Zoom link up
For the first time in our club’s history we were able to hold a ‘live’ AGM, with a Zoom option, rather than solely on Zoom. However, the wonders of Zoom did allow us to link up with our club member Theresa, who was in Tanzania visiting a project we support there. Bintially, who leads the project, funded by EdUKaid, was also on the call. We watched a video that Theresa had filmed of the location of the girls’ club, including the girls at the club joyfully singing with Bintially. We had the opportunity to hear from Bintially and ask her questions. She told us how our support was helping educate the girls in sexual and menstrual health both of which enable them to take responsibility for their own bodies. Menstrual kits, with reusable pads help the girls attend school throughout the month.
AGM
The main part of the meeting was the business of the AGM: each office holder from the Executive Committee gave their report for the year – these can be found in the member’s area. The outgoing President, Eleanor, gave special thanks to Liz Batten who is standing down from the Executive Committee after three years and as founding member. She will be missed from the committee, but will continue to be an active member of our club and able to offer support and advice when needed.
As one of her last duties, Eleanor inducted two new members into the Soroptimists International. Welcome to Rebecca Harwood Lincoln and Leah Ringwood-Hoare!
The new Executive Committee was duly elected and will meet soon. Eleanor handed over the President’s chain of office to Jenny Hair. Those present posed for an inaugural photograph. Profiles of the new Executive Committee are in the Member’s Area.
Guest speaker
Our guest speaker was Ros Hepplewhite, Chair of the Trustees of the Salisbury Women’s Refuge, the other main charity which we support. The Refuge was founded by a previous incarnation of SI Salisbury. She explained how women are referred to the refuge and how they are accommodated there. The refuge is a safe environment for them to rebuild their lives while keeping themselves and their children safe. The refuge needs to meet their running costs every year as well as maintaining and improving the building. We are all proud to support this valuable work in our community.