About our Club

Programme Action.

Through our voluntary work we make a difference,  locally, nationally and internationally.  Programme Action reflects the vision and the mission of Soroptimist International.  We are committed to a world where women and girls together achieve their potential, realise their aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong and peaceful communities worldwide.
Our goals are to ensure that women and girls:

  • Enjoy equity and equality.
  • Live in safe and healthy environments
  • Have access to education
  • Have leadership and practical skills.
Presentation of €2,500 to Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 21st January 2013
Our club presented a cheque for €2,500 to Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, Chief Executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. They were delighted to receive this donation as their budgets have been cut considerably. They provide a wonderful service with counsellors available by phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Not only do they provide a counselling and support service, but they offer training and free legal advice.
Turn Off The Red Light Campaign –Press Conference 24th September 2012

The TORL campaign held a balloon release and press conference on Friday 24 August to launch their submission to theJoint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, at the Department of Justice and Equality, which is reviewing legislation into Prostitution in Ireland.

Margaret Murray and Catherine Giblin SI Dublin represented Soroptimist International Republic of Ireland at the press conference. The Turn Off the Red Light Campaign is an alliance of 55 organisations calling for a change in legislation which would criminalise men who purchase sex. This would follow the Swedish Model which has seen a dramatic reduction in Prostitution and Trafficking of women and children since the Swedish Government changed its laws in 1999. Every day over 1100 women and girls as young as 14yrs are for sale for sex online in Ireland.

Submissions on behalf of individuals and organisations were received by 31st August. This included a submission from Soroptimist International Republic of Ireland.
We look forward to the final report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee and call on The Minister for Justice Mr Alan Shatter to support this change in legislation for the protection of women and girls.

Catherine Giblin.

SI Dublin.

For 2012, our new project is Mental Health Awareness.  We will be working closely with the HSE to provide information evenings and support to promote awareness of mental health issues.  This project is not a fund raising project but a vital informative hands on project.  We will be targeting groups and holding information and group discussions.
We have just completed the fund raising project in support of cystic fibrosis and a huge €100,000 was raised by all clubs for this worthwhile charity.
We are also currently working on our annual Schools public speaking competition , our local competition was held last November at the Mansion House.  Our winners Aimee Carroll, Loretto College and Katie Wolalan, St Josephs of Cluny will be taking part in the regional heat in March 2012.
Each year, the Dublin Club hosts a Presidents Dinner.  2012, it will be in aid of Safe Ireland ‘the umbrella organisation for prevention of domestic abuse in Ireland.
Last year, our Presdients Dinner was  in aid of NCBRI.
Each year to celebrate World Water Day, we agree to put coins in a jar each time we turn on a tap at home.  This helps to highlight how much we use water and take it for granted here in Ireland.  The proceeds are donated to a water project each year.  This year we raised £100 stg for our Wateraid Project.
We also take part each year in  the mini marathon to raise funds or raise awareness of a project.  For 2011 and 2012, we are raising awareness of the Turn Off the Red Light Campaign (Stop Trafficking women in Ireland)
We were also this year liaising with Mr Pat Shannon of Caring for Carers Ireland to assist in setting up a Dublin Meeting Centre for Dublin Carers to meet up once a month together for both social and a supportive role for those who care for others in their home.  This has been completed and there is now a Dublin branch based at Carmichael House.  SI Dublin attended The Caring for Carers Weekend at the Royal Marine in Dun Laoghaire and sponsored three Carer Groups to attend the weekend.

Visit to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dun Laoghaire

The Dublin club have in the past worked on the following projects:

  1. In April 2009, we held a Presidents Dinner at Howth Yacht Club for Pieta House, the suicide and treatment centre in Lucan and raised €7,500
  2. In June 2009, we participated in the womens mini marathon in aid of the National Rehab Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.
  3. Supporting The Rostrevor Greenore Centre in Pearse Street Dublin.In May 2009 and 2008, 35 clients of Rostrevor Greenore were taken on a day trip to The Meeting of the Waters in Avoca in Wicklow. Several members of SI Dublin went along and all had a very enjoyable day.
  4. The Dublin club supports The Helping Hands group in Tallaght to provide a much needed weekend away annually for Carers.
  5. In partnership with NGO Selfhelp, The Dublin club members funded the building of a classroom in Sirikwa primary school in Kenya.
  6. In 2007 Dublin members raised €5.000 for Dublin based charity To Russia With Love.
  7. Each year the Dublin club supports UN World Water Day ( 22nd March 2009 ), by focusing on alleviating one of the world’s primary sources of poverty; the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities.
  8. In 2008, the Dublin club raised €9.500 for Pieta House, a centre for treatment and prevention of suicide and self-harm.We will continue to support Pieta House in 2009 and are arranging a Presidents Dinner in Howth Yacht Club on 26th April 2009.
  9. In November 2008, the club ran the Soroptimist Local Public Speaking Competition in The Mansion House.We had 13 participants from 4 Dublin schools.
  10. On 7th February 2009, Dublin hosted the Regional Final of The girls Public Speaking competition.We had 10 participants, representing schools in Dublin,Bray, Naas-Newbridge, North Kildare and Wexford.We were delighted to have our National President of SI Republic of Ireland Mrs Kay Brophy in attendance at The Mansion House, Dublin.

As members of a global organisation we are actively involved  in supporting our sister members of The Federation of Great Britain and Ireland.This involves supporting a quadrennial project.

The current quadrennial Project 2007-2011 is Project Sierra.  Soroptimists will work together to provide hope and homes for children living in extreme poverty in Sierra Leone.These children are neglected orphans, separated, institutionalised and abandoned, some with HIV Aids, child soldiers and street urchins. The Dublin club looks forward to adding our support to this project.

Through Programme Action Dublin Soroptimists are helping  these worthy causes but we receive so much back through our friendship and service.

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