Emerging from the door of the Sage into the sunshine and the fiery glow of red everywhere as Soroptimists gathered on the performance arena. There were red scarves, jackets, coats, hats, feather boas, wigs and umbrellas.
The Mayor of Gateshead joined us in his full scarlet red robes and wonderful regalia. Everyone raised their red roses in the air and together raised their voices to shout about endometriosis. Perhaps we would have raised our voices even louder if we had heard Andrea Wood, a lifetime sufferer, before we had joined together. She gave a moving and emotional history of her suffering over 30+years and urged everyone to publicise the effects of this condition and to make sure young women and their doctors did not continue in ignorance.
During the day I met with first time Conference goers who were finding out more about Soroptimism and the different parts of the organisation. I hope therefore they found International President Ann Garvie’s passionate presentation informative and inspiring. SI Europe President Ulla brought another dimension demonstrating why the clubs of her Federation are concentrating on ‘going green’. For me that is one of the most positive aspects of Soroptimism- we are all working to the same goals but in different parts of the world we can be taking varying approaches.
I found Marie, Lady Stubbs presentation really interesting and some of the anecdotes about young people she has known very amusing. Her approach to a school which had lost its way was enlightening and empowering for staff and pupils. Her stories of the book and film of her work were modest but telling. I have not read her book but listening to her has encouraged me to do so
I have to admit I was not looking forward to the SIGBI AGM. There was the potential for so much to go awry. Constitutional resolutions are not necessarily the most entertaining in debate and so such meetings can become long and tedious. The fact that my microphone did not work immediately did not augur well for the successful conduct of the meeting. A quick thinking steward saved the day and presented me with a hand mike so we were able to get started. Clubs had thought about the resolutions beforehand and delegates seemed well briefed so the flow of the meeting seemed good. Everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when we got to resolution 4 and the proposer stood up to announce she would like to withdraw it! The choice between the Benevolent Fund and the other Soroptimist charities need not be made this year. We must consider how this issue will be taken forward in the future. Would an additional £1 levy so that all the funds could benefit be too much to ask?
The Change of Insignia rehearsal was efficiently and humorously dealt with so we came away feeling that we would at least know where we would be sitting.
A very full day came to a pleasurable end as incoming and outgoing Regional and National Association Presidents joined members of FMB for a small and short reception. I think the majority of members at this point were really looking forward to trying some of the many and varied restaurants of Newcastle upon Tyne.
An exciting day ahead on Saturday with Programme Action being the focus. I can’t wait to hear who has won the overall Best Practice Award.