South Lancashire’s members took centre stage at the 2016 Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI) Federation Conference in Malta.
Outgoing Federation President Margaret Emsley (SI Ashton-under-Lyne) had chosen as her theme “Engineering the Future”.
Her Chief Steward was Margaret Baker (SI Bolton). “I was very nervous at the thought of going on stage … and being the ‘face’ of the conference committee,” she said. “However, the delegates were very well behaved (i.e. did as they were told!) and I received so many positive and encouraging comments. Two-and-a-half years work for two-and-a-half days conference!”
Many members from South Lancashire’s clubs took on stewarding roles, assisted at the opening flag presentations and compered the change of insignia ceremony. “My team of stewards was amazing,” said Margaret (B) “working so hard and so long … and doing their jobs admirably. A very big thank you to them.”
Sandy Taylor (SI Crosby) handed over the regional chain of office to Margaret Molyneux (SI Leigh & District). It’s been a busy year for Sandy, culminating with the impressive conference and a reception held by Dolores Cristina, Acting President of Malta.
Newly-installed Region President Margaret (M) was already on a ‘high’ as her club had won the SIGBI Economic Empowerment Award for the project ‘Just the Job’. “A really proud moment”, is how she described it.
However, back to Margaret (E), looking at her year as Federation President. “It is a great privilege and honour to be the Federation President. I have been taken aback by the warmth of the welcome I have received everywhere, and how pleased members are when you turn up at their event,” she said.
Her highlights, in such a busy year? “Picking out highlights is difficult as so much is then excluded; however…
- Receiving the chain of office in front of South Lancashire members, all waving red roses
- Attending Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York, and having the opportunity to speak at the Soroptimist International event
- Speaking about “Engineering the Future” at the Soroptimist International of the Americas Convention in Orlando, Florida
- Facing the Zip Wire challenge to raise money for the SIGBI Diamond Education Grant
- Visiting Sierra Leone and Cameroon, and being in so much awe of the fabulous work they do there”
In Malta South Lancashire’s Soroptimists really pulled out all the stops for their Federation President to help ‘engineer’ a smooth-running, informative and successful conference.