SI Crosby’s 2011 Annual General Meeting culminated in the Change of Insignia ceremony.
Outgoing President Maggie Tatam gave a personal view of her year – from the drama of the “volcanic ash cloud” that left her stranded in India and unable to attend the 2010 AGM, to the deeply moving Remembrance Day service. Service projects – particularly in support of Jospice and Mary’s Meals – plus fundraising and social events had combined to make her year busy and fulfilling. Maggie then offered all good wishes to the new president, Sandy Taylor, and passed to her the Club’s beautiful chain of office.
President Sandy’s first task was to present Maggie with her Immediate Past President badge, President Elect Yvonne Atkinson with her medallion, and Vice-President Terry Francis with the Chichester pin.
Club member Pat Williams led the candle ceremony, to re-state the essential elements of Soroptimist activity. In turn, members lit candles representing tolerance, understanding, sincerity, wisdom, friendship, international goodwill, service and Soroptimist International. This is a simple – but very moving – part of the Change of Insignia.
In her installation address President Sandy spoke of her pride in being SI Crosby’s president – following in the footsteps of so many formidable women who have held the office since the club’s foundation in 1938. Combining personal and professional interests this year’s presidential spotlight will fall on the Ronald McDonald House at Alder Hey Hospital (Liverpool) and services for visually-impaired people.