Regional Meeting and AGM at the Abbey Hotel, Redditch September 2024
This was the last meeting presided over by President Liz, who has put so much time and energy into supporting and representing the Region during the last two years. Although she is now bowing out as President, Liz will remain on the Regional Committee, where her experience will prove invaluable.
The meeting included our AGM which was concluded swiftly, the main event being the Programme Action Awards.
Six clubs gave amazing professional presentations. The judges were Bev Houghton, Community Safety Manager for Bromsgrove District Council, Monica Carden, a retired Prison Governor, and Elaine McDonald from SI Midland East.
They had a tough time deciding, but in the end, Bromsgrove & Redditch won with their project on Romance Fraud. Second was Solihull with their Art & Well Being Programme in support of Ukrainian Women, and third was SI Kenilworth with the Love Grace Handbag Appeal. There were two projects on “Lending with Care,” micro-financing, and one on a sustainable water project.
Subsequently, Jean Lockley, PAO, and Barbara Bennett, FCC, had the unenviable task of explaining and clarifying the details of the resolutions and amendments for the Conference. Members debated and voted on how they would like to see the region managed in the future. It was agreed at the meeting that clubs will take the lead in organising regional meetings.
Regional Meeting at the Abbey Hotel Redditch, March 2024
The Regional Meeting commenced with a warm welcome from Regional President Liz, to members and guests. Grace Hampson, representing SI Solihull, recited our Vision & Mission Statement, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the Peace Candle, symbolising our steadfast commitment to peace and harmony throughout the World
A solemn moment was observed as we paid homage to our departed members, Suki Rai and Audrey Bond. Plans were announced for a comprehensive Memorial for Suki during the Change of Insignia meeting scheduled for 17th May. Additionally, Pat Kirby shared an informative obituary for Audrey, ensuring their memories were honoured with dignity and respect.
In the realm of updates and announcements, Liz provided insights gleaned from the Three Region Membership group meeting, encouraging a culture of idea sharing and collaboration among members.
The inaugural session of the Diamond Education Grant Leadership Academy garnered heartfelt feedback from participants, with a call for mentors to provide ongoing support. |Please contact Dishi Atwood for more information).
Jean Lockley and Liz’s participation in the West Midlands Anti-Slavery Partnership meeting via Zoom highlighted our commitment to contributing to this vital cause.
Looking ahead, Liz expressed her eagerness to visit the Region’s clubs throughout the year, urging clubs to extend invitations for engagement. The enthusiastic response to Programme Action Ideas shared in News and Views was celebrated, reflecting the collective passion for community impact among members.
Furthermore, the announcement of the No 63 Soroptimist Hotel in London being fully booked for our June visit, with 18 members signed up, was warmly received
The Change of Insignia and afternoon tea is to be held at Wolston Community Centre Coventry on May 18th. Lindsay Green (SIGBI Programme Action Officer) will be joining us.
Programme Action initiatives were discussed, including the distribution of Safety Cards & Personal Contact cards for member feedback, with reproduction details available on the Trello Board. Plans for the Regional PA awards focusing on the theme of SECURITY were unveiled, scheduled for September 28th, encouraging members to explore Personal Safety resources provided by Liz & Jean. Catherine Williamson introduced her book “Gobsmacked-The Podcasts,” featuring extraordinary stories, adding a creative dimension to our initiatives. SI
Coventry presented their PA work on the Lily Project: https://sigbi.org/ukpac/files/2023/09/The-Lily-Project-Impact-Report.pdf
Looking ahead, discussions centred on the survey findings regarding Regional Meetings, with proposed changes by the Committee set for voting at the AGM in September. The next meeting is scheduled for September 28th, 2024, at The Abbey Hotel Redditch, marking a pivotal moment for collective decision-making and progress.
The guest speakers were then introduced, with Wendi Momen MBE & PhD addressing ‘Climate Crisis and Women, Challenge and Challengers’, while Katinka Weber shared reflections on her fieldwork experiences in the Bolivian Amazon, enriching our understanding of global issues.
Dr Momen has been a magistrate in the criminal court since 1982 and a lay family judge since 1984; she is currently vice chair of the Family Panel. She is co-founder and chair of Ebbf (Ethical Business Building the Future) and a board member of the International Environment Forum, both Bahá’í-inspired organisations.
https://wilmetteinstitute.org/faculty/wendi-momen/
Dr Weber is an Anthropologist with interests in Medical Anthropology, Political Anthropology, the Anthropology of Development and Social Change and political ecology. Her research has focused particularly on Latin America and, more recently, western Africa.
