Over 130 Soroptimists from all over the North West attended the 2012 regional conference. Held at the Crowne Plaza Liverpool (John Lennon Airport) Hotel, the conference was organised jointly by South Lancashire Region and N.W.England & Isle of Man Region.
Taking the conference theme ‘Teamwork’ to heart, (SIGBI) Federation President Maureen Maguire and (SI) International Programme Director Hilary Ratcliffe gave wide-ranging presentations – and attracted a number of searching questions from delegates. Anne Holt, former President of Girlguiding (North West England) then looked at the history of Guiding, its present-day programme, and the options for partnership working with Soroptimists. 
The afternoon was opened by Ben Mott, a dementia care specialist, whose lively and lucid guide to this complex condition kept everyone’s attention. The mood changed as Fiona Murphy, leader of the Bereavement Support Team at the Royal Bolton Hospital, described her work in graphic detail. Finally, Dave Guest – Chief Reporter, BBC North West – brought the day to a magnificent conclusion with his anecdotes of a life in television.
Denise Baldwin, President of South Lancashire Region said, “After the months of planning it was good to see everything come together. I am delighted that many delegates joined the organising committee on the evening before the conference for a relaxing ‘friendship’ dinner and light-hearted quiz.
“The day itself was packed with good speakers, our Chair (Dorothy Lee, SIGBI Procedural Consultant) kept the programme spot-on, and delegates made full use of question-sessions to ‘dig a little deeper’. There was time, too, to socialise with other Soroptimists, to indulge in retail therapy on the various clubs’ stalls, and even to look around and admire this stunning Art Deco building, formerly the airport terminal.
“Having a one-day conference this year, instead of a full weekend, was an experiment. Our delegates have provided a wealth of feedback about the event: I must thank them all for being so forthright in their opinions and for giving next year’s committee a head start.
“Ultimately, as far as 2012 goes I can honestly say – along with my ‘opposite number’, Jean Priestley (President, N.W.England & Isle of Man Region) – that we thoroughly enjoyed the conference.”