Rachel as incoming President & on behalf of our club thanked Jane for her leadership during her year as President.
S I Stourbridge & District – President’s report for the year 2022-23
This time last year I was looking forward to the year ahead with some nervousness and appealing to you all for your support. I now look back on an amazing year with gratitude to all my Soroptimist sisters for your generosity of spirit, time and resources.
It has been a very special year for me, in which I believe the ethos and principles of Soroptimism have thrived in Stourbridge and District. My theme for the year “We rise by lifting others” has been enacted in so many ways that I find it hard to draw out highlights without simply cataloguing our activities!
Perhaps this variety is in fact what shines out for me. Our club continues to grow and adapt in its activities which makes it vibrant, and I hope offers something to all members. We are not simply focused on fundraising or social activities (although we do both of those very well!) but members are active in practical ways through reading at Pedmore High School (organised by the Education group) and gardening for Stourbridge in Bloom. In addition the “Contain It” competition was a great introduction and one which I’m sure will go from strength to strength.
The advisory group for Riverside House has given another dimension to supporting the local community and our contribution of food items to the foodbank and toiletries to the women’s refuge has continued to be very generously supported. Our book club is generally a small gathering over zoom but has been most enjoyable and I think broadened all of our reading repertoires, whilst the Environment group has organised regular film showings providing opportunities for others to join us at the David Lloyd Centre where we are also greatly supported by the knitting and crochet group who have done an amazing job of knitting blankets for Hamlin Fistula Charity an initiative headed by the Food Security and Health group.
Thanks to Christina’s organisation we have enjoyed regular coffee and cake throughout the year at the Golf Club and although the quality of the cake is occasionally questioned there is rarely much left! These have enabled those members who may struggle to get to evening meetings to keep in touch and catch up with what’s going on in the club, as have the hybrid meetings which have continued throughout the year, with several people joining in via zoom.
Our 75th anniversary weekend must be the jewel in the crown of this year. The diamond dinner with the incredible magician and real celebratory feel was a great success but the highlight for me was definitely dancing at our 1940’s afternoon tea in Linda and Paul’s lovely garden. It was a whole weekend to remember and a demonstration of the club working together and enjoying themselves together. Thanks go to too many of you to list individually, you know how grateful I am, but I think we would all want to thank Linda and Paul for their hospitality and generosity. Having a wonderful time and raising £1,000 for our club charities was amazing.
We were uncertain whether 2 formal dinners in one year would be successful but did not want to miss out on our very special Literary Dinner; and how glad I am that we didn’t. Jo outdid herself with the selection of speakers and we still had good attendance resulting in a profit of £1,460. Thank you to Jo along with Christina, Jan and Jadwiga for the very efficient organisation of this event and Linda R. for the beautiful table decorations.
I know that the Treasurer’s Report gives details of all the monetary support we have been able to provide to our chosen charities and urgent appeals during the year. Our finances have been managed very effectively as usual by Su, for which we are all immensely grateful, she is also a wise fount of knowledge about the club and its history and maintains strong links with other clubs in the region and our friendship links.
We have donated almost £5,500 to various charitable causes this year and some of that has been enhanced by match funding and gift aid. That is an incredible achievement particularly given the economic situation. Of that nearly £1500 was to emergency appeals for Pakistan floods, refugees from Ukraine and the earthquake in Syria/Turkey. We supported SI charitable causes with £350 (for the International President’s appeal and DEG) Project Gambia £930 and Pedmore High School £692.
Our other supported charities received a total of £2034. We can also add to that the value of foodstuffs donated to the foodbank and toiletries to the refuge
In Programme Action Charlotte has again done a great job in keeping us on track which I know has not always been easy for her; she is stepping down from PA Officer role having won the PA award at regional level 2 years running, she will be a hard act to follow.
I feel that we have maintained a strong regional presence and was very pleased when our suggestion of supporting the training of a midwife through Hamlin Fistula Charity was taken up by the Regional president Liz for her year (now I believe 2 years!)
Speakers at regional meetings have been very inspiring as were those at the SIGBI conference in Belfast, my first ‘in person’ conference which I enjoyed with Linda, Su and Anne. I would like here to congratulate Anne Rogers in her role on the SIGBI Executive which I know keeps her very busy and means that she is often unable to get to club meetings, but it is a great asset to the club and region to have a member in that position.
Through our communication nationally, regionally and internally within the club we have the opportunity to be informed and engage in issues to benefit women locally, nationally and internationally. It is up to each of us as individuals how much or little we participate in this, but I believe that the new Hub on the SIGBI website will enhance this process. Locally we are indebted to Jo for regional and national communication and administrative links and Penny for her efficient and calm minute taking and meeting organisation. We thank Penny for her service to the club in this role and hope she will enjoy the freedom that comes with passing the baton on!
As Linda passed the baton of presidency on to me but has continued to help and support me whenever I needed it (for which I have been immensely grateful), so I would like to assure Rachel of my support for her coming year. I hope that this year she will enjoy the full range of activities as president which Covid denied to her in 2020/21.
Jane Clarke MBE, President 2022-2023.