Presidents’ messages

Jill Love (on the left)

For me the joint presidency with Jenny is an exciting venture, each bringing so many different experiences to this position.

As an SI member we must make a difference,

Throughout my life I have always appreciate how privileged I am and have wanted to improve the conditions of others, with the exception of my time spent teaching in the Far East with diplomats and children of rich families, I have chosen to work in Inner city areas and on Housing Estates and have done so for 34 years.

In 1976 I was invited to become a member of SI Oxford and District, but for domestic reasons this was not possible. My membership was not achieved until 2006 when I became a member of the Dusit Club of Bangkok Thailand, part of the South West Pacific Federation.

Living in Thailand for up to half the year I contributed as much energy as possible to the Club’s Fund Raising Activities thus securing funds for their Education Scholarships, 100 girls of average ability, the Club guaranteed their educational expenses for the 6 years of their Secondary Education. After that, one of our Thai members found them other sponsors

I also spent some time helping in a Cambodian village on the Thai/Cambodian border, mainly with painting and decorating in the school and hospital. In 2008 this village was adopted by the SWP Federation as their Project, so on occasions we were working with our sisters from Australia. Around the village there were many landmines, so sadly some children were badly injured or killed especially in the rainy season when the mines surfaced out of the mud. The building of a toilet block funded by us gave safely to the pupils and also meant that adolescent girls were permitted to attend school.

From 2007 I was a guest Of SIOD, but with the decision to sell up in Thailand, I resigned from the Dusit Club of Bangkok and applied for membership of SIOD in October 2009.

Unlike Jenny who has given so much to her Clubs, Region, 63 Bayswater Road and the SIGBI, I am the new girl on the block. I am learning all the time, so don’t be worried that there are times when you are unsure about things, ask, if we don’t know we can always find out.

Please look beyond our Club and participate in SIGBI various activities as often as you can, Joint Club Meetings, Regional Meetings, Annual SIGBI Conferences and every 4 years the SI Convention when all 4 Federations join together. By doing this you will build a bigger picture of SIGBI and SI, and have a greater understanding of our Vision and Mission. Sisters we are the Bigger Society in Action, Worldwide. Continue to help us help all the Women and Girls of the World.

Jenny Vince (on the right)

Joining with Jill as SI Oxford’s joint president this year is an exciting prospect.  We plan to support Steppin Stones – an Oxford charity for the homeless – during the next twelve months, as well as supporting regional and federation projects.  This year we have the SI convention in Montreal in July and the SIGBI conference in Brighton in October – both occasions for inspirational speakers and to hear about Soroptimists working throughout the world, not to mention meeting up with old friends and having an opportunity to catch up. This, to me, is one of the most important parts of being a Soroptimist – joining with other likeminded women to make a difference, however small.