Speech President Liz
Liz Morgan-Lewis addressed the audience many times during the Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland annual Conference in Brighton Thursday 27 – Saturday 29 October 2011, which Liz presided over. The theme of ‘Inspiring Action, Transforming Lives’ came across loud and clear! Liz’s main speeches were at the opening of the Conference on the 27th, at the General Meeting on the 28th and at the end of the Conference on the 29th October, when she left office in her married name of Liz Batten. Below is an edited version of Liz’s speeches:
“Madame International President Alice (Wells). Sister Federation Presidents Kathy (Kaaf – Europe) and Pat (Donohue – Americas), distinguished guests, sister Soroptimists.
Well you did it. Your actions certainly inspired me and my life this past year has been transformed. But of course you have achieved far more than that.
The work you have carried out to improve the lives of women and girls across our Federation and beyond speaks for itself. There are so many excellent projects across the Federation, ranging from large international multi club and in some cases joint regional ventures, through to small local undertaking run by one club, often initiated by a single member.
I am so delighted that our partnership with the Girl Guides is moving forward. As you recall, as I came in last year I told you that I was not asking you to begin any new fundraising projects. I wanted you to concentrate on service and to complete the fundraising work we had in place. Thank you for doing so. I am delighted that our Loos for Lynn fundraiser raised a staggering total of £17,764 and enabled us to fully fund the projects in Cameroon and Uganda, to provide more funds for the projects set up by SI Lagos and SI Bulawayo and to provide some additional funds for a new project from SI Asaba in Nigeria to build toilets in a market there. I know Lynn would have been delighted at our efforts to make toilets a clean and safe reality for so many women and girls in Africa.
Wasn’t it wonderful that we were able to witness the culmination of all our fundraising for Project SIerra with the handover of that cheque? www.sigbi.org/brighton2011/program/friday-auditorium/Thank you for the huge effort that you put into our last Quadrennial project to make us Million Pound donors. www.sigbi.org/2011/1million-raised-for-project-sierra-by-soroptimists/
This is my chance to thank the Board for their dedication and hard work throughout the year. We have enjoyed each other’s company and the team has worked very well together. It is a supportive environment and one where ideas and interaction are encouraged and welcomed.
There are many hundreds, indeed thousands of special women in this organisation. They are not just special because they are Soroptimists. We are an organisation of mentors as I said last year. Members who are our mentors have given their time, energy and support not just to further our vision and mission, but especially to support other members in their progression through leadership roles. Many members, including myself have enjoyed the benefit of this selfless dedication.
Thank you for all you have contributed this year to SIGBI. Every member matters as I said last year in my inaugural address. Every positive action that every single one of us takes, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem is part of the global impact that we are making on the lives of women and girls. Together we inspire action and transform lives.”
Thank you!
Liz Batten (formerly Morgan-Lewis)