5 - 7 April 2002
Regional Friendship and Study Weekend held at Aberavon Beach Hotel
Kate Moore, Regional President of Cheshire, North Wales & Wirral attended the weekend and later emailed a report to members of the Soroptimist International official Chat Line. She has very kindly given her permission for a shortened version to appear on this website.
Friday 5 April
Regional President Meg warmly welcomed us immediately we put in our first appearance and we quickly met friends both old and new. I believe this is the first occasion the Regional President from Cheshire, North Wales & Wirral has attended a Wales South study weekend. I and my companion Dorothy Cartwright (Region Extension and Membership Officer and former Regional President) were treated as Honoured Guests, looked after and hosted at all times, nothing was too much trouble to ensure we were happy and had everything we needed.
The conference theme was 'Tomorrows Woman'. In her welcome in the Programme, President Meg said that she hoped 'the few days together would kindle the spirit of friendships, make new friends and renew acquaintances'. She added that she hoped the speakers would reflect their professional significance in the responsible positions they held and the influence women can make.
The after dinner speaker was Veronica O'Dea, a local woman who, following University, entered H.M. Prison Service. After further studies and working at different levels in The Prison Service she is now Governor at Swansea Prison - a prison for male offenders. Her address was seemingly without detailed notes, just a talk 'off the cuff'' with a fascinating, interesting and entertaining presentation. Veronica is definitely a woman in a man's world, has considerable charm, an inordinate amount of ability and is definitely one of 'Tomorrows Women'.
(Windblown) Weekend personalities L to R – RP Meg Edwards, FP Lynn Dunning, Ann Lloyd, Carwen Wynn Howells, Dr Olwen Williams
Saturday 6 April
Carole John, President SI Port Talbot, welcomed delegates and gave a background history of ‘Aberafon’ - a Roman settlement on the bank of the river which eventually became Port Talbot in 1921.
The first address of the Conference was given by Federation President Lynn Dunning. Lynn is proving herself to be an outstanding President and listening to her again as she spoke about ‘Women in the Future’ was no exception. She is truly inspirational.
The second speaker was Ann Lloyd, the Director of the National Health Service for Wales, accountable to the Minister of Health and Social Services in the Welsh Assembly - a huge job with massive responsibility. I actually forget the size of the budget Ann manages, but it is billions rather than millions!
The final speaker prior to lunch was Dr Olwen Williams, Consultant in Genito-Urinary Medicine at the Wrexham Maelor Group of hospitals in North Wales and recognised as one of the foremost experts in her field. She works with SIAM Care and has recently recorded several TV programmes on HIV / AIDS.
Olwen’s subject was HIV and AIDS in Women - 'A Global Perspective'. Olwen took us through the world situation - especially in Africa and Thailand where she has worked – followed by information regarding the UK and Wales in particular. This pandemic affects us all, and according to our expert whole countries could be wiped out if action is not taken soon.
Some facts to consider.
- In sub Saharan Africa, 28.1 million people are infected, equating to 55% of the population.
- 95% of those infected live in developing countries.
- There are 13 million HIV/AIDS orphans in the world.
- World wide 65 million have been infected, 23 million have died, leaving a balance of 40 million living with it.
- We are 7-10 years from vaccination.
Before lunch, Gabrielle Dudley President SI Carmarthen presented a cheque to Federation President Lynn for the ‘Limbs for Life’ Appeal. This is the second very generous contribution made by SI Carmarthen in the past year.
SI Carmarthen President Gabrielle Dudley with FP Lynn Dunning
Saturday afternoon
Helen Murdoch the Regional President Elect for Wales South had organised study workshops for the afternoon session. The theme was Fun, Focus and Friendship “Imagine the Impossible - Create the Reality”. This follows the challenge set by Federation President Lynn and will also be the theme of our Federation Conference in Glasgow in October.
Workshop 1
- Discuss the realistic ideas to retain new members and keep them motivated - provision of dynamics, induction programme.
- How can this be achieved?
Workshop 2
- Discuss how you would wish to develop Club meetings in the future to meet the needs of all club members.
- What systems do we need in the club to support our ideas?
- Who would be responsible?
Workshop 3
- Explore the links between Annual Club Programme and Programme Focus areas, and discuss how we can focus on the outcomes and results to ensure actions make a difference.
Workshop 4
- Explore the opportunities within your club to develop effective communication
- How do we communicate?
- What is the purpose?
- How can we do it better?
Hard work, but we spent the afternoon truly focussed, having fun and in friendship, but working together aiming to create reality.
Saturday evening
After dinner we were entertained by the granddaughter of a local Soroptimist. Miss Laura Jayne Thomas was accompanied by Richard John. Both of these extremely talented young people are students at the Royal College of Music in London, and are making their name in the music world.
At the close of the evening, I took the opportunity to thank President Meg and all the members of her Region for the warmth of their welcome, their friendship and for the wonderful way they had looked after both Dorothy and myself. It was a weekend of true Soroptimist friendship.
Sunday morning
Members of SI Port Talbot provided transport to join Morning Communion at St Catherine's Church, Baglan. Nothing could have proved a better end to this superb weekend than to attend the service and join in with all the Welsh voices as they sang "Guide me oh thou great Redeemer"!
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