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You are Invited

You are Invited

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You are invited to the 2020 Soroptimist virtual conference featuring a lineup of inspirational speakers:-Dr Alison Gardner, Professor Sue Black OBE, Jane Garvey, and Lady Hale. This will be a conference not to be missed! ⭐️ 30-31 October 2020, 13.30-17.00 GMT. ⭐️ Broadcast live from Belfast, not a zoom conference. ⭐️ Connect with other attendees through the networking room. ⭐️ Live Q&A session with the 4 speakers. ⭐️ Entertainment will be courtesy of Irish Dancers, Celtic Storm. Registration closes 16 October 2020. Find out more and register here sigbi.org/belfast2020 #SoroptimistVirtual2020

Congratulations to SI Solihull!

Congratulations to SI Solihull!

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Congratulations to all Club winners,  especially our very own SI Solihull! We are delighted to announce the five Best Practice Award Winners for 2020.  More will be revealed about these fantastic projects at the SIGBI Virtual Conference 2020. The five ‘P’s are: 1. People: SI San Fernando for “Coping with Covid” video 2. Prosperity: SI London East for “Luminary Bakery” 3. Planet: SI Liverpool for “Nature-based Solutions” 4. Peace: SI Kirkintilloch for “Jasmine and Thistle” 5. Partnership: SI Solihull and “Fun in the Park”

SI Europe Best Practice Awards

SI Europe Best Practice Awards

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What have our Soroptimist sisters in Europe been up to during the past year? To find out, read this brochure which is a wonderful illustration of the amazing work being carried out by Soroptimists all over Europe.  I am sure Clubs will find at least one example which will  inspire them to start a new project The photographs are particularly inspiring. SI Europe Best Practice Awards

The Big Story 2020 Competition Results!

The Big Story 2020 Competition Results!

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The Big Story 2020          There were 111 Soroptimist entries out of a total of 125 entries.  Soroptimists raised £20,765.28 including match-funding and monies that were directed through SIGBI. Here are the results of the competition: 1st – June Money – SI Guernsey – “Memories of an Occupation” 2nd – Laxmi Parasuram – SI South Kolkata – “Memories of a Girl Child” 3rd equal –  Helen Lyth – SI Dunfermline – “Primary School Memories in the Highlands of Kenya” &  Pam Cheesley-Hollinshead – Joint Regional President SI Cheshire, North Wales and Wirral – “Charlie Boy” 4th equal –  Caroline Auckland –  President-Elect SI Tunbridge Wells – “The Hungry Shopper” & Jennifer Neville – SI Keighley – “A Sky Full of Clouds” 5th equal –  Irene Hockin – SI Barnstaple (and Vice President South West & Channel Islands) Untitled &  Barbara Brown –

Dame Vera Baird’s Warning

Dame Vera Baird’s Warning

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Dame Vera Baird’s (who is a Soroptimist ) has issued her first annual report since taking up the post of Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales.   It makes for sobering reading, with extensive coverage in several national newspapers. The report highlights the ‘catastrophic decline’ in prosecutions for rape.  There has been a  rise in domestic violence during the lockdown.  Lack of funding and delays in court cases have exacerbated the problem. Dame Vera has called for an increase in funding.  This would ensure victims’ wellbeing is put first and would deal with the backlog of cases. Specialist Domestic Violence Courts Project

SIGBI Day of Action 18th July 2020

SIGBI Day of Action 18th July 2020

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SIGBI Day of Action 2020 The SIGBI Day of Action is on Saturday 18th July 2020.  The theme for this day was originally Climate Change, but with the situation that we have been in since the beginning of the year, the theme is now #SoroptimistsConnect.   The global pandemic has shown us how important it is to keep our worldwide friendships and connections alive. Please enjoy our video by clicking on this link:  https://youtu.be/-wlTU4HlrJM

Update on the National Arboretum Sculpture Appeal

Update on the National Arboretum Sculpture Appeal

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National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) – Sculpture Appeal In her 5th June bulletin, President Isobel launched a passionate appeal to raise funds to pay for a sculpture for the Soroptimist plot at the NMA, to celebrate 100 Years of Soroptimism. She also included a link to a Virgin Just Giving page which is now also available on the SIGBI website. Individual members or clubs can make donations either by bank transfer or by sending cheques to SIGBI HQ.                                                                                                                There has been a strong link between the NMA and our three regions

Life during lockdown – how Midland Arden is using new technologies to adapt

Life during lockdown – how Midland Arden is using new technologies to adapt

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Three Regions Meeting 20th June 2020 On 20th June, Presidents and Officers from Midland Arden, Midland East and Midland Chase ‘met’ (on Zoom naturally)!  It’s a great opportunity to exchange news, share best practices in Programme Action, and to explore ways of collaborating on future projects. Obviously, this year’s meeting was unique in that we are all now in the midst of a global pandemic.   Members throughout our regions have been profoundly affected by the lockdown.  Some have been furloughed, many are socially isolating or shielding.  During this unprecedented time, we have had to quickly adapt to a remote way of reaching out to our members through the use of technology. President-Elect Elaine Clarke explained to the meeting how we at Midland Arden are meeting the challenges of this ‘new normal’ by taking advantage of new technologies. We are using them to communicate both amongst

Lockdown Quiz!

Lockdown Quiz!

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Lockdown Quiz! How well do you know our organisation?   Test your knowledge with a fun lockdown quiz kindly compiled by one of our Region’s members.  Why not hold a ‘virtual’ quiz evening with your Club with a prize for the winner or as a fundraising activity?   No peeking at the answers first! SI Quiz May 2020 SI Quiz May 2020 with answers

Celebrating Trees on World Environment Day

Celebrating Trees on World Environment Day

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“Plant Trees for a Brilliant Future” Clubs may not be able to take action right now, but how about starting to plan how your Club is going to celebrate  UN World Environment Day? Many  Clubs across our Federation have already begun to plant trees and revive neglected patches of land.  Their work has had a positive impact on nature, the environment  and their local communities.  It will leave a lasting legacy.  Learn about their stories of ‘Planting Trees for a Brilliant Future” by reading this article