SIGBI Regional


news The SI Ireland North/South Joint Conference President Breda Crehan-Roche


and members of SI Athlone hosted SI Ireland’s Joint North/ South Conference in Athlone on 7-9th May at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel. Athlone was a very popular and


convenient venue, which ensured a large attendance from Clubs in the North and South and from the UK. Club presidents and members came together to fulfil the weekend theme Be Positive – Do it Together. National Association President,


Patricia Braiden with Jackie Gilmore, Regional President, SI Northern Ireland welcomed SIGBI President, Jackie Mosedale. The golfers among the delegates


kicked off their weekend at Glasson Golf and Country Club on Friday morning with 18 holes of golf. Athlone Town Council hosted a Civic Reception on Friday evening and Mayor Mark Cooney


congratulated Soroptimists on the work of their organisation in improving the lives of women and girls throughout the world and, in so doing, promoting human rights and parity of esteem for all. Senior Executive Librarian and


Athlone native, Gearóid O’Brien took guests on an energetic verbal tour of Athlone’s history and introduced some of its famous sons and daughters. The dulcet tones of Athlone-based choral group, Sweet Auburn, ensured a harmonious conclusion to the evening.


PRESENTATIONS The business of the Conference


got off to an early start on Saturday with the guest-speaker was Jacinta Kitt, Senior Lecturer at Trinity College. Jacinta is an acknowledged expert on awareness and prevention of workplace bullying and her


SI Midland Region Lunch On Sunday 27 June members


of the three Midland Regions met together to celebrate the friendship and co-operation which exists between them. This event takes place biennially


and each Region takes its turn in playing “host”. This year it fell to Midland Chase to organise the lunch and Regional President Gail Wedge, was delighted to welcome Midland East President Claire Bell and Midland Arden President Gail Teague to the Lea Marston Hotel, Sutton Coldfield, together with many members and partners from their respective Regions. Guest of honour and speaker


was Federation President Elect Liz Morgan-Lewis, who was accompanied by her husband Roger.


presentation focused on recognising bullying in its varying forms and coping strategies. The winners of the Girls Public


Speaking Competitions from North and South addressed Conference with their winning presentations, which were very well received. Robyn Livingstone from Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar School and Leanne Quinn from St Josephs Secondary School, Rochfortbridge proved that they were worthy winners of the 2010 competition. Athlone provided the perfect


backdrop for the leisure times, as Soroptimists cruised on the River Shannon in glorious sunshine on or visited the UNESCO heritage site at Clonmacnoise.


GALA DINNER Guests at the Gala Dinner on


Saturday night included Minister


for Health, Mary Harney, Mayor of Athlone, Mark Cooney, District Governor of Rotary Ireland, Tom Murphy. Minister Harney took up the thread of the Conference theme when she spoke of the need for positivity and working together in the face of our current economic difficulties. The business of the Conference


concluded on Sunday with an Ecumenical Service conducted by Fr. John Coughlan, Ss. Peter& Paul’s Parish, Athlone and Rev. Isabel Nixon, who attended the Conference with the Enniskillen Club. As the visitors departed, they were fulsome in their praise for the Athlone Club. There was general agreement that given the warmth of the welcome, attention to detail and a superbly organised Conference this event is going to be a hard act to follow.


Midland Chase Region President


Gail welcomed everyone, after which all were invited to stand to say the Soroptimist Peace Pledge; Federation President Elect Liz then lit the Peace candle. Grace was led by Midland Arden President Gail. The room resounded with talking


and laughter during lunch which also included the Loyal Toast proposed by Midland East President Claire. Federation President Elect Liz


then spoke, with both humour and thoughtfulness, about how we should not always assume things are as they seem, and gave everyone much to think about. Immediate Past Midland Chase


Region President, Pauline Wright, gave the vote of thanks, and finally


22 SEPTEMBER 2010 Soroptimist News


Midland Chase President Gail drew the occasion to a close and wished everyone a safe journey home. The afternoon’s programme was


ably looked after by the Mistress of Ceremonies, Midland Chase President Elect Pat Cross. However, had a crystal ball


been available when the day was discussed, another date might have been selected! Not only was it one of the hottest days of the year it was also the day England football team were playing Germany in the World Cup and England were playing Australia at cricket!


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