4 Members from SI Easter Ross joined 1200 Soroptimists in Liverpool in October for the Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland Federation Conference. The conference started on the Thursday evening with the opening ceremony, welcome to Liverpool from the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Christine Banks, parade of the flags of the countries and territories of the federation and finally entertainment by the Brothers of Swing.
Friday and Saturday were very busy days with Programme Project Reports, voting on Resolutions and the proposals for the Federation Programme Project 2019-2021, SIGBI Best Practice Awards in the categories – Advocacy, Education, Healthcare, Economic Empowerment, Environment and Violence against Women, introduction of the new Programme Team and much more.
Over these two days we heard some wonderful speakers – Ellie Bird Lenawarungu, Sally Kettle, Professor Helen Pankhurst, Dr Ann-Marie Wilson, Terry Waite CBE and Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE.
Saturday evening came round too quickly and the conference concluded with the Presidential Address from outgoing President Sue Biggs, change of insignia, Inaugural Address by New President Sue Williams whose theme for her presidential year is “Think on it” which focusses on mental health.( #SoroptimistsThinkOnIt.) then the handover of the Soroptimist International Flag. That was followed by entertainment by Slidin’ About.
The Vote of Thanks was given by Immediate Past President Sue Biggs and then the conference was closed.
Full details of the conference can be found on the SIGBI website.