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#16Days of Activism get ready..

#16Days of Activism get ready..

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The global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a key international moment to call for an end to violence against women and girls. It runs from 25th November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10th December, Human Rights Day. In support of this campaign, the United Nations Secretary-General’s “UNiTE by 2030” initiative calls for global action to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts and share knowledge and innovations to help end all types of violence against women and girls. In 2023, the UNiTE campaign theme is Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls. Soroptimists and UNWomen’s focus is on Tech-facilitated gender based violence against women and girls. What is that? Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is any act that is committed or amplified using digital tools or technologies causing physical, sexual, psychological, social, political, or economic harm to women and girls because

Meet up to talk about Women against Violence at Squires Hersham today 10-11.30am

Meet up to talk about Women against Violence at Squires Hersham today 10-11.30am

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Elmbridge based Soroptimists from SI Weybridge and District meet up today to chat about women and girls safety in Surrey. We’ll be wearing orange to highlight the #16Days campaign and #orangetheworld to support the United Nations annual UNiTE campaign to end violence against women. Feel free to join our table to meet local women against violence (WAV) and hear about the plans we have.

A busy month ahead for Soroptimists in Southern England

A busy month ahead for Soroptimists in Southern England

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October Club Meeting on 19th The meeting starts with supper at 7pm. This month we welcome a speaker from the @Holme Farm a volunteer-led community group running an 8-acre site of an old farm in Woodham, Surrey. The business meeting will start at 8.30pm, please look out for  the monthly newsletter, the Management Group meeting minutes sent out yesterday and the summary of a recent Regional Program Action Committee meeting ahead so you are  aware of progress this month. SISE Regional AGM This weekend the SI Southern Region (#SISE) AGM will be held in East Sussex, please review the Agenda and last years Minutes in case you wish to raise any matters and influence the voting. Margaret & Danny are attending. The regional Soroptimist Bluebell Awards presentation of club projects and judging is scheduled alongside a celebratory lunch, a lot of hard work and dedication

Santa’s Elves are preparing gifts for ‘Mum’ with Elmbridge based Soroptimists

Santa’s Elves are preparing gifts for ‘Mum’ with Elmbridge based Soroptimists

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Local soroptimists will once again help Santa’s elves supplying gift filled  ‘Elf Hats’ for Mothers for the local Foodbanks. The hats which cost £16 were really well received last year, ensuring mums had a present from “Santa” to open at Christmas. The plan is to fill the hats at our November 16th meeting and to have them hand sewn by our seamstress elf Jeannie, with labels added “For Mum love Santa” they can then be delivered by month end.  We invite you to join in this project and fill a hat for donation. SI Weybridge  will donate a £10 food gift voucher to each hat we fill to a maximum of £400, so don’t delay. Kindly email soroptimistsweybridge@gmail.com by 10 November to obtain the bank details and remit the cost of the contents £16 (inc. hat) to bank in good time. Please give ‘Elfhat’ (and your initials or

Last days..register ‘Early Bird’ for November SIGBI Conference

Last days..register ‘Early Bird’ for November SIGBI Conference

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SIGBI London Conference 2023 3-4 November 2023 – Climate for Change MaryLe, Ann, Cathy and others will be joining soroptimists from the SIGBI Federation at this years conference in London on the Friday and or Saturday. Get in touch with Ann to update her list of attendees please so she can co-ordinate any ‘non train’ travel plans. You can attend the SIGBI Friday AGM Free of Charge and the Closing Ceremony on November 4th for £10. There is a Regional President’s post conference social on the Saturday in planning. Early bird registration closes on 31st July so don’t delay or you will miss the boat…If you can’t travel by train why not chat to other club members and book a return taxi to Euston? The 2023 SIGBI conference will be held at Friends House, Euston Road, London NW1 over two days, 3 and 4 November.

