Some members of SI Inverness & Nairn manned a stall at a Tesco supermarket raising awareness of our club and the International Day of World Peace on 21 September. They distributed packs containing information about Soroptimists and our club. Each pack contained a candle requesting that it be lit on Wednesday 21 September between 7 and 8 p.m. Although not fundraising they received over £50 in donations from members of the public who wanted to pay for their candles!   Pat Hayden Press & Publicity Officer SI Inverness & Nairn

September 5th – First Speaker Meeting of the Autumn. For over two years Soroptimists from all over Scotland have supported Seema’s Project – rescuing some of the children of trafficked sex workers from the red-light district of the city of Pune, India. Through fundraising a new home has been built for the children in the village of Bori which is over eighty miles from the city and well away from the risk of sexual exploitation. Seema Waghmode and her husband, Shirish, visited Scotland while on a trip to Europe. For over twenty five years they have both worked to improve the life of sex workers and their children in Pune. SI Dundee was delighted that Soroptimists from clubs throughout Scotland north and south came to meet Seema and hear of her work with the sex workers and her determination to help their vulnerable children.  

On Saturday September 3rd, Soroptimists from across Scotland North gathered in St Andrews to celebrate the Region’s 80th birthday.       Regional President Jean and members from SI clubs from across Scotland North were joined by Scotland South, President Marian and President – Elect Melanie.   All in attendance welcomed the unexpected arrival of International President Yvonne Simpson, from New Zealand, and Immediate Past International President Anne Garvie.     The birthday cake was cut by Nancy Scott, a Perth member and past SN Divisional Union President assisted by current President Jean and International President Yvonne. CONGRATULATIONS SCOTLNAD NORTH

Scotland North President Jean Campbell attended SI Falkirk’s 71st Charter Lunch. Jean is a former member and President of SI Falkirk so is always happy to accept the invitation and catch up with friends.

On Saturday May 28th Scotland North Soroptimists met at the University of the Highland and Islands for their Region Meeting and Annual General Meeting.   Scotland North Executive Committee 2015-16.     A good meeting with excellent Highland hospitality; a chance to catch up with friends.

In February members enjoyed the Dundee Regional Meeting which was held in University of Dundee ‘s Bonar Hall. As this event coincided with FAIRTRADE week Development Officer Anne McAlister and Membership Officer Hilda Smith  gave a very interesting and at times humorous presentation on the work of Fair Trade.   After a lovely lunch at the Rep Restaurant the guest speaker for the day, author Ajay Close, gave a very informative talk about Scottish Suffragettes, the subject of her novel ‘A Petrol Scented Spring’.

Dunfermline Conference centre was the setting for this year’s Joint Conference – Scotland North and South Regions.  Around one hundred delegates attended this excellent venue. As ever it was good to meet ‘old’ friends and make new ones. Scotland South President Marain Sapcote chaired the morning session. The keynote speaker of the day was Sarah Brown, President of Theirworld. Sarah gave an inspirational talk about the importance of getting all of the world’s children into education both male and female. In particular she spoke of the harrowing experiences of young Syrian children suddenly removed from their homes and of course their schools. Sarah spoke of the very simple solution that her organisation had put forward to educate the children in the refugee camps of Lebanon: have two school sittings per day -Lebanese children early morning to mid-afternoon, refugee children mid-afternoon to evening; the staff coming not only from among Lebanese

The annual SI Easter Ross Highland Ladies Lunch was held in Kincraig Castle Hotel, Alness on Saturday March 5th, celebrating International Women’s Day. The speaker was Mary Scanlon MSP and was very well received by her audience. ‘I really enjoyed the lunch and Mary Scanlon was an excellent speaker. It was interesting to discover that she had attained her goals and a seat as MSP for Highlands and Islands by ensuring that she was educated, enabled and empowered despite opposition from family and friends!’ A quote from a  lunch guest. Glamorous guests.

The annual Joint Executive Meeting of Scotland North and Scotland South was held in The Royal George in Perth on Saturday 13th February. This was not only a most productive meeting but a time for the two executives committees to get to know one another. Preparations are well underway for the Joint Conference on April 23rd in Dunfermline . Please see the relevant page on this website for more information. There was time for SN and SS team members to relax before setting off home again.