Soroptimist International Wales South - Federation Conference in Bournemouth 30th October

2nd November 1998

Federation Conference in Bournemouth 30th October - 1st November 1998.

Regional President Marilyn reports...

Marilyn Lawrie

As the incoming President for the region of SI Wales South I have never previously experienced the feelings I had at Bournemouth during the last four days. Firstly, as always, I have a lump in my throat when I see the Flag Ceremony and this was especially touching as it was accompanied by a dancing group from a local school.

The next emotional event is the roll call when one unaccompanied woman from such distant places as Thailand, St Vincent and the Grenadines or Malta stands to receive the applause of the 2000 women assembled under the name of Soroptimism.

The Annual General Meeting was fascinating and most ably chaired by Federation President Jo Darbyshire. SI Wales South will now undertake the training required to take them into the next century implementing the changes to the Constitution.

Waiting in the wings Iris Hopkins and Marilyn Lawrie

I would like to make a suggestion regarding the Change of Insignia Ceremony. For all the women present including on this occasion me, this ceremony was "our big moment". That two-minute appearance flashes by as if in seconds and it would be so nice if a way could be found to make it a little more memorable.

IPP Eva Tyson SI Scotland South sporting unusual headgear with Iris and Marilyn

SI Wales South came up trumps on the night of the celebration dinner when 60 delegates from the region fitted themselves into a family room in the Highcliff Hotel. Squashed and hot it may have been but we did enjoy it. The evening ended with two previous Federation Presidents and their partners enjoying the informality of "coming home to Wales" in Room 117.

The party in Room 117

My thanks to previous regional presidents, Mavis Pryce-Jones, Phyllis Williams, Carwen Wynne-Howells and Anne Jones, together with Honorary Secretary Janet Waymont and Janet Watson, vice-president of SI Milford Haven who gave me tremendous support during the Conference.

It doesn't seem too early to remind you that our Federation's 1999 conference will be in Dublin. And there is frenzied work going on already to prepare for Conference 2000 to be held in Wales' capital city of Cardiff. For me there is a busy year ahead and a lot to achieve.

Regional president Marilyn Lawrie with immediate past president Iris Hopkin.