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/applied-health/weber-katinka
Christmas Meeting 2023
Members convened at the Chesford Hotel, Kenilworth, for the December meeting and Christmas lunch, radiating a joyful atmosphere with a shared determination to make an ‘orange splash’ in honour of the UN 16 Days of Activism.
The peace candle was lit by Donna Lewis, and Angela Pocock recited the Vision and Mission statement, both representing SI Kenilworth.
President Liz, commencing her second year in office, announced plans to continue visiting clubs across the region. A highlight of 2023, according to Liz, was the establishment of a friendship group spanning Midland Arden, Midland Chase, and Midland East, emphasising the value of collaboration and mutual support across the broader region. Liz also highlighted the upcoming trip to No. 63 in June 2024 and expressed gratitude to Barbara Bennett for seamlessly assuming the role of Club Secretary at short notice.
The meeting delved into discussions on modernisation proposals from SIGBI, with a consensus favouring the retention of regions to foster camaraderie, idea-sharing, and club support. Strong agreement was expressed for maintaining PA and Membership Officers, Another advantage of regional meetings is the ability to attract high-profile speakers due to higher numbers attending. Other suggestions included organising more training days and utilising Zoom for breakout groups.
However, a concern was raised about a shortage of volunteers for key Regional Officer roles, including Treasurer, Communications Officer, and Benevolent Fund Officer for 2024. With no President-Elect either; future meetings will need to be hosted and organised by clubs.
There were two PA presentations, the first being SI Bromsgrove & Redditch, who created a wonderful sensory garden for West Mercia Women’s Aid in Worcestershire in partnership with Regal Compost. The second was by SI Stratford upon Avon who organised a display in the local library, explaining the message behind the ‘UN Orange the World’, campaign, which says no to Domestic Violence.
Before lunch there were three presentations, the first given by Jean Lockley, Regional Safeguarding Officer. She drew members attention to the SIGBI Safeguarding video (https://youtu.be/OiXJVQSha9k) and the training provided by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust (https://www.suzylamplugh.org/)
Isobel Smith, Chair of SI Global Communications Committee, elucidated SI’s role as one of the four NGOs at the UN focusing on women and girls. She encouraged members to sign up for the SI newsletter, Global Voice, and emphasised the significance of comprehensive Programme Reports which are used to inform the UN about SIGBI’s work. You can sign up by following this link: https://soroptimistinternational.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4c7867996d6229f393f039603&id=68f0d4e8d4
The final presentation by Greg Morris, Chair of Trustees of Hamlin Fistula UK, (https://hamlinfistulauk.org/) highlighted the charity’s work in Ethiopia to eradicate obstetric fistula. The charity is named after its founder Dr. Catherine Hamlin who established the first hospital in Addis Ababa. Today the organisation has expanded to 5 regional hospitals and a college of midwifery. Despite its small staff, the charity donated £800,000 to the hospitals in Ethiopia this year.
The subsequent festive lunch and pre-Christmas shopping were enjoyed by guests, and a raffle raised over £300 for Hamlin Fistula UK.
Greg wrote to President Liz to thank Soroptimists for their continuing support. You can read the letter here:
Regional Meeting 23rd September 2023
The meeting was held on 23rd September 2023 at the Abbey Hotel, Redditch
The Guest Speakers were SI President Maureen McGuire and Salvation Army Major Kathy Betteridge
AGM
The meeting opened with acceptance of the previous AGM minutes, after which President Liz gave a report of significant events that took place during her year. She thanked the officers on the Regional Committee, especially Barbara Bennett (Secretary) and Andrea Kingston (Treasurer). She reminded the meeting that the posts of President-Elect and Communications Officer are still open. Other committee members’ reports were noted at the meeting. The accounts are still to be adopted subject to examination, but the balance sheet was accepted.
The next AGM will be on 24th September 2024.
Business Meeting
The minutes of the March 4th meeting were accepted and there were no matters arising. The officers’ reports were noted. Jean Lockley will take up the post of Regional Programme Action Officer in October. Sbe issued a brief note in her absence signalling her intention to introduce herself to club Programme Action officers via Zoom by mid-November. There followed brief reports on no. 63, and some fundraising events taking place around the region.
