“Summer: The SI Board meeting, visits to Malta, the USA, Zimbabwe and the Seychelles and preparing for SIGBI Conference 2010 in Manchester!”


Always ready to dig deep, Federation President Jackie Mosedale, is pictured planting a tree in Malta.


This will be my last President’s


message as the end of a most memorable year rapidly approaches.


This has been an exciting and


interesting year, working with a team who give so much time and energy, to SIGBI and to International Soroptimism. As I write, the Federation Management Committee, (FMC) is reviewing the Soroptimist International (SI) Board Papers in preparation for meetings in August. This is SIGBI’s opportunity to make a positive contribution to discussions and decisions on the future development of Soroptimist International. It will also be at this meeting that a title for the Long Term Project will be considered and further progress towards an international corporate identity, which will be launched in Montreal next year.


Within SIGBI, work to improve the efficiency and effectiveness in how we manage the Federation’s business continues. Progress in


achieving the objectives set out in the Strategic Plan has been assessed and recorded. Financial planning is being reviewed and future budgets developed. Consultation is underway with Regions to seek members’ views on ways to raise our profile, attract and retain members. A meeting with the Chief Guide is planned – Girl Guides have very much the same ethic of service and priorities for improving the lives of women and girls as we do. President Elect Liz is enthusiastic about developing the Soroptimist/Girl Guide partnership further.


I suspect that Gina and the


team at the office will see the move to new premises as one of the highlights of their year. The move in August is to a modern office, compliant with current workplace legislation, light, airy and secure. Still in Stockport and near the town centre, SIGBI will have an office to which it can be proud to invite members and service providers. I am delighted at the response


Grant of Friendship offered for 2012 by SI of the Americas


Northwestern Region of Soroptimist International of the Americas, which includes Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Montana and the Idaho panhandle, is offering a Grant of Friendship to one or two Soroptimists or a Soroptimist and her partner from outside the United States. The Grant is for a 2-3 week period beginning in April 2012. This Grant will include the Soroptimist Northwestern Region Conference, April 29 through May 1, 2012 in Spokane, Washington. Visitors will be responsible for their own travel expenses to and from the United States. Lodging, meals, hospitality and travel between clubs will be provided by the Region. Spoken English is required. Interested Soroptimists should request an application by April 1, 2011. Please address inquires to:


Gale Smith, Chair, Grant of Friendship, NWR, SIA PO Box 10664, Eugene, Oregon 97440 USA T: 541-514-1301 E: galesmith2140@comcast.net Please include the letters GOF in the email subject line.


to the ‘75 for 75’ challenge, celebrating SIGBI’s 75th anniversary with a project that will improve so many lives. The response has been terrific. It is still not too late to make a contribution. The challenge will end at our Conference in Manchester but the bank account will remain open until the end of the year. Our Federation Conference


is just weeks away. Have you registered? There is still time. Registration is essential for attendance at any session, including the General Meeting. Staff at the venue and Stewards will not admit anyone without correct accreditation and no one under the age of 18 years will be admitted. For our safety, Centre security is strictly managed. Thank you in advance to


the many members who have volunteered for stewarding duties. It is so easy to overlook the fact that they all pay a full registration fee but may miss sessions if their duties take them


out of the auditorium. Stewards do work really hard to enhance our conference experience and ensure our safety. I have still several visits to Clubs


and Regions to look forward to and will have visited members in Zimbabwe and Seychelles by the time you receive this magazine. Our overseas members achieve some amazing Programme activity and projects, often in circumstances that many of us can only imagine. Members from Yorkshire and


my own region will join me, at their own expense, and I feel sure we will all gain from the experience. What is there left to say? Thank you all for having given me the opportunity to serve as SIGBI President, for the wider experience of International Soroptimism and for the warmth of welcome and Soroptimist friendship. You are, simply the best!


Jackie


Soroptimist magazines online: Soroptimist News and TIS, The International Soroptimist


This issue of Soroptimist News, along with the July and May issues, is accessible as a digital magazine directly from the SIGBI website, http://soroptimist-gbi.org


Do have a look at it and see just how useful the digital version can be! You can forward the link to the magazine to anyone with an email address, much easier than posting! The June digital issue of TIS, the magazine for all Soroptimists across the four Federations of Soroptimist International is also now live and online. TIS brings news of SI activities, successes, visits, events and campaigns. The September issue of TIS will be live and online by 17th September so make sure you visit the SI website: www.soroptimistinternational.org. where TIS is easily accessed.


To receive a direct link to each magazine please email:


editor@soroptimistinternational.org. Soroptimist News SEPTEMBER 2010 3


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