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Lancaster University 4 November 2017
At the start of the Regional AGM President Angie presented Sue Biggs, our Federation President, and Judith Grocott, Director of Membership with flowers in celebration of their Federation posts. It is a great honour to have members of our Region on the Federation Management Board. Lesley Smyth gave an update on the Meru Project and was presented with a cheque which makes the total raised in our Region to £3000.00. President Angie reported that unfortunately 2 clubs had closed during the year but a new club had been formed SI Amounderness. She urged us to fill in the evaluation forms and to encourage other members to attend the Regional meeting. She thanked the Regional Executive calling them “a great team”. The accounts were approved and the Auditors were appointed for another year. President Angie then installed President Maureen. Various members received chains, brooches or flowers according to their relevant positions.
President Maureen thanked Angie and said “You are a true ambassador for the Region.” She thanked the members of the Regional Executive for their encouragement and support. The theme for the year is “Together we can”. We must work together to achieve our aims. Together we can strive for harmony.
The Regional Council meeting followed.
The Regional Secretary’s report and the Regional Treasurer’s report were already circulated. President Maureen wants to support the International President’s Appeal – 2017-19 Women, Water and Leadership. For this she is asking for every club to donate to a hamper which will then be raffled. Karen Rainford gave a very detailed and interesting report on the school club that Preston Soroptimists have formed with Penwortham Girls High School. This is the first one to be formed and will be chartered on the 24 November at an Afternoon Tea. Janice Carrick reported on the Federation AGM at the Cardiff Conference. Sue Biggs gave a very detailed report on the position of No 63. There is not much time before the reconvened SGM which is planned for the 25 November. She was asking for clubs or members who held shares to allow her to be the proxy for them. When the shares were first issued No 63 was a Society so shareholders received the price they paid originally when they sold them. Now No 63 is a Community Interest Company. An ideal solution would be for the profits to be put into SIGBI charities if it has to be sold. Joan Bailey explained the short cuts to make the best use of the Regional Spreadsheet. Alison Driver gave a report on the Cardiff Conference as a first time attendee. She gave a detailed resume of every day’s events. Whilst this was being presented pictures of our members various activities were shown causing some amusement. Sharon Greenhow gave the Call to Conference 25 – 27 October 2018 in Liverpool. She appealed for volunteer stewards to spread the work load.
Following the lunch break we had our Programme Action Meeting. Our speaker was Sylvia Walby OBE, Professor of Sociology at Lancaster University, UNESCO chair in Gender Research, Director of Violence & Society UNESCO Centre. She gave a very interesting and informative talk on Prevention of Violence against Women concentrating on current dilemmas and alternatives to reduce and end violence against women.
Karen Rainford asked us to support a Walk for Women on Saturday 25 November 2017 at 10.00am around Preston to raise awareness and to say “NO” to violence against women and girls. Please wear something orange.
Isobel Huggett discussed the results of the Trafficking Survey and thanked the clubs who had taken part.
The vote of thanks was given by Pat Sanderson from Windermere Soroptimsts.
Irene Hargreaves – Pendleside Soroptimists