Global Soroptimist Conference underway in Dublin

Global Soroptimist Conference underway in Dublin

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SI 2023 Convention in Dublin is well underway, Danny & Alexis are there! The theme of the Convention is ” Challenge the Future”  and brings together speakers from across the globe – from all five of our Federations including Soroptimist International Africa Federation, Soroptimist International of the Americas, Soroptimist International of Europe, Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland and Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific. The Convention programme  also consists of seminars, workshops, round table discussion and poster sessions including posters from our region. There is an exciting social programme in the evenings including a Friendship Evening, a Convention Dinner and a chance to explore the city’s many cultural highlights.  There are pre and post Convention tours organised to give soroptimists and observers/guests a chance to explore the beautiful country of Ireland. Today’s Programme is here and includes 2 keynote presentations. 

Soroptimists learn about UN defined “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan first hand

Soroptimists learn about UN defined “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan first hand

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Yesterday SIGBI Day of Action, Southern region met near Winchester. Member Helen Porter spoke about her positive experience as a Soroptimist delegate attending UN CSW 67 in New York and highlighted next years theme as being so aligned with SI charitable goals, that of ‘poverty’. This was followed by a passionate and truly humbling presentation by the former Women’s Minister in Afghanistan. A Soroptimist, Hasina outlined the realities in Afghanistan since the Taliban assumed control. The lack of humanity shown and shortages in food, utilities, medicines and water is impacting all but especially women and widows who have no menfolk. Students and girls who have no access to education and those who live in fear following their involvement with peace and international liaison are living in constant distress. Women are dying early due to lack of access to healthcare and medicines. Hasina’s international evacuee links

Foodbanks value Soroptimist gift of Factor 50 Sun Cream

Foodbanks value Soroptimist gift of Factor 50 Sun Cream

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Following club member donations and cash generated at the Oatlands Fair competition, 100 Bottles of Factor 50 Sunscreen were purchased by soroptimist Brenda; shoppers in Morrisons saw her accosted by staff as she cleared the shelves!  After a moments explanation she continued her purchase….Morrisons are such good supporters of the foodbanks and charities generally. On 14th June Brenda and Jeannie delivered 50 to Walton & Hersham foodbank; it was very gratefully received arriving just ahead of the hot summer weather. Ann D and Brenda gathered the other 50 bottles  for delivery to Runnymede (Weybridge)  foodbank. Colin and his team were very appreciative of the donation, especially as now sunscreen is an expensive item. The bottles were weighed for distribution. We were informed many would go to the distribution centre at Ambleside Avenue as this is a very busy collection point. Today SIGBI received an email…

Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts (SDAC) – How Special Are They?

Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts (SDAC) – How Special Are They?

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Below a link to a recent important Soroptimist Report on the Domestic Violence Court functioning in England. Local Soroptimists from the club in Elmbridge were involved with this project observing at court cases at Guildford, completing and submitting results which have in part enabled this analysis of functioning and “fit for purpose”. The results and recommendations need to be circulated widely so influencers are aware of the shortcoming in terms of victim support. Members have sent the report to Ben Spencer, Jonathon Lord and Dominic Raab, MPs locally and already action has been taken to highlight the findings to the Ministry of Justice. It has also been circulated to Magistrates, Judges, DA Services, Charities,  and the Police Commissioners amongst others with very positive comment and outcomes already. SI Weybridge & District are delighted to share the report link with you; do share this to anyone

Community SI/Ukrainian Teamwork adds value all round.

Community SI/Ukrainian Teamwork adds value all round.

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Caryle’s sterling work with Elmbridge CAN provided SI Weybridge with the invitation to host the Cream Tea at the Weybridge Society’s Community Fair. Judy Sarsby, Councillor, worked with Weybridge Society to ensure the week long Weybridge Festival was even more successful than last year. She told us that an estimated 8000 visitors attended events. It was without doubt an incredible effort and major boost for the community. Carlye, Brenda and I worked closely with the lead from ECAN especially volunteer Georgina. We spent 12 hours in planning meetings together and many more on the ‘phone refining the task checklist. The community Centre was given for free for the pop up but we had limited access… so the list of “we might need” was very long indeed! Our tasks? Jeannie updated the pop-up banners, Brooklands College supplied 140 delicious scones, Anne G another amazing 48 (plus gorgeous