The North / South conference held in Bray 2008 was a truly inspiring event, blessed with good weather and excellent company. SI Ballymoney & District members Barbara Kerr, Marie McGowan and Pamela Smyth accompanied club president, Jean Wales to the conference.
Republic of Ireland President, Mary McAleese addressed the gathering at the Friday’s marvellous evening of friendship. President McAleese demonstrated a profound understanding of Soroptimism and commended the organisation for its attitude, aptitude and application to the work of the Soroptimist.
Following the Regional A.G.M. on the Saturday were speeches from four very different individuals. Each was inspirational in their own way.
Kathleen O’Toole, Chief Inspector of the Garda Inspectorate, spoke on the development of leadership skills as learnt through her own experiences. She was the first female police commissioner of Boston, Massachusetts and was a member of the Patten Commission which reviewed policing in NI. From her role models she learnt the following key lessons:
- Go where the truth takes you;
- Never sacrifice your principles;
- Be open with others; and
- People matter, listen and have respect for them.
Gemma Hussey, Director of European Women’s Foundation, talked of her work empowering women in Europe, mainly those from countries behind the former ‘Iron Curtain’. She explained how, through training and enlightenment these women have been able to come forward, form and administer organisations and to become active within the political arena.
Thomas Nash, Co-ordinator Global Cluster Munition Coalition, updated delegates about the intent to and difficulties associated with negotiating a meaningful treaty outlawing the manufacture, use and stock-piling of cluster munitions. The terms of the treaty are being negotiated in Dublin during the two weeks from the 19th May 2008.
Following these three excellent talks delegates were addressed by SI Federation President Marguerite Woodstock-Riley. She paid tribute to the contribution of the previous speakers including President McAleese from the previous evening. President Marguerite spoke warmly f her visit to NI before going on to encourage all Soroptimists not to be rash but to go on and make a difference and not be put of trying by the fear of failure.
The session was brought to a close by the public speaking finalists, Rebecca Sheerin, Republic of Ireland and Grace Stafford, Northern Ireland. Both spoke with such confidence and enthusiasm it was if they had being speaking to large professional audiences for years.
The conference finale was the Gala dinner on Saturday. During the drinks reception we had the opportunity for a brief word and to get a photograph with President Marguerite.