In support of Regional President Jenny Stanistreet (a member of SI Crosby) nine Soroptimists from the club attended the 2011 annual Joint Regional Conference. Held in Blackpool, the conference was the 74th to be organised by the South Lancashire Region, in partnership with the North West England & Isle of Man Region.
The conference theme was “Equality: are we there yet?” – a chance to look afresh at one of the principal tenets of Soroptimism. On Day 1 Federation President Liz Morgan-Lewis opened the event with an overview of current developments in Soroptimist International. The keynote speaker, Professor Pat Thane, then gave a wide-ranging address on gender equality, looking at historical and contemporary examples. Delegates also heard from university lecturer Jo Grady on equality in the workplace, educational researcher Steve Dempster on masculinity in education, and solicitor Ellie Foster on legal aspects of relationships.
Day 2 opened with the Chief Executive of Plan UK, Marie Staunton, graphically outlining the charity’s campaign “Because I am a Girl”. Sue Biggs, Chair of UKPAC rounded up the conference with information on the forthcoming SI long-term project on education and leadership. Delegates took part in workshops, led by Sue, to devise programme action ideas that could translate into practical club projects.
Any conference is a balance of concentration, conviviality and conversation. The coincidence of the recent royal wedding meant that the evening on the art of hat-wearing (led by Sarah Rhodes’ of “Get Ahead Hats”) was a topical success – especially as there was the opportunity to try on some magnificent creations. Entertainment after the black-and-white-themed gala dinner, attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackpool, was the local women’s barbershop group “Sound Waves”.
Crosby’s delegates helped with stewarding, sold the club’s “Baggatelles” in aid of Project SIerra and generally entered into the spirit of what is known as “the friendly conference”.