President’s Message
President Carolyn on right, Immediate Past President Margaret on left.
President Carolyn’s Message December 2009
My Name is Carolyn Lockhart and I wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity and privilege of being your Region President.
After much deliberation I have decided that the theme Programme “Violence against Women” continues to strike painfully hard in many areas of the world and therefore demands our support once again.
I know that clubs are working with their local womans aid groups and that some of these groups allow more involvement than others.
From attending the Programme Action meetings at Region last year I am aware that the Programme Action Officers are raising the awareness of trafficking and that they have discovered that it is in all areas of the country.
In some areas clubs have been helping to promote saver taxis for women travelling alone.
It is my intention therefore to work at these and other related area’s so that we are able to maximise our fight to reduce “Violence against Women”
To raise the profile of Soroptimism in Scotland South is another area that I feel can be tackled and that by doing so we will be able to recruit new members and thus increase our membership. We must also ensure that we work at retaining our existing members.
Good debate is a very important aspect of our structure and it is my aim to encourage more members to attend regional meetings, conferences and social events held throughout the region. I feel that this is how you find out more about the work that is done worldwide and also make new friends.
At Conference in Cardiff President Jackie announced a challenge to Clubs in this our 75th Anniversary Year. The Challenge is 75 for 75 the idea is for clubs to raise £75 or multiples thereof for water projects in Bangladesh and it is hoped that we can support at least 75 projects.
We are all aware of the importance of wholesome safe water for all people and one suggestion being that we hold a fund raising event on World Water Day such as a coffee morning or Cheese and Wine. I hope that all Clubs in the region will join me in support of this worthwhile and much needed project.
Part of my own agenda is to be able to visit some of the Clubs in the Region during the year to enable me to get to know more of you and in that way I would also hope that we will be able to inspire each other to raise our horizons.
Finally I look forward with real hope and spirit to the forthcoming challenges and I trust we will join together to make a difference
With best wishes to all
Carolyn Lockhart