Over 50 participants from clubs across Scotland attended the Growing The Brand Seminar in Perth on Saturday July 29th. In the weeks leading up to the event delegates had sought the views of their club members.   The discussions were very fruitful with delegates set further tasks to be completed before the follow-up event in the autumn.

The Annual General Meeting of Soroptimist International Scotland North was held  on Saturday, 10 June 2017, in the National Hotel, Dingwall. The  AGM went very smoothly but we still lack essential officers for Region 2017-18: President-elect, Vice-president, Programme Action Officer, Membership Officer, Communications Officer. If you would like to be  considered for any of the above posts please contact Region Secretary Fiona. 2017-18 Executive as of November 2017. President – Prue Watson Secretary –  Fiona Watson Treasurer –  Fiona Bullions Development Officer – Ann Gourlay Web-site – Pam Cairns Region Meeting Ann Gourlay led a thought-provoking session asking what do the words Stepping Up and Taking the Lead mean to you.  Working as individuals and small groups it was soon clear that while different images were evoked all considered that it was coming out of the comfort zone and that successful leadership was only possible

Highland Lunch with International President. SI SN President Jean & her husband Donald were delighted to have a lengthy lunch in Aberfeldy with Soroptimist International President Yvonne, her husband Richard & Past Federation Membership Director Kate Moore, who were taking a brief sunny break in Scotland.   Great that the sun shone and that the visitors saw Scotland at its best.  

Over one hundred Soroptimists gathered in Perth for a most interesting and enjoyable day. Mrs Liz Grant, Provost of Perth and Kinross welcomed delegates to the conference. The mystery guest speaker was Dame Elish Angiolini QC who was Lord advocate for Scotland 2006-11.   Elish gave an inspirational account of her early life and career. She is currently Principal of St Hugh’s College, Oxford. Programme Action around Scotland: Four clubs gave short  presentations of their projects: SI Glasgow City- Tomorrow’s Women. SI Hamilton- The Bethany Children’s Home Project. SI Kirkintilloch and District – On Call Africa. SI Perth – One- stop Women’s Learning Centre (OWLS). Federation President Ann Hodgson spoke to the audience about leadership and the need for change if we wish to encourage and retain new members. President Ann outlined her own career and her desire to build and improve the wonderful organisation that is Soroptimist

SI Easter Ross’s very popular Ladies Highland Lunch was an enjoyable and successful event again this year. The club uses this event to mark International Women’s Day. The speaker was Shona MacLean who writes historical fiction as S. G MacLean.  Shona, who is the niece of the author Alistair MacLean, gave a very interesting talk.    

Members of SI Dundee took part in Dundee’s 4th Reclaim the Night. WRASAC was delighted by the turnout for this event. The march was through Dundee City Centre with representatives of many Women’s organisations in the City asking that ‘Violence against Women’ is stopped Now.  Those participating in the march were asked to contact their MPs and ask them to attend the House of Commons on 16th December to ratify the Istanbul Convention calling for the elimination of violence against women. Prue SI Dundee Press Officer

Perth Soroptimists were delighted to hear of the work of the Aberlour Trust recently at the Scotland North Regional Council Meeting. Members handed over 15 baby blankets, 100 matinee jackets, 70 baby and children’s hats plus socks and bootees to Morag McGowan who spoke at the meeting on behalf of the Aberlour Trust. . Photograph: left to right SI Perth members: Alison Findlay, Mary Wallace, Morag McGowan (Aberlour Trust) Jean Campbell & Avril Duncan.’   Well done Perth!

On December 3rd members from across Scotland North attended the Region meeting at Strathearn Community Campus, in Crieff. President Jean welcomed all before proceeding to the Region Council Meeting. Prue Watson was confirmed as President Elect and Ann Gourlay as the new Development Officer.   The Regional Executive Officers updated members on club activities.  The very successful 80th Anniversary Celebration was given special mention. Clubs gave a brief report on the distribution of the vast amount of toiletries collected at the event. Members were entertained by a loop of photographs from the SIGBI Conference in Malta and the 80th Anniversary. event. Before lunch there was a short  interactive session. This included the importance of social media as a means to attract younger members. Every club should have an up to-date, vibrant website and an exciting attractive Facebook Page. The session ended with a run through on

The SIGBI 82nd Annual Conference “Engineering the Future” took place between the 10th and 12th November at the Malta Hilton in St Julians. The Conference theme chosen by The President of SIGBI, Margaret Emsley, herself a Civil Engineer, makes reference to the difference that Soroptimists make to the lives of women and girls throughout the world.   All Soroptimists worldwide strive to “engineer” the future for women and girls, encouraging them in non-traditional STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). In addition, Soroptimists strive to Educate, Enable and Empower women and girls worldwide. WOMEN WENT PINK FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS More than a thousand Members of a world-wide women’s organisation, Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) attended the ‘Pink by the Pool’ event on Friday November 11th and made a splash of pink for breast cancer awareness. Realising the need for ongoing specialist training

Gold Awards Ceremony for SI Aberdeen members.   Regional President Jean joined other guests at SI Aberdeen’s Gold Award Ceremony. Photograph below: