Reports on activities in year April 2011 – April 2012

18th April 2012 – AGM of SI Cardiff and District Trust at 7.30pm at Churchill’s Hotel.  Chairman Enid Child (pictured centre) reported on the year’s acivities of the Trust and Jill Delgado (right) updated members on the position regarding the girls’ education achievents.  This was followed by a financial report and an invitation to the fundraising event in September at Enid’s home.

The club AGM followed.  President Cathy summarised the year’s activities and club achievments.  Long service certificates were presented to Sheila Bruton (35 years), Margaret Richards (35 years) and Pat Kernick (55 years).   The chain of office was handed to Cathy’s successor, Joan Williams and the immediate past president’s chain of office and badge were presented to Cathy.  After the formal part of the meeting, members enjoyed a glass of wine and cheese, courtesy of Churchill’s hotel and a some delicous sponge cake kindly made by Kay Richmond.

14th April 2012- quarterly beach clean at Swanbridge on a cold and damp day see photo below.  Fortunately the Captain’s Wife is only a few metres away for post clean refreshments!   http://sigbi.org/cardiff-and-district/programme-action-club-activities/programme-action-beach-clean/

 24th March 2012 - End of year party at Peterston-Super-Ely village hall with Gambian meal and entertainment by Gambian musician Sura Susso playing a kora accompanied by his sister Binta Suso.  To see photos http://sigbi.org/cardiff-and-district/reports-on-activities-in-current-year-2010-2012/photos-of-end-of-year-party/

14th March 2012 – Club meeting at Churchill’s Hotel at 7.30pm.  It was a pretty full house for President Cathy’s last club meeting before the AGM.  Amongst the business of the evening, President Elect Joan said that her programme for the forthcoming year was almost complete just on or 2 i’s to do and t’s to cross.

11th March 2012 – to commemorate International World Water Day, a white water rafting event was held at Cardiff’s International Whitewater Centre.  Six rafts (6 in a raft)  were hired with guides for a 2 hour session of  rafting.  The first 3 laps were practice laps and subsequent laps were timed.  The money raised, £1350 to date (15th March) and still counting, will be given to the Kotu Trust for provision of a clean water facility in the Gambia.

8th March 2012 – International Women’s Day - Five members took part in an event organised by SI Newport. For more details see http://sigbi.org/cardiff-and-district/programme-action-club-activities/programme-action-international-womens-day/

6th March 2012- Executive meeting 7.30pm Churchill’s Hotel, minutes circulated to members

 3rd March 2012 – Monthly walk see http://sigbi.org/cardiff-and-district/walking-group/-

25th February 2012 – Environment Group – Nine members enjoyed the early spring sunshine as we cleaned up the banks alongside Roath Brook.  For more information see http://sigbi.org/cardiff-and-district/programme-action-club-activities/

 22nd February 2012 – Supper meeting 7.30pm Churchill’s Hotel.  After supper, new(ish) member Anne Hutt gave a job talk about her position as a pharmacist detailing in particular the changes to the job over the years.  Microbiology lab managers Jen Hancock and Paula Brooks also gave a job talk.  Jen and Paula met at college and their careers have run in parallel.  At the beginning of her president’s year, President Cathy challenged members to get out of their comfort zone and learn/do something new.  Sheila Bruton inspired members with her keep fit regime.  Sheila joined a gym and a Pilates class and is benefitting from increased fitness.  Ann Thomas spoke about her Nordic walking; she too is now much fitter.  Jill Delgado has learnt Creole for her visits to Cape Verde.  Finally Giselle Davies reported on her holiday to Gambia during which she met Ba’ami for whose schooling we have raised funds.

18th February 2012 - monthly walk, Cowbridge for full details see  http://sigbi.org/cardiff-and-district/walking-group/

11th February 2012 - Regional meeting Aberavon Beach Hotel

 8th February 2012 -  Club meeting at Churchill’s Hotel – Photo below on the left – President Cathy inducted three new members to the club, left to right,   golf club stewardess Catherine Brookes, organisational development manager Beverley Hassell, President Cathy and Ruth Abbott, a teacher.  Photo below on the right – Keira-Jo Stanton, the 15-year old winner of the SI Cardiff & District Young Volunteer Award for 2011, has been freely giving her time and enthusiasm to help others since she was 12. She’s used her experience of being bullied at school to become a peer educator through the medium of dance, which she has always loved. She supports youth workers, runs dance classes, sets up projects, and has become a mentor to other youngsters with problems. As one of her referees says, ‘Keira has become a positive role model for her peers and provides support, encouragement and inspiration for them to achieve their full potential.’

