2024   September 28                        Regional Meeting Ballymoney November 01-02                   Federation Conference- Edinburgh   2025 February 01                           Regional Youth Public Speaking Final – Hillsborough Village Centre   May 10                                    North/ South Conference – Hilton Hotel Belfast

2024    September 02  Ulster Wildlife- a visit to Bog Meadows    September 16  STAR NI (Sexual Trauma & Recovery Service for Children and Adolescents) - Ruth Hutchinson  October 07  ‘My Journet to Northern Ireland and the Mela’ -Nisha Tandon OBE  October 21  ‘Antartica Trip’ - Mark Davison  November 04  ‘Royal British Legion’ - Ian Freeburn  November 13  Wednesday –6.30pm  Public Speaking Heat  December 09  Christmas Celebration and Gifts for the Homeless    2025  January 04  Saturday  Celebration of ‘Women’s Little Christmas’ Nollaig na mBan  January 20  Children’s Heartbeat – Lynne Cowan  February 03  All about Coffee- Trevor Stewart  February 17  Journey into organic hairdressing – Julie Matthews  March 03  AGM  March 24  United Nations of Cyrus- Stanley Gamble  April 07  U105- Denise Watson  May 19  Lisburn Community Choir- Tim Reynolds  June 02  The work of ATLAS (Adult Training and Learning Support- Women's Centre) -Gay

SI Lisburn took time to reflect at our meeting the meaning of friendship, community and the support we need when we experience changes in our lives. We remembered our sister, friend and founding member Iris who brought joy, wisdom and sisterhood to so many members. Our reflection also lead to International Women's Day theme of inspire inclusion and we struck the pose.      

SI Lisburn were invited to celebrate their 40th anniversary on 22nd February 2024 as guests of the Lord Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh. We were hosted by Councillor Caleb McCreedy who provided us with a tour of the council chamber, answers member's questions, a delicious dinner and gave all present a gift bag. All members had a lovely time    

SI Lisburn heard from Jane Robertson: Action Mental Health.   Action Mental Health was founded in 1963 and there are 13 locations within the province. They offer a variety of services including New Horizons, New Life Counselling, Works Training and Mens Shed. 1 in 5 adults will show signs of mental illness and Northern Ireland has the highest rate of suicide in the United Kingdom. The Public can support this Charity by the following:- Fundraise; Volunteer; Join their Events; Regular Giving and Campaigning.   MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK IS 13-19 MAY 2024   SI Lisburn and district President Karen Elliott and Action Mental Health speaker Jane Robertson

SI Lisburn received an update on the work of many non-profit organisations including Soroptimist Northern Ireland led Beatrice Ferguson (President SI Lurgan) in the area of Modern Day Slavery Beatrice advised that the meetings with DOJ will  recommence in March.     Beatrice Ferguson President SI Lurgan and lead for Soroptimist NI on Modern Day Slavery

A large regional group of Soroptimist members celebrated Nollaig na mBhan at Lisburn Golf Club on 6/1/24 Attendees enjoyed a delicious meal, friendship and music Speaker was  Paul Moneypenny- TV personality and Interior Designer. The charity supported was Alzheimer's Society and over £1200 was raised.

Speaker Cathy McCrossan  spoke to us about her volunteering work called Street Reach in Belfast, where she helped and supported homeless people by talking to them and directing them to the Welcome Organisation where they could get a hot meal and showering facilities. Cathy is now a volunteer reflexologist with Start 360 in Hydebank College.   At the recent SI Federation Conference in London it was announced that SIGBI Federation would celebrate 90 years in existence this year.   Federation President Ruth Healey challenged the members to "do something with 90".  Members of SI Lisburn chose to donate 90 items to the Homeless.    

President Karen, Colette Greenhalgh-Noblett and Linda Shuter  attended the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Lisburn Cenotaph and the Remembrance Day Service in 1st Lisburn Church.

Soroptimist Northern Ireland Public Speaking Heat 2023 took place on 22nd November Public Speaking Convenor was Helen Kindred and was a successful event.   Entrants: Wallace Grammar School, Lisburn: Emily Coleman Lucy McCaffery Alicia Murray Annie Givan Sarah Sloan Evie Lowry   Rathmore Grammar School, Dunmurry: Emma Duffy Cliodhna Logan Molly Melville Grace Ward Martha Agnew India Clements   Dromore High School, Dromore: Eva McClelland Sophie Sloan Catherine Hanna Vesta Daukintyte   The winner of this heat was Cliodhna Logan of Rathmore Grammar School.   Thanks to the adjudicators.     The final is to be  held in the Village Centre on 3rd February 2024 and will be hosted by SI Lisburn.