Authored by Company Secretary/Global Executive Director, Deborah Thomas

Soroptimist International recently held its quarterly board meeting with SI President Mariet Verhoef-Cohen Chairing. Directors welcomed Wendy Logan from SISWP to her first SI board meeting; Wendy has recently been appointed as a Director of the company. Minutes of the two previous meetings were approved, actions arising confirmed as complete or in progress and meeting evaluations reviewed.

Reports from President Mariet and Director of Advocacy Beverly Bucur demonstrated the breadth of our organisation’s knowledge and expertise at this years Commission on the Status of Women (CSW, New York) with many of our delegates holding prestigious positions on panels, as experts in their field. We were also delighted that much of our proposed text was included in the outcome document. The board were also updated on the current President Appeal, Women, Water and Leadership which has raised a staggering three hundred and fifteen thousand pounds from the generosity of member donations. The appeal has recently started funding projects in Indonesia post the earthquake disasters, which is the fourth country receiving support from this popular appeal.

Governance Chair, RoseMary Reid continues to ensure that SI documentation is fit for purpose, ensuring the company carries out its activities supported by robust guidelines; during this meeting the SI Bye-Laws were updated, the revised version can be found here  Communications Chair, Dawn Marie Lemonds informed the board of the work being carried out to promote the forthcoming SI Quadrennial Convention in Kuala Lumpur from 19 – 21 July. Next for the Communications Committee will be the formation of a communication strategy to underpin the work of Soroptimist International as the Global Voice for Women.

Progress was reviewed of the developments for the future African Federation, with all Directors congratulating the work of the African Taskforce, Chaired by Mary Muia. Under her guidance the Taskforce have completed much of the preparatory work required to become a Federation; this will be reviewed by the SI Directors at the next board meeting.

The board agreed that SIHQ relocate to a larger, more modern office within the same building as it currently occupies in Cambridge, this will happen in August. In June the archives of Soroptimist International will be transported to The Netherlands to enable SI Procedural Consultant and Archivist, Gerda Huisman to undertake the enormous task of preparing an archive of our activities which will span a number of years. Gerda is keen to recruit helpers, so if you have experience of creation of an archive please do let SIHQ know.

The next board meeting will be held in Kuala Lumpur prior to the Convention, with the Annual General Meeting being held on Thursday 18 July which is open to members. If you would like to attend please register here https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/join-the-si-2019-annual-general-meeting/