Building Bridges: Uniting Communities Conference was held on Sat April 16th at Stirling Court Hotel and Conference Centre, University of Stirling. Delegates enjoyed excellent speakers and the varied content made this a very worthwhile day.  The venue was a good choice due to its central position and comfortable facilities. The guest speakers were : Mariet Verhoff-Cohen President of Soroptimist lnternational – Women, Water and Leadership. The importance of global water and sanitation management; access to clean water is a Sustainable Development Goal. Maggie Lennon Director- The Bridges Programmes. Supporting social, educational and economic integration of refugees and asylum seekers. The afternoon session was very well received by delegates who enjoyed a variety of workshops from Soroptimist International at the UN to Scottish Older Peoples Assembly. Chuck it in the bucket raised £280 and the sales for ring pull items raised £107. Sixty feedback forms were received

SI Perth Perth Soroptimists and the One Stop Women’s Learning Service (OWLS) were delighted to host a ‘Because Women are Worth It’ event to celebrate International Women’s Day at the Women’s Centre and want to thank everyone who made the day special, including Suzanne Miller & her beauty therapy students, Carol Barbieri (Yoga) and Pamela Banks (Reiki) and were especially delighted to spend time with P&K Chief Executive Bernadette Malone.’ SI Dundee Open Evening in support of ‘Sistema Scotland and Big Noise Douglas’ As part of Dundee Women’s Festival SI Dundee held an Open Evening on Tuesday 6th March in the Invercarse Hotel. The two speakers for the evening were Amanda Wilson Operations Manager for Sistema Scotland and Jo Grevers Operations Manager for Big Noise Douglas. They explained the Sistema Music Programme which will give opportunities for disadvantaged children through the local Big Noise Douglas

Despite the relentless rain outside the atmosphere at the Ladies Highland Lunch organised by SI Easter Ross was warm and welcoming.  The speaker was Professor Dame Sue Black who spoke of her forensic work in the identification of dead bodies. She also spoke of her recent work in the identification of paedophiles using the unique vein patterns on their hands and the need to prove that these are indeed unique.   Over £440 was raised which will go to support a woman learning skills which will empower and generate an income.   Region President Prue.

SI Perth plan to mark International Day by supporting OWLS with a ‘Because Women are Worth it Event.’ This will be at the Women’s Centre, West Mill Street, Perth on March 8th from 10.30- 15.30. There will be a pampering session for any OWLS member who would like time to relax. Please see booklet for more information.   copy from booklet 08.03.2018   Jean Campbell SI Perth

‘Members of Soroptimist International Perth were delighted to welcome visitors to their February meeting at which the patron & supporters of the Nursing Memorial Appeal informed us, using anecdotes, letters, poems and bulletins, that over 1500 nurses died during the First & Second World Wars.  These included the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD), volunteers from many backgrounds and their sacrifice has never been fully recognised, until now.  The memorial, a globe surrounded by a pair of hands, will be dedicated at the National Memorial Arboretum this summer and will include engraving of the names of those who died in service, into the ocean areas of the globe.   In addition, we heard of Extreme Nursing Today, the ongoing legacy of the Nursing Memorial Appeal which will ensure proper training for those nurses working in today’s and future war zones, noting that in the two World Wars

Avril Duncan SI Perth and Norma McGovern SI Dundee, both Trustees of The Free to Live Trust presented Seema’s Project to delegates at the Federation Conference in October.   The invitation to present Seema’s Project to conference came from Assistant Programme Director Nisha Gosh as she wished to highlight human trafficking and commercial exploitation.  This was a wonderful opportunity for the Free to Live Trust- FTLT- to thank Soroptimists across the federation for their support and to update them on the progress that has been made in such a short time. For more details of the FTLT’s Seema’s Project please visit the website.

Prue Watson, a member of Soroptimist International of Dundee, chaired her first meeting since taking up office as President of Soroptimist International Scotland North last month.   Immediate Past President Jean takes a welcome rest after two years in office.   Well done Jean. Forty six members from the seven Soroptimist Clubs in the North of Scotland attended and heard President Prue praise the great work that they were doing to improve the lives of women and girls locally and internationally. The members work towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals, alleviating poverty through education, enablement and economic empowerment, advocating against Modern Day Slavery and violence against women in all its forms.  Her theme for the year is’ Our Differences make us Great’ and working together we can be a global voice for women across Scotland. The speaker at the meeting was Mary McLuskey co-founder of

President Prue Watson accepted the Chain of Office at the annual Federation Conference which this year was held in Cardiff. We all wish Prue a very successful year in office. Take time to read Prue’s President’s message.

Region President Jean was delighted to help celebrate 90 years of Soroptimism in Glasgow and Scotland at SI Glasgow City’s most enjoyable fundraising event; a vintage fashion show and afternoon tea with all proceeds going to the Mercy Ships.   SI Past President Ann Garvie, SN President Jean, SIGBI Past President & SI SS’s President-Elect Pat Black, SIGBI President Ann Hodgson, SI Glasgow City President Madeleine Campbell- Jewett, SI SS President Melanie Brickley and SIGBI Vice-President Sue Williams.

The September meeting was hosted by SI Dundee and held in the Invercarse Hotel Dundee. Thirty Scotland North members attended. President Jean welcomed all to her final meeting in the chair. President Elect Prue Watson SI Dundee will come into office at the SIGBI Conference at the end of the month. The Regional Council Meeting was informative, as usual, of the activities of the region. The Guest Speaker, Annie Marrs Project Coordinator with Dundee’s UNESCO City of Design TEAM, gave a very interesting talk.   After lunch, the members were entertained by Women’s Aid Choir. SI Dundee’s very own OOR Wullie watched on .