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All Change and C.L.A.N.G.E.R.S………no not the dropping kind or those whistling on a blue planet far, far away!

All Change and C.L.A.N.G.E.R.S………no not the dropping kind or those whistling on a blue planet far, far away!

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  SI Bournemouth members welcomed their new President, Catherine Beal, at the recent Annual General Meeting held at the West Hants Tennis Club. It was a busy meeting of ‘congratulations’ and ‘thank you’s’ to the many members who work as a team of friends who are like-minded women, have fun and work on projects that help improve the lives of women and girls locally, nationally and internationally. Pres Catherine thanked outgoing Pres Liz Dominey who had shared the role with Catherine throughout the last year. There was much swapping and presentation of insignia with thanks given to Past Pres, Shirley Thompson, and a welcoming to Pres Elect, Julie Lankshear. Pres Catherine also had great pleasure in presenting long service awards to Deirdre Castle for 30 years and Hilda Brownlow for 25 years. In her opening speech as President of SI Bournemouth 2019-20, Catherine invited members

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY WITH #STEM2019 and CSW63

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY WITH #STEM2019 and CSW63

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SI Bournemouth members are looking forward to their #STEM2019 Challenge fortnight. The annual competition is now in its sixth year with the purpose of encouraging girls in Years 8 and 9 to consider developing interest in STEM subjects. This year entries have been submitted from 19 teams across 12 schools, 8 from Year 8 and 11 from Year 9. The Heats will take place on Tuesday, 12th and Thursday, 14th March in the Fusion Building at Bournemouth University with judging starting at 6.30pm.  As always the club and competitors are most grateful to the university’s support of the event. The Finals and Prizegiving will take place at the same venue on Thursday, 21st March and we will be welcoming the HM Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Professor Gillian Slater. Joint President of SI Bournemouth, Liz Dominey, who is also Chair of the UK Programme Action

REASONS TO BE A DEDICATED SOROPTIMIST!

REASONS TO BE A DEDICATED SOROPTIMIST!

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    At SI Bournemouth’s February meeting President Catherine presented member, Jenny Carter, with a certificate to commemorate her very lengthy service of 35 years to SI Bournemouth. Jenny emphasized that her commitment was determined by the amazing good works in the various programmes of action over the decades not only locally but regionally, nationally and internationally and are too many to mention individually over such a long period of dedication. Members annually reflect on their work and 2018 was a real milestone when the SI Bournemouth club celebrated its 80th anniversary and was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for work on their STEM Challenge project. 2019 is expected to be another exciting year for members who, along with their ongoing programme, will be supporting the Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI) conference which is being held at Bournemouth International Conference

UNITY IN A VISION…………AND FOOD!

UNITY IN A VISION…………AND FOOD!

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Sayma Ahmed and Rita Satti were welcomed to the first meeting of 2019 to inform members about their voluntary community organisation ‘Unity in Vision’ based in Bournemouth. Sayma gave a very humorous history of her life in the UK since her arrival in 1967. From her varied experiences of her happy marriage, bringing up children and helping to run the family restaurant she has been able to apply her acquired skills to helping people from diverse cultures to settle into the British way of life.  Similarly Rita complements this amazing duo with her passion for community engagement, training and education and safeguarding. Unity in Vision is a voluntary community organisation that operates across Dorset.  It has been running for 10 years, with the main objective to unite people from diverse cultures to work co-operatively to benefit the communities directly in its area of operation. To

CHRISTMAS PARTY FUN & FUND RAISING

CHRISTMAS PARTY FUN & FUND RAISING

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        Bournemouth Soroptimists and their guests celebrated the festive season with a traditional Turkey dinner and trimmings at West Hants Club.  A raffle raised a three figure sum for charities which are currently supported by the club. A quiz challenged members to name inventions created by lesser known women in keeping with the centenary anniversary of women’s suffrage. Members welcomed back the first class harmony trio ‘Sodapops’ who sang Christmas favourites and songs from the 1940’s which is their speciality and which they performed a few years ago at a themed charity fund raiser for the club.

SUPPORTING THE SALVATION ARMY’S CHRISTMAS TOY APPEAL

SUPPORTING THE SALVATION ARMY’S CHRISTMAS TOY APPEAL

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Bournemouth Soroptimists react generously to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Toy Appeal for children in the local area.   A wide variety of toys for children aged from 0 – 16 years of age were collected and donated by Bournemouth Soroptimists at their November meeting. Debbie Ramsay, Centre Director at the Winton Branch of the Salvation Army, thanked the soroptimists for their support noting “without this support we simply couldn’t continue to meet the ever growing need of our services.” Debbie explained further that, “We rely on the goodwill and generosity of our friends to help us support people in our community.  Last year we were able to provide new toys for over 800 children who would otherwise not had anything to open on Christmas morning”

VIP’s, More Education and a New Member!

VIP’s, More Education and a New Member!

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SI Bournemouth members were excited to welcome Mayor & Mayoress of Bournemouth, Cllr Derek & Dorothy Borthwick, to their October business meeting.  This was an opportunity to explain further the work of soroptimists locally, nationally and internationally which the Mayor & Mayoress had already been introduced to at the club’s anniversary celebrations in September.   Dr Louise Parkin, a local GP, gave an informative talk about her work with the local charity ‘RespectED’.  The charity aims to provide sex and relationship education to students in Poole and Bournemouth secondary schools. The work of the charity emphasizes the emotional element of this important part of education and fills a gap which is all too often left lacking due to financial restrictions and lack of trained personnel within the education sector.   Following Dr Parkin’s presentation President Liz had the pleasure of inducting new member, Janet Coope, into our global organization.  Janet

A Fun Time Raising Funds For Our Charity, Cementing Futures, at the Bournemouth Marathon

A Fun Time Raising Funds For Our Charity, Cementing Futures, at the Bournemouth Marathon

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On another beautiful sunny Sunday in early October members and friends of SI Bournemouth handed out bottles of water at Hydration Station no 6 to the runners taking part in the annual Bournemouth Marathon.  Much cheering took place to encourage the runners many of whom were also raising funds for charity. Organisers of the marathon show gratitude to the volunteers who help make the day a success by making a substantial donation to a charity of their choice which in SI Bournemouth’s case is the club charity Cementing Futures which received the sum of £495 this year.