Congratulations to Helen Byrne who has become the new President of Soroptimist International London Chilterns Region www.sigbi.org/london-chilterns
Helen Byrne, pictured here, has been an active Member of Soroptimist International St Albans and District since 2008 and is a past Club President, Membership Officer and is currently facilitator of the Club’s Planet Team which focuses on environment projects.
Helen said “I am humbled to be Regional President, especially in 2020-21 the Centenary Year of Soroptimist International. We have achieved so much and yet there is still so much to do. Hence my theme ‘Celebrate the Past, Create the Future’. ”
Helen takes over from the Regional President 2019-2020, Denise Powell, who is also an active Member of the St Albans Soroptimist Club – having served as President, Secretary, Programme Action Officer, currently sharing the Club Presidency with five other Members and facilitator of the Peace Team which focuses on projects to end violence against women. Denise is pictured here with the flowers she was given by Helen (in 
a socially distanced and COVID-19 safe way of course) to say thank you for being such an excellent President through the pandemic which is such a difficult time for everyone. Denise’s theme for her year as President was “Here to Help” – which she certainly did in spades! Denise is also pictured here in October 2019 when she was installed as the Region’s President.
The handover normally happens at the annual AGM which was online this year so Helen and Denise met the day before for their own change of insignia ceremony which was videoed. This video and more from the online Soroptimist International London Chilterns Region AGM and Conference from Sat 10 Oct is available to view here www.sigbi.org/london-chilterns/2020/08/08/agm2020 Twelve Members of the Club were present on Zoom at the Conference to support Denise and Helen and the feedback has been wonderful. Ann Beatty CEO of the Steve Sinnott Foundation and also a Member of the Club was a speaker on the day.
Jane Slatter, Communications Officer for the St Albans Soroptimists said “I think this is the first time contiguous Presidents have been from the same Club – all Members of our Club are really proud. Denise has been a wonderful President and we know Helen will be fabulous – watch this space!”
This news item was printed in the Herts Advertiser www.hertsad.co.uk/news/st-albans-soroptimist-becomes-new-regional-president-1-6885303