Day 6
This morning we
heard from
Hilary Ratcliffe and Anusha
Santhirasthipam regarding
Programme Focus 2011-2015. Immediate
Past President Margaret Lobo gave her
report as did President Hanne Jensbo and
President-Elect Alice Wells.
Several MWR members attended the SI
facebook
friends lunch. It was so great to
meet women that we have been chatting with
online. Pretty cool to have a face
to face
conversation. I always considered myself a
24-7 Soroptimist but some of these ladies
work more than
one job, hold office in their
clubs and are doing phenomenal work on
programs in their communities. Some also
add
other community work and children to the mix.
Next time I think I can’t accomplish something
I
will think of my new found friends.
Two series of
workshops filled the remaining
hours of the afternoon. We then had a short
visit with Director Vivian before heading
back
to the hotel-yes, via the metro.
Tonight’s
activities included a wonderful dinner
at the hotel followed by a walk and discovery of
a secret garden. A loud
noise drew us to the window
a little while ago. We are on the 23rd floor. Fireworks!
Our bags our packed and we’re
ready to go….The
convention wraps up tomorrow, however our chariot
leaves in the afternoon. Au voir Montreal!
--Governor-elect Missie
Day 5
Shortly after
arriving at the
convention center we spied
PR Chair Helen engaged in
conversation with a woman from the
chat line.
It was very easy to sneak up and snap. YEA!
A photo of Helen without her camera!!
Speaking of the chat line; we had the
opportunity to meet Chris
Knight. She
was the initial email poster for Marion
as she travelled through Ohio. Now several
of us have
found a dear friend from the Isle
of Man. Chris was working in the Project
Sierra booth and we purchased
items to
support the program and picked up current
information to share at district meetings.
Today’s themes are Women as Role Models
in Arts, Entertainment
and Media; Women
as Role Models in Commerce and
Entrepreneurship; and Women as Leaders
in Health, Sciences
and Sports. International
Project Liaison Alison Sutherland presented
an update on Project Sierra. Report
form SI
Europe was given by Federation President
Eliane Lagasse and Report from SI of the
Americas by Federation
President Sharon
Fisher. The reports ended with a heartfelt
message and thank you from the five governors
from Japan for the support for their members.
All the reports and daily news will be posted
on the SI Convention
website.
Fun today included a carriage ride tour
of
Old Montreal. The horse’s name was Sparkles
and the driver was full of knowledge of the
area. The
Ohio girls showed the Michigan
girls how to use the subway. Then the four
of us went to dinner and searched out
the
underground shopping. We walked so
much we ended up back at the convention
center and a second trip on
the train.
--Governor-elect Missie
Day 4
The country girls from Ohio learned
how to use the subway!
What a new experience.
There is
a station under our hotel and two
stops away we get off at the convention center.
We have met up with a few
more members
from Midwest Region and continue making friends
from other clubs. The exchange of ideas is absolutely
fantastic. The activities today included two inspiring
keynote speakers this morning after President
Hanne’s
opening remarks. Federation reports were given by
President Yvonne Simpson of SI South West
Pacific and President Liz Morgan-Lewis from SI
Great Britain & Ireland. Eleven workshops were
scheduled
for the afternoon. Look for MWR members
workshop experiences in an upcoming issue of the
Vision.
This evening MWR members gathered for dinner
together. It is so
nice to share experiences and
laughs with our friends. It has been our experience
here that restaurants are in
no hurry so we had
plenty of time to visit. During dinner it started
pouring rain, the first since we have
been here.
--Governor-elect Missie
Montreal:
Day 2 7/9/11
The meetings today are
at the Sheraton. We walk
the couple of blocks and
admire some of
the old churches in the area.
The morning session was the last Board meeting
with President Hanna. We heard from
the Program
team led by Dawn Marie Lemmonds. Program
Voting delegates and silent observers were
randomly
broken into groups to work on Goals and
objectives for 2011-15.
These were real democracy groups in
action. --
So many world views and opinions working
together. It was an opportunity to learn and
grow
at the same time representing our members
in our region. After lunch, the first board
meeting for Soroptimist International
2011-2013
biennium was held. The Programme Goals for the
quadrennium 2011-15 that we had worked on in the
morning were discussed, voted on and passed.
President Alice unveiled the President’s December
10
appeal. An amazing program that will be a
Soroptimist International project. Project Director
Allison presented
updates on Project Sierra.
A reception was held at City Hall in Old Montreal
with greetings from local government
officials, tourism,
and director of the convention center. The event
was held on the stone terrace under a white
canopy
surrounded by planters of bright flowers. Already in
Old Montreal we decided to have dinner.Rocky
Mountain
Region Governor Jann Fitts and Gov-elect
Johnnie Jenkins, North Eastern Region Governor Sara
Nichols, and Marion
and Allan Bolam from SI of
Douglas, Isle of Man, British Isles joined us.
It was a very enjoyable evening
of conversation.
Our friends took taxis to
their hotels and we
decided to walk. The area was quite busy and
it was a longer walk than what we had anticipated.
The weather has been very nice with a light breeze.
It was quite a late night.
Day 3 7/10/11
Slow start to the day with nothing pressing
until the afternoon.Our
first stop was a payless
shoe store. Our comfy (so we thought) footwear
is just not appropriate for all our walking.
With
that task done we stopped for brunch.On the menu
everything is served with “Susie Q’s”.
To me that
is a chocolate hoho type cake. Here they are very
thin curly fries. Yes, even served with breakfast.
Registration was at 2pm at the convention center.
We ran into MWR member Fran Ingram as she
volunteered at registration; Kathy Stiffel is also a
volunteer.After
we registered we visited the sales
room and members lounge. With a little time to
pass we headed out for another
stroll. China Town
captured our attention for a bit before returning to
the convention center.
The opening ceremony for the 19th SI Convention
was presided over by SI Past President Margaret
Lobo. The flag
ceremony and welcome speeches
were inspiring. It was announced women from
60 countries were present for the opening.
The
theme for this conference is “Women: Leaders in
Civil Society”. Our own Bev Bucur was the
reporter for the session.
A walk
back to the hotel for a burger and we call
it an early night.
--Governor-elect Missi
07/08/11.
Montreal: Day 1
Our adventure to Montreal
has begun! It is early morning and
raining as we made
our way to the
Columbus airport. We made it successfully
through security; well kind of. One of
us
was selected for the “random” body screening.
Then we await our chariot to take
us to our
destination.
Three airports, and a zooming taxi ride we arrive
at the Marriott Montreal
Chateau Champlain
about 8 hours later. True to Soroptimist form
we have about a half hour to clean up and
get ready to attend our first event. Director
Vivian and Treasurer Kathy stopped by and
welcomed
us and caught us up to date on the
happenings of the board meetings.
A social hosted by SIA President Sharon
was our first stop of the evening. No one
was a stranger and the conversations
flowed throughout the room
sprinkled
with laughter and hugs. We then went
to dinner together with new friends and
old. The conversations
were sprinkled
with songs led by SI President Hanne
and President-elect Alice.
We had the opportunity to sit with
several governors from Founders
region,
Desert Coast and Tiawan.
South West Pacific Federation
President Yvonne and Secretary
Anne both from New
Zealand
also joined us. It was great to
share ideas and form friendships.
It is 10:30 and someone
is asleep
already. :) Wonder what we will
get into tomorrow?
--Governor-Elect Missie
