From 10-12 July, the Soroptimist International of Europe Governors’ Meeting brought together 175 Soroptimists in Copenhagen, Denmark.Governors from across the Federation, representing countries from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, gathered to discuss major issues, share experience and take key decisions. They were joined by representatives of Single Clubs (those based in countries with fewer than 7 clubs, which therefore do not have a national Union or Governors), delegates of other Soroptimist federations and Soroptimist International President Ann Garvie and President-Elect Yvonne Simpson. International President Ann Garvie reports here from the event.

I attended
Soroptimist International of Europe’s (SIE)
Governors Meeting at the generous invitation of President Ulla and the Federation’s Board.  The three
days of meeting were intense for the delegates and the Board, but a credit to
all who participated and for every activity and proposals which were showcased. You can visit SIE’s web site  to learn more about the agreed future activity
of the Federation but I shall give you a flavour of exciting initiatives.  

The first
day of the two day formal Governors meeting commenced with the poignancy of the
candle lighting ceremony. I was privileged to be invited to light the first
candle for Soroptimist International. 

Membership – the backbone of Soroptimist International

President
Ulla’s address followed and focused on the bottom up Membership Consultation,
55% (19000) SI club members, and 23 out of 24 Unions responded. Membership is the backbone
of our organisation; the focus for SIE will be growing for the future and the need to
adjust for new women.

The reasons people give for leaving the organisation include:-

• Ageing and economic constraints
• Conflict within Clubs
• Low visibility

The reasons
for remaining members include:-

• Strong friendship
• Project work

SIE is in
good condition despite the fall in membership; the Federation will focus on
membership recruitment. There are
more than 4000 outstanding projects; by working together we can make a greater
difference.

The
membership consultation has illustrated major challenges and highlighted the
need to share good practice which gets results so that SIE can replicate
membership growth, which is essential for a strong organisation. The number of
members and the number of Clubs is a critical indicator of the vitality of the
organisation.   

It’s vital to recruit
younger members but without losing focus on professional
women; to recruit strategically, involve public figures and emphasise professional networking more as a tool. We should focus on projects and networking and ask the younger generation what
they expect from Soroptimism.

Harnessing new technology

The
interface with technology was acknowledged as being critical for the
facilitation of good communication, Facebook and Twitter, for example. The development of
the interactive map showing SIE projects links the countries of the Federation, and illustrates collaborative Club
working. All Programme Focus Reports (PFRs) are on the interactive
map, members’ projects are finally available for all Clubs and the world to see.
The PFRs are now available for completion in 9 different languages. 

SIE has completed their own Federation database, which facilitates the completion of
Programme Focus Reports, which is highly professional both internally and
externally, raising the profile of the Federation. Members must share
information and must pass information on to prospective new members and
partners. Working as a team will energise the organisation. 

Another initiative shared at the meeting was the
brainchild of SIE’s The Link magazine Editor Christine Cromwell-Ahrens

  was the launch of the Photographic
Competition “With Your Eyes Only” in two categories:-

• Women and Girls for a Healthy Environment
• Women and Girls Stop Wasting

The
photographs were outstanding visit SIE’s web site to view the winning pictures.

We must be more strategic about communication, have a dynamic online presence, add younger faces, be more open to
other organisations and the general public, reach out, offer our expertise, and
improve visibility through conferences, regional events for external audiences.

Local, national and international advocacy

Programme and advocacy embodies the ‘raison d’être’ of our organization, reflecting the commitment of our members to improve, in collaboration and in friendship, the lives and status of women and girls. 
We heard about the introduction of the Advocacy
Newsletter and the bottom up approach, embracing first hand experiences from
Clubs and members. Speakers urged Clubs and members to use the Federation’s statements
and positioning to let people know the Federation’s thinking on issues.
Advocacy is the force to promote the organisation’s vision and mission, to embrace
action and team effort. 

A major and
significant announcement was the establishment of a Federation Project
“Fighting Violence Against Women & Girls” across Europe, the Middle East
and Africa and including the establishment of an Advisory Council, all in
response to CSW 58. Visit www.girleffect.org

Celebrating and Sharing Best Practice

The Best
Practice awards were announced from 113  submissions; here are the winners in each category:

Educate, increase access to formal and
non-formal learning opportunities

• Construction
  of a school and related infrastructure in the village of Foura, Mali by Soroptimists
  from Bamako Espoir (Mali) & Burgdorf, Langenthal and Ragaz (Switzerland)

Economic Empowerment, increased access to
economic empowerment

• The winner
  “Cavezzo 5.9 by Soroptimists from the Union of Italy

Eliminate violence against women and
girls

• Protected courtrooms for minors by Soroptimists from the Union of Italy

Ensure women and girls have access to the
highest attainable standard of health care

• Support for neonatal unit in Lome by Soroptimists from Lome Aurore, Togo

Environment address the specific needs of women
and girls by improving environmental sustainability

• Botanical garden by Soroptimists from Antananarivo Mandrosoa Madagascar

The Project of the Year was awarded
to the Union of Italy, who have set up 56 Protected Courtrooms for Minors

Finance and Constitution

The
Treasurer Anne Marie from Belgium was re-elected for a further two years. The Finance
Team emphasised the importance of transparency, creative and professional discussion
and sound accounting and auditing practice. The Soroptimist International Audit
committee is an illustration of good collaborative working by the four
Federations.

The
Constitution Chair Renata and her team guided the governors through several
constitutional amendments; each point was explained and voted upon. Chair
Renata explained that SIE can only make constitutional changes every 6 years, a
leaner constitution gives flexibility and freedom to
customise Union and Club constitutions. Tasks will be incorporated into
Bylaws and permission was sought to construct a new constitution and Bylaws by
2016; this authority was granted.

I
congratulate the Federation it was an excellent Governors’ Meeting, robust
preparation and comprehensive debate and discussion. 

Federation President Ulla’s report from the meeting