Outgoing Club President Jenny McLelland looks back over a VERY different year in the Soroptimist calendar. We’ve all lived in “interesting times” that’s for sure, and despite that, some huge positives and achievements have come about…
My plan what did I want to achieve?
⦁ We stand up for women and do not judge! Why?
⦁ Create a space for creativity and innovation – Marketing and Communication
⦁ Show that we could achieve so much more doing things differently
⦁ Be seen and be heard
⦁ Lead the way and show how we can work together (work and play)
What is important to me?
⦁ To make a difference to the lives of women and girls
⦁ To make my club proud
⦁ To be aware of the hearts and the teardrop feedback
⦁ To continue to put SI on the map locally, regionally, nationally and globally
What did we achieve?
⦁ A new focus on our people – at the centre of everything we do!
⦁ A strategic oversight of Programme Action and the subgroups
⦁ A more structures way of delivering action!
⦁ A club I am proud of
⦁ Kept going…………….
⦁ Launched a new Marketing and Communication Group
⦁ Visited Advocacy and starting to understand and be more focused
⦁ Hit the ground running virtually and wow did we learn!
⦁ AGM, Charter, Quiz all online
⦁ Guest speakers continued to share and inspire
⦁ Presented a DA conference shared globally!
What learning I will take away and on reflection what I would do differently?
⦁ My world did not stop, it got faster and faster and there was no slowing down! When did I find time for me?
⦁ Many of us struggled at some time during 2020/21 – its ok!
⦁ There is always a new way of doing things – listen to new members it’s the key to success!
⦁ Don’t try and rush new members to join on zoom – wait and take time it’s overwhelming to just listen and not ask
What were the best moments?
⦁ The Charter 2020
⦁ The Domestic Abuse Conference and the achievements
⦁ The success of the Marketing and Communication Group
⦁ Strategic direction for 2021
My final message?
⦁ Have courage, be kind and forgive! (Cinderella)…….and good friends help you find important things when you have lost them… things like your smile, your hope and your courage……..
⦁ It’s been a great year for women and at the very end of my year Rachel Blackmore jumped yet another massive hurdle! In our 100 years of Soroptimism!
⦁ Actions speak louder than words! “Let your actions do the talking”
⦁ Soroptimists of Lichfield and District be proud of what you do!
⦁ Thank you to My Executive Team, The Subgroup leads and most of all the members! TEAM “Together We Achieve More” 2020/2021 showed that and I am sure it will continue for President Marisha!