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S.I. DOWNPATRICK AND DISTRICT PAC REPORT MARCH 2011 – MARCH 2012 ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT • Collection of unwrapped Christmas presents for Women’s Aid for women, teenagers and children – ongoing. EDUCATION • Nov 11 –Club heat of the Public Speaking Competition • One of our members is School Governor for Knockevin Special School. • Sept 2011 – Carbon Footprint Leaflet sent to Education Committee in Stormont on behalf of the Region. • Feb 12 club accepted to “gift” 26 books on World Book Night in April 12, to encourage the love of reading, in partnership with Homestart. HEALTH • Ongoing services: Marie Curie Volunteer Support,-Volunteer Counsellor for CRUSE, -Aromatherapy for Children, -Pastoral Care Visits Presbyterian Church, -Riding for the Disabled, Volunteer driver for Down Community Transport. • Singing/playing in community folk group and cross community folk choir to raise funds for charities, or to entertain groups of older people or people with mental health problems. • Oct 11 We hosted a fashion show to raise money for Marie Curie (£1000) and Soroptimist charities (£600) ENVIRONMENT • Ongoing services: Birdwatch Wetlands monthly Survey,-RSPB Garden Birdwatch, -Recycling at Christmas of cards for Woodland Trust and postage stamps for RNLI, RNLI Flag Day , Mobile phone collection and recycling for Water Aid. • Carbon Footprint Leaflet sent to Environment Committee in Stormont on behalf of the Region. Also leaflets distributed at a Baglady ASAP 2012 “Sustainability” event in Ballymena in January. • Our President Elect has joined the Environmental Link on behalf of our Club and the Region. She has attended several events including “Moving up a gear” about electric cars, Impact of climate change and the Launch of the NI chapter of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment. • A member took part in a “Beach Clean” organised by Lecale Conservation Group. HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE STATUS OF WOMEN • Members attended several events on Human Trafficking including the launch of the Blue Blindfold Campaign and the Purple Teardrop workshop run by Newry Soroptimists. All members signed the Purple Teardrop petition to the UK Govt to ban the advertising of sexual services, and most have taken copies to gain signatures from friends/colleagues/ church groups etc. We have also purchased Purple Teardrop lapel pins for our own members to buy and to sell elsewhere. • Spring/summer 2011 - distribution by club members of 40 Blue Blindfold Posters to local Public Buildings • Jan 12 - We hosted an open club meeting to raise local awareness about Human Trafficking which was attended by representatives from Down District Council, the Policing Partnership, WI, Homestart, Amnesty International and Social Work students. About 40 people attended and the speakers were Det Supt Philip Marshall from the serious crimes squad and Roger McVicker from Migrant Help. Excellent response and certainly raised awareness. • March 12 - Two members attended the International Women’s Day event run by Down Council to celebrate the achievements of women. This was also an opportunity to circulate the Purple Teardrop petition and posters. • Ongoing services: Women’s Aid Centres collection of toiletries/bed linen etc. INTERNATIONAL GOODWILL AND UNDERSTANDING • Ongoing services: Downpatrick Property Trust, International Fund for Ireland. LOBBYING • Three members attended the consultation on Strengthening Women’s Voices in Government and drew up a response on behalf of the club. We now receive regular updates on Women’s Engagement from the Govt Equality Office, which is distributed to all members.. DONATIONS AND CHARITIES • Book Aid International donation via NIPAC, proceeds from Club bookswap at September meeting. • Mar 11- Benevolent Fund- £1 paid each time member forgot to wear badge at club events/meetings – ongoing. • Sept 11 – donations to PIPs suicide awareness and Homestart from members doing sponsored 9 mile walk at Belfast Marathon event. • Second hand book stall raised £120 for Cancer Research. • Mums for Mums – £90 donated from collection at club “cook in”, May 11. Donation to be given in April 12 from money raised at Fashion Show. • March 12 – Members contributing items for a Fair Trade hamper to be raffled at the March Regional meeting, proceeds to club funds.
Jill Pepperell PAC SI Downpatrick and District March 2012 |
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