My theme for the year is to “inspire action which empowers others” which I think reflects the idealism of Soroptimism. I feel honoured to be at the helm of the Downpatrick and District club, which has been an active and vibrant club over the past seventeen years with its members fulfilling the Soroptimists objectives such as:

• Feeling passionate about something and wanting to make a difference

• Being part of an international organisation

• Making new friends and having fun.

• Putting your skills into practice and looking out for others.

If you read President Maureen’s address in the February SIGBI News you will realise that we are already fulfilling a lot of her suggestions.

You, as members, bring all sorts of skills which are used to support local charities such as PIPS, Marie Curie, Good Morning Down, Women’s Aid, Migrant Help and of course international charities which include Mum for Mums and Project Sierra through fund-raising, advocacy and raising awareness. This incoming year we are being asked to give support to the Maternal Child Health Advocacy International Fund over three years and also the Diamond Education fund. The MCAI is in the December Soroptimist magazine and is an organisation which currently works with the Government in The Gambia on an Education and Leadership programme to improve birth and survival rates amongst its population. A target has been set to raise £100,000 each year over three years. We have also being asked to support the Diamond Education fund which provides bursaries for young people. If we raise £60 the fund will match it, so for each £60 we raise, the fund will match it?)

You will hear a lot this year about the 3E project. This will strive to Educate women and girls to create leaders of tomorrow; Empower women with confidence giving them the ability to achieve their fullest potential Enable opportunities through advocacy and awareness so women and girls can use their skills and confidence as leaders and role models. I want us to be creative and active in developing ideas and initiatives around this theme.

As a club we will continue to focus on events and partnerships for the elimination of violence against women as highlighted in the February SIGBI News.

We will continue to support and promote environmental issues through our membership of Northern Ireland Link. This is something in which I have already been directly involved, and see as an increasingly important part of our work.

So, I am hopeful that through our Programme of events, we will fulfil our aim of inspiring action which will empower others.

I would like to thank immediate past President Bridie McKeating who has given us a wonderful year of leadership. We have this year Maureen Maguire from the Lurgan Branch who is the SIGBI Federation President and in October the International Conference will be held in Belfast, after which Miriam will be Regional President.

So there is plenty going on, I want us all to have a challenging, interesting and enjoyable year and that is my commitment to you.

Maria Duggan

President

Downpatrick & District Soroptimist International