November 2023
November began with the massive Storm Ciaran, but despite the weather a group of hardy club members managed to make it to London on the 2nd November ready for the annual national SIGBI conference at Friends House. You can read all about the conference (3rd – 4th November) on our webpage here.
We had a busy club meeting on the 9th November. The London conference group shared their experiences and learning with other club members. We enjoyed listening to Stefan Winter-Baker, our guest speaker, who talked to us about the local 
Healthcare online 
system called KLINIK. At the end of his presentation he answered questions from members. We were very pleased to welcome new club member Helen to our club and to welcome Caroline who, already a soroptimist, transferred from SI Stafford. We hope that both of them will enjoy being part of our very active club! Finally, lots of club members contributed to a collection of children’s advent calendars that Soroptimist Liz was collating to be sent out to children in Ukraine.
On the 11th November, glamorous members of our club along with Regional President Margaret and friends from SI Plymouth attended SI Brixham’s Charter Dinner. They all had a lovely evening!
On the 12th November club representatives attended the St Austell Remembrance parade and service. Joint President Elect Diane laid the soroptimist wreath.
On 18th November, we held our Regional Development Day in Taunton. This was a great day of learning which featured a number of our club members giving presentations and leading activities. For a full outline of the day and to access the presentations click here. Well done to club member Kay for the organisation of this special day and for her time as Regional Membership Officer. Whilst you’re looking at this link take a few minutes to look at the newly designed Southwest regional website, which club member Jennie has produced. The new regional team includes two St Austell and District members, Jane as Regional Membership Officer and Jennie as Website Administrator.
Saturday the 25th November was the launch of our 16 Days of Activism. We certainly had a busy day with two Orange Cafes, a Tesco provisions collection in aid of Mid-Cornwall Refuges and an Orange March in Plymouth.
We held a Orange Cafe at Tesco’s St Austell and at Par Garden Centre. At both places we welcomed questions and gave out ‘ healthy relationship’ bookmarks and soroptimists leaflets. At Par Garden Centre we are running an Orange raffle which will be drawn on the 16th day of activism (10th December). Our thanks to Par Garden Centre for generously donating three raffle prizes and for offering sell raffle tickets throughout the 16 days.
We were amazed at the generosity of the St Austell shopper who filled our collection trolleys several times over with food and toiletries which have been donated to the Mid-Cornwall Women’s Refuges. Club members enjoyed chatting with shoppers and getting in the festive spirit!
In addition to the other events three club members, President Jill, Wendy and Jane joined SI Plymouth on their ‘Orange March’ to highlight the first day of the #16DaysOfActivism. The walk started in Plymouth city centre and continued through the city, handing out orange ribbons and flyers explaining the significance of the day … to raise awareness of the need to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls. The march ended at The Hoe, gathering around the Nancy Astor statue, where Alexis Bowater, Devon-born former newsreader, journalist and women’s campaigner and Rebecca Smith, local Parliamentary candidate and member of the cabinet working on the city’s Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, spoke about the horrific statistics both locally and nationally involving violence against women and girls.
Our 16 days campaign has featured a different club member on each day and highlights the need to eliminate all types of violence against women and girls.
