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3S Fund winners share their experiences with SI Glasgow City members

3S Fund winners share their experiences with SI Glasgow City members

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At a recent SI Glasgow City meeting, two recipients of awards from the Soroptimist International Scotland South 3S Fund outlined their experiences in Malawi in 2017. Carol travelled to Malawi with 7 other volunteers to prepare a building for use as a school for over 200 children. The group also helped distribute backpacks to school children, which had been donated by people across Scotland. Carol used the 3S Fund donation to purchase educational toys used by all ages for the children. Kirsty travelled to Malawi with the charity Project Trust, which specialises in placing school leavers in projects around the world, and she taught in two nursery schools for 8 months from September 2016 to April 2017. Teaching children aged 2 to 5 years was a challenge when Kirsty could not speak the local language, but she did manage to share basic numerical and literacy

SI Glasgow City candidate receives funding for Nepalese project

SI Glasgow City candidate receives funding for Nepalese project

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The candidate our club has put forward for 3S Funding has been successful and received £300. She will be going to Nepal this summer with Raleigh International to help build water and sanitation units. The 3S Fund supports projects which improve the lives of women and girls to achieve their potential in line with the objects of Soroptimist International. It is run by the Soroptimist International of Scotland South Region and its full name is ‘Soroptimist International Scotland South Region Project.’ You can learn more and find a handbook and application forms at the SI Scotland South webpage.

Donation to WaterAid’s Untapped Appeal

Donation to WaterAid’s Untapped Appeal

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SI Glasgow City recently donated £500 to WaterAid‘s Untapped Appeal, which was match funded by the Government bringing the total donation to £1000. Joanna and Norma, volunteer WaterAid representatives, gave the members a brief update on the appeal which is providing clean water to villages in Africa. Tombohuaun is a tiny village deep in the jungle of Sierra Leone, where clean water has been provided via the ‘Untapped Appeal’. 31% of schools worldwide have no access to clean water. The funds will help to train local water engineers to ensure the sustainability of the work of WaterAid. See the Tombohuan villagers clebrate the arrival of clean water at https://www.wateraid.org/uk/tombohuan-untapped

Agnes Duncan Trophy honours the memory of an Inspirational Soroptimist and Musician

Agnes Duncan Trophy honours the memory of an Inspirational Soroptimist and Musician

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In 1989 the Agnes Duncan Trophy was presented to the Glasgow Music Festival by the Soroptimist International (SI) Glasgow City Club to mark Agnes Duncan’s 90th Birthday.  Since then, the Trophy, and a cheque for £100, has been gifted by the Club, annually, to the winner of a vocal soloist competition on the last night of the Glasgow Music Festival. Agnes, a long-standing member of the SI Glasgow City Club, had a lifelong interest in music, particularly choral music, and was awarded an M.B.E in 1967 for her services to music. She attended every Glasgow Music Festival from its inception in 1911 until her death in 1997 participating as a performer, conductor, committee member and later as the Festival’s Honorary President.  At this year’s Glasgow Music Festival held in March, 7 male and female vocal soloists under the age of 18, competed for the Trophy

Vintage Fashion Show raises £1,700 for Mercy Ships!

Vintage Fashion Show raises £1,700 for Mercy Ships!

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To celebrate 90 years of Soroptimists in Glasgow the members of Soroptimist International Glasgow City put on a fashion show and raised £1700 for Mercy Ships, the world’s largest charitable floating hospital. The Soroptimists acted as models wearing a variety of vintage outfits displaying what women wore from 1860 to 1988. Most of the outfits were modelled by ladies aged 60-90 showing you can look glamorous at any age. Soroptimists are part of a global movement working to educate, empower and enable opportunities for women and girls, helping them to achieve their potential. A cheque was presented by President Madeleine to Mary Smith, a representative of Mercy Ships, at a recent club meeting in Glasgow.  

February Club meeting featuring the charity ‘Street Child’

February Club meeting featuring the charity ‘Street Child’

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At our February 7th meeting, the members heard from Isla, who volunteers with Street Child, while studying fulltime at university in Glasgow. Street Child’s urban programmes work with street-connected children and their families. The social workers identify children working or living on the street, and help them return home. They also work with the family to help the children go back to school. With Street Child’s support and an educational grant children can return to school immediately and then work with the family to set up a sustainable business so that the family can stay in their local area. Families receive an initial start-up grant for the business and are given training and financial advice by Street Child’s business officers. The families are encouraged to save money in an incentivised saving scheme to provide for their children’s education long-term. Over 85% of businesses started by

Christmas dinner at Loks Bar and Kitchen

Christmas dinner at Loks Bar and Kitchen

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Our Club’s Annual Christmas Dinner at Loks Bar and Kitchen on 13th December was attended by 28 members and 1 guest. This was our first Club event at Loks and the restaurant did not disappoint. The function suite was appropriately decorated and was served by a well – stocked private bar, the 3 course festive meal was delicious and the table service excellent. Santa was made very welcome when he dropped in to deliver presents for everyone and was himself given a present . The enthusiasm with which everyone joined in the carol singing added to the feeling of community. By all accounts a good time was had by all and a return visit has been requested by members!

Friendship Evening celebrates 90 years of Soroptimism in Glasgow

Friendship Evening celebrates 90 years of Soroptimism in Glasgow

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Members of SI Glasgow City were delighted to welcome 17 non Soroptimist guests at the recent ‘Friendship Evening’ celebrating 90 years of Soroptimism in Glasgow. The evening, which was structured to allow ample time for guests to meet and chat with members, started with the cutting of a birthday cake by Liz, a member with over 45 years of service, and Annie, our most recent member. After Soroptimist International Scotland South Regional President, Pat, had proposed a congratulatory toast to the 90 years of Soroptimism in Glasgow guests, members listened to two short presentations by club members. The first being a short history of Soroptimism in Glasgow over the past 90 years, while the other outlined a recent member’s experience of being a Soroptimist. Long service awards were presented to Club members Anne and Ruthmary in recognition of the 35 years service each had given

Eleven Glasgow City Soroptimists attend the SIGBI Annual Conference in Cardiff, Wales

Eleven Glasgow City Soroptimists attend the SIGBI Annual Conference in Cardiff, Wales

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The SIGBI 83rd Federation Conference was held on the 26-28th October in Cardiff and had the theme, ‘Step Up, Lead the Way’. Information on the sessions and many photographs can be found on the conference website. There was a wide range of speakers including Michael Kaufman, the co-founder of the White Ribbon Campaign, the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women and Mandy Hickson, a former Royal Air Force fast jet (Tornado) pilot.   Mandy was one of a few female RAF Tornado pilots in the 2000s and is now an inspirational speaker. Mandy truly believes that with hard work and self belief anyone can achieve their ambitions. She shared a unique insight into this elite world, supported by antecdotes about her time on the front line causing a great deal of laughter in the auditorium.   Rebecca Lewin,

Vintage Fashion Show a smash success!

Vintage Fashion Show a smash success!

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In early October, SI Glasgow City put on a vintage fashion show in aid of the charity Mercy Ships UK. Mercy Ships provide the world’s largest charitable floating hospital and bring free medical care to some of the world’s poorest people. Organized by SI Glasgow City’s President Madeleine, ensembles from across the decades were modelled by Club members and friends. Music carefully chosen to invoke the spirit of the outfit’s era introduced each piece and the audience were then entertained with garment details and history from our eloquent compere. This sell out show was supported by many Club members and supporters and our warm thanks go out to each of you. After the show, an afternoon tea was enjoyed by all and a raffle for some great prizes rounded off the afternoon. The event was put on at the Garfield Hotel in Stepps.