AT THE recent AGM of Soroptimist International members reflected on another successful year.

Jackie Memory, joint chair of the Programme Action Committee with Pat Salt, reported that the club had undertaken a wide variety of activities which reflected the goals and objectives identified by Soroptimist International for Programme Focus for all the project work.

Some projects were reliant on fundraising to support causes such as Breast Cancer Awareness, the Welsh Heritage Schools’ Initiative, the Malarchi Trust and the president’s charity - the Cardiff Institute for the Blind.

One new initiative undertaken by the club was working in conjunction with KIVA to offer loans to assist a woman in Nicaragua, Vietnam, Azerbaijan, Uganda and Kyrgyzstan. Other projects reported on were established activities in the club - knitting chicks for the Velindre chick campaign and the Jackson Bay beach survey for the Marine Conservation Society which is now in its 19th year.

An increasing number of projects this year were service based - a reading buddy scheme at High Street school, the FAST project, Sixth Form interviews at Bryn Hafren Comprehensive and supporting Atal Y Fro by donating items for the Refuge.

In addition to these activities, the Human Trafficking project, donation of books to the new library at Golau Caredig, support of the Vale Foodbank, the Christmas Tree Festival and awarding of the Soroptimist Cup to a student in Bryn Hafren, were all represented in a display at Barry library during the month of March.

Programme action has continued to be very much at the heart of the club’s activities, and has been undertaken with great enthusiasm throughout the year.

Often the best way the club can help charities is with money and almost £2,500 was raised at various fundraising activities including a Sing-Along Sound of Music, Christmas Table Decorations Masterclass, Clothes Swap Evening and Fashion Show. This money was donated to charities locally, nationally and internationally, including £