7 - 9 April 2000
Regional Conference and Study Weekend
'Stimulating, educational, professional, worth-while - and fun' were just some of the adjectives used to describe Wales South's Study Weekend at The Coldra Holiday Inn, Newport. 54 representatives from 17 clubs went home full of enthusiasm to report to their members and work on all they had learned.
Friday evening's informal supper was an ideal opportunity for meeting in a relaxed atmosphere. President Pat had chosen an excellent location which was easy for everyone to find - except for the three members from SI Cardigan whose navigation skills need to be considerably improved (arriving for dinner with only minutes to spare having lost themselves at a motorway junction!).
Teams in the after-dinner quiz enjoyed the challenge of answering questions on literature, computers, spelling, sport, quotations and maths, but left some wondering how they had ever passed their A-levels. Carwen Wynne-Howells' group emerged as clear winners.
On Saturday morning Marie Kramer, President of SI Newport, echoed the Region's pleasure in welcoming Federation President Elizabeth Harrison to the weekend conference. together with guest speakers Eileen Shaw, Development Officer London Chilterns Region and Gilda Wells from SI Cockermouth.
Federation President Elizabeth enjoying the spring sunshine
with Gilda Wells, Regional President Pat and Eileen Shaw
Federation President Elizabeth spoke of the challenges that Soroptimists must now face in a changing world and the importance of being realistic when planning for the future. The needs of working women have to be taken into account in areas that were never envisaged twenty or so years ago. Regional projects in Programme Areas make a great contribution to the overall work of Soroptimist International and President Elizabeth advised that they should be seen as "pertinent, interesting - and fun".
President Elizabeth asked the Region to critically appraise "Where We Stand" and to be both imaginative and realistic in planning and Looking Forward in the Millennium.
Eileen Shaw's theme of 'Developing your club and planning the future' was specifically designed to cover the Region's most-requested training needs, identified by Vice President & Development Officer Megan Edwards in her recent survey.
In a written preamble to the session, Eileen had mentioned that she could only provide 'a snapshot approach' to three main topics. By the end of the morning her audience was in no doubt that it had received a very glossy highly-finished 'full photograph'.
Her topics covered the three important areas of:
- Public Speaking - including presentation skills and communication issues
- Membership - Recruitment and Retention
- Preparing a Development Plan, looking at strategic planning in the short and long term. Setting Objectives, monitoring and evaluation
Discussion groups followed Eileen's talk. Each member of six groups was asked to make a written comment on a 'Post-It' sticker under four main headings of Better Club Meetings, Membership, Activities including Programme Action and Publicity. Interaction within the groups was animated, prolific and creative.
During the lunch break eight 'volunteers' selected by President Pat collated, analysed and summarised the large sheets of paper covered with sticky notes. They worked with amazing speed and were ready with excellent summaries for the early afternoon session.
NoteRegional President Pat and her team will be preparing written summaries of the varied and interesting comments made in the discussion groups. They will provide an excellent basis for further work at club level or a regional event.
Eileen Shaw supplied extremely detailed notes for clubs to use in their own training sessions. Since only 17 clubs have access to these, Regional President Pat has suggested that photocopies should be made available (at cost) at the next Regional Council meeting on 13th May for clubs who were unable to attend the Conference. They make invaluable reading.
In the afternoon Gilda Wells spoke on 'A Project from Inception to Fruition - and Beyond' - a wide-ranging account of how, through a chance meeting, she became aware of the devastating effects of personal landmines on their victims and her now clearly dedicated support for the Limbs for Life project.
It would be impossible to describe Gilda's breadth of experience on the subject which she illustrated with amazing and sometimes heart-rending photographs of landmine victims. However, her commitment to the work that now has to be done with the help of the International Red Cross and Soroptimist International left her audience in no doubt that the Limbs for Life project is one that we must support in every way possible.
Following Gilda's talk, Regional Press Officer Fay Cori reported on a fundraising project for Limbs for Life which has been undertaken by members of the official Soroptimist Chat Line undertaken by members of the official Soroptimist Chat Line, who correspond by email around the world. See further details and a photo of the 'great Chat Line Quilt' in a heading under the News section.
President Pat closed the conference with warm and enthusiastic thanks to her speakers and to her back-up team of helpers from SI Newport and the Region.
The Saturday evening Conference Dinner was enjoyable, relaxing and sparkley. Federation President Elizabeth was heard to remark that 'Wales South is one of the most friendly regions I have visited - you all seem to get on so well together and enjoy yourselves'.
Entertainment was provided by Jenny and Richard, the Two's Company duo who told the life stories of George and Ira Gershwin with songs and music. This couple have raised hundreds of pounds for Breast Cancer Wales to which charity they donate all their performance fees.
Dressed for the occasion, L to R, Janet Waymont, IPP Marilyn Lawrie,
Anne Jones and Federation Executive Councillor Carwen Wynne-Howells
Although most delegates had to leave early on Sunday morning a small group attended the Passion Sunday Service at Holy Trinity Parish Church, Christchurch, Newport. On this special day the service and readings were carried out by members of the congregation, including President Pat.
A final note. More photographs of the conference will appear here during the next few weeks.
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