Programme Action Officers from Soroptimist clubs throughout South Lancashire Region converged on Southport for their annual meeting.
Guest speaker was Sue Biggs who has just completed her term of office as Federation Programme Director. Drawing on her four years’ experience, Sue spoke in particular about the United Nations’ CSW (Commission on the Status of Women) sessions that she has attended in New York.
Our own Federation – Soroptimist International, Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) – has special consultative status with the UN’s Economic and Social Council. This status provides non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as ourselves with access to UN sessions, lobbying opportunities and special events – such as CSW – particularly centred on women.
Sue spoke about the emerging emphasis on advocacy for Soroptimist International itself. This will be played out on the global level. She also outlined the 2015-19 eight-point Programme Focus, which will guide practical work ‘on the ground’ by Soroptimists in the four Federations.
Margaret Molyneux, Region Programme Action Officer – who convened the meeting – led the delegates in wide-ranging discussions on projects being carried out by members. They also looked at ways in which Programme can be kept at the heart of Soroptimist club life. This open forum is always an excellent opportunity for the exchange of best-practice ideas.
The delegates also heard from Pat Williams, Region Membership Officer, on the importance of service projects in attracting potential members; and from Jenny Stanistreet, Region Web Administrator, on the why? and how? of websites in supporting programme work.
