The SIGBI Leadership Development Day was held on Saturday, 10 June at Birmingham Aston University.
After registration and coffee delegates were welcomed by Federation President, Ann Hodgson who asked us to remind ourselves why we were attending. Our aims of helping women to achieve their potential, to work towards the elimination of violence against women and gender equality were all reasons. It was important we all worked as a team – together we are strong.
Workshop 1 – Make your Club a success run by Dishi Attwood. There are no right answers. Dishi talked about experiences within her own club and this generated a lot of discussion. Cherish the past, adorn the present, construct the future. We are all guardians of the past – we should not throw out the old; relationships adorn the present, include and engage, construct for the future. Ideas are nothing if you do nothing with them. A healthy discussion took place on the use of social media and the pros and cons identified.
Keynote speaker – Jasvinder Sanghera CBE – An outspoken campaigner and advocate for the rights of those experiencing forced marriages and honour based abuse Jasvinder told us why she had decided to take the journey to set up Karma Nirvana. Her determination and courage was evident and she is an exceptional woman deserving of the many accolades that she has received.
Workshop 2 – Understanding your relationship with the UN – Pat Black. The importance of Clubs completing the Programme Focus Forms was once again stressed. Without these SIGBI could lose their status at the UN. Pat urged Clubs to work on a programme area that works towards the Sustainable Development Goals. We should be lobbying more, for example, what is the UK Government doing about achieving the SDG’s. Advocacy underpins everything we do. A lot of useful information was given in the form of handouts and the whole session was very informative.
A third workshop of Media Training (Radio/TV interviews) – Margaret Hyde – Margaret has spent 35 years as a BBC journalist working in the North West of England, London and East Anglia and was the first woman news editor in BBC local radio. She recognises that importance of getting media interest in the work of Soroptimism and believes that persistence will reap rewards. With the assistance of Susan Sandicot from Southend, a media lecturer, Margaret led another useful and enlightening session on how to get the attention of the media – and what to say or do once you’ve got it in order to maximise the opportunities available.
Good venue, excellent speakers and all well organised. Well worth the trip to Birmingham.
Lynn Yates – Preston Soroptimists
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