So what’s it like to be the President?
A speech given by President Carole at the recent celebrations of SI Bournemouth’s 70th Anniversary
- Oil was discovered in Saudi Arabia
- Italy won the Soccer World Cup for the second time
- PPM Neville Chamberlain was hailed as bringing peace to Europe – Hitler having signed never to go to war with Britain again!
- Ladybird children’s wear was launched
- Hitchcock’s The Lady Vanishes could be seen on the silver screen
- CCadbury’s Roses Assortment appeared for the first time in shops
- Billie Holliday could be heard singing ‘I can’t get started.’
When? 1938 – a year to remember?
Certainly a group of women in Bournemouth had no problem getting started and the result is SI Bournemouth, celebrating its 70th birthday this year – the oldest club in the Region of Southern England
The club is older than the region which was formed as Southern England Divisional Union in 1968. Ms A Field from Bournemouth was president in 1989 and Sylvia Fox in 2006….. and Debbie Rogers designated for 2010
President’s Participation – what do we all do?
PARTICIPATION is being there – I have pledged to myself to attend all annual functions and as many other events as I can
I’ll start with the PERKS.
You are never alone as a president – there is always someone there to welcome you – you don’t have that feeling as you enter the room looking around anxiously– who is there that I can go and speak to. You sit at the top table from where you can see and hear all that is going on.
You are wined and dined with excellent meals. Quite often you leave with the table decoration – not surreptitiously purloined, but as a gift from the club – I have a thriving African violet form one club and a bunch of dried lavender from another. Occasionally at an event you might be given an unclaimed raffle prize such as a basket of fruit. Now, don’t go rushing away if you haven’t got table decorations or a spare raffle prize – these are not expectations, this is just what happens from time to time and I am sure, like me, all former Presidents are touched by these gestures.
All of this makes me feel a very special person, yet I am an ordinary Soroptimist, trying my best to make a difference through Advocacy, Awareness and Action and taking my turn of sitting in the ‘hot seat’
But of course, nothing is free – there is a PAYBACK.
I might be asked to propose the toast to the club a 5 or 10 minute talk – that means research – looking at their website, re-reading the minutes of Regional Meetings, Programme Action Meetings and the Linkletter. So – what happens – I become immersed in the interesting detail in each of these – why isn’t our web site like theirs, how do they persuade their members to do that… why didn’t we think of doing that. I might be asked to respond to that toast – I need to make sure that I am up to date with activities within SI, the current quadrennial project, who’s who – so that means more reading of web sites, magazines and communications from SI. These 5 to 10 minute talks and responses can take several hours to prepare – but what I learn during that activity is quite astounding – I am sure I am a better informed Soroptimist! But, with speeches normally after lunch/dinner that second glass of wine is definitely out.
Then there are the officers and regional meetings to chair – to keep to time but allow all who want to participate – there you are doing the participation now! Officers meetings are traditionally held at the home of the President – so what food do we tempt the officers with to ensure good teamwork and participation? I remember Tracy with her selection of meats and cheeses with interesting bread, Alexis with her olives, Sylvia with her quiches/salad bits and Joyce with her homemade carrot and coriander soup which I failed miserably to provide Sainsbury do a good one!.
I may be required to represent the region at an event or speak on behalf of the region. Last year, Joyce attended a reception at the House of Lords as a guest of Naomi House organisation. Joyce and I attended the Carol Concert in Kensington, held to raise funds for Hope and Homes for Children at which Kate Adie spoke – both prestigious events
But, no job is without its PROBLEMS – I would normally say challenges, but I am hooked on alliteration at the moment so problems it is. A huge problem is the ability to dovetail my Presidential work with my other activities – you can see those on the menu. But – I did have two years to prepare for this year – so was able to let others know that for 12 months Soroptimism would take precedence and with all of the clubs keeping the regional secretary up to date with the diary clashes cold be avoided.
So PLANNING is important. But, best made plans of mice and men….. A date for mentoring a club suddenly becomes the date of the Peace Dinner at the Savoy as a guest of the MPA. What do I do? Well, there was actually no clash, but high ethical standards do demand that occasionally we make sacrifices – but a tactful word with the club president may allow both appointments to be undertaken. Another problem is what to wear? I know Debbie says you should not judge a book by its cover, but this president would like the cover to be as tasteful as possible and suited to the event. Another problem is whether I will fit into my clothes as I go from dinner, to tea to BBQ.
Another of my tasks is to PROMOTE the region – other regions think they are the best, we know we are! I do not do that alone – your programme work along with that of other clubs in the region promotes Southern England. Indeed Bournemouth club received recognition of their work through an award from SIGBI for their Drink Spiking work a year or so ago and Bournemouth were very much a partner to Poole when they were awarded recognition for the Walk without legs – empty shoes along the front between Poole and Bournemouth – a poignant reminder of those women, men and children in war torn countries who lost limbs because of mines.
So this promotion is a PARTNERSHIP between us all in the region, the President and the clubs.
Accompanying all of this Presidential work are the PRIVILEGES. Fun and fellowship come in abundance; the opportunity to share with clubs their work, successes and challenges in a non confrontational atmosphere is most stimulating. These privileges can be shared by all members not just presidents – I encourage you to attend other clubs’ events, not just the annual functions celebrating the clubs’ charters but other events such as racing fluffy pink pigs, or attending a horse race on a screen or with Soroptimists acting as horses. Fashion shows to tempt you to retail therapy, quizzes to challenge you, a variety of food related events BBQs, cream teas, themed evenings – Indian, Thai, Turkish to stimulate the appetite.
My advice to future presidents – enjoy the perks, prepare for your paybacks, plan your programme for the year, promote not only the region but also Soroptimism and share the privileges with all members. I would like to wish Debbie a great time in her regional presidential year in 2 years’ time and wish Bournemouth club as productive, enjoyable and successful next 70 years as this last 70 years has been.
Participation is paramount, being president, although time consuming, is most enjoyable – remember, as Oscar Wilde said:
“Experience is one thing you can’t get for nothing.”
Thank you
Carole Atkinson