Ann Garvie’s PowerPoint presentation
President Ann arrived on stage to the strains of Chariots of Fire. The music is of significance; Ann wants to be and plans to be a chariot of fire – but we all need to be on that chariot!
“Critical decisions have been made at Board meetings. Agreements for incorporation – necessary and business like. We need to be business like. The Board must restructure and reflect that. Changes will champion the membership and make a shift in budget planning. We spend more on our International Board meetings than on our Programme Action! The International Programme Director will be an officer of the Board. The Board threw out the deficit budget, it was re crafted.”
Ann recommended a book she had read: the life history of Suzanne Nöel, who founded SI Paris, the first Soroptimist club in Europe. Dr. Noel used her worldwide lecturing series to disseminate the Soroptimist concept, prompting the establishment of clubs all over Europe. She later became the first President of the European Federation and went on to open clubs in China and Japan.
Ann advised that SI’s IT system has been brought into the present, it has to change – but the organisation will be mindful that it is the membership that fund all actions. SI must expand into new territories. The global construction of Soroptimism must be considered.
“The United Nations is the strongest partnership we have. Good food is good health; the eradication of hunger, of food poverty. Obesity is a much of an issue as malnutrition. On 24 October this year Soroptimist International UN Representatives in New York organised an event entitled “The Challenges of the Post 2015 Agenda in Sustainable Development for NGOs and Civil Society” which asked the question, What can civil society and NGOs do to engage the Post 2015 Agenda?
You can view International President Ann’s speech in New York on YouTube
December 10th Appeal
“Can you imagine finding time to earn your living if you had to spend hours every day collecting firewood? Or how you would study with no electric light in the evening? One quarter of the world’s population do not have reliable access to electricity; 70% of these are women and girls living in developing countries.
“I first became aware of the scale of this problem at CSW in New York in 2012. Several side events highlighted the health implications of the continued use of firewood in generating poisonous air pollution and the perpetual darkness which prevents women and girls from learning. It is a problem that will only get worse with the diminished availability of firewood in the very near future for rural communities in Africa, Asia, and South America.
“That is why I have chosen to support projects providing women with education on renewable sources of energy and solar cookers and lanterns for my December 10 Appeal.
“The Soroptimist International President’s December 10th Appeal was the brainchild of Catharine Salt in 1982, the first Scottish President of Soroptimist International and my mentor, the principal aim being for Soroptimists globally to focus on those less fortunate than themselves by denying themselves of the “treats of life”.
“The appeal has been embraced by every International President since and supported by Soroptimists from all four Federations. I have for the first time consulted and floated with the International Programme Team my vision, to enable, empower and engage women and girls in primary education and lifelong learning.
“By financing green solar power and promoting and enabling education and life long learning for women and girls, we will help many more women and girls to fulfil their dreams. See Solar, Cook Solar will be launched on 10 December 2013. The chosen project is ‘Going Solar’ to give cooking pots and lanterns to women and girls. SI Europe have already shown the benefits that this project can bring.”
To kick start the campaign, Ann has pledged £1,000 and agreed to do a sky dive – she will be looking for sponsors!
Istanbul (9-12 July 2015)
T
he city of Istanbul hosts the 20th International Convention. Ann announced that today is the launch of an inter-federation public speaking competition for girls aged 16-22 years. Five girls will participate in the convention and learn why they should become Soroptimists. The Project co-ordinator will be Maureen Maguire.
Original blog by Dishi Attwood – SI Midland Chase Region