On Thu 24 August SI London Chilterns Region held its first “New Members” meet up on Zoom. There were 18 people on the call – including 6 of the Region’s Officers. Helen Byrne, the Region’s Membership Officer led the meeting. Many more people would have liked to attend so the session was recorded – please click here to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcxWB-JooQw
Please click on the links below to download the PDF versions of the Power Point presentations – if you would like the Power Point versions please click here to contact us
The first part of the meeting included a presentation by Helen Byrne SILC Membership Officer and a past-President, and Kate Belinis SILC President-Elect.
SILC PPT New Members Aug 2023 – Welcome & Region
The second part of the meeting included a presentation by Rita Beaumont SILC Secretary and Pam Robertson SILC Programme Action Officer – both of them are also past-Presidents of the Region.
SILC PPT New Members Aug 2023 – SI ,SIGBI , PA ,Getting Involved
Please scroll down further to view the agenda for the meeting.
The aim of the “Meet Up” was for new Members of Clubs in the Region to get to know one other and learn more about how to can get more involved as a Soroptimist. The presentations from Helen Byrne, Kate Belinis, Rita Beaumont and Pam Robertson explained how the different layers of Soroptimist International work together to transform the lives of women and girls locally, nationally and internationally and how a new member can help to make more of a difference within their Club and beyond. The importance of SI’s Consultative Status with the United Nation’s Commission on the Status of Women was highlighted, how Clubs and individual Members contribute to maintaining that status and why it makes Soroptimist International different from other women’s organisations. There was an explanation of how Region works and a chance to meet with Members of the Regional Exec as well as the new Members in other Clubs in the London Chilterns Region. On the call were Members from SI Greater London, SI St Albans & District, SI Slough Windsor and Maidenhead and SI Thames Valley. The Exec Officers Helen Byrne, SILC Membership Officer and Jane Slatter, Communications Officer, are Members of SI St Albans & District, Rita Beaumont SILC Secretary is from SI Bedford, Pam Robertson SILC Programme Action Officer and Kate Belinis SILC President-Elect are Members of SI Hertford & District, Jen Simpson, Regional Councillor is a Member of SI High Wycombe & District.
When everyone was asked why they are Soroptimists the responses were inspiring, so we are sharing some of them here:
“To ensure women are empowered.” “Human Rights.” “I want to marry Soroptimists with my work”. “Because the climate crisis has a disproportional impact on the lives of women.” “The alignment of Soroptimist projects with my beliefs and values.” “I am passionate about supporting women and girls.” “I want to be hands on.” “I like that the projects are local, national and international.” “I now have friends around the world.” “The network is really supportive.”
Most people were introduced to Soroptimist International by someone who had inspired them – friends, relatives and colleagues. One Member had stumbled across it on social media and some had searched online for a local women’s group and one had seen the letter about Soroptimists in the Good Housekeeping magazine.
Everyone said they enjoyed the friendship as well as the opportunity to make a difference. Some realised that although their efforts may be small, collectively all the efforts of Soroptimists together around the world can have a massive impact.
AGENDA
WELCOME & AIMS Of SESSION – Helen Byrne, Regional Membership Officer
BEING A SOROPTIMIST, AIMS & VALUES – Helen
OUR REGION – SI LONDON CHILTERNS – Kate Belinis, President Elect
GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER (1 min each) – facilitated by Helen
- Introduce yourself and which club you belong to?
- WHY did you decide to become a Soroptimist ?
- WHAT do you want to achieve/ get involved in as a Soroptimist?
SI & OUR FEDERATION – SI OF GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND – Rita Beaumont, Regional Secretary
PROGRAMME ACTION – Pam Robertson, Regional Programme Action Officer.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED – Helen
DISCUSSION – GETTING INVOLVED – Ideas? – Helen
WHAT’S NEXT – Helen