Cannock Soroptimists held an exciting meeting via zoom when they had a number of firsts:
- A presentation given by an 11 year old – Katie, daughter of club member Emma Hodges
- Their biggest zoom audience yet – 26, of which 11 were guests!
- One of Soroptimists’ Federation officers joined them – Naina Shah of SI Chennai, who leads on all environmental issues.
- Everyone utilized the ‘chat’ facility on zoom brilliantly!
Katie Hodges started ‘Children Against Climate Change’ in November 2019 and held an event in Rugeley to try and get more people, in particular schools, to take these challenges seriously. She was angry and upset that climate change wasn’t a priority. Cannock Soroptimists had planned to invite Katie to one of their meetings to show her presentation – then came lockdown! So instead, Katie gave her presentation virtually.
Members and guests alike were enthused by the presentation and motivated by Katie’s message ‘What will you do?’ with everyone answering with positive actions ranging from having a meat and fish free day every week – sharing recipes and enjoying the same meal on-line being a favourite! – to avoiding buying anything with a black food tray [as these cannot be recycled]; through to looking to change to a green energy provider, getting involved with litter picks and ensuring our gardens can host wildlife. Everyone had an Eco-Pledge sheet to show what they already do and what they pledge to do.
As well as the actions we can take as individuals or as a group, there are larger issues to be addressed. There was shocking information within Katie’s presentation, such as the fact that every hour, forest the size of 300 football pitches is destroyed for palm oil plantations; or that one third of all food produced is wasted! That makes no sense when so many in the world go hungry.
At the end of the evening we were treated to a second power point presentation which Katie had put together especially for this meeting. It was set to the song ‘What a Wonderful World’ and showed the incredible things that have happened during the Covid-19 pandemic as the earth began to heal because of less pollution and people having restrictions in their lives. A powerful slide had on it pictures of birds and animals with the words “It’s as if our wildlife has come out of its own lockdown” – very emotive!
Katie began the evening with the words “I hope you care about our planet as much as I do and that this helps you think about what more you can do”.
She ended it with “The world still needs us! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle for a Happier Earth”
Cannock Soroptimists, their friends and families intend to do just that – this project is going to grow – thank you Katie!!
Further details about Cannock Soroptimists are available on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/SICannock; or on twitter: @sicannock
Photos attached:
- Katie Hodges
- Attendees at the speaker meeting
