Meet local Soroptimists online over Zoom, at one of our monthly ‘meet and greet’ sessions over a coffee, in person, at events in the locality, in person as a group at one of our meetings. You choose. There is no obligation to get involved, chat by ‘phone or in person about our activities. Just get in touch to obtain details.
- We’ll be out and about before and ahead of on International Women’s Day March 8th circulating information, putting up posters and supporting local events in Weybridge and Molesey. Look out for our badges and sashes. Just stop us in the street. We plan to gather at libraries to pop up posters on the day in Weybridge, Molesey, Walton on Thames and Cobham.
- This autumn look out for our new memorial tree in memory of our founder Dorothy Clark MBE, it will be planted with a plaque in St Peter’s graveyard Hersham. Watch out for the date, join us for a glass of sparkle.
- On May 13th we have a stand at Oatlands Village Fayre selling beautiful hand made cushion covers, bags and items from Maripela in South Africa one of our Friendship Clubs. The stand will be manned all day by soroptimists.
- On June 24th we are working with Elmbridge CAN to host and provide the “Afternoon Tea” at the Weybridge Fair. Come along to the Community Centre between 1-6pm.
- On Remembrance Sunday we place a wreath at the memorial in Weybridge. Mary wears our chain of office you can’t miss her! Say hello.
Meetings and Other Info!
Elmbridge based Soroptimists meet on the third Thursday of nearly each month at a venue in Esher, Surrey. The meeting might start with a speaker from a charity, national support group, politics, or community association that enables women and girls to succeed. We eat together then hold our business meeting to discuss projects, finances, social events, fundraising and community action. In February we will welcomed the ex Government Women’s Minister a local Afghan refugee to speak to us about her family experiences and settling in the UK as a refugee. We work this year with Elmbridge CAN a significant local refugee charity working to settle and support Syrian, Afghan and Ukrainian families locally and part of our member’s community action involves tutoring and working with the charity to support integration, learning and socialisation for women and children at school. In March 2023 a local political speaker will bring us up to date on the many legal reforms impacting women and girls. In March we will also support Target Ovarian Cancer very topical in Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, later in the year we take part in their national sponsored walk. #IWD is one of the UN Days of Action in March we support and riase awarenss along with dozens of other clubs in the UK and more across the world.
Clubs hold social and fundraising events throughout the year in addition to lobbying MPs, The Lords, politicians, and other political parties in important subjects which impact women and girls, equality, poverty alleviation, sustainability, climate and education.
Prospective members tend to join a few meetings before deciding if they’d like to join. Members pay a modest £10pcm capitation fee which enables the main UK/Ireland board to function effectively as part of the global SI organisation and it too funds and supports initiatives, training, webinars, conferences and meetings which are open to members. SIGBI has a trading entity and is a registered charity. Local clubs are not. The parent organisation governs club functioning, liability insurance, procedures and ensures compliance aspects.
SIGBI has a residential club which is open to the public in London Bayswater, No. 63; Soroptimist clubs are shareholders and have a concessionary B&B rate. More at https://number63.co.uk/
There is an annual SIGBI international conference attended by around 500+ international soroptimists each year, the location rotates around the region, this year it’s in London in November. See more about our global region at https://sigbi.org/get-involved/come-to-conference/
We hold some virtual meetings. It’s not essential to come to all meetings either, nor to join for a meal. The emphasis is on friendship, productivity, progress and fun combined without fuss.
Finally there is a Virtual Club SI Libertas for women who want involvements but have limited time to attend meetings. Find our more at https://sigbi.org/libertas/about-us-who-we-are/