Good Morning Sister Soroptimists
Two weeks of isolation nearly at an end and I hope that all of you are keeping safe and well? I find that the days pass remarkably swiftly but with not very much achieved! I have heard that club members are keeping in touch in various ways and taking particular ‘virtual’ care of members who are alone or who have health problems.
I have managed to have telephone conversations with a few of you this week and have learned a little of how you are handling Soroptimist business, in particular your Annual General Meetings. I note that some of you are using ZOOM and would like to know if it is proving successful or otherwise? Some clubs are simply circulating all of the reports and accounts which would normally be delivered at your AGMs and asking for members’s approval. Please let me know how you will be managing and also what you will be doing about subscriptions, although I gather some are already safely gathered in!
In the SIGBI News Briefing of 20 March 2020, there were some guidelines and reference made to a ‘How to..’ guide on the website on setting up and using SKYPE if this is helpful to you.
Kathy Warrick kindly sent me the following link on communications which you might like to look at:
https://sigbi.org/ukpac/2020/04/02/communications-during-stayathome/
On the subject of subscriptions, I have noted some Facebook conversations suggesting that they should be reduced, since our meetings are suspended for probably 3 months. The general opinion of our Regional Officers seems to be that Federation Capitation should be submitted in full as staff at Federation Office still have to be paid, even though they may be working from home, and there will be overheads to pay at Stockport.
The date for the receipt of Capitation Fees has been extended until 31 August 2020 but obviously the Office would like them before that date if at all possible and to be paid by electronic means. [Also in the News Briefing of 20/3/2020].
The Federation Director of Finance has said in her recent letter [3/4/20] that reduction of membership fees is not possible. Clubs may decide to adjust their part of the Subs since they will not have the expenses of meetings or speakers, but that will be entirely their decision. There have been some suggestions that members pay the full amount and any surplus or savings could go to support their charities, which, in general, are already suffering greatly during the emergency.
It will be interesting to hear your opinions on any of the above, and in fact if you are managing to do any programme work during the Lockdown?
I have another motive for asking for your views, because on 11th April, I will be taking part in a teleconference called by our Federation President Isobel, along with other Regional Presidents, to discuss the current situation and the impact it is having on our lives, clubs and programme work, and to tell her how each Region is coping. If you do have any concerns, I will be pleased to hear them.
Our Regional Secretary wanted me to convey the thanks to SINE of Cathy Cottridge who is confirmed as Federation Vice President after the Northern Region seconded her nomination. Cathy emailed Joan earlier this week.
One of my members [thank you Julie] circulated a lovely poem which is so apt for our circumstances on this glorious Sunday morning, and which I would like to share with you.
It is called :
IN THE TIME OF QUIET by Phillipa Atkin; the first line is ‘No one’s told the daffodils about the pause to Spring’. Look it up online if you want to read it, it’s very poignant.
On a lighter note, how are we all managing without our hairdressers? Margaret Wall and I have been discussing how we will look when we come out of this and contemplating whether we should have plaits, bunches or a pony tail!
I shudder to think!
Until next week, STAY SAFE, STAY PUT AND KEEP WELL.
In Friendship,
Joyce
SINE
President.
PS. Remember the umbrellas discovered under the stairs? Well here they are attached, with the caption
WEATHERING THE STORM TOGETHER!