After the inductions, presentation, club business and programme action items, members were given the opportunity to reflect on the club’s activities during the past year.

7th February 2012 - Executive meeting 7.30pm Churchill’s Hotel, minutes circulated to members

4th February 2012  - river clean, meet noon at Roath Community Centre – cancelled due to the snow

25th January 2012  – Supper Meeting  at Churchill’s Hotel    

After a hot buffet supper, President Cathy updated members on Ba’ami, the Gambian 7 year old girl (pictured above) for whom money was raised to enable her to get to school.  Enough money was raised at our concert to keep her in school for 10 years.  Cathy also showed photos of the compound in which a tap will be placed/built from the money yet to be raised at the White Water rafting event in March.  See http://sigbi.org/cardiff-and-district/programme-action-club-activities/

21st January 2012 -  10 members met at noon  for the quarterly clean of the beach at  Swanbridge.  It was a wild and windy day enhanced by a sociable lunch in the Captain’s Wife after the clean.  See http://sigbi.org/cardiff-and-district/programme-action-club-activities/

11th January 2012 - Club meeting 7.30pm Churchill’s Hotel

 A  well attended buzzy meeting at which two new members were inducted by President Cathy (centre in above photo).   Christine Castledine, a solicitor and on the right Anne Hutt who is a pharmacist were welcomed as members.  After conducting the club business, members discussed programme action areas with a view to expanding the club’s involvement with Barnados.  Dates of the forthcoming river and beach clean were given.  Wrap up warm and see you there!

3rd January 2012 - Executive meeting 7.30pm Churchill’s Hotel, minutes circulated to members

14th December 2011 - Club Christmas Party 7.30pm Churchill’s Hotel-  members enjoyed a turkey dinner after which we were entertained by the Nightingales who sang a selection of Christmas music. 

13th December 2011 – delivery of baby clothes to UHW see http://sigbi.org/cardiff-and-district/programme-action-club-activities/

7th December 2011 – Barnardo’s Marlborough Road Centre

President Cathy presents Jason Baker Children’s Service Manager with 22 gift vouchers for young mums, 19 for girls in residence at the moment and 3 for girls coming in January.  Soroptimist  Wendy Morgan who organised the collection and purchase of the vouchers is pictured right.

28th November 2011 – Barnardo’s

President Cathy, President Elect Joan and 3 members attended the Christmas Fair at Cwrt y Marchnad in Canton where they met a few of the tenants, had a cuppa and were able to see and purchase some of the lovely hand made Christmas items available.

23rd November 2011 – Fundraiser for Barnardo’s. 

 12th November 2011 – Monthly walk see  http://sigbi.org/cardiff-and-district/reports-on-activities-in-current-year-2010-2012/walking-group/  for details.

9th November 2011 – Club meeting 7.30pm Churchill’s Hotel – members were delighted to welcome Judith Williams, a social worker as a new member. Minutes of meeting available to members.

5th November 2011 -  River Clean -  Five members met with  Chris Partridge from Keep Wales Tidy to clean the brook running alongside Ty Draw Road.  9 bags of rubbish were collected.  To see photos follow link  http://www.flickr.com//photos/keep_wales_tidy/sets/72157627983835835/show/

1st November 2011 - Executive meeting 7.30pm Churchill’s Hotel, minutes circulated to members

27th – 29th October 2011 SIGBI conference Brighton – ten members attended conference – follow link for the views of two attendees, Sandra Ajax and Joan Payne Conference reports

22nd October 2011 – monthly walk – Peterston Super Ely organised by President Cathy.  Ten members enjoyed a beautiful walk on a lovely sunny day.  For a report of the walk, see http://sigbi.org/cardiff-and-district/reports-on-activities-in-current-year-2010-2012/walking-group/  

14th October 2011 – Fundraising concert in association with Cardiff and the Vale College –  A Night of Music for Africa with Cardiff  Sinfonietta Castle Brass,  African Drummers and the Nightingales  for Kotu Trust - concert raised £2,000.  Money raised will fund, in the Gambia, 7-year-old Ba’ami’s education  and support her family  for the next 5 years. 

