The theme of South Lancashire’s Spring Regional Programme Action meeting was endometriosis. This links with current work that Soroptimists are undertaking to publicise the symptoms of endometriosis and the importance of early diagnosis. The speaker was Clair Bottomley, group leader for Manchester’s support group, set up through the charity Endometriosis UK. Clair is one of the 2.5 million women in the UK who have been diagnosed with endometriosis. However, this identification took many years: the average diagnosis time in the UK is eight years. Endometriosis is a ‘hidden illness’, not necessarily well recognised within the medical profession, and not featuring highly in public awareness. Therefore teenage girls and women can endure pain, heavy bleeding, bowel and bladder problems, and a host of other symptoms (many of which are addressed as though caused by other illnesses) before endometriosis is confirmed. Subsequent surgery and drug regimes attempt to

Regional President Victoria Smerdon has completed the St Helens 10K Run 2014. This was the first race in her ‘Run the Region’ project, to promote Soroptimist International and South Lancashire’s clubs. Her official time was 54min 58sec – finishing in position 795 out of over 1,600 runners. (Being classed in the ‘senior’ category, too, this was 80th out of 358 seniors.) This year President Victoria is encouraging South Lancashire’s clubs to promote themselves and S.I. as much as they can. ‘Running the Region’ – wearing an ‘Ask me why I’m a Soroptimist’ t-shirt – sets an example to everyone. Plus, at each race, it gives local Soroptimists the opportunity to turn up in support of their president, and get themselves noticed in the process. “I’m delighted with my time”, said President Victoria. “It was tough but worth it – a great promotional opportunity. Our forthcoming regional

In the closing weeks of their year in office, Soroptimist club presidents from South Lancashire met up with Regional President Victoria and her executive committee at an informal dinner. It was an evening for swapping stories and reflecting on achievements. Club Presidents-Elect were also invited. For them, this was a chance to get to know their opposite numbers in the ‘chain gang’, including Regional President-Elect Margaret Baker. “I was delighted that so many club representatives were able to come”, said President Victoria. “It was a relaxing event and an ideal opportunity for networking. After all, it’s always useful to have personal contacts in other clubs. “The evening also gave me the opportunity to thank the outgoing presidents – on behalf of everyone in the Region – for all their hard work in support of Soroptimist International.”          

South Lancashire’s guest at the winter Programme Action Meeting was Janet Hodgson, Assistant Programme Director for Learning Opportunities. Janet gave an update on the Belfast Conference resolution on relationships education, now in its second year. The Soroptimists in Southend are leading this project, and offer comprehensive details on further progress. She outlined the Gateshead Conference resolutions, on endometriosis and on modern day slavery, and urged members to take action in support. Members head about Janet’s work as our representative on the working group GAPS (Gender Action for Peace and Security). Finally, Janet explained the implications for SIGBI (Soroptimist International, Great Britain and Ireland) now that our Federation has been granted Category 2 Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Margaret Molyneux (Regional Programme Action Officer) congratulated SI Leigh and District on being included in Soroptimist International’s Global Impact Report 2012-3. The club’s ‘Just the Job’ project, in which

South Lancashire’s Soroptimists tackled the topic of ‘communications’ at a recent ‘Get the Message’ workshop. Margaret Carr (SI Warrington) drew on a long career in journalism to outline best practice in writing news releases. With some excellent examples she also pointed out the pitfalls of providing photos for the local press, and offered a variety of solutions. Jenny Stanistreet (SI Crosby, Region Website Administrator) summarised the basics of website design and content. Norma Parry (SI Ashton under Lyne, Region Secretary) then led an informative session on social networking – a tool for clubs to consider in order to reach a wider audience. A practical exercise – hands-on preparation of club publicity material  – led to a lively exchange of ideas. The three presenters were on hand to answer questions and join in the discussions. Finally Val Moss (SI Manchester, Region Communications Officer) explained her role in editing

