A key part of any convention is the Change of Insignia, where we thank our past Directors and President for all their hard work and dedication and welcome new position holders. Martyna Wykrota provides us with the running of events below. 

Soroptimist International (SI) President Maureen Maguire presented SI Immediate Past President Sharon Fisher, with her Past SI President pin.

Sharon served as SI President for the 2020 – 2021 biennium and is a member of SI of the Langley’s in Western Canada Region.  Sharon is a charter member of her club established in 1986, so has been a member for 37 years. Her President’s Appeal ‘Road to Equality’ permanently influenced the lives of women and girls globally.

SI President Elect Siew Yong Gnanalingam was sadly unable to be with us in Dublin, therefore the Immediate Past President pin was presented to Maureen Maguire by Sharon Fisher.

Maureen is serving as President for the current biennium, 2022 to 2023 therefore she will wear the Immediate Past President pin from the 1^st of January next year, 2024. Maureen has been a Soroptimist since 1989 and is a member of SI Portadown, Northern Ireland. Her President’s Appeal ‘Opening Doors to a Bright Future’ continues to Educate, Empower and Enable.

Beverly (Bev) Bucur was presented with her Past Director of Advocacy pin by SI President Maureen Maguire.

Bev served as the Director of Advocacy for 2 biennium’s: 2018 to 2019 and 2020 to 2021. Bev is still a member of the Global Policy Team, currently appointed as an Advocacy Advisor. Bev is a member of SI Illiana in the Chicago area, where she has been a member since 1993. Bev advocacy work is fundamental to SI.

Kathy King, SI’s current Treasurer, was presented with her Past Treasurer pin by SI President Maureen.

Kathy has served as Soroptimist International Treasurer for two biennium’s; since 2020 to 2021 and 2022 until the end of this year, 2023. Kathy is a member of SI Klamath Falls in Oregon; she joined in January 1989, which means she has been a Soroptimist for 34 years!

SI President Maureen Maguire gave her condolences to President Elect Siew Yong Gnanalingam at the passing of her husband, reflecting on his achievements and sending the Gnanalingam family love and support during this difficult time.

Deborah Thomas, the Global Executive Director, introduced us to the Treasurer and Director of Advocacy for our next biennium, Wendy Logan from New Zealand and Leigh Ellwood Brown from Australia.

Kathy King, SI’s current Treasurer presented Wendy Logan with the SI Treasurer pin. Wendy is from New Zealand where she is a member of the Nelson Club which she joined 41 years ago. She has been working closely with Kathy to prepare for her upcoming role.

Bev Bucur presented Leigh Ellwood Brown with the Director of Advocacy pin. Although Leigh is already serving as Director of Advocacy, she did not receive her pin at the start of her term, due to the pandemic. Leigh is a member of SI Brisbane, joining as a Charter member of SI South Pine in 1980, making her a member for 43 years.