A World of Friends - Jan 29, 2022
Soroptimist International Friends and Friendship Links
Submitted by Jaynne Carr, SI Edmonton
Many thanks to WCR Governor Suzanne, Friendship Chair Darlene Jamieson and Zoom host Colleen Penrowley for organizing such an awesome event. Hilary Laidler spoke about designing her beautiful President’s Appeal pins that have supported so many appeals and Kate Moore outlined the 25 year history and amazing stories of the Chatline.
For SIEdmonton it was a delight that members of two of our friendship Link Clubs, SIDnepropetrovsk and SIBath were able to attend and share in this amazing inaugural event. President Nataliya from SIDnepropetrovsk sent us some of her screenshots (below) and shared a little about her club. Other club members were also on the zoom and together expressed their appreciation for being invited and the heartfelt supportive wishes coming their way.
We have been Friendship Link Clubs since 2015. A few years ago we enjoyed watching a Christmas concert performed at an orphanage that SIDnepropetrovsk supports in Eastern Ukraine as one of their projects. Diane Steel from SIBath was also very pleased to have attended these presentations and the event itself.
SIEdmonton is honoured to have several long standing formal and informal Friendship Links with Soroptimist clubs in all Five Federations. Over the years we have exchanged correspondence, program information and gifts. Wonderful opportunities to meet in person at Soroptimist Conferences and Conventions or arranged travel connections are the best!
Lunch with Michiko, SI Nayoro, Japan and our newest, SI Albany, Western Australia
SIEdmonton and SI Bath have been Friendship Link Clubs for over 30 years. Members of our two clubs have meet in person in San Francisco, Istanbul and Kuala Lumpur. One year two members from SIBath were on a cross Canada tour by train and we were delighted to be able to entertain them on their stopover in Edmonton for several days with a dinner in their honour, luncheons and side trips based on their hobbies of history and birdwatching.
We hope that once again our two clubs and our other Friendship Link Clubs (SI Nayoro, SI Albany, SI Saitama, SI Budapest, SI Tororo, and SI Dnepropetrovsk will be able to meet in person - next time in Dublin! And of course, our international Soroptimist friends the world over. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
In the meantime, Zoom calls such as the one on Jan 29th, 2022 will connect us worldwide!