The Region meeting was held in Aberdeen on Saturday March 9th in the Douglas Hotel. The business meeting was followed by a celebration of SI Aberdeen ‘s 90th Anniversary. The speaker for the event was Professor Pedersen who spoke about the suffrage movement in Scotland. Norma Michie, member of SI Aberdeen for 40 years cutting cake.
On a cold December night, Scotland North President Prue and two other brave members of SI Dundee took part in the ‘Sleep in the Park’ event organised by Social Bite to raise awareness of the homeless in our society. Prue is obviously exhausted which is no surprise. So far over £1,000 has been raised by the ladies with more to come. Well done ladies!
On Saturday November 17th, Scotland North members travelled north to scenic Easter Ross. The meeting was held in the National Hotel, High Street, Dingwall. Regional President Prue asked that attendees to wear orange to mark ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women’. Installation of President Elect. President Prue presented President- Elect Katie Lang – SI Crieff with her badge of office.
Soroptimist members Ann Bellingham (Perth) and Christine Perry (Crieff) were delighted to let everyone attending the Women of the World (WOW) 2018 Festival in Perth hear about Soroptimist International and the work done locally, nationally & internationally. The second WOW Festival in Scotland had creative workshops, music, dance, talks on gender equality and inspirational women from history. In addition, staff from the Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre (Perth & Kinross) and the Dundee & Angus Womens’ Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre performed their own version of the Vagina Monologues. The whole festival was fabulous, thought-provoking, energising and instructive. Hopefully to return to Perth next year!’ Soroptimist International members from Crieff (Janice Wilson & Katie Lang) and Perth (Jean Campbell) clubs were delighted to promote all the exciting, challenging work making a difference for women & girls, i.e. Soroptimists educating, empowering and enabling women & girls
CONGRATULATIONS TO SI CRIEFF The September Scotland North Region meeting was held in Crieff. An event at which the local club also celebrated their 60th anniversary. Scrumptious cup cakes were served to mark the 60th anniversary. Corrie McNeill gave an interesting account of the changes in Soroptimism since she joined the club in 1988. Speaker Jess Smith, author of books about the travelling community, gave a very interesting talk to the guests.
On Sunday August 19th, Regional President Prue Watson completed the 26 mile St Andrews to Dundee – Monifieth- Kilt Walk. Almost 3,000 people took part in this year’s walk. Prue was raising money for Dundee Women’s Festival. Amazing Prue. Well done!
Soroptimist Day of Service and Friendship On a wet Friday morning on July 20th – the only wet, cold Friday in July- a group of Soroptimists congregated on Broughty Ferry Beach. Friends from SI Crieff and Perth joined SI Dundee members for a beach clean. After the hard work, the group met for lunch at a local restaurant. Well done everyone.
Thousands of women from Scotland and the north of England marked the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People’s Act, which gave some women the right to vote, by marching through Edinburgh on Sunday June 10th. The march was part of a UK-wide event where participants wore either green, white or violet – the colours of the suffrage movement. The procession made its way from The Meadows to Holyrood Park. Regional President Prue and other SI Dundee members, Kate and Norma, and Fiona joined Soroptimists from across Scotland in the march.
A very successful and enjoyable meeting was held at McDiarmid Park Perth on Saturday June 9th. President Prue chaired the event which was both a Region Meeting and AGM. It was with sadness that Prue reported the dissolution of SI St Andrews. Federation Councillor Maureen Collison intimated that she would keep in touch with St Andrew’s Members with the hope of encouraging some of them to consider joining or Linking with Dundee or the other Fife clubs. Club Secretary Fiona pointed out to attendees that there were still a considerable number of vacancies on Region Executive and that all should consider supporting the Region. Janice Rees gave an update on Meru Women’s Garden Project after a recent visit. Pam Cairns gave an update of the Free to Live Trust’s Seema’s Project. During the afternoon session the ladies enjoyed the tales of Kate Walker – Storyteller.
Region President Attended SI Dunfermline 68th Charter Dinner on Saturday May 20th. President Prue took greetings to the SI Dunfermline from Scotland North. Prue congratulated members on their excellent work in Uganda bringing education, economic independence and solar lamps and cookers to a small community in the Congo Valley and their local work with Families Outside. President Prue with President Anne Evan Wong
