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Soroptimist International - Northern Ireland

Soroptimist International of Northern Ireland is part of a worldwide organisation of women, which is linked to the United Nations.

SI Northern Ireland

Welcome to our team in Northern Ireland.

 We currently have ten clubs operating and the recent addition of our newly formed Eclub – Virtual Voices NI.

 As a member of Soroptimist International you will have the benefit of increasing your social network, develop an interest in working on various club projects, explore less well known and current Women issues, learn more about your local community needs, make friends , and have fun too.

Our members come from a wide range of occupational and professional backgrounds but all have the same common and shared desire to help improve the lives of girls and women at home and abroad.

If you are reading this and are not yet a Soroptimist, but would like to explore further how to stand up for women less fortunate than yourself, please take a look at our membership page at SIGBI.org or contact our regional Membership officer-

karen.elliott99@yahoo.com

 

Executive team  November 2023- October 2024

 

Barbara BellBarbara Carlisle Immediate Past President

Member of SI Lisburn &District – 10 years’ service

 Retired Consultant Paediatrician

SI interests; climate, health, public speaking award, standing up for women and girls.

Enjoys travelling, and is a member of a local Nordic walking group.

 

 

Aleen Jones- Regional Programme Action Chairman

Member of SI Dungannon – 25 years service

Retired Consultant Physician with a special interest in Care of the elderly in South Tyrone Hospital before transferring to Craigavon Area Hospital  to develop the Acute and community services for Stroke.

Interested in all areas of our project work, at club, regional and international level. (Programme Action) Our project work and advocacy makes a difference to women and girls.

 

 

Joan Houston- Regional Treasurer

Member of SI Belfast – 37 years service

Past Regional and club President

Professional background – Chartered Accountant and first woman to be licensed as Insolvency Practitioner in Ireland.

Currently serves on a grammar school board. Bryson Charity group board and chairs its charity delivering energy, sports and training programmes.

 

Margaret Read  – Regional programme Action Committee Secretary

Member of SI Enniskillen

26 years service

Qualified as a food technologist in 1974, worked within the food industry with both multi- national companies and the smaller N. Ireland companies.

 Retired as Operations manager with Glen Oak Fisheries in2015

A keen environmentalist , loves walking our countryside and beaches and is a “fair-weather gardener.

 

Elaine Molyneaux –  Regional  Youth Award  Convenor

Federation Consultative Councillor N.I.

Member of SI Belfast

15 years service

Professional background- Building Society Manager

 Enjoys travel and loves the opportunity to attend annual conferences in different venues across the Federation.

 

 

 

Yvonne Molyneaux – Joint Regional Public Speaking Convenor 23/24

Member of SI Belfast since 2011 (13 yrs)

Career: Work as a Staff Officer in the NI Civil Service (1974 to date)

SI  Belfast – Past President, previously membership officer, currently Programme Action Officer and Regional Representative  My key Soroptimist interest is Programme Action which I have been involved with for a number of years.  I enjoy finding innovative ways to help people in the local community, particularly Women and Girls

 

 

Vi Bowler – Joint Regional Communications

Member of SI Bangor  , Past Regional and club president – 26 years service

 Former Registered nurse and health visitor retired Senior Lecturer , Health &Social Care SERC.

Interests- Golf, Gym, fundraiser for NI Hospice, adult and children’s services, member of U3A., member of Theros ( Osteoporosis Society) Belfast and North down volunteer group.

 

Sharon Mc Caffrey  – Joint  Regional Communications , Regional Facebook Administrator

 Member of SI Ballymoney, current club President

 

Karen Elliott – Regional Membership Officer

Member of SI Lisburn and District.

Member of SI Lisburn for 21 years

I run a small caravan park near The Giants Causeway.

I am very keen on all the work Soroptimists do locally, nationally and internationally especially in regard to the environment, health and education.