circumstances is her Regional Representative, who will help her complete the form and ensure that the reasons for the application is made clear. The form is then sent to the Secretary of the Benevolent Fund. |
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Catherine Giblin
National President
Social Distancing is vital.
Soroptimists can encourage others through our actions.
NORTH / SOUTH CONFERENCE DUBLIN, 16TH. MAY 2020.
It is with regret that President Theresa Nixon and I in conjunction with both Executives, have made the decision to cancel the Joint North South Conference, scheduled for Saturday 16th May in Dublin due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and Government restrictions.
Catherine Giblin, National President, Soroptimist ROI.
As part of Soroptimist Centennial Celebrations, we are planning to plant a tree in Glencree on 21st September 2020.
President Elect Mary Kerr in Glencree, where she, together with Mary Courtney, made arrangements.
Proud Feminist: An Interview with Darina Dolan >>
Athlone Soroptimists with Senator Gabrielle McFadden on a visit to Dail Eireann.
Sharon Fisher
SI President 2020-2021
"The value of any social movement is having everyone moving in the same direction toward common goals. We can be the messenger that brings the complex global issues facing women and girls into focus and aligns them with the programme work of Soroptimist International (SI)." (more...)
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