It was noted that the 20th anniversary Public Speaking Competition will be held on 16th March 2024 at Bromsgrove Methodist Centre.
Guest Speakers
SI President Maureen McGuire gave a presentation on the’ Bright Future’ President’s Appeal. She thanked SI Americas for the $230,000 donation given to the project. She updated the meeting on the progress at the 6 project locations – Cambodia, Malawi, the Caribbean, Georgia, Uganda and Paraguay.
Working in partnership with local organisations the project’s vision is to equip young women and girls with life skills through education, mentoring programmes, increasing access to information and resources and SME business training.
The project has been a success overall, but President Maureen gave an honest assessment of the disappointing outcome of the Uganda project, where most of the girls on the project failed to catch up with their missing school years, mainly because they were not given sufficient time to make up the lost ground. However, some succeeded and it is hoped that they will continue to be supported
Major Kathy Betteridge is the Director of Anti Trafficking and Modern Slavery for the Salvation Army. She is now also a Soroptimist having recently joined SI Enfield! The Salvation Army is working to defeat slavery in the UK (the second highest incidence of slavery in Europe) Historically the S.A. were instrumental in raising the age of consent from 13 to 16 years old. They continue to lobby the government on behalf of trafficked people and asylum seekers.
She explained how victims are supported legally, and financially, with accommodation and counselling. Exploitation is found in the areas of labour, sex work, domestic service, criminality and organ harvesting.
Si Leeds and Bradford have provided support in the form of donating welcome packs to rescued people.
More information can be found at savationarmy.org.uk/modern-slavery
In the final presentation, Si President Maureen spoke about the SI Convention which took place in Dublin in July. The Convention was a great success with a packed agenda and many keynote speakers, foremost amongst whom was Mary Robinson talking about women in leadership and Project Dandelion a women-led environmental charity. https://www.projectdandelion.com/
The convention closed with a display of Irish music and dancing.
The new Soroptimist emblem was unveiled at the conference, and there will be a virtual meeting about this topic on 27th September at 5 pm BST. President Maureen’s statement on the emblem can be found here https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/statement-on-the-emblem-president-maureen-maguire/
An online webinar will be held at 17:00 BST on 28 September 2023 when Soroptimist International will describe how the concept evolved and the ways in which it should be used. Details will be shared via the Global Voice newsletter and social media.
The controversial proposed cruise to Alaska for the 2027 SI Convention was also briefly mentioned. There have been protests about the choice of a cruise ship as a venue, therefore a final decision has not yet been taken,
Regional Meeting 4th March 2023
The spring meeting was held at the Abbey Hotel Redditch and hosted by SI Bromsgrove & Redditch.
As International Women’s Day was just a few days later, members celebrated in customary fashion by wearing Purple and Pearls!
President Liz reported that because of resignations there are vacancies for the post of Regional Programme Action Officer, Regional Secretary and Regional Benevolent Fund Officer. Jean Lockley intends to stand for election as Regional Programme Action Officer at the AGM in September. On behalf of Region, President Liz thanked all the former post holders for their hard work and dedication.
We also still need a Regional Secretary and Regional Vice/President-Elect. Liz volunteered to continue in post for another year in order to facilitate a new President-Elect in planning her year.
After the business meeting, members were treated to two inspirational speakers, as befitting the forthcoming International Women’s Day. The first was Sheila Rollison, the now ‘retired’ manager of Derby County Women’s Football Club. She spoke of the advent of ladies’ football in the 1890s, her support for Coventry City and then playing for Burton Wanderers. She gradually made her way up as a player, coach and then finally into management. She never gave up the struggle for recognition of women’s football. Sheila was awarded the UK Points of Light in 2015 for services to women’s football
Aderonke Apata was an asylum seeker from Nigeria, she is now a barrister and LGBTIQ activist and founder of
African Rainbow Family. Having described her life in Nigeria, where being gay was taboo, Aderonke was forced to leave her country and family. Aderonke described the long and arduous process of applying for and finally getting asylum in the UK. It took her 13 years, which included nearly being deported, two terms in prison and being sectioned in a psychiatric hospital.
Both speakers took questions from the floor and received small gifts and flowers as thanks for talking at the meeting.
Programme Action Round-Up
SI Solihull
Jackie Atkinson spoke about how the club had been supporting families in their area who had fled from Ukraine and used their friendship links in Germany and Poland to provide funds to help families crossing the borders into Europe. This is a continuing project.
