YOU'RE A WHAT?

20 Questions

often asked of Soroptimists

and their answers

1. You're a what?

Soroptimist - it means the best of sisters.

2. What is it?

An organisation of women representing the businesses and professions in the Bedford area. We are part of Soroptimist International, founded in 1924, which has members all over the world. The Bedford club was formed in 1931.

3. Who are the members?

Women who are managers or professionals. Locally, our members are from various branches of business, such as retailing, accountancy and publishing, and from service industries including health, education and social services. Each member represents one aspect of a particular business or profession.

4. What do you do?

Here in Bedford we:

• Meet together regularly
• Run a Housing Scheme for elderly women
• Sponsor a child in the Caribbean
• Help care for the gardens at the Christian Family Care centre
• Raise money for local, national & international charities
• Have a lunch `club' and a breakfast `club'
• Discuss and debate a wide variety of topics of national and international importance, e.g. AIDs, violence against women, protection of minorities
• Take up matters at a local level, e.g. lobby MPs on issues of importance to women
• Have fun

5. What sorts of `issues' do you mean?

Like Soroptimists around the world, we are particularly concerned with:

• health - e.g. prevention of illness, safe motherhood
• education - e.g. literacy
• the environment - e.g. bio-diversity and sustainable development
• economic and social development - e.g. women as entrepreneurs
• human rights and the status of women - e.g. changing negative attitudes
• international goodwill and understanding - e.g. fostering knowledge of different cultures and lifestyles

6. What do you do about these?

Locally, we have seminars, study days and lectures. Similar events are arranged at a regional and national level. We also undertake research on certain topics, e.g. toxic waste disposal. We lobby MPs and others. We contribute our ideas to the national organisation for onward transmission to the international organisation and eventually the United Nations.

7. The United Nations?

Yes. Soroptimist International is a non-governmental organisation with category one status with UNESCO and who. Through our international network of professional women, we are a good source of information about what is happening at local and national levels and provide a method of effecting change universally through local action.

8. How do you function locally?

We have an annually elected executive, which meets several times a year. Each member of the club is also a member of a committee which is concerned with one of the different interest areas described above. The committees meet about three times year and plan the club meetings, fund-raising events and discuss their area of concern, e.g. health, and make proposals to the club on that topic.

9. What about the `fun' part?

Soroptimists are sociable women who enjoy a whole range of activities. Here in Bedford some of us get together for breakfast once a month, others have a lunch. We celebrate 12th Night with a meal in a restaurant, have fund-raising suppers and dessert evenings. In the summer we have `family days'. We also have outings and other social days. When Soroptimists come from abroad, we entertain them royally.

10. Who might they be?

Each Soroptimist club links in friendship with clubs in other countries. We have friendship links with Utrecht, Netherlands; Bamberg, Germany; Manly, Australia; and Colorado Springs and Reedsport, USA. We exchange letters and Christmas cards, attend each others' events and give and take hospitality through individual members.

11. So there are Soroptimists all over the world?

Soroptimist International now has over 95,000 members in 100 countries.

12. Are all the clubs the same?

We all follow the same principles, though we reflect the diversity of the communities from which we come.

13. What principles are those?

The objects of Soroptimism are:

• To maintain high ethical standards in business, the professions and other aspects of life
• To strive for human rights for all people and, in particular, to advance the status of women
• To develop a spirit of friendship and unity among Soroptimists of all countries
• To quicken the spirit of service and human understanding
• To contribute to international understanding and universal friendship

14. How big is your club?

We have 52 members in 1998.

15. Where and when do you meet?

Our club meets on the second and fourth Monday of every month except on Bank holidays and during August. We meet from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at St Andrew's Church Hall, Kimbolton Road, Bedford.

16. Can anyone attend?

We would be happy to see you as a visitor at any of our meetings. Please ring first to make sure that we are not on an outing, though.

17. Can anyone join?

We very much welcome new members. New members must be working and still have three years to go before retirement. Membership is by invitation.

18. How much does it cost?

In 1998, the membership fee is £62 a year. We also pay 50p for each meeting we attend.

19. Why should I join?

Being a Soroptimist connects you to other professional women in the Bedford area, across the United Kingdom and around the world, enabling you to network with women from a wide range of businesses and professions. In addition you will:

• get your voice heard on matters of local, national and international importance
• become involved in service activities
• have opportunities to learn new skills
• widen your circle of friends

20. How can I find out more?

Come to a meeting, phone our Secretary Margaret Blake on 01234 356303

    or our representative on 01767 627626

    or mail us at Soroptimists@northill.demon.co.uk

You may also contact our headquarters at:

    127 Wellington Road South, Stockport SK1 3TS, Tel: 0161 480 7686