Reading through the archives in readiness for this job I read poems members had written for our decade anniversary years. So I thought I would write my report in verse to end our 70th year. With pleasure, here is my final report President’s Report : AGM 2 April 2019 OUR SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY YEAR 2018 – 2019 Our seventieth year I’ll never forget – The things we have done and the people we’ve met, The talks we have heard and the visits we’ve made – Our Platinum Birthday – our own cavalcade! Our birthday we shared with our dear N.H.S. Together we marked seven decades no less. We decided to help with Dementia Care, To support Delyth’s team and their problems to share. We also supported Project Umeed, For the Pakistan women and children in need; Resourcing their schools and their centres that train In skills

Members spent various days at Ysbyty Gwynedd during the Winter selling raffle tickets for the grand draw in aid of the President’s Dementia Care fund at Ysbyty Gwynedd.

We are delighted to have raised £5,000 to support the Dementia Care Team in their work and hope that the money will benefit patients with dementia, their families and the community.  The Soroptimist International Bangor & District Club was chartered in 1948 and shared its 70th Anniversary with the NHS.  For this reason we chose to support Dementia Care in Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital in our Anniversary year. In the course of selling raffle tickets, holding tombola stalls in Ysbyty Gwynedd, social events, coffee mornings, a Glam and Glitz evening and finally an Anniversary Afternoon Tea we have met so many people who wanted to support this cause because of their first hand experience of family and friends with dementia.  It has been a humbling experience and we wish to thank everyone who supported us willingly and generously.  We wish Delyth Hughes and her amazing team

In celebration of the Club’s 70th year, member Jenny Watkin Jones invited club members to her home. An afternoon tea with prosecco was arranged by the hospitality committee with homemade sandwiches and cakes.  Members of daughter club SI Anglesey also came along. The prizes for the club’s anniversary Grand Raffle were also drawn ranging from holuday and restaurant vouchers to a luxury food hamper in aid of the President’s Dementia  Care at Ysbyty Gwynedd fund. Winning tickets were drawn by Dementia specialist nurse Delyth Hughes. We are delighted to have raised £5,000 to support the Dementia Care Team in their work and hope that the money will benefit patients with dementia, their families and the community.  As  Soroptimist International Bangor & District Club was chartered in 1948 and shared its 70th Anniversary with the NHS, this was the reason we chose to support Dementia Care

Cheryl Williams from the Alzheimer’s Society was our guest speaker  and part of her work is to help people understand dementia.  She explained how we could become Dementia Friends joining the UK’s biggest ever initiative to change the way people think, act and talk about dementia.  More details about this initiative at www.dementiafriends.org.uk .

Gareth Roberts of Menter Fachwen provided a humorous and informative talk on the history of Bangor, from Neolithic period to medieval times, Roman and druid places to wartime bomb sites…. all was captivating! Whilst the plan had been to walk along the high street, Gareth shared instead a PowerPoint presentation inside Hirael Community Hall whilst the rain came down. He also shared the new walking guide which focussed on Bangor’s Jewish community and history. Warm soup, crusty bread and freshly made Welsh cakes were enjoyed by all, including members of SI Anglesey club who joined for the evening. Soup was later taken to the local homeless shelter

Jenie Dean was warmly welcomed as a new member by President Andy Hawkins at the club meeting held on 22.1.19.

Lis Perkins provided an expllanation of one of President Andy’s nominated charities ie the Umeed Partnership. Giving hope and opportunity by fundraising for disadvantaged children and women through education and vocational training of any faith in Pakistan eg with embroidery and tailoring skills. Umeed has also developed a support system for women who are victims of domestic and gender based violence. In addition Lis Perkins advised on Fair Trade including its history and certification labelling that ensures producers and workers are paid fairly for their products. Fair Trade week is from 25th February and members were encouraged to support through a variety of ways including shopping by paying a fair price and requesting the stocking of fair trade items at supermarkets. Through various activities that had been undertaken during the year  President Andy was pleased to present a cheque for £700  to the Umeed Partnership.

Gary Frost and Paul Kennedy presented the work of the voluntary organisation Blood Bikes Wales. Highlighting the amazing savings that the group have provided for local NHS services in the transportation of blood specimens and other items.  Club members were impressed with the dedication of these skilled volunteers and were delighted to make a donation to their fundraising.