Jenny Vince, President of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland, was the special guest at SI South Lancashire’s autumn meetings. As the highlight of Programme Action session, she gave a comprehensive roundup of service projects throughout the Federation. The diversity of projects was considerable including human trafficking, welfare of elderly people and women in prison. President Jenny then explained in more detail about one example, the Kori Development Project, Sierra Leone. This award-winning scheme, set up and supported by members of SI Thames Valley, works with the Kori community to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM). Through education, agricultural aid, micro-loans and other means, cultural views are shifting and this practice is slowly declining. Margaret Molyneux, Regional Programme Action Officer, said “Today was special. Firstly, we found out a lot more about the worldwide impact of Soroptimists’ service from someone who has seen so much life-changing work

Several Soroptimists from South Lancashire attended the recent International Convention in Istanbul. President Margaret Baker took the opportunity of meeting up with Kathmandu Soroptimist Dipa Khakurel again. This was an opportunity to hear the latest news from Nepal, in the aftermath of the earthquakes. Margaret Molyneux (Regional Programme Action Officer) contributed to the Convention’s daily blog. This included her impressions of the programme and a little about the networking and information-sharing that is an essential part of any Soroptimist gathering.              

“Why do we bother with women offenders?” Tony Lloyd, Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester, posed this question to Soroptimists at SI South Lancashire’s summer Programme Action meeting. Women as mothers, but in prison – their children may be put in care (and may remain there long after the offender is released). Women as tenants, but in prison – they may lose their home. Women in the Criminal Justice System are frequently victims (through abuse, addiction, debt, etc) therefore dealing with mental health issues is key to any support that can be offered. But the provision of effective mental health services is patchy. Tony explained that Greater Manchester is trying to give the Courts a choice, a credible choice, when it comes to sentencing women to short prison sentences of up to 3 months. Instead, women can be given community-based punishments. So far women’s centres have

Fifty Soroptimists from South Lancashire Region attended the conference organised by neighbours, SI North West England & Isle of Man (NWE&IoM) in Preston. The theme was ‘Vital Voices: Women Leading Change’. Margaret Emsley, Federation President Elect, a member of SI Ashton under Lyne, and a civil engineer, set the tone for the day. Her overview of women in STEM industries (science, technology, engineering, maths) illustrated the gender gap and the barriers women face. However, she also showed how nationwide initiatives are enabling women to make their mark and effect meaningful change in this challenging area. Frank Field MP outlined his part in the development of the Modern Slavery Bill, which is now on the statute books. He suggested ways in which Soroptimist International’s campaigning work could aid the Act’s effectiveness. Judge Pamela Badley looked at the current position of women offenders, at sentencing guidelines, and

Soroptimists from all over South Lancashire Region gathered to celebrate SI Warrington’s 70th anniversary and to hear from International President Ann Garvie. The International President did not mince her words in relation to the challenge facing Soroptimist International and all who work on behalf of women. Trafficking is the greatest global threat facing women and girls. According to the United Nations, more money is generated from trafficking than from drugs. One ‘hit’ from an illegal substance, and it’s gone: yet how many times can a woman or girl be ‘used’? Trafficking is happening now, in every community. No wonder, therefore, that International President Ann and her delegation placed this at the forefront of presentations to the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women, 2015. Our International President also commented on the service carried out by Soroptimists throughout South Lancashire’s history: a total of 1,130 years, she

Liz Archer, Archivist for Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI), was the guest speaker at SI South Lancashire’s Programme Action meeting in March. The Federation’s archives are housed in Manchester. They include copies of ‘The British Soroptimist’ from 1930 (when there were seven UK clubs), press cuttings, photographs and, of course, the proceedings of the Federation itself. Region and club records are not in SIGBI’s care. Therefore Liz urged everyone to keep minutes, annual accounts, reports and membership records. Printed paper copies are vital: as technology changes it becomes impossible to access old digital formats. Documents should be housed in a record office (or local history unit) – not in a member’s garage or attic! Photos, too, have longevity in printed form, especially in monochrome, as colours degrade. It is essential to give details of dates, names, places, etc. – and not to store photos in sticky-back-plastic albums. Liz has compiled

Poppies and snowdrops feature in successful Programme Action projects carried out by Soroptimists in three of South Lancashire’s clubs. Soroptimists in St Helens recruited 10 nimble-fingered volunteers to help produce hand knitted red woollen poppies in aid of the Royal British Legion (RBL). Alison Tickle (Joint Chair of Programme Action) said, “Our club members wanted to mark the 100th anniversary of World War 1 in a very special way. We raised a fabulous £4,880 and presented the cheque to Dame Lorna Muirhead, who is Patron of the RBL in Merseyside, at a tribute evening.” Her PAC colleague, Sue Black added, “Special guest at the tribute event was Andy Reid of St Helens. Seriously injured in Afghanistan, he has first hand experience of the RBL’s emotional and financial support. We were delighted, too, that the Sea Cadets of TS Scimitar spoke about their visit to Normandy for the

Presidents, and presidents-elect, of Soroptimist clubs throughout South Lancashire Region met recently for their annual dinner. Hosted by Regional President Margaret Baker and her executive committee, this is an opportunity for the outgoing and incoming ‘chain gangs’ to get together and swap experiences. Incoming presidents can meet their opposite numbers in the Region – colleagues with whom they may be able to develop projects, share ideas and visit over the next year. Outgoing presidents, meanwhile, are able to talk about the highs and lows of their year – what taking on the office of president has meant to them – and maybe what plans they have for the future. Pat Williams, Regional Membership Officer, said, “This was, as ever, a very enjoyable occasion. All the presidents really appreciate the chance to meet up. For some, the ‘chain gang’ links will become long-lasting friendships.”          

Regional President Margaret Baker has travelled to India and Nepal to meet Soroptimists in those countries and to catch up on her own club’s project. Firstly she accompanied Federation Vice President Ann Hodgson to Chennai where Shreelatha Narayanan was installed as the new President of the National Association of SI India. Over the next two days Margaret and Ann heard of the many and varied superb Soroptimist projects going on across India. They visited one project which helps burns survivors of domestic violence and met some of the women who are supported. It was a very disturbing experience but also very moving to see how this project is helping the women come through the most appalling injuries and rebuild their lives. In Nepal President Margaret was able to meet all five girls supported by her club, SI Bolton, at their two schools. “They are all

South Lancashire’s recent membership workshop ‘Flexible Options for Club Management’ attracted nearly 30 Soroptimists from all over the Region. The main topic of the day was the new flexible structure that is now available for clubs, if members choose. Our Federation has removed much bureaucracy in order to encourage autonomy for clubs and to foster viable executive teams. Flexibility should take pressure off club officers, and enable all members to focus more effectively on Programme Action. The whole issue encouraged animated discussion, the pros and cons of this option being enthusiastically and thoroughly debated. The base of this revised structure is a bare minimum of roles, but this is not compulsory – clubs may be willing and able to share out functions to a wider circle of members. Ultimately, whatever works for each individual club is the right choice. Delegates were generally in favour of having the