Really good meeting tonight discussing what the club wanted to do for programme action. Several good ideas were suggested and they will be followed up so we could be doing some new projects fairly soon watch this space for more information!      

We had a very  interesting presentation from Water Aid tonight with some horrific figures and some great projects – all linking into the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.  Thanks to Judy for attending the meeting.

Our AGM tonight. The reports showed that even in lockdown we were able to do a lot of work in the local community. We do not have a President for this coming year so it was decided that we will all take turns in leading a meeting which means we will all be getting involved in the running of the club. We are not having a separate exec this year so everyone will be included in decision making at all times. We are looking forward to actually seeing each other face to face this year!

We were delighted to welcome Alison to another meeting before she transfers to us permanently. There was a long discussion on how we would like to run the club over the next year including the format our meetings will take. We remain hopeful that we can meet up face to face in the not too distant future. If you’d like to join us please email sisouthend@sigbi.org – we’d love to meet you.

The meeting started by welcoming Alison from the East London club. Alison will be moving to our area soon and will transfer to SI Southend. We look forward to her joining us. Busy meeting, we worked through the membership survey ready to send back to head office. All members are encouraged to take an active part in PA and if they have any particular interests let Sharon R know and we can incorporate them into our planning. 10 bags of toiletries were taken to the Basildon refuge at their request. As we have a huge stock of toiletries it was decided to find somewhere to donate them to, such as a food bank. Heather messaged her church during the meeting and they would be delighted to receive donations. They were delivered 2 days later to the church. Cathy updated us on the White Ribbon campaign.

Our first meeting of the new year. Sharon R has set up club PA group so relevant information can be sent out to all members as it is received. SI Tunbridge Wells are collecting milk bottle caps for recycling by Terracycle. Suggested we could collect and send over to them. Also under discussion was the possibility of SIGBI Presidents having a 2 year term of office rather than 1 year. Membership was also explored as numbers of SIGBI members is declining. Ideas & suggestions made! Lovely to receive New Year greetings from our friendship club in Mijas and see a photo montage of their year.

Fun meeting tonight.  Some business was discussed, Presidents Jackie & Jill were overwhelmed with the results of their Christmas appeal. Total value of the gifts delivered to Carrie’s Outreach and Street Spirit was around £300. Items were also delivered to the Homeless St Vincent project in Short Street. The clubs donation total for the year is over £1000 which is a brilliant result in this pandemic. Sharon R showed us the squares she has made for the Southend YMCA community quilt which were amazing. Most of the meeting was given over to chat and fun as we admired the array of christmas jumpers, reindeer ears etc and all enjoyed a festive drink. We were also treated to a sneak preview of the Southend YMCA carol concert with beautiful songs from 2 very talented young people.