President’s March Newsletter
February got off to a great start with a visit to S I Sheffield at Tapton Hall. It was interesting to be present at their business meeting. However, the main reason for my attendance was to join in with the celebration for Hilary Ratcliffe who has been awarded Honorary Membership of Soroptimist International. This is truly a great achievement. I also really enjoyed the cake that Daphne Cawthorne had made!
I was due to visit SI Northallerton and District on 8th February but unfortunately the weather intervened. Judith Parsons had kindly offered to drive me but after discussions it was decided that the snowy weather had beaten us. I have rescheduled to visit them in March.
I received a very warm welcome from SI Beverley and District. Instead of a speaker this month, we watched an archive film from the club. There was a real sense of social history as we saw the founder members giving service within their community. In the past, the club donated a cherry tree and roses to Champney Gardens which abut the Treasure House. The gardens and buildings are to be rejuvenated after gaining access to funding. Members of S I Beverley have been involved with the garden planning discussions and have been able to provide historical information. They hope to donate a new cherry tree and roses as they did over 50 years ago.
The preparations for SIGBI President Ruth’s visit are progressing. An outline of the itinerary is as follows. I hope that even if President Ruth is not actually visiting your club, you will be able to attend one of the events near to you if you so wish.
Saturday 20th Ilkley 80th Charter Dinner
Sunday 21st Visit to York
Monday 22nd Malton, Filey and Scarborough
Tuesday 23rd Visit to SI Leeds STEM project followed by lunch at Tapton Hall –
Hosted by both Sheffield clubs. In the afternoon Ruth Healey will
See their programme work.
Wednesday 24th Morning- Ruth will see some PA work undertaken by SI Selby
Afternoon -SIYAMS meeting
Evening attending Selby AGM
Thursday 25th. Morning Orange Café in Ravensthorpe
Afternoon visiting Dewsbury Country Park where Soroptimists have
undertaken tree planting
Evening attending Wakefield and District AGM
Friday 26th Morning attending Bingley Community Kitchen
Saturday 27. Lunch with SI Keighley
Evening Bingley’s 75th Charter Dinner
I hope to see many of you at the RCM in Barnsley next week. I am looking forward to our Speaker Linda Harris. On the day, it would be great if you could wear blue/yellow (Soroptimist Colours) or have something that’s purple/green/white that would make a good photo opportunity. Linda Davis recently looked up the significance of the colours. Purple signifies justice, green symbolizes hope and white represents purity.
On Thursday 22ND, I welcomed members of my club to look around our family’s Rhubarb sheds (many thanks to Ann Wood for providing the cakes!). On the Sunday 20 members from the Region also visited. It was a pleasure for Jonathan and I to introduce everyone to the farm. We all enjoyed the meal at Bella Roma afterwards!
Next month sees the season of AGMs. This year the New Presidents’ Lunch is being kindly hosted at SI Wakefield and District member Linda Phillip’s house on Saturday 11th May. I really hope that each Club will send a representative even if you do not have a President for the forthcoming year. If you have a shared Presidency, then please all pop along.
I hope that those of you on the Hub have taken the time to look at the SIGBI Modernisation Proposals Final Paper.
On March 4th the Call for Resolutions letter will be circulated and the closing date for submitting Resolutions is the 30th April. From May 13th until 28th June, Clubs will be able to submit Amendments to the Resolutions. Please will every member buy into this process as it is about your future. If a Club feels that they have a Resolution that could make a difference then please endeavour to submit it.
Please keep taking and uploading your brilliant photos and sending your news to Liz Hayes who continues to produce wonderful newsletters.
I am just A figurehead but I am YOUR President, so if I can even help anyone in any way, please get in touch.
In Friendship
Susie Westwood
susiewestwoodsorops@outlook.com
Susie’s picture was taken with Dr. Linda Harris OBE who spoke at our March RCM