SI Stourbridge
Jane Clarke, Lyn Saunders and Sue Roxburgh described how their club had formed a partnership with a local school and was able to provide help and support where it was needed most.
This was done by supplying laptops, and supermarket vouchers, helping with language skills, encouraging STEM subjects, reading support, and mentoring the public speaking contest entrants. This is a continuing project.
Regional Meeting 3rd December 2022
Our Christmas meeting with lunch was held at the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth and hosted by SI Stourbridge & District and Regional President Liz Every. Her theme for the year is ‘Even Better Together’
It has become something of a tradition at the December meeting to celebrate the Unite campaign to end Violence Against Women and Girls by wearing orange, which was enthusiastically embraced by members. Continuing the theme, there was an orange raffle and a guess the weight of the orange cake!
The guest speakers were Emily Johnson from Anawim Birmingham Women’s Centre, anawim.co.uk Emily gave an interesting talk about the work of Anawim supporting women survivors of physical and sexual abuse and other traumas.
Jane Clarke from Hamlin Fistula UK hamlinfistulauk.org spoke about midwife training and Dishi Attwood SIGBI Director of Membership spoke about the drive to boost membership.
Following on from the talk by Emily Johnson from Anawim, President Liz has obtained a report by the Charity Women in Prison. This report highlights the importance of Women’s Centres. The Report is attached here for members to have a look at. The Value of Womens’ Centres
SI Kidderminster and SI Rugby gave updates on their clubs’ Programme Action work.
After the talks, members enjoyed Christmas lunch, festive shopping and a chance to socialise with friends old and new.
Regional Meeting 5th March 2022
64 Members registered to celebrate International Women’s Day at the meeting, which unfortunately had to be held on Zoom once again. We were proud to be joined by members from outside our region and by SIGBI President Cathy Cottridge and SI President Maureen Maguire. The theme of the meeting was #Break the Bias. President Anne opened the meeting by narrating a brief history of IWD and Past President Elaine read the Mission and Vision statement.
There followed In Memorium tributes to Sarah Little (SI Coventry) Betty Bullivant (SI Kidderminster), Jackie Flynn (SI Solihull), June James (SI Leamington & Warwick) and Jane Roberson (SI Worcester & Malvern)
The first guest speaker was Louise Bennett OBE DL. Louise outlined her duties both as High Sheriff of Warwickshire and also Chief Executive of Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce. She also touched on her voluntary work as a bereavement council and her involvement with young people and being a parent and foster parent.
The second speaker was Helen Marriott the CEO of Hamlin Fistula UK https://hamlinfistulauk.org/
Helen spoke in her introduction about how the charity was founded and then spoke movingly about the plight of women giving birth in rural villages in Ethiopia with no antenatal or obstetric care. Many of the women sustain terrible childbirth injuries and are then often shunned by their husbands and relatives. She updated us on the achievements of the charity to date, including the establishment of five regional hospitals, the Hamlin College of Midwives and Desta Mender, a rehabilitation centre for long-term patients. To date, Hamlin has treated over 60,000 women and the centres are run sustainably in liaison with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health.
Our final speaker was Jen McClelland QPM who told her personal story of Breaking the Bias as a young police officer during the 1990s when there was a lot of sexism in the police service. Jen found that she had to overcome many obstacles during her career, despite this, she persisted and eventually achieved the post of Superintendent. Jen spoke with passion about working in Thailand following the Thailand Tsunami and leading Child Abuse, Domestic Abuse, and Missing Person Teams. Jen is also a Soroptimist and is a member of SI Lichfield!
The final part of the meeting saw Jean Lockley (SI Kenilworth & District) updating us on safeguarding and presentations by SI Bromsgrove & Redditch and SI Kenilworth & District of their recent Programme Action work.
SI Bromsgrove & Redditch
SI Bromsgrove & Redditch have been busy creating gifts for women and children fleeing domestic abuse and supporting the Princes Trust initiative ‘Women Supporting Women’, https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/support-our-work/major-gifts/women-supporting–women as well as finding time to celebrate our centenary with a tea party for members, friends and supporters.
SI Kenilworth & District
SI Kenilworth showcased how they use their website to raise awareness of their activities to the local community and beyond and thereby attract new members. Recent activities include supporting the charity Lend With Care https://lendwithcare.org/ turning an initial investment of £100 into £540 and raising £500 at two social events for Friends of Sick Children in Malawi. http://www.friendsofsickchildreninmalawi.org/
Current President Julie Pemberton has chosen to support the Parenting Project https://parentingproject.org.uk/ during her year, and the club has raised over £1500 by holding tombolas and selling scarves at Kenilworth Market.
