Our AGM was as always, a wonderful event, and this year we also managed our customary meal beforehand. We took this opportunity to hold the welcoming/induction ceremonies for some of our new members which had have joined over the last 12 months. It’s always thrilling to formally welcome new members, hear a bit about them and then to light a candle of friendship for them.
We had all the usual official AGM requirements, hearing reports from the clubs’ officials and voting in our new leadership team for the coming year and of course, President Gail. The detailed report from our Programme Action Officers Jackie and Gail made for impressive reading - and if you want to see for yourself exactly how much we have achieved this year then the full Programme Action report is here.
Discussions took place around our charity for the new club year and the final choice was PIES - Partners in Education Swaziland.
Finally, we held our candle ceremony, which is a lovely tradition of the club, highlighting the work the officials do on behalf of the members and bringing the members together to acknowledge the hard work we do in the club and the organisation as a whole.
Looking forward/looking back.
Thanks to President Nicola
As we approach our AGM we look back over an enjoyable and productive year with our President Nicola Cheetham. We have seen the unbelievable skills of Japanese embroidery, visited the Theatre, the Race Course, increased our knowledge of wines, enjoyed a plant clinic to help us with our horticultural problems, and experienced an evening of laughter and exercise!
We have had an excellent year working with our backpack appeal and have managed, with your help, to send three sacks full of fully equipped backpacks off for shipment.
Welcome to President Judith
We shall be continuing with this project during the coming year. Members will also continue to support other local projects – like the Preston food bank, in addition to, local National and International Soroptimist projects.
On the 9th April we welcome Judith Grocott as our new President, we have already had a peek at some of her ideas for what promises to be a very interesting programme – social and business!
Judith is a committed soroptimist who has held the office of Club President before and has also been the North West Regional President. She is currently the SIGBI Federation Councillor.
Our work against Trafficking continues as we join with many others in our fight against this global dilemma – it is the third largest world market behind weapons and the drug trade.
Soroptimists in the North West have helped to raise awareness that this is a problem that is here on our doorstep and not something that happens only in distant countries.
Creating a better life for women and girls is like dropping a pebble in a pool – when women bring in money there are so many things that happen at once. Her status in the family is raised. The money is spent on things that are essential, her children’s health, education, food, and a safe environment for the family.
New members are always welcome, we enjoy a varied programme whilst helping to make a difference to the lives of women both here and abroad. Come and join us.
For more information, please do get in touch!
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