Cannock Soroptimists Jackie Prince and Trish Mellor attended the International AGM recently – from the comfort of their own homes!  This was all thanks to Zoom. Under ‘normal’ conditions, it’s unlikely that a member of the Cannock Club would have attended the SI AGM, but, because of the restrictions caused by Covid-19, they were able to join 219 Soroptimists from all parts of the world at an AGM chaired by their International President Sharon Fisher, from Vancouver, Canada. Using the ‘chat’ facility on zoom they were able to give and receive messages to everyone there as well as say ‘hello’ to individuals they knew of, had met or knew well but don’t often get the chance to see. The screen share facility was used to great effect, allowing everyone to watch some superb presentations about the work of Soroptimists in the 5 Federations around the

Acting upon issues raised in their recent meetings about care of our planet, Cannock Soroptimists – and friends – are taking some actions to help. Most members are now enjoying at least one meat and fish free day every week and sharing their favourite recipes.  Eating less meat can mean a lower risk of many health problems for individuals whilst meat production can be harmful to our planet. Members decided it would be good to join, or do their own, litter picks. Soroptimists June Bould and Val Jones joined a litter pick in Heath Hayes and were quite shocked at the amount of litter dropped by people.  June will soon be organising further litter picks, hopefully on a monthly basis – others will be welcome to join in. A huge talking point was the amount of packaging goods are supplied in, food particularly; so much

Cannock Soroptimists joined their friendship link club in Melbourne, Australia this week – by zoom!! Holding meetings using Zoom has provided some real bonuses – not least people from all over the world being able to get together. SI Cannock and SI Melbourne usually keep in touch with each other by email, sending messages and sharing newsletters, but his week they all attended the same meeting: it was 9.30am here in the UK and 6.30pm in Australia – and how marvellous it was to put faces to some of the names! 9 Cannock members joined the meeting and listened to their speaker, Josephine Beer, who works in the department of Health and Human Services in the state of Victoria. Josephine, also a Soroptimist, described how, at the start of the worldwide pandemic, she had been given the task to lead the work of handling the

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

A Celebration of Membership – SI Cannock & District New Ways of Meeting & Getting in Touch Our group has always liked to keep in touch between meetings and in addition to the emails we have always sent, we set up a WhatsApp Group a long time before lockdown which has proved a fabulous way to get information to members quickly and easily. However when our club meetings had to be cancelled, we renewed our efforts to get those members that weren’t a part of the group to join in and it has proved a wonderful way of communicating and sharing information, offers of help and often photographs & video clips that have kept our spirits up! For a more personal chat, we have buddied each member with one other who have been able to provide one to one support to each other if and

Cannock Soroptimists were thrilled to receive a donation of clothes for babies, toddlers and young children from Newlife, the Charity for Disabled Children.  Despite suffering from a lack of funds themselves, Newlife are continuing to think of all of those in need and help out where they can. Sheila Brown, CEO of Newlife, was aware of the work done by Cannock Soroptimists to support women and children locally and so the donation was made.   6 Soroptimists worked outdoors, socially distancing, to sort the clothes into ages for boys and girls and then pack bags with clothes appropriate to the needs of some of the groups they work with.   Some of the clothes have gone to Pathway and Staffordshire Women’s Aid to be used by children currently within the refuges they run for women and children escaping domestic abuse.  The families leave home with

Fancy being involved with a group of women whose projects are relevant & current & who get things done? A group who help others, particularly women and children, locally and globally?   Cannock & District Soroptimists have been very active during these difficult times to help those in need. Since the lockdown we have: Supplied 1222 products to 3 local hospitals, 7 care homes and Cannock Food Bank. These products have included: Hand & face cream to help staff who are having to wear PPE, Wash bags to hold their uniforms, Ear protectors for those wearing surgical masks Fabric face masks for them to wear when off duty.   Taken part in the Summer Solstice Stroll to raise money for St Giles Hospice, struggling for donations at this time. We raised over £820.00! Fabulous!   Sorted, packed & distributed baby & children’s clothes donated to

Cannock Soroptimists were joined by family and friends to take part in a socially distanced Solstice Stroll to raise awareness of, and funds for, St Giles Hospice.  The ‘stroll’ took place on Saturday 20th June, the day of the Summer Solstice when St Giles usually hosts a mass walk.  Of course, this wasn’t possible this year – so supporters were asked to consider taking part in a 10,000 step or a 10K stroll, either individually or in small groups – and the walk could be done on one day or even throughout the whole month of June.  And the idea took off!  Cannock Soroptimists wanted to add their support and their initial team of 6 strollers quickly grew as others wanted to show their support too.   So they met, keeping 2m distance apart, in the sunshine opposite Mill Farm Pool and began their walk

Over the past weeks Cannock Soroptimists have been collecting and delivering hand and face creams to local Hospitals and care Homes. The creams ease the suffering experienced by staff wearing PPE. Donations have come from Soroptimists themselves, their friends, families and neighbours. Altogether almost 700 units of creams and other toiletries were very generously donated and have been delivered – wonderful! Amongst the donations were items such as soap, shampoo, shower gel which weren’t needed by Hospitals and Care Homes. A phone call to Cannock Food Bank confirmed that they could definitely make use of them – and so two boxes full were delivered to the Food Bank. The member of staff who received them said how extremely grateful they were – it appears that they are desperately short of toiletries and cleaning materials. Soroptimists received a request from Fairoak Ward at Cannock Hospital –

During the pandemic when so many are struggling to cope with lockdown and social distancing, financial difficulties, and the dangers involved in the caring for others, SI Cannock is trying to find new ways to help the community and to keep in touch with club members. They are also carrying on their work by collecting hand and face creams which are to be used by staff in hospitals and care homes who are suffering sore faces and hands from constant washing and wearing masks. Anyone who has any unopened face or hand creams can leave them in the box in the drive of 52, Hatherton Road. Cannock. The club officers remain the same this year as President Trish Smith is remaining as club President  and Jackie Prince is President Elect. President Trish’s motto for the coming year is particularly apt for the present situation WE