Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.
I have adopted this quote from the American songwriter Wille Nelson because it seems to me to be a good way to approach each new day I’m given. It also applies aptly to the position we find ourselves in as Soroptimists and theneed we have to both retain and attract members. Let’s give it a go and be positive. We have nothing to loose.
June was certainly a positive month for me as your President.
Work continues in producing 2 documents to be given to new recruits from Region. Plus another leaflet to be used at events such as the many Orange Cafes that are growing in popularity across Yorkshire. These should be with you all very shortly.
Then I joined in the beach clean in Scarborough. Giggles, the gathering of rubbish, defying the swoops of seagulls and the eating of fish & chips was the order of the day. Great fun AND we helped the environment. That’s surely a win-win situation?
On the evening of the 16th June those Officers who were able to, joined Dishi for a meal. Laughter emanated from our table. The Yorkshire welcome was typically warm and our SIGBI Director found us so friendly that she filled the very last place in the hotel in Dublin and is joining us on the coach as an honorary Yorkshire member.
The next day was the Regional Council Meeting at Askham Grange. As always, a success and full of powerful messages for us to digest and respond to. Please read the minutes if you weren’t there and ask your regional representative for feedback especially in relation to the future of SIGBI.
Thank you to all who attended and to everyone donating a range of materials to the residents of Askham Grange.
I then had the privilege of presenting prizes with SI Keighley as part of Refugee Week. The reality facing refugees was evident as young men presented just a snippet of poems they had written about their life experiences. War, not knowing if their parents are still alive, trafficking and modern-day slavery had been and in part remain their story. Very humbling and powerful. It certainly shone a spotlight on the very real need for programme action to continue.
On the 24th June initial plans to wave off the next convoy of equipment going to the Ukraine were cancelled. You are probably aware of the difficulties facing the drivers of these vehicles. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families that they return home safely having been able to deliver the much needed supplies they carry.
On a much lighter note, I next attended SI Dewsbury’s Lunch. Thank you to them for their hospitality and fellowship.
The 26th found me at a local primary school as a volunteer supporting the Venturists. Two hours of teaching a delightful young lady to knit followed. When that got too tense, we relaxed with a bit of gardening in and amongst the tyre painting, bug hotel making and weeding that was taking place. A gift of an afternoon. Thank you.
The same evening my education continued at SI Skipton’s Interclub Supper. The speaker entertained those present by giving us the origins of commonly used words and phrases. If you ever wonder what ‘cods wallop’ is, I am your woman.
The month ended with a Zoom with Dishi Attwood.
I hope you have all experienced a positive month and enter July energised and uplifted.
Other news:
- Ruth Healey wants all clubs and regions to know that when she takes office as SIGBI President in November 2023 she does not intend to travel abroad. She wishes to focus on visiting as many regions and clubs in our Federation as possible during her time as our President.
- The Special Domestic Abuse Courts Report is available on the Hub.
- Don’t forget, the early bird booking fee for the London Conference ends in July.
Take care and stay safe.
Yours in friendship,
Jane.