NOVEMBER 2011

To:          Clubs in Midland Arden Region

As I pause for breath in what has been so far a very busy November, I thought I would take the time to make contact with you, the membership, to keep you updated what I have been up to, find out what you have all been doing since Conference and to give you some information that you need to know!  I hope to send at least one missive a month to you all, and will rely on your Club President/Secretary to cascade this out to you all, either by email or in hard copy.

So far, since Conference, I have attended two Dinners on your behalf with another at the weekend.  I have also been part of a party that attended the Festival of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas.  Details of this can be found on our Regional Website together with some superb photographs taken by members of SI Solihull. 

Please visit the Midland Arden website which is now fully up to date.  The link you need is http://sigbi.org/midland-arden/.  I am hoping to keep this fully updated as much possible but need YOUR Club news, however small, to inform our members and anyone else who may be interested in joining SI what we do.  There is a page for Region News, Club News and Programme Action News.  If you think of anything that you should like to see on the website, please give me a shout but please use the email address marweb@live.co.uk as this is a dedicated email address just for the website.

A common theme I am coming across is that Clubs are not sure how to set up and maintain their own Club website.  I am happy to run a workshop for a couple of hours for Webmistresses to come along  and share their knowledge and to show you how to set up your own Club page.  Please contact me if you feel this is something that you would be interested in?

Region Notices

The ROC need a new co-opted member from the Region.  Please consider whether you can commit to four or five evenings a year to attend the ROC meeting and take part in the decision making process and administration of the Region.  This position DOES NOT mean that you are expected then to take up the role of President as has been the myth in the past.  It merely means you get to see how the ROC works and who knows, you may be tempted.  Please email me or Denise Carson, Hon Secretary if you are interested before the end of November so we may put this to the members at the Council Meeting on 3 December 2011.

This brings me nicely to the MAR Council Meeting on 3^rd December 2011.  The speaker at the meeting will be REVEREND ADRIAN ARGILE and his talk will be regarding THE DALIT FREEDOM NETWORK.  This will coincide with Human Rights Day. The DFN is a human rights charity that has responded to the cry for help from the leaders of the Dalit community (“The Untouchables”) in India.  They work with them on trafficking and sex slavery issues, poverty and abuse issues and other plights of this community.  I hope that this will appeal to all members and I do look forward to seeing you at Tally Ho on 3^rd December.  Please urge any new members of your Club to come along as I truly believe you gain so much from these meetings. 

The proceeds from the Raffle at the Council Meeting will be for International President Alice Wells’ December 10^th Charity – “Birthing in the Pacific” – please support this as much as possible.

I look forward to visiting your Clubs very soon and meeting with you all. 

Ruth x

Regional President Ruth and her husband Tim attended the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas on Sunday 13th November 2011 to join with Midland Chase President Judith Healey and Midland East President Susan Challis to lay the Wreathes of Remembrance on behalf of Soroptimist International and the Three Regions.

They were joined by both Federation Councillors for both Midland Arden and Midland Chase together with members of SI Solihull.

It was a truly moving event, with members of the armed forces past and present joining with members of the public to remember the fallen in wars past and present.  The sun shone brightly, though cold, as the Presidents laid the wreathes at the Soroptimist Garden.

*Pictures courtesy of Enid Hinton, SI Solihull & District*

http://sigbi.org/our-charities/3e-project-healthcare/

http://youtu.be/VOWL5aC2-oI

Prof. Rebecca Probert was invited up on to the stage by President Liz to receive their Certificate and although they did not win the overall prize – they were highly commended by SIGBI for their work.

Well done Kenilworth!