Due to the ongoing Covid pandemic it was not possible for the clubs of Scotland North to meet together in person for their AGM and Regional Meeting. However, on Saturday September 19th, Regional President Katie welcomed thirty-three members from across the region through the wonders of Zoom. Several members of SI Dundee attended. Once the business was complete a presentation of the Federation Project-Empowering Girls in Nepal- was given by Philip Holmes the CEO of ChoraChori. This was a most interesting talk by Philip, who explained that due to the pandemic much of the work with the young girls had been suspended.  However, he went on to tell us how his charity had come to the aid of families living on the plains in the south of the country. Under normal circumstances the husband, who was the bread winner, would send money home from his

Lockdown did nothing to hamper the fundraising efforts of local Dundee Soroptimists and their friends. In fact, it seemed to spur them on to greater efforts. In April they raised funds for food banks in Dundee and Angus. Hearing a plea from Dundee Women’s Aid for toiletries two of their members accumulated a substantial collection. Friends who responded to this initial request have continued to hand in toiletries to one of the members. As a result, there has been a monthly delivery to Women’s Aid, the Criminal justice and Salvation Army – for men too. It is not unusual for this Soroptimist in her late sixties to find huge packs of disposable nappies on her doorstep! Additionally, members have been sponsored to complete the kiltwalk and another to ‘swim’ 100 breaststrokes daily while swimming pools were shut. These efforts resulted in a considerable sum being

President Frances, FLO Sheila and frequent visitor to Pune, Pam, accepted the invitation from SI Pune Metro East President Renu to join their Friendship Link Zoom. Lockdown has had many disadvantages but it has meant that we have had to find new ways to communicate. Zoom and similar platforms have allowed us, not only to keep in touch at club level, but also internationally. SIPME’s excellent idea to share one of their club meetings with their Friendship Links was well attended by clubs from the UK, the Caribbean, Europe and other parts of India. Each club was asked to speak briefly about how they were reaching out to those in need in their local communities during the coronavirus pandemic. It was fascinating to hear of others activities and encouraging to know that as ever, Soroptimists were working hard to improve the lives of women and

The coronavirus health crisis and subsequent lockdown has meant that our usual meetings in the Invercarse Hotel have been suspended. However, President Frances came up with an excellent solution- Zoom. None of us had heard of Zoom prior to lockdown but now we have all become experts in chatting with friends and family over the internet.  President Frances has set up weekly Zoom meetings following a similar pattern to our usual activities: business one week and social the other. Quizzes are good fun and well received by members. For any member who hasn’t tried joining the meeting as yet, and would like to, please contact Frances who has a very easy ‘How to’ sheet that she can send to you.  

Our club website, as with all the clubs across the Federation, has been undergoing an upgrade which has meant we were unable to put up regular club news.  Here is a snapshot of President Frances’ busy year. June 2019 The Region meeting and AGM were held in the Invercarse Hotel in June. Regional President Prue and Club President Frances are pictured with the guest speaker: Professor  Fiona Kumari Campbell .  August  On August 4th, SI Dundee members joined members from SI Perth and Crieff for a litter pick at Tulloch in Perth. A busy afternoon and opportunity to work with other local clubs. Garden Party One of our members invited the club to a Garden Party at her home at Invergowrie House.  A hat was the required dress code for what was supposed to be a lovely outdoor event in glorious summer sunshine… unfortunately the

Soroptimists aim to improve the lives of women and girls, locally, nationally and internationally. SI Dundee Club has been very busy these last few months doing just that. Some of the activities SI Dundee has supported. Smalls for all: underwear for needy women in developing world. Blytheswood Shoe Box: Christmas boxes for those in need. International Literacy Day: ongoing book exchange. Free to Live Trust’s- Seema’s Project: in Pune, India in partnership with Church of Scotland Guild. Working to support children of trafficked sex workers. Meru Kindergarten and Limbene Primary Schools: ongoing fundraising by club member. Zero Tolerance: UN 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. Club held a meeting to mark Orange Day- raising the profile of gender based violence. Mental Health Conference: organised by Scotland South Region. SI Kolkata: visited by club member- Dianne Stout- supporting projects there. ‘Reclaim the Night March’: in Dundee,

Members of SI Dundee recently enjoyed their summer outing to Barnhill Gardens followed by Afternoon Tea at Jessie’s Kitchen. It was a beautiful afternoon, although a little breezy.The ladies strolled through the garden before sitting down to a well presented Afternoon Tea. Time for refreshments!   Thank you to Carole for organising the outing.

2018-19 Joint Presidents Kate and Norma made local children in need their priority during their year in office. Two major fundraising events: An Evening of Scottish Music at the Discovery and the Annual Quiz at the Fort Bar were both very successful. A donation of £800 from SI Dundee was presented to  Dundee Women’s Aid specifically for the children in their care.  A further £800 was donated to Arbroath’s Women’s Aid for the children.   Well done to SI Dundee members and friends for supporting this worthwhile  cause.

Three members of SI Dundee  joined 16 other Scottish Soroptimists on a 4 night trip to Geneva. Included was a guided tour of the United Nations Palais des Nations. An opportunity to learn: about the work carried out at this UN centre, to visit the Human Rights room, the Salle des Pas Perdus, the Assembly Hall, the Council Chamber, and see a film on the UN’s activities and objectives and donations from different countries to the Institution. Soroptimist International have three Soroptimist Representatives at the UN in Geneva. One is  Angela Sauvage  who spoke at the Scottish Conference in April 2018 where she ran one of the workshops. Angela is a member of Annecy club, which is about 20 miles from Geneva. Angela  put the visitors in touch with the two clubs in Geneva: Geneva Fondateur and Geneva Rhone. Angela also facilitated the tour of

SI Dundee AGM On April 23rd SI Dundee members held their AGM when new office bearers were installed. Frances Menter became the new club president. Frances thanked Joint Presidents Kate and Norma for leading the club through another successful year.   Members of the 2019-20 Executive are: President -Frances Menter Secretary -Jan Ireland Programme Action Officer- Fiona Bullions Treasurer- Margot Minto Press and publicity – Margaret Bond Social – Carole Arrenberg