Welcome to our Region
As Soroptimists we are members of the largest women’s service organisation in the world. Our Region is part of the Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) Federation. There are 11 Soroptimist Clubs and 2 school clubs within the South East England Region. See the map of the Region.
As Soroptimists we work to improve the lives of women and girls locally, nationally and internationally by helping them to achieve their potential and aspirations through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities.
President Lynne Chiswick’s Message
I am delighted to have been invited to be the incoming President for SI South East England Region and to support the important work being undertaken by clubs.
Having spent a large part of my career teaching and managing in schools, colleges and university, and with a strong focus on the education and training of women and girls, you won’t be surprised to hear that my theme for the coming year is ‘Educate to Empower and Enable’. It is also a basis for our Soroptimist vision.
As well as inviting speakers on different aspects of education during the year, I would like to promote some of the excellent projects within our region focusing on the education of women and girls in the UK and abroad.
I am proposing a Regional Project that supports the impressive work of The Girls Network (TGN), a charity that works to inspire and empower girls aged 13-19 by connecting girls with mentors and a network of professional women. There are 110 girls in our Region who will be undertaking the scheme this academic year. TGN hope some of our members will consider becoming mentors. I would also like to ask Clubs to raise £100 during the year to provide an inspirational book, containing a SISEE bookplate, to every girl who completes the mentoring scheme in our Region.
I am really looking forward to the year ahead and visiting clubs and taking part in Regional activities.
Lynne Chiswick