At the first meeting of the new session, President Sally was delighted to recognise Helen Macdonald who has been a member for 50 years, and presented her with a special Certificate. Helen joined the club in 1973, and over those 50 years she has served and been the convener on all our committees, as well as holding the posts of Club Treasurer and President. She was the club’s Friendship Correspondent for an amazing 28 years! Helen was the Representative for the Divisional Union Scotland South on the SI Federation Executive Council and became President of the Divisional Union Scotland South. She was also the Deputy Chief Steward for the Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland Conference in Glasgow in 1990. Helen was made an Honorary member of the Club many years ago and for several years has sponsored the SI Kirkcaldy annual “Educate to

Some members of SI Kirkcaldy met up with Darlene Jamieson and Lia Ashbrook from Canada during the summer. Darlene was on her way from Canada to Dublin for the SI Convention in July. Darlene was involved in the Youth Justice System, and her husband was a school principal, which lead to them living overseas for a time. Darlene had a break from Soroptimism for a few years, and when she returned, she changed clubs, as the one she joined SI of Surrey/Delta was struggling a bit and needed some assistance. She is pro-actively seeking members for her club, and having some success. Darlene is the friendship chair for SI of the Americas Western Canada region which covers British Columbia to Manitoba, and has 15 clubs with about 300 members. She enjoys using the Chat line set up by SI and is involved with the Dream

We are holding a fundraising concert to raise money for Leading Change Uganda. The Dean Park Hotel has very kindly given us the use of the room for free, and Bruce is taking no fee either, so all proceeds will go towards helping the women and children in Uganda. Some of the women are going to be rearing goats and pigs so will need some starting capital for these enterprises, which we can help with. There are a few tickets left so if you want one don’t hesitate! Phone Roberta on 07845174901 to reserve a ticket which you can pick up on the night.  

Annette worked as a midwife in Fife for 36 years ending her career in the role of consultant midwife where she was responsible for the maternity unit’s clinical governance agenda. She contributed locally, nationally and internationally to the promotion of quality maternity care, which is her passion. Following her retirement in 2017 she continued to work (until 2020) on a consultancy basis providing expert reports for pursuers and defendants as well as reviewing and contributing to the reports into the maternal deaths in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Annette supports various charitable causes including those with a focus on injustice, poverty, disaster and conflict. She is now fully retired including from her role as a therapist where her practice included reflexology, reiki, Indian head massage and emotional freedom therapy. Annette enjoys reading (is in 3 book groups!), is a passionate supporter of the arts,