Good Morning Sister Soroptimists,
What do you miss most whilst we are all in Lockdown?
I got to thinking – plenty of time for that – and my conclusions were: – enjoying a meal out with friends, meeting with my Club members for coffee; a long train journey, made shorter by my companions; a theatre visit or concert – I could go on. All of these I take for granted but none can happen at present. Let me know what you miss; I reckon children and grandchildren will feature predominantly with some of you.
I enjoyed a visit to Cockermouth Club on Thursday, joining their meeting from my home, courtesy of ZOOM. Jane Inman was their speaker – ‘Science Online, Spice Girls and Sexy Knees!’ [ask Jane!]. It was extremely interesting learning about Jane’s journey on her career pathway. We broke to Clap for our Carers at 8.00pm and ended with some interactive science featuring raw red cabbage. Thank you, Cockermouth members, for your welcome; it was great to be with you.
Club News
Barbara Brown of SI Darlington learned via Facebook that their Women’s Refuge was in desperate need of PPE and she immediately launched an appeal which gained a swift response.
Last Monday, Barbara was able to deliver boxes of gloves, some masks, cleaning materials and toiletries. A prospective member has dusted off her sewing machine and is making masks with donated elastic to help with her creations.
Some of you may have knowledge of SI Darlington member Elspeth Robinson and her charity The Kumi Community Foundation, based in Kumi Hospital in rural eastern Uganda, which helps children with disabilities and malnutrition. Normally at this time of year, Elspeth is hard at work preparing for her Annual Open Day in June, which always raises a significant amount, supported by Darlington members. Of course, this year, it cannot happen, but the needs of the Kumi District people are greater than ever. The Lockdown continues there, as it does here, and food prices are high. The vulnerable and the poor are always hit hardest in times of crisis. Contact SI Darlington members if you are able to help in any way.
SI Carlisle’s Treasurer, Jan Jeffery has been knitting hearts 
and rainbows for an NHS Hub in Carlisle. The Hub is making scrubs, hats, masks and scrub bags and putting one of these in each bag as a thank you for their staff. Aren’t they colourful?
Pat Newsham of SI Penrith sent me a newspaper cutting from the Cumbria and Westmorland Herald; an excellent article ‘Soroptimists Look Back on Relaunch Year‘, with (see photograph), taken before social distancing. This very full account of their work, featured specifically working together with SI Carlisle & SI Cockermouth in producing 13 Start Bags for Churches Together in Cumbria to distribute to victims of modern slavery throughout Cumbria, in partnership working with Cumbria Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner. A brilliant joint project involving inter-club working with sharing of ideas and friendship to make a difference. Also covered in the article was the Club member’s service to Eden District Talking Newspaper and the Calvert Trust in the Lake District.
Our Regional IPP Shirley Hallam, whilst on her Caribbean Cruise earlier this year, linked with onboard jeweller Pandora and purchased goods to support their International Women’s Day effort, also spreading the word about Soroptimists.
During her daily exercise she has been impressed by the colourful floral displays in Whitley Bay. This in an area she helped to renovate 7 years ago, during her SI Breast Cancer Campaign in partnership with N Tyneside Council and she has written letters of thanks to the staff involved in the upkeep of the parks during this difficult time.
Shirley reminded us that – Friendship isn’t a big thing; it’s a million little things
Soroptimist Business
I have some questions for you regarding the upcoming celebrations for our Centenary, and would ask if you would please respond to your Regional President Elect – Christine at – christinemlumsdon@gmail.com
- Who has your club nominated for 100 4 100 which will feature on Wikipedia 100 women who have made a difference by being a Soroptimist?
- If your club has already planted a tree or trees, please register your story on the SIGBI Website Centenary pages #planttrees and let Christine know
- Have you recorded your Club’s History both on your Club Website and by letting SIGBI know that you have done so? The Federation History will grow from these stories.
Your Regional Officers met this week on SKYPE and it was decided to go ahead with our annual REACH FOR THE SKIES award because, in spite of the crisis, clubs are carrying out significant work. Please record what you have done on the Programme Database and do it before the 31st July 2020 for consideration. If your work is specifically for COVIS-19, please mark it appropriately. You need to be in it to win it!
I will end today with the following:
When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you are responding to what’s happening. That’s where the power is.
Please keep in touch.
Until next week – STAY SAFE & KEEP WELL
In Friendship,
Joyce
SINE PRESIDENT