March has been an interesting and challenging month. It has also been a succession of social engagements. Thank you again to everyone contributing to and engaging in International Women’s Day whether that be donning odd shoes, joining in theatre events, enjoying a walk or joining in various Zoom webinars. Please note that the Flash Mob will now take place on Wednesday 11th October, United Day of the Girl Child, at the Trinity Centre in Leeds. More details to follow before the end of April. The 11th March found me at the Scarborough lunch after needing to dig ourselves out of our knee deep snow covered lane. Well worth the exercise for the company and entertainment experienced. We came home with not a cobweb in sight having had a bracing walk along the beautiful beach of Whitby. The 19th March found more than 70 of us

This video was launched and much enjoyed at President Jane’s first RCM last November. You can watch it by clicking here. While you are watching you can copy the Youtube link so that you can add the video to your own club website. Now SI Yorkshire has a Youtube channel we’d be delighted to share your videos too. Contact communicationssiyorkshire@gmail.com to share your work across the region.

March Newsletter from President Jane. Having successfully submitted a design for a poster for the Convention (thanks to the technical help and skills of Linda Gerraghty) I have experienced a quiet yet informative February. Membership Standing Committee Zooms continue. Part of the ongoing work has been to look at different website areas within SIGBI. Our Yorkshire one compared favourably against the ones I was given to consider. A huge THANK YOU to Sue Butler for all the work she is doing on our behalf. Please ensure that you send her any information and photographs that would reflect the work taking place across the region. On the 13th I attended the Zoom organised by SI Scarborough and listened to the articulate views of Divya Alya. The journalist spoke about violence against woman and girls in India and painted a knowledgeable and frank picture of life in

            Below is a photograph of part of my kitchen window sill which includes the tiny delicate crocus I was given at the Harrogate Lunch. Thank you for this sign of spring to come. At the beginning of January I attended a talk arranged by SI Keighley looking at the initiatives taking place throughout Bradford and designed to reduce the health inequalities, improve health and well being and create a secure and sustainable food supply chain that strengthens the local economy. Some of the statistics given were shocking. I want to share only one message with you, however.  That was, that if a person wants to be fitter/healthier. The one thing they can do is not to sit for more than 20 minutes at any one time. Get up. Move about or stand instead of sitting. Your body will be

  December was delightful. We were still turning the region orange and becoming ever more creative in doing so. I am thinking of SI Keighley with their large television screen showing the slide show of information in the shop window of the town. There are other examples too many to mention. THANK YOU to all those involved in lighting up, dressing up, leaflet distributing, hanging up and speaking out. On Sunday the 4th December I found myself singing at the Carol Service organised by SI Dewsbury. My husband Chris and I thoroughly enjoyed galloping through the carols to the sound of the brass band. On Monday the 5th December I was singing at a more gentle pace in the castle with SI Skipton. Thursday 8th December brought me the honour of sharing the 90th birthday celebration of Elizabeth Hughes. We were entertained by a group

RCM held at Rogerthorpe Manor on Saturday 26th November As people arrived in the Conference room at Rogerthorpe Manor on Saturday morning, the room took on the appearance of a sea of orange; dresses, jumpers, scarves, cardigans and badges, all in recognition that it was the second day of the 16 Days of Activism campaign of the Elimination of Violence Against Women.  President Jane said that she felt that it was a wonderful time to be Regional President as there were new initiatives to look forward to. She hoped that we would leave today’s meeting with enthusiasm and a sense of pride in our achievements.  A member of Soroptimist International Wakefield & District gave an outline of the programme Action projects and events in their club over the last year. These included no less than 9 worthy causes spanning all ages and including the planting

To read all the conference blogs click here    

  President Jane’s year November 26th 2022    RCM and Yorkshire Lunch at Rogerthorpe Manor March 8th 2023              International Womens Day Event March 18th 2023            RCM at the Holiday Inn Barnsley May 14th 2023                New/Incoming Presidents Lunch May 17th                           Trip to Newby Hall, North Yorkshire June 17th 2023               RCM at Askham Grange Prison September 23rd 2023   RCM at the Bridge Inn Walshford   President Elect Susie’s year November 25th 2023    RCM and Yorkshire Lunch February 25th 2024      Sunday Visit to Rhubarb Sheds at Westwoods Farm followed by meal at Bella Roma Wakefield March 9th2024              RCM May 12th

New Members Observe officers Meeting. On Saturday 15th October 2022 4 members new to the Yorkshire Region sat in and observed the Regional Officers Meeting as a way of getting to know the people involved and how the meetings are run.  For the first time in Yorkshire the morning was followed by a lunch attended by a further 4 new members. Time was spent in the afternoon sharing information about why and how people join Soroptimism and how longer serving members have successfully had a fulfilling experience whilst serving woman and girls locally, nationally and internationally. The new members represented clubs from Bingley, Garforth Elmet, Harrogate and District, Scarborough, Selby and Sheffield and will become an annual event aimed at welcoming all new members to our region.Officer

Does anyone know what the collective noun for Soroptimist Presidents is? On 23rd September 15 S I Yorkshire Past Presidents met for a meal at the Rockingham Arms, Towton. It was a lovely lunch, great company and lots of fun and friendship. Back row from the left Chris Clark, Hilary Putman  Pat Shore, Lesley Berry, Sylvia Wilson  Liz Lyle, Margaret Cook  Rita Leaman, Jenny Heptonstall, Judith Alce. Front row  Thelma De Leeuw, Angela Edwards,  Linda Davis   Pam James, Jennie Levi