May was Membership Month for Soroptimists, and here are a couple of ways in which clubs in our region took part.   On May 29th Grange-over-Sands Soroptimists were out on Grange Promenade at PromArt telling people about Soroptimism. It was a beautiful day and there was plenty of interest as people were looking at the arts and crafts stalls in the sunshine.   Saturday 21 May Garstang club had a stand in Booths supermarket in Garstang. With lots of material on hand to demonstrate just what we get up to, and why, members chatted to lots of shoppers and hopefully encouraged some of the ladies in the area to consider us in a new light.    

The Rose Bowl event took place at Cabus Village Hall on Thursday 19th May. For the Rose Bowl competition this year President Margaret had set the challenge to each club to produce a sensory cushion for dementia sufferers. Club members were then invited to a fun evening to judge the results of the work clubs had put in over the last couple of months. Seventy five members from across the Region came along to join in the fun, bringing with them thirteen completed cushions. [new_royalslider id=”8″] The cushions were very colourful and came in all shapes and sizes with themes varying from animals and flowers to memories. Each club was asked to vote for their favourite cushions putting them in 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. This was not an easy task because all the entries were extremely good but everyone inspected all the cushions enthusiastically

Saturday 2nd July 2016 (Closing date for applications 15th June) Venue:  The Hilton Hotel, Manchester Airport This event was originally held last October in Nottingham. Due to its success we have arranged for it to be held here in the North West. Please come along and meet, share and learn from each other. The cost is £35 which includes a hot and cold buffet lunch. Car parking is £5 at the hotel. Please see the link for the flyer and registration form below. Development Day Flyer Manchester 2 July 2016: sigbi.org/members/files/Development-Flyer-for-Manchester-July-2016.pdf Development Day Agenda Manchester 2 July 2016: sigbi.org/members/files/DEVELOPMENT-DAY-Agenda-Manchester-2nd-July-2016.pdf Development Day Registration Form PDF Manchester 2 July 2016: sigbi.org/members/files/Leadership-and-Club-Development-Day-Manchester-2-July-2016-Regisration-Form.pdf Development Day online Registration Form Manchester 2 July 2016: https://sigbi.wufoo.eu/forms/leadership-and-club-development-day-manchester/  Judith Grocott (Federation Counsellor)

Radisson Blu Hotel – Liverpool – Saturday 14th May 2016 Attended by 107 delegates including 21 from the North West Region, the theme of the conference was ‘Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much’. [new_royalslider id=”7″] On the evening prior to conference delegates met for a meal in the hotel which afforded opportunities to network and catch up with old friends. Start of Conference on Saturday was opened by President Sandy Taylor who received best wishes from Ann Garvie (Immediate Past President, Soroptimist International) and Margaret Elmsley (Federation President). The first speaker was Mr Nick Beeching from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. His advice on being cautious when travelling with regard to preventative health problems was second to none. His statement of ’Travel broadens the mind and loosens the bowel’ was a warning to us all. Our second speaker

A small but select group of members of the 2011-12 Chain Gang met at The Crofters Hotel in Garstang for their bi-annual get together, their numbers being somewhat diminished due to a clash of events. For as long as anyone can remember, each year’s Club and Region Presidents have formed a gang, continuing to meet after their year of office to renew acquaintances and catch up on news. Each year’s ‘Chain Gang’, the chain bit representing their chain of office from when they were President, is very different, reflecting the personalities of the members. Some chains meet once a year, some twice, and some not at all just when someone thinks to arrange one!  Some meet with partners, some meet for lunch, others for dinner, whatever suits that particular group of people. However they meet, the events are an enjoyable reminder of the fun and