Our new year has started with President Mary introducing two new members joining Lichfield Club.  Ann and Jean have visited a number of times and happily decided that they would like to join our team.           Alongside Region Membership Officer Vicky Vernon and Club membership officer Dishi Attwood, are recently joined members that attended last night.  We are a growing club and are trying very hard to concentrate as much on the retention of members as recruiting.  A new members evening was held last year and another one is planned for February. It is important that we understand the new member’s reasons for joining and individual aspirations.                         Last night we also heard from Dr Glyn Constantine who, along with our Lichfield member Brenda has spent the last 13 years

During the last few months, I have been posting on the Facebook page but have neglected the website!  It is difficult to know what the balance should be on posts. So, an update. An amazingly busy few months in which we have: Provided classic books for local Brownies as Christmas presents in preparation for working with them on the Book Lovers Badge. Collected and delivered 1400 bras to Maidenhead for the Kori Project in Sierra Leone Travelled to our friendship group in Kaarst, Germany to help them celebrate their 10th charter celebration Continued to make Days for Girls sanitary packs that have been requested by Kori and the Baraka project Travelled to Malta for the Federation Conference Increased our membership Delivered a new members evening to help us understand what new members individually and as a group expect from membership       Coming up: Quiz

  A very full meeting last week with Karen speaking on behalf of Citizen’s Advice.  She spoke of the immense need there is for the service and therefore volunteers that can help with all matter of enquiries.  The quiz she had prepared for us (that most of us did quite badly on!) was about financial facts and figures about everyday finances and services.  Recent member, Jane gave a vote of thanks. Our second speaker was Cllr Jayne Marks.  President Elect Liz had been seated by her at the Lichfield Charter dinner and Jayne was truly amazed at the projects that Soroptimists get involved in.  She was keen to come and talk to us about funding streams that exist as our biggest problem seems to be storage.  As Adrian Corless had said at the charter, the garage no longer houses a car, but raw materials for

A wonderful evening of French wine, French galettes, French desserts and French music at Elford Village Hall that was given a very French look by Chris and Rosie. With over 70 guests, the caterers from Heart of the Country were kept busy serving the filled galettes. A table quiz about France kept conversation and interest between those that attended although the questions were very tricky!!  Out of 30, when Chris was asking for results, she reached over 10 before we found the prize winners who achieved 13 correct answers.  Our table could only manage 7 but we had lots of fun trying!! The desserts included tarte tatin, meringues, creme brulee and a selection of French cheeses.  The raffle prizes were hampers of French products. Tres Francais, bon vivant et magnifique!!!!! Well done Chris and Rosie for the inspiration for the evening.  Apologies to all French speaking readers

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. A lot of people who find themselves in the position I’m in at the moment, google “Soroptimism”. You’ll be relieved to know that I haven’t done that but thought I would give you my take on Soroptimism. It means holidays  – in November – in Glasgow, where it didn’t stop raining! After Glasgow last year, you bet I’m looking forward to Malta this November where I can enjoy, hopefully, some better weather – and the company of Soroptimists for a whole week – I don’t know if I can keep up with all that socialising! It means being available to help set up a stall – or even worse with my DIY skills, a gazebo – at some god-forsaken hour of the morning on a Saturday in some muddy field. It means having my house taken over on the 3rd

                    On Friday evening, 70 guests gathered at Whittington Golf Club to celebrate the 18th anniversary of when our club was chartered.  It was a lovely evening although battling through the flash floods was tricky for some, especially Ralph Allin, The Versatile, Virtuoso Violinist with Pianist Chris Collins. The toast to Soroptimist International was proposed by Soroptimister Adrian Corless who poked gentle humour at the way soroptimists have taken over his home!  His garage no longer houses cars but is a distribution centre to the far reaches of Africa.  His dining room is no longer for dinner parties but for a sewing and knitting sweatshop!  He ended by saying that he was so impressed with the enthusiasm of Lichfield Soroptimists and their selflessness in giving their time to help others….whilst having fun! The response from Region President

Our Highways Engineer Ellie and Specialist Nurse Brenda attended this event recently.  It was an opportunity to celebrate the Skirting Science sessions that are run by Soroptimists of Lichfield and District.  We displayed photos of the event and the press cutting but also the dresses to show the international links we have been able to make.  It was an evening with a good buzz and two ladies expressed an interest in coming along to a meeting.  Seems like a result to me!! The photo needs to be bigger so that you can note the preponderance of men and boys…….double click on it for a larger view.  

This is a mental health charity based in Lichfield.  At our recent business meeting, charity volunteer Sian West gave a talk entitled ‘Your Voice’.  The charity gives those who register with them an opportunity to have a say in their own needs and experiences.  A short questionnaire (Toolbox) used by the volunteer mentor and service user identifies needs and then opportunities for these needs to be met.  The service can then signpost to local services. With the media focus on mental health and the stigma that surrounds it, President Mary was keen to include it in her year.  We hope to support with advocacy – encouraging people to register with the charity and fund an awareness event over the coming year.  The charity aims to help with prevention as well as helping those in crisis.