Well, this is a first! Having completed the first 3 months of my tenure as President of SI Yorkshire I am now writing my first ever blog! This attempt to keep you informed about what I am doing will appear at intervals on the SI Yorkshire website.
My memories of the SIGBI Conference in Harrogate remain clear and wonderful. Following that weekend I had a busy few weeks. I was a guest at SI Scarborough’s International Evening; joined Joanne Fraser, Federation Councillor and guests from India at SI Northallerton’s meeting; and went to my own club meeting, SI Richmond and Dales.
The first formal event was SI Hallamshire’s Annual Charter Lunch on 16 November, which was a well attended and happy occasion, marked by the presence of Federation Director Sue Biggs.
The highlight of November was the combined RCM and Yorkshire Lunch at Hazlewood Castle Hotel, with a massive attendance of 119 members, squeezed into the beautiful function room there. I believe everyone enjoyed that day, and most found this combination of our annual November events a useful idea.
December 2014 was quiet, Soroptimist–wise. I read a lesson at the invitation of Sue West, President of SI Dewsbury, at SI Dewsbury’s Carol Service on 7 December. This was another well attended and joyous occasion. I then concentrated on my own family Christmas and New Year.
2015
There has been a lot of activity behind the scenes in the last 6 weeks, planning for RCMs this year, and the Yorkshire Conference on 6 June 2015.
SI Richmond and Dales were very sad to hear, just before Christmas, of the death of Betty Freeman, MBE, who had been a member of our club since 1962. We turned out in force at her Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving on 24 January and I was honoured to speak about Betty’s life as a Soroptimist.
I enjoyed attending the SI Northallerton meeting on 12 February. There were 14 members present, and they expect at least 2 new members to join in April, increasing the numbers to 20.
I want to finish by inviting you to attend the Yorkshire Conference at the Spa, Scarborough, on Saturday 6 June 2015. The theme of the day is ‘Educate and Empower through Performance and the Arts’. We have some interesting speakers lined up, and it is a wonderful opportunity to spend some time at the seaside. Hurry to book accommodation if you want to stay for a few days!
In friendship, Angela
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