Soroptimists from ten South Lancashire clubs, plus newly-installed Regional President Victoria Smerdon, attended a Programme Action workshop at SI Southport’s clubroom. With the recent Federation Conference fresh in everyone’s mind, topics and issues included the conference programme resolutions, future speakers at regional meetings, the feasibility of joint projects and the ever-present challenge of ensuring that Programme Action is each club’s priority. The session involved frank discussion and lively debate. Margaret Molyneux, South Lancashire’s Programme Action Officer and Vice-Chair of UK Programme Action Committee (UKPAC) presented a lighthearted quiz on UKPAC; she then clarified the position of the region in relation to the UK umbrella organisation. Margaret said, “This was an interactive and stimulating event with a positive evaluation from members who attended. I would hope to organise further Programme Action sessions, bringing together clubs’ officers and members for such fruitful exchange of information and ideas.”  

South Lancashire’s Soroptimists entered fully into the spirit of the annual Federation Conference, held this year at The Sage, Gateshead. The weekend culminated in the moving Change of Insignia. Regional President Liz McConnell (SI Stockport) handed over responsibility to Victoria Smerdon of SI Widnes. Newly-installed Federation President Margaret Oldroyd greeted each incoming and outgoing officer, and had the tricky task of handling the many different chains of office. So South Lancashire’s beautiful red rose medallion with its individual name-plaques (starting with Miss M. Kippax, 1935-6) has passed to a new president. Many members from the region later crowded into the post-conference party to wish President Victoria well and to congratulate Liz on a successful year in office. [new_royalslider id=”4″]    

Over 100 Soroptimists from clubs in the South Lancashire Region attended the 79th Federation Conference in Gateshead. This year’s theme was ‘From Vision to Action Soroptimists Educating to Lead – Educate, Empower, Enable’. In total 1,200 Soroptimists from 29 countries packed The Sage to take in challenging presentations and thoughtful discussions, and enjoy excellent entertainment. Members from throughout the region, including President Liz McConnell, took part in the conference’s Red Square Event, to raise awareness about endometriosis. Set against the backdrop of the Millennium Bridge the sea of red – including red roses for everyone – was impressive. Programme Action – the focus for all Soroptimists – featured strongly. SI Widnes were asked to showcase their ongoing project with SI Bangalore, India, partnering the Brindavan Education Trust. (This project won the regional Programme Action Award in 2012.) President Paula Fox, Yvonne Gibbon, Wendy Ross-Barker and

Who was to be the speaker at the regional Past Presidents’ annual gathering? Billed as “Miss Deborah Marsh”, it was announced that she would recount anecdotes about her long career in pharmacy. The door opened … and in came Regional President Liz McConnell. As a ‘Saturday girl’ in the mid-1960s, keen to gain work experience in a pharmacy, Liz’s first job had been to scrub returned medicine bottles in readiness for their sterilisation – in the gas oven at Regulo ½ for 40 minutes. This set the tone for the rest of the talk. There was the stiff, crackly white nylon coat (so coveted, but so uncomfortable to wear); top shelf bottles that threatened to cascade like dominoes when Liz dusted them; discreet brown paper bags for customers buying the sherry or ruby port that many pharmacies were licensed to sell; and over-the-counter medicines that once contained strychnine, mercury, morphine or

South Lancashire Region was proud to welcome Ann Garvie, President of Soroptimist International, as guest speaker at the new members and awards lunch. In a wide-ranging speech, our newly-installed international president welcomed all club members who have recently joined. She reminded everyone that – as an organisation – we are committed to changing the lives of women and girls. Internationally we have all signed up to the core principle of ‘educate to lead’. So we all need to look hard at what, in our clubs, we are actually trying to do. Are we attempting too many things? Is our core message too diluted? Are we making an impact locally? Local, targeted action can filter right through to the ability of Soroptimist International to influence globally, primarily through the United Nations’ agencies. President Ann also spoke of the need to re-examine the structure and function of Soroptimist