Finally, SIGBI President Cathy Cottridge thanked President Anne for inviting her to the meeting, which broke up after we all made the Break the Bias hand sign!
Christmas Regional Meeting 4th December 2021
The last meeting of the calendar year and Christmas celebration was held at the Chesford Grange Hotel near Kenilworth. In President Anne’s welcome and opening remarks, she reiterated her theme for the year – “It’s what you do that counts”.
President Anne would like to raise the profile of the region through greater use of social media platforms and announced the initiative of inter-regional club officers getting together to share ideas and best practices. She also proposed a ‘regional weekend’ gathering in the spring and a ‘three regions’ lunch. Anne would like to establish a friendship link with another region, possibly in the north. Feedback on these ideas and further suggestions are welcome – please email your thoughts to Secretary Janice Bell on j_c_bell@talk21.com.
Amina Brooks (SI Kenilworth) lit the Peace Candle, and another new member Charlotte Sanders (SI Stourbridge) read the Vision and Mission.
An obituary for Patricia Dent (SI Leamington & Warwick) was read by Georgie Larsen-Archer (SI Kenilworth).
A short Change of Insignia then took place between Past President Elaine Clark, President Anne Rogers, President-Elect Liz Every, and Vice President Janice Bell.
The Change of Insignia was followed by updates by SI Coventry and SI Solihull on their Programme Action work. Jean Lockley gave a presentation about the campaign by Daphne Frank to end Predatory Marriages https://www.predatorymarriage.uk/
The three pre-lunch speakers were Federation President Cathy Cottridge, Caroline Taylor of the Probation Service and Victims Commissioner Dame Vera Baird. All three talks were very stimulating, but unfortunately, Cathy Cottridge was unable to attend because of illness, therefore her talk was read by President Anne. Please click on this link if you would like to read her presentation: Cathy Cottridge Talk President Cathy is keen to receive feedback, and any questions and comments should be sent to Regional Secretary, Janice who will forward them to President Cathy.
Before the Christmas lunch, there was an opportunity for some retail therapy and to purchase some Christmas gifts. The raffle raised £325 for Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge.
The feedback from members is that they would like to be able to view presentations by members and guests online. It is now possible to post presentations on the website, please click on the links below:
SI Solihull Programme Action Update SI Coventry Programme Action Update
Safeguarding Update Jean Lockley
Caroline Taylor Presentation Dame Vera Baird Presentation
Regional Meeting & AGM 11th September 2021
The Regional Meeting and AGM were held at Stratford Racecourse. Past President Rose chaired the meeting and passed on the thoughts and best wishes of all members to President Elaine, who unfortunately could not attend.
The candle lighting ceremony was dedicated to the women and girls of Afghanistan.
In Memorium eulogies were given for Johanna Raffen (SIGBI President), Patsy Musto (SI Bromsgrove & Redditch), and Brenda Guise (SI Worcester & Malvern). The victims of 9/11 were also remembered during the minute’s silence.
Val Clarke gave the vote of thanks to the committee for their hard work during the past year.
After the business of the meeting was concluded, Clubs presented their Programme Action projects undertaken during the last 12 months. Support for Women’s Refuges and mental health initiatives were common themes that featured in most of the presentations. The winners after the vote were SI Stourbridge with their Care Bags of Treats for 100 women and the runners-up were SI Solihull.
Rose updated the meeting on the conclusion of the Cori Project. The final £2k of funding was used to build a sturdy shelter from the rain for the women to use as a space for larger projects, and for selling their produce.
Georgie Larsen-Archer announced that the next Public Speaking competition will be held at Dudley Council Chambers (free of charge!) on 19th March 2022, after a break of two years.
Pat Kirby announced that No. 63 is open for business again and the cost for a double room is only £75! Several members recommended Taormina, an Italian restaurant around the corner from the hotel, for a lunch or evening meal.
Pat Tonks was the guest speaker on the subject of Lend With Care. Details of her talk can be found in the Recent Speakers section of the website.
Last but not least, members welcomed and gave their best wishes to Anne Rogers who will be our next Regional President. She spoke briefly about her upcoming Programme, which will be revealed in more detail in our next post!
