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

  PRESIDENT’S NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2023 I feel very humbled and privileged to represent S I Yorkshire as President. Thank you to all who attended Conference, even though the logistics of a London Conference were difficult. I really appreciate all your kind words and support and I will endeavour to live up to your expectations. I would like to thank my Planning Team who have been so supportive and I know will help me going forward. I also appreciate the offers of help from previous Regional Presidents which I will definitely take up! The last few days in London have been so memorable. The presentations have been outstanding. Initial feelings of disappointment at the last-minute change of the keynote speaker were dispelled by an inspiring informal chat given by Monty Halls. Stepping into the breach, he gave a humorous, knowledgeable and inspiring talk. Due to his

                                                                      The month of May began in style at SI Wakefield’s Coronation Party. This was swiftly followed by SI Selby’s lunch where Hilary demonstrated her acting/modelling talents. Excellent food, good company and a fascinating speaker made for a relaxing afternoon. On the following day SI Bingley hosted a lunch for Incoming Presidents. The sun shone and the room buzzed with conversation and smiles. I hope the incoming presidents found the event useful and I wish them well in establishing their chain gang and benefitting from the fellowship this can bring.   The 17th May found 48 members (and friends) from across the region enjoying the Friendship Day at Newby Hall. I

“But he calls down a blessing on the blossom of the may, because it comes in beauty and in beauty blows away.” W B Yeats Good morning everyone. I hope that you have all experienced an enjoyable May Bank Holiday weekend. April began with a lively and productive Regional Programme Action Meeting with most clubs being represented. I hope the ideas around the 16 Days of Action, court observations, the beach clean and Safe Places filtered back to everyone in our clubs. I hope you have all seen the Orange Café and Membership Poster sent out to you. The 2nd April and I enjoyed the hospitality of SI Skipton at their 73rd Charter Lunch. Ever looking for an opportunity to promote our work and gain support, it was good to see Linda Davis getting Councillor Simon Myers on our side with regard to Safe Places

MOTHERS UNION & SOROPTIMISTS WALK FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY  Brayton Mothers’ Union and Selby Soroptimists walked together to mark International Womens Day on Wednesday 8 March. They were joined by other women, some men and two dogs !  The walks were circular from and back to St Wilfrid’s Church, with a shorter and longer version. Refreshments followed in the Parish Hall. Before the walk, a photograph was taken of everybody hugging themselves to #EmbraceEquity. SI Scarborough, Malton and District stewarded in Inspiring Women event at the Scarborough Stephen Joseph Theatre and provided a workshop SIGBI Programme Action Director and SI Selby member Lindsay celebrated at the UN in New York and told us: The celebration at the UN today for IWD was amazing, music, dance and superb speakers. We all came away uplifted and energised. We were told to #actintime   SI Keighley (above) publicised