12th October 2011 – Club meeting 7.30pm Churchill’s Hotel.  A well attended meeting at which a prospective new member was welcomed.  Following the club business, Jill Delgado (pictured right in picture below) handed a large supply of baby clothes to Joan Payne for the premature baby unit at UHW.  For more information see http://sigbi.org/cardiff-and-district/wp-admin/post.php?post=257&action=edit

4th October 2011  - Executive meeting 7.30pm Churchill’s Hotel – minutes circulated to members

28th September 2011  – Supper Meeting  at Churchill’s Hotel -  guest speaker headteacher Liz Harris, treated members to a splendid talk – by turns entertaining, moving and inspirational. The children at Ystruth Primary School are surely very lucky to be in her care. Thanks to those who bought books on the night, we were able to give Liz £45 to stock up her bookstand for the children’s rewards.

On 24th September 2011, members of the walking group met for the monthly walk.  Joan Payne arranged to meet at Caerphilly from where we walked along the Rudry ridge – a great morning.  For details see http://soroptimist-gbi.org/cardiff-and-district/reports-on-activities-in-current-year-2010-2012/walking-group/

25th June at noon - 5 members braved the wet weather to clean the beach at Swanbridge collecting 4 bags of rubbish.      

22nd June 2011 -  30+ members enjoyed a buffet supper at Churchill’s Hotel.  Chartered Accountant Carol Williams (2nd left) and (3rd left) Wendy Morgan who works for Touch Trust, were inducted as new members.  The speaker Barbara Connell from Kotu Trust detailed that work undertaken by the Trust helping families in Gambia.  Barbara and President Cathy are both trustees of this small charity.

18th June 2011- Several members attended the Regional AGM at 2pm,  at Brackla Community Centre at which regional officers were appointed.  A full report will be given to members at the next club meeting.

11th June 2011 -Club outing to Blaenavon.  For a full report see http://soroptimist-gbi.org/cardiff-and-district/reports-on-activities-in-current-year-2010-2012/walking-group/

8th June – Club meeting 7.30pm Churchill’s Hotel - the 24 members present voted on federation and regional officers for the forthcoming AGMs.  Reports were received and forthcoming events noted.  Giselle gave a demonstration of how Face book works and it was agreed to have a closed Face book account with our Danish Friendship link club.  Members were asked to note the first river/brook clean on 31st July and knitters are sought to knit mittens and hats for the premature baby unit at UHW. 

31st May 2011 – Executive meeting at Churchill’s at 7.30pm – minutes circulated to members    

25th May 2011 – Supper meeting 7.30pm Churchill’s Hotel – Introducing the Education Challenge - after a buffet supper, President Cathy updated members of the outcome of the previous club meeting.  Our support of Barnardos will extend to helping them with a community garden and marshalling at the half marathon;  all members wished to continue with the beach clean and were enthusiastic to commence the brook clean at Roath Park; starter packs would be assembled for Cardiff Women’s Aid; re-cycling of items would be broadened.  Members were then asked what they would be undertaking in response to Cathy’s challenge to learn something new.  Almost all had decided what to do – learn a language -Spanish, Creole and French, obtain a cycling proficiency badge, advanced driving course, pilates, burlesque, Nordic walking, painting, writing a cookery book, writing a book of diary letters from Papua New Guinea, bridge, triathlon, IT skills, flower arranging, harp lessons, piano lessons,  baking, bargelo, upholstery,  forensics.         

14th May 2011- Monthly walk see http://soroptimist-gbi.org/cardiff-and-district/reports-on-activities-in-current-year-2010-2012/walking-group/                                                                                                  

11th May 2011 - club meeting – 30 members present were pleased to welcome new member Sue Norris who was inducted as a member by President Cathy.  Sue is a manager at Citizens Advice Bureau as well as joint owner of Glyndwr vineyard.  Cathy also welcomed prospective new (returning) member Carol Williams and presented Elizabeth James with a long service certificate (35 years). Reports were given from the various committees. After a short break, members discussed Programme Action areas to support for the forthcoming year.  They will be Barnardos, River and Beach clean, Women’s Aid, the Regional Project, Re-cycling and signing of petitions. 

7th May 2011 – regional meeting Carmarthen, report to be given at club meeting on 11th May

4th May 2011 – Executive meeting 7.30pm Churchill’s – minutes circulated to members

20th April 2011 – AGM of Education Trust and club at Churchill’s hotel