We were delighted to welcome via zoom 22 of our 29 members to our first meeting since our “email agm” a few weeks ago Janice chaired a very lively, informative and productive meeting. Everyone present was in agreement that we should release some of our funds immediately as many of the local charities we support are in need of money. We also agreed to release immediately £100 for the empowering girls in Nepal fund. We unanimously agreed to task our steering group who are meeting soon to disburse our money wisely. I hope everyone enjoyed the meeting as much as I did. Roll on our next club meeting on June 3rd. Media member Kay

Two of our members attended the Soroptimist’s World Convention held in Kuala Lumpor 19-21 July 2019. “We were privileged to hear internationally renowned speakers who were inspiring, thought-provoking, shocking and heart-breaking but also at times hilarious. We have made many new friends and look forward to maintaining the close friendships we have forged. This has been a wonderful experience and a one we shall not forget. Below is the view from our bedroom window”. Janice Rees and Marjory Smart

Some of the members of SI Aberdeen who took part in a clean up of Allenvale Cemetery on July 22nd to mark the SIGBI day of action While in the cemetery flowers were placed on the grave of Dr Mary Esslemont, one of the most well known members and past Presidents of SI Aberdeen (1950 – 51). She also became President of the Soroptimist Federation in 1961

At our final meal meeting before the summer recess over 15 club members enjoyed a fascinating talk from Lesley Mowat about her involvement with the Girls Brigade in Aberdeen over a number of years. Club member Pat Moir a close friend and long time nursing colleague was happy to be the model as she showed use how the uniform had evolved over the years.

Club member Dorothy handing in plastic bottle tops to our local Lush shop for up-cycling

Aberdeen Harbour, one of the UK’s busiest ports, is being transformed to develop new facilities and associated infrastructure at Nigg Bay, to the south of the existing harbour. The construction will facilitate increased capacity and will accommodate the larger vessels now associated with a whole range of existing and new markets. This £350 million project will continue for three years, and its scheduled completion date is in the summer of 2020. In this time, breakwaters, quays, improved access roads to support the new development, road re-alignment, parking and means of access, temporary construction and fabrication areas and other associated development including, paths, lighting, and signage will be built. The visitor’s centre is full of fascinating facts and display boards about the project and about the history of Aberdeen harbour. We enjoyed an informative talk from Teresa and Havier about the complexity of this new development

At our February meeting member Pat Stewart gave a very informative talk about palm oil. A lively discussion followed about palm oil, what the issue is with “conflict” palm oil, how we can try and ensure we are either reducing our consumption or only using products containing sustainable palm oil. The picture is a range of products we looked at and discussed.