President Lynn, just returned from the SI Great Britain and Ireland conference in Harrogate, took members and guests through an action-packed evening. She was delighted to welcome Ray Kressinger from Poole Lions. Ray organises the annual Poole Lions Swimarathon when hundreds of swimmers swim thousands of lengths at the Dolphin Pool in the town centre in order to raise funds for local charities. Poole Soroptimists have supported the Swimarathon for the past five years, providing administrative help, working at the Swimarathon on the day and of course entering a swimming team. Ray is pictured here presenting the Poole Lions Swimarathon donation of £2000 to President Lynn Butterworth and Vice President Liz Rodgers. Our November meeting speaker was Lindsay Shepherd who gave a fascinating insight into hypnotherapy and its use in modern medicine and the evening rounded off in celebration as the club welcomed its newest

President Lynn and Poole Soroptimists welcomed guests to Poole’s Hotel du Vin venue to celebrate the club’s 62 years of local, national and international work to help transform the lives of women and girls. The evening’s highlights included inducting three new members into the Poole team which is continuing to prove very attractive to Poole business women wishing to contribute to social projects and network with like-minded women. To close the evening, two inspirational ladies from BCHA spoke about their work supporting human trafficking victims and Poole Soroptimist Juanita Byrne-Quinn presented her donation to BCHA’s Miles for Hope Appeal, having water skied 12 miles and raised over £1600. A tribute to the world’s human trafficking victims in Anti Slavery Week. ‘It was fantastic to bring together some of Poole’s key citizens, sister Soroptimists and family and friends for an informal and informed evening of celebration,

SI Poole’s newest members have quickly risen to the challenge of developing and nurturing the club. Amber Haines has taken up the role of welfare officer, keeping an eye on the well being of our members, and Lauren Clayton has joined Pauline Monk and Lynn Butterworth in working on SI Poole’s business partnership programme to forge closer, meaningful ties with businesses in Poole. Congratulations, thanks and good luck to both Amber and Lauren.

Ten Poole Soroptimists joined Southern Region colleagues at the region’s AGM in the beautiful setting of Merley House near Wimborne on Saturday 20 September. The busy day comprised not only the AGM and council meeting but two terrific speakers – Anne Millman from the RNLI and member of Poole Lifeboat Crew and Sue Stone who is author of ‘Live Life, Love Life’ and a positive thinking coach. Pictured here are our club members who attended and our newest member Lauren Clayton who modelled RNLI crew kit.

Poole Soroptimists welcomed representatives from Gullys Place at their September meeting. Gullys Place is a local charity that provides palliative care for children and provides family support within Poole Hospital. As such, the charity is unique within the UK. Gullys Place is one of the charities SI Poole is supporting this year and is at at time when the charity is extending into other service areas and further into Dorset. The work of Gullys Place is remarkable and their volunteer team incredibly dedicated.

Soroptimist International Poole members and friends were enthralled by the art of Japanese cuisine demonstrated at their recent fund-raising evening in Wimborne. The master class was followed by a superb Japanese feast. And the funds raised? £223. All in all, wonderful!

In recognition of her work as web administrator, President Lynn presented Liz Rodgers with a gift at the club’s July meeting.

At their July meeting, Poole Soroptimists congratulated Pauline Monk on winning the Dorset Venus Influential Woman of the Year Award. President Lynn presented Pauline with a gift from the club. We are all so proud of you Pauline.

Poole Soroptimists welcomed Lynda Sparks from Make It Happen as speaker at their July meeting. Lynda explained the growth of the green economy in Poole is driven principally by legislation, customer pressure and monetary benefits and confirmed the importance to organisations of having a ‘green champion’ at the top to make green policies happen. She gave examples of key green actions amongst which are the installation of solar panels, the use of ground and air source heating, a robust recycling policy and changeover to led lighting. Lynda went on to tell us about the funding streams and bespoke finance that are available and gave examples of local green success stories – the RNLI, Cobhams, Bournemouth Airport and Castle Point shopping centre to name but a few. Lynda encouraged members’ organisations to get a free green audit via the Borough of Poole’s PEA scheme. There was no

President Lynn and the members of SI Poole are delighted to welcome Kathryn D’Arcy and Amber Haines. Kathryn and Amber join a busy club with a great schedule of meetings, events and projects with a particular focus on human trafficking. Welcome both and enjoy your local membership of our global organisation.