November has been a busy month for Salisbury Soroptimists! Our Quiz Night was a great success thanks to a hard-working team.
Our second meeting at our new venue was a lively occasion. We had three groups doing different activities. One group worked creatively on decorations for our ‘Orange the World Christmas tree’ entered in the St Thomas’ Christmas tree festival. Lots of orange cardboard, wool, net and ribbons were cut, stapled and glued in place. We look forward to seeing the tree!
Another group discussed a new project. We have thought for a while about a project having something to do with women’s health – a huge topic, so some discussion needed to narrow this down to a manageable project. One possible area to explore is women with autism.
The third group did some preparations for upcoming Orange the World activities and then did some letter writing for ‘From me to You’. We learned about this organisation at the last Regional meeting and had wanted to introduce it to our club. Anyone can write a letter to someone who has cancer to help cheer them up. Anyone with cancer can apply to receive a letter. Find out more here.
Getting to know us
Barbara took the floor to tell us about her life story. After some twists and turns, living in London and Cornwall, meeting her future husband, she qualified as a social worker and spent most of her career in various roles in the mental health sector working for Hampshire County Council. These included front line social work, management and commissioning and delivering training and organisational events.
Club business
Jenny once more pleaded for members to come forward to serve on the Executive Committee as several vacancies will need to be filled from March. If you are interested in becoming Treasurer, Regional Rep, Project Action Coordinator or Vice President, please get in touch with one of the Executive who can tell you more about the roles. She also reminded everyone about the upcoming events and the volunteer opportunities.
Jenny also explained the economic rationale behind the proposed increase in club subscription. The vote to accept the new fees was unanimous, so from next April we will pay £96 per annum.
We then celebrated the induction of four new members. Welcome to Pat, Louise, Mona and Sheila.
Orange the World
The following Sunday found us in the Market Square. We had a joint stall with the Mothers’ Union, Diocese of Salisbury, who have been supporting our OTW campaign by installing displays in the cathedral, shops and offices around the city. Their campaign ‘Souls of our shoes’ is also about raising awareness of domestic abuse.
On Monday we were in Waitrose with our information stand to spread the word about domestic abuse and Soroptimists.
Film night at St John’s Place was a great evening! Lovely venue and Bemerton Film Society provided tasty snacks for everyone. Virginia MCed with aplomb, Jenny spoke about Salisbury Soroptimists and the Chair of Salisbury Refuge spoke about how the refuge operates.
The Icelandic film about Halla, who was waging war on a smelter as an environmentalist, was fun, even though about a serious topic. The screening a sound system was faultless.
Orange the World continues into December: look out for our tree at the St Thomas’ Christmas Tree Festival, shop displays around the city, postbox toppers in different locations! and a display in the library window on Market Walk.