Welcome

Soroptimist International of Lancaster is one of 17 clubs in the North West Region.  Our members come from all walks of life.  The club is a very active one, involved in an extensive range of interesting projects locally and internationally.  Our most popular committee is Programme Action which is engaged in a number of projects on a long term basis, e.g. providing support for Lancaster and District Homeless Action Service, Life Education Centres for Lancashire, WaterAid, and creating and supplying story sacks to local primary schools.  We campaign on issues relating particularly to women and girls.

Meetings

We meet twice a month, on the second and fourth Thursdays at 7.30 p.m. in the Conference Room of Central Lancaster High School.  There is a tradition of inviting outside speakers from all walks of life, covering an amazing variety of topics, from the latest on Female Genital Mutilation to "Flying for Life".  Social occasions include a tour of Leighton Hall and afternoon tea, and cheese tasting.

In addition to this, we organise a variety of fundraising social events in the course of each year. Food tends to loom large in many of these events!

Joint Presidents for 2012 - 2013

Mary McCormick and Deirdre Jacks

Both have worked in community projects throughout their lives.  Both have grown up children and enjoy 12 grandchildren between them.

Mary's background is in nursing.  She has a particular interest in travel and "challenging" walking, i.e. Sahara, Himalayas; and is currently in training for the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago. She is planning a sponsored challenge trek to the Lycian Way and Mount Olympos in Turkey later in the year (click here for more information).

Deirdre's background is working with a children's charity, local authority social services and she is latterly working with people with a terminal illness; currently very actively involved in Life Education Centres.

Presidents' message is very simple:

S.I. Lancaster is a particularly friendly club to which we warmly welcome new members.  Our emphasis is on friendship, and involvment in stimulating and worthwhile projects.