The AGM marks the end of a Diamond Year and the start of our 61st Year…
Members of Soroptimist International St Albans and District enjoyed a lively Annual General Meeting in April. The AGM marked the end of the Club’s 60th Diamond Anniversary Year, and the start of the Club’s 61st year with President Rita Andrews at the helm. We were delighted that SI London Chilterns Regional President Jen Simpson was able to join us for this special occasion. Please see new President Rita’s message on this web page: www.sigbi.org/st-albans/president
After an inspiring 3 years as Club President Denise Powell handed over to our new President Rita Andrews and said “it has been such a pleasure and privilege for me to be President this year. It gave me the chance to launch our ’60 for 60′ initiative. I was really keen that we had something that would bring the whole club in and get everyone involved. What looked daunting this time last year s
omehow translated itself into something really do-able……and we did it! (scroll down through Club News to see what just some of the 60 projects and events carried out in our 60th year). The climax of all this was our fabulous 60th Friendship weekend ! So what has being President given me…..well quoting the 3Es. I have been Educated…..about how Soroptimists work and what they do across the world. And about the huge strengths we have in our Club – we have brilliant Members. I have been Emp
owered to make decisions about directions for the club……including deciding to make no change in our support for the Womens Refuge and deciding to allow, encourage or cause change to happen. And finally I have been Enabled to have fun, to have influence, to try and make things work…….and to wear a big heavy chain from time to time.”
One of the sad things we had to do was to say farewell to the inimitable Hilary Ratcliffe OBE who has transferred to the Sheffield Soroptimist Club – lucky Sheffield! We are already planning our visit… Denise thanked her “Fab Five” – Jean Eaton, Jane Slatter, Helen Byrne, Ameeta Sabharwal and Diana Kingham (not in the pic) who were Executive officers of the Club, supporting Denise for the whole of her 3 years as Club President!
Denise’s last job was to cut the cake to wish the Club a Happy Birthday alongside Ameeta and Rita who had celebrated “big” birthdays during the year.
Our new President Rita’s first task was to present Denise with a thankyou card and gift. The gift was a Twinned Toilet in Nepal which Denise was really thrilled to receive because “Toilet Twinning” had been one of our “60 for 60” projects.
Our new President Rita delivered an inspiring speech which is abridged on this web page: www.sigbi.org/st-albans/president
Soroptimist International St Albans and District – Women Serving the St Albans Community Since 1957
