Good Morning Soroptimist Sisters, Not a pleasant morning for the Summer Solstice, windy with some rain here! It occurred to me when I was thinking about this weekly message that, during the last thirteen weeks, I have learned more about what our 12 Clubs are doing than in the three Regional Council Meetings which we have every year.  It is an impressive display of innovation, imagination and inspiration for which the Northern England Region is rightly known throughout the Federation.  Well done to everyone! As promised, I bring you the list of those Soroptimists who have been nominated for #Whoisshe? and whose names have been moved to the next level: DURHAM                                 – Judith Stirk MIDDLESBROUGH                 – Kathleen Manning,  Alwyn Kraus NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE   

Good Morning Sister Soroptimists, How are you all? It has not been a pleasant week with so much rain, although our gardens certainly needed it. Let me begin with some good news. The search for 100 4 100 outstanding Soroptimists to celebrate our centenary, has now been rebranded - #Whoisshe? and the panel met last week and have chosen the 100 plus Soroptimists who are to proceed to the next stage. Clubs who put forward their nominees should have received a message to this effect. I believe that Clubs in the Northern England Region submitted 14 nominations and whilst I would like to name them here, I am not yet aware if all 14 are in this select group. Once I know, I will be delighted to tell you their names. Only the Clubs will be aware unless they have informed Christine Lumsdon or myself.

Good Morning Sister Soroptimists How are you all?      It is a very wet Sunday here, so a walk is out of the question.  Today marks the end of Volunteers Week 2020, an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering. I am aware that many of our Soroptimist family give countless hours of voluntary service for charitable and statutory organisations, maybe not always in the name of Soroptimist, but because they are Soroptimists and Soroptimists love to give service! I pay tribute to all volunteers with the following: "Volunteers are not paid.   Not because they are worthless but because they are priceless!" My only attachment (see above) this week shows something very special - it was inspired by an idea from Hilary Clavering - probably my longest standing friend in Soroptimism, outside of my own club -

Good Morning Sister Soroptimists It is hard to believe that this is my 10th weekly message to you all and that tomorrow will be June when so many events had been planned and are now cancelled. I hope that you are all keeping safe and well, and with Lockdown lifting ever so slightly in the coming days - some of you may be able to have socially distanced contact with your families. That will no doubt be a rare treat - I think that 'hungry for hugs' is being suffered by many.  I am aware that this easing does not apply to our members who are 'shielded' and who will need to stay isolated for a while longer. It must be endlessly frustrating for you and you are in my thoughts. To any of our teacher colleagues or if you have teachers in your family

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

Good Morning Sister Soroptimists, Whilst I get great pleasure in putting together my weekly message to you, I often find that the hardest part is the opening few lines. But this week I am going to begin with a very big THANK YOU to you all. Your Regional Officers have made very great demands on you in the past few weeks; demands for information, for opinions, for comments and for returns.  Secretary Joan, PA Chair Karen, FCC Margaret and myself have made these requests because we have been asked them by Federation Office or UKPAC. Your Club Secretaries and PA officers must be a little weary of this continuous bombardment. But you have never failed to provide the feedback or information needed. It makes our jobs so much easier to have your input as we are representing you all in the Northern Region.  I have

Good Morning Sister Soroptimists, I hope that you are all keeping safe and well and coping in these challenging times? We await today the Government's plans for us in Phase 2 of Lockdown, although signs are that there will be little difference to us than in Phase 1! Those who will see no difference between what they can do today and what they will be able to do tomorrow, are those 1.5 million people who are 'shielded',  due to severe medical conditions, who are at high risk of developing complications from COVID-19. The restrictions they face are more stringent, they must isolate for 12 weeks [which may well be extended] they are not allowed any face to face contact or even permitted to go outside for a daily walk. I am aware that some of our Soroptimist members are classed in the 'shielded' category and