Members of Soroptimist International of Perth are delighted to share the news with you that one of their members, Pat Carruthers, has been awarded Honorary Membership of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI), a well deserved honour and we congratulate Pat. Pat, a qualified Chartered Accountant, joined Perth Soroptimists in 1988 and has served as Club President and Treasurer with SI Perth (a position she still holds), Region President and Treasurer of Scotland North Region, Treasurer of Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland, as well as Soroptimist International, a worldwide organisation. Pat also served as a Trustee of the Diamond Education Grant a term of office which ended at the SIGBI conference in November 2023.

Scotland North Associate Member, Jean Campbell, was delighted to have two items accepted for the Autumn 2022 issue of the Blairgowrie & Rattray Hub Magazine. You can see her entries on pages 24 and 30. Blairgowrie & Rattray Hub Magazine

Congratulations “Associate Soroptimist Jean Campbell was delighted to receive her Long Service Certificate signed by the SIGBI Federation President, Cathy Cottridge and presented by SI Scotland North Region President Pat Stewart, in May 2022.  Jean has previously served as a member of SI Falkirk and SI Perth before transferring to associate membership. The certificate notes her 25 years of service.”

Blairgowrie Associate member of Soroptimist International Jean Campbell is very grateful to all who are keen to help do their bit for the environment and reduce the amount of ‘waste’ destined to landfill.  By dropping off their used blister packs (made of silver paper & plastic  – for pills) to either herself or at the High Street Computer Shop and at the BARI shop they are then taken by Jean to Superdrug, Perth for recycling. See photograph of Jean’s latest donation (5 large bags) ready for Superdrug.

In March 2022, the Perth & Kinross Association for Voluntary Services (PKAVS) Minority Hub staff requested items for refugees coming to Perthshire.  Very quickly local Soroptimist Jean Campbell asked around and almost immediately took delivery of items from Blythswood Care (Blairgowrie), Thrifty One (Alyth), friends & neighbours.  Items received included men’s warm clothing and footwear, toiletries, warm fleecy blankets, back packs, board games, umbrellas, (we do usually get quite a lot of rain in Perthshire) plus so much more. If you want to find out more see www.sigbi.org See the photograph of Jean handing over donations to staff at PKAVS Gateway in March 2022.

  Blairgowrie Associate Soroptimist Jean Campbell highlights another example of caring for the environment and reducing the amount relegated to landfill .  When baby and  children’s clothing and other items are donated by friends, neighbours, Blythswood Care (Blairgowrie) and Thrifty One (Alyth) to Jean she transports the clean, lightly-used items to a small volunteer-led charity Buttons and Bows, Perth.  These items are, in turn, given to families in need in the Perth & Kinross area. If you want to find out more about Soroptimist International see www.sigbi.org See photograph of Buttons and Bows Founder, Caroline Moore, receiving items from Jean who took the photograph.

(Blairgowrie & Rattray Hub Magazine Spring Edition) Soroptimist International is, as the name suggests, an international women's organisation which aims to make a difference for women and girls. It aims to educate, empower and enable. The organisation celebrated its centenary at the end of 2021. As a lasting legacy, mindful of climate change, it was agreed that tree planting across the world would be fitting and this tied in with the Queen's Platinum Anniversary and the Queen's Green Canopy initiative. Local Associate member of Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI) Jean Campbell sought help from Chris Martin, P&K's Green Space Ranger, and with the support of George & Michelle Kusza (Victor and Sons the Jewellers) and members of BRAN (Blairgowrie & Rattray Access Network) planted three rowans and two apple trees. These trees have been recognised as part of the P&K's Queen's Green Canopy project. Many thanks to everyone for their support and to BRANvolunteer lan Richards who

Associate SI Member Jean In The News Jean Campbell has been working hard to support the UNESCO 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women & Girls.  The Spring edition of the Blairgowrie & Rattray Hub Magazine featured Jean giving thanks to local people and businesses who supported the campaign from 25 November until 10 December. "Jean indicated that she hopes to build on the last two years success at raising awareness and will be back in touch in November seeking even more shopkeepers' support especially as during the pandemic violence against women & girls escalated." (Blairgowrie & Rattray  Hub  Magazine Spring 2022)

Report from SI Dundee The Sundarbans Mangrove forest is south of Kolkata in the Bay of Bengal and is one of the largest in the world.  Mangrove forests will not survive if sea levels continue to rise.  On the Bangladesh side of the forest there is an industrial zone which has not helped the eco-systems . There are many low lying islands within the Sundarbans some of which I have visited.  Many people live there in huts made of mud and dung which of course are susceptible to high tides, wind and rain.  Just after the start of the pandemic in 2020 a cyclone hit the Bay of Bengal, subsequently many homes were swept away as were a lot of Mangrove  trees. SISK decided on the Mangrove Project , one it supported the centenary of Soroptimist International, and secondly a huge help to the people

Recycling and helping people in need are important to all Soroptimists and SI Scotland North Associate Soroptimist Jean Campbell responded to a call from Social Flock for warm clothing for 5-18 year olds. Social Flock is a small community initiative in Perth and works hard to ensure everyone in every Perthshire family has the clothes they need and through a variety of sources, Jean collected bags of recyclable warm clothing to hand over, as seen in the photograph. In addition, Jean continues to support Churches Action for the Homeless (CATH) Day Centre in Perth and can be seen handing over donations of toiletries & toilet bags to one of the staff in the 2nd photograph.