Soroptimist International Edinburgh news notes anecdotes

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1 Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal 2017 Soroptimist International Edinburgh news notes anecdotes Issue 159 January 2017 The collection days are Friday 3rd March with 2 hour slots between 1000 hours and 1800 hours and Saturday 4th March with 2 hour slots between 1000 hours and 1600 hours. Venues that may suit some of us are Haymarket Railway Station, Bruntsfield Street Collection and Bruntsfield Tesco Metro. Would you like to participate as a group, in twos and threes or on your own? Suggest to me the days and times you can manage and we ll see how best to proceed. Edith Over the years we have supported many charities and they keep in contact from time to time. So, this month you will find some thank yous and you will find information about future activities you may wish to support some. You will also find that Region is prepared to help us to improve our knowledge of some technologies I have told Ishbel that I feel I should take up this offer. Will you be joining me? See below. Ed. Website Questionnaire Ishbel received a questionnaire from Region on 23/1/17 and forwarded it to those on the following morning. Please see the questionnaire which came as the attachment. We would like your answers to some of this in particular your use (or not) of websites and how you think others would use social media. Our answers will help Region to decide the best way forward. Please reply to Ishbel or myself by Friday 3 rd February. Cranston Street Hostel Rose has thanked members of the club for so generously providing gifts for the ladies who have the misfortune to need the safety of the hostel over the festive season. SLA Book Café for Scottish Love in Action Caring for children in India Saturday 4 th February, am pm George Watson s College, Colinton Road Parking available. Get a warm glow browsing books for sale. Tickets 7.50 (Children 5, under 7 free). This includes 2 books, soup and bread. Tickets available at or slabookcafe@gmail.com or on the door. SIEnna 159 Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) Ltd Company No Page 1

2 Christine has collected some information on a few topics to share with us at the next meeting see below. AGM Saturday 21 st January 2017 Lancaster Hall Hotel, W2 3EL Margaret, Non-Executive Chair, welcomed shareholders to the meeting. There were 11 apologies, including those of SI President Yvonne, who sent greetings. In her remarks, Margaret stated that the occupancy rate of Number 63 was a cause for concern and revenues were down. In her report, Christine, Director of Finance, stated that the 2014/15 showed a 67% occupancy and only 28% of guests were Soroptimists. The use of the Meeting Room showed a small increase. Number 63 has AA *** recognition and has won the Friendliest B & B in London award. Reports from Directors included HR where training has been given to staff, including the two new members at Reception. This includes food safety and safety and manual handling, with first aid training next month. Number 63 has received a Certificate of Achievement for Health, Safety and Welfare. Christine and Suzanna, both standing for re-election, were elected unopposed to continue in their roles as Director of Finance and Financial Controller, respectively. The 2000 Club and 500 Club, both fundraising campaigns, support the running costs of Number 63 on a regular basis. Monthly draws take place Club: 50% of members subscriptions are returned as prize money. 122,000 has been given to Number 63 since the club formed in Club: 45% of subscriptions are prizes. 40,000 has been raised since * - * - * - * - * - * - A recent newspaper article states that the Halo Trust which clears landmines and educates people about safety around the world has had a downturn in finance, despite current conflicts around the world. Some years ago, before Princess Di did a marvellous job in publicising the work of this charity, SI raised awareness of Halo. I shall take to the next meeting recent articles about the following women:- Virginie Brouard the owner of La P'tite folie who over 30 years has supported a charity in Ethiopia which supports babies, children and families. Sheena Guz provides audio description at the King's Theatre - members will recall a recent talk on this subject. Sarah Blackie specialises in teaching sustainability - a possible speaker for a region meeting. Christine Earth Hour Saturday 25 th March 2017 at 8.30 pm WWF s Earth Hour is the annual global celebration where people switch off their lights for one hour to show they care about the future of our planet. Can you join in? Or could you do this at some other suitable time for you? Do you remember me? I am still available to collect your loose change halfpennies no more, but pennies, tuppence, five pence and whatever. Marjory is looking after me. We could save up and contribute to our 90 th celebrations? SIEnna 159 Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) Ltd Company No Page 2

3 SIE Business Meeting held on 11 January 2017 at Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel Present Isabel (in Chair) plus 15 members and 3S Trust returnee (Alish). Apologies for absence were received from 6 members. 3S Trust Ishbel introduced Alish, who had been given support by 3S Trust for a 2-week project in Mexico with Guiding Scotland. Alish spent her time working with young children in a primary school initially and then in a day-care centre. She mentioned some of the cultural differences that she had encountered and how she had reacted to these. SI Vision and Mission statement The updated version was read by Pat Black. Matters arising from minutes of meeting held on 23 November 2016 The minutes were agreed. Thanks were expressed to Irene for organising the Christmas meal. Please note that Alison has a shopping bag that may have been left behind by a member attending the meal. Treasurer Carolyn Carolyn thanked members for their donations to the International President s Appeal. She has sent off 150. Carolyn mentioned that, following revaluation of the club regalia for insurance purposes, she had learned that there was to be an increase of 211 in this year s premium. She indicated that this would cause a cash flow problem and it was agreed that she could proceed to withdraw 350 from SIE s building society account. She advised that she would shortly be considering the club subscription for 2017/18. Scotland South The following points were discussed: Proposal to increase Region member fee by 2 This has already been discussed and agreed by SIE and members confirmed their agreement to the proposal, which is to be voted on at the Region meeting in March. Strictly Come Dancing event Clubs were asked to vote on the charities to be supported, viz two from Barnardos, Marie Curie and Playlist for Life. SIE representative will vote for Barnardos and Playlist for Life, as per the vote taken amongst members present. Club Growth project Clubs have been asked to nominate 3 or 4 members to represent them at a project meeting (for which date, time and venue have still to be advised). It was agreed that this could be discussed in Friendship Groups, but that the uncertainty about the arrangements made it difficult for any member to commit to being able to attend. Recruitment poster for Joint Conference Clubs have been asked to produce a poster on recruitment, for judging at the Joint Conference. Joint Conference project award Projects eligible for the award have to have been started within 2014/15. Isabel mentioned that only Myint Su s Burmese project and the EDA project, both supported by SIE, would count date-wise but they were not, strictly speaking SIE projects. This was agreed, so SIE will not submit an entry. What Women Do event The exhibition aims to highlight women doing unusual work, who would be prepared to take a stand (cost 40). Scotland South Succession Planning exercise Looking ahead, there will be vacancies within Scotland South in a number of areas within the next few years. Members interested in taking office at Region should have a look at what openings will be available. SIEnna 159 Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) Ltd Company No Page 3

4 Programme Action (Alison) Alison has received a note of thanks from Cranston Street Hostel for the Christmas gifts received from members. Alison mentioned a SWC Women & Brexit conference that is to be held in Glasgow on 28 January. Further events are planned, including one in Bathgate in May. Alison mentioned her intention to contact the Marine Conservation Society re the possibility of members being involved in a beach clean-up event, possibly around May. Christine advised that the Sight Village event would be in Edinburgh on 25 April. More details will follow. SIE 90th anniversary (Anna) Anna reported she has signed a contract for the Prestonfield Room at Pollock Halls for lunch on 9 December The price which SIE will charge will be 40 per person, which will include a premeal drink. There will be events organised around the weekend of 8/10 December, including a walk at Gari s on 10 December. We will not know about a Civic Reception until after the local elections in May. Sue, the incoming SIGBI President, has accepted the invitation to attend. Anna has not yet heard from other invitees. It was agreed that an invitation should be submitted to the Lord Provost s office, even though the incumbent in December will not be known until after the elections. Isabel is organising the poster competition for the Girl Guides. Christine has made enquiries re some commemoration in Princes Street Gardens, but reported that we would have to consider some alternative, eg planting a tree in an Edinburgh park. It was noted that the R.C.H.S. is redeveloping park at Saughton and Christine will contact Jenny Calcott to see if SIE might be able to do something there. It was agreed that contact should be made with SI Liverpool re doing a joint stand at SIGBI conference in Cardiff re the clubs 90th anniversary celebrations. Members were reminded that we need at least 70 attendees to avoid financial penalties and were asked to make contact with former members re attending. Anna reminded members that we need a project for this year. Friendship groups were asked to think about this and also to consider fund-raising ideas to help cover the additional expenses that SIE is likely to incur. Miscellaneous Scottish Love in Action is holding a Book Cafe on 4 February from 10:30 to 14:30. Cost is 7.50 for 2 books, soup and bread. Those wishing to attend are asked to book online. Next meeting The next meeting will be on 8 February 2017 at Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel. - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - 3S Trust Applicant Rachel has had her application approved by the trustees. She will be going to Tanzania with Raleigh International (see SIEnna 158, page 2) SIEnna 159 Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) Ltd Company No Page 4

5 Mary s Meals Morag has received a letter of thanks from Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, CEO of Mary s Meals, thanking her for the donation last month of 3 backpacks and 18 bags of clothing. This has been a collaborative effort between our members and those who live in Caiystane Court. Magnus says that for some children who receive a backpack it is the only gift they have ever been given. Others he quotes; I am happy to have a book to help me learn. - Innocent, age 8. This is my first school bag, I am happy. - Tiwonde, age 6. These children attend Yorodano Primary School in Malawi. - * - * -* - * - * - * - * - * - Dates for Your Diary Feb 4: SLA Book Café see page 1 22: Speaker: Susan Brown, Girl Guiding Mar 4: SISSR at Glasgow Women s Library 8: Business Meeting 22: Speaker tbc 25: WWF s Earth Hour see p.2 April 12: Business Meeting 26: AGM Raffle prize will be donated by Irene in February. SI Edinburgh web address: SIEnna 159 Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) Ltd Company No Page 5