President’s Message

“Clear Eyes, Full Hearts – Can’t Lose”

This is about working as a team. As a Soroptimist team we have caring in our hearts: we offer service in our communities and we support not only each other, but women and girls across the globe.

I have two themes this year for us to explore with “clear eyes and full hearts”.

Firstly, I want us to link with my “day job” in ophthalmology. I work with people who have visual impairment, so I would like to support the charity “Sightline Vision North West”. This organisation was set up locally by Eileen Green in 2000. Via a free telephone helpline it offers practical advice and counselling support for people who are experiencing sight loss, by people who are themselves visually impaired.

Secondly, I want to acknowledge the treatment and care that my grand-daughter Daisy received at Alder Hey Hospital, and the wonderful facilities at Ronald McDonald House where my daughter and her partner stayed for the six weeks that Daisy was in intensive care. Therefore I would like to support the research carried out by the cardiac team (in particular by Mr Nelson Alphonso, without whom Daisy would not be here today). I would also like to combine this with “doing” – offering practical assistance at Ronald McDonald House.

Soroptimists have many skills and I have seen members’ great enthusiasm and willingness to help others. So I should like to extend my thanks to everyone in SI Crosby – you are all so welcoming and supportive. It is this support that will carry me through my presidential year. I believe that being part of a bigger team, too, in terms of our region and beyond, makes our roles worthwhile. Soroptimism is not necessarily the “winning” but the journey – moving through this journey together. Soroptimism is about the effort and time that we give – all of us working for the common good.

I believe that together we can make a difference. I am confident that we can move forward and achieve our aims. With clear eyes and full hearts I know we CANNOT lose!

Here’s to an exciting year ahead.

In friendship, President Sandy