Aims & Objects of Soroptimism

Soroptimist International is a worldwide organisation for women in management and the professions, a global voice for women through Awareness, Advocacy & Action and its objects shall be to strive for:

• The advancement of the status of women
• High ethical standards
• Human rights for all
• Equality, Development & Peace: through international goodwill & understanding

Soroptimist International is committed to:

• Service to local, national and international communities
• Active participation in decision making at all levels

Lighitng Up Women's Lives

Gill Girdziusz My theme this year is 'LIGHTING UP WOMENS LIVES'. We have been instrumental in establishing a new area of service to our local community. As incoming president I wish to wholeheartedly support our current service commitment to Streetcare and also to remain open to other opportunities within Streetcare. However as my main focus of this forthcoming year, I would also like to offer our support to The Alzheimer’s Society. This is a condition that touches so many lives and I would hope that by supporting the local branch of The Alzheimer’s Society we might be of real benefit to many people.

I have invited the head of our local Alzheimer’s Society to be the first outside speaker of this year’s calendar. She will be coming in to tell us about the current provisions and initiatives that are in place for sufferers and their families in the local area.

Jan Connolly has given us an understanding of Alzheimer’s and how it’s negative effects might be minimised, so that hopefully when we hear from the local society we can focus on ways to best assist sufferers and their families over the coming year.

My second charity that I’d like to offer our support to this year is Amnesty International. This is an organisation that has a strong history of shedding light on situations where women and children are subject to intimidation and deprived of human rights. I would hope that by joining our voice to that of Amnesty International we can successfully advocate for change that will make a difference to the lives of many women all over the world.

Our speakers this year will be In keeping with identifying injustice and fighting prejudice. We will hearing from young people who will be coming along to talk to us about a series of educational trips that have been undertaken to Auschwitz Concentration Camp with the aim of using the lessons of history as a force for good. We will also be hearing about the impact of imprisonment on women and their families.

I feel it is very important for us to remain in touch with the difficult lives of women both in our local community and elsewhere in the word and thus I make no apology for the fact that these are serious and potentially quite disturbing topics. As a thriving club with very committed members I am sure that we can use our considerable resources to reach out to these women and light up there lives.

I trust that our social and fund-raising programme will provide the enjoyment and fun that will refresh and sustain us in our efforts. As a club we have a wealth of different perspectives, expertise and varied talents. I hope that we can continue the tradition of every member contributing and participating, that makes Sunderland club such a rich club of which to be part with newer members who are stepping forward to take office for the first time this year

I am confident that they will be able to rely on the knowledge and expertise of the more established members to gain confidence in their roles. I as president, and the club itself, can only be enriched by us continuing to challenge ourselves and others as well as being prepared to consider new ideas in order that we go from strength to strength. I feel very honoured to be President of such a thriving club with such committed members. I would aim to fulfil our hopes over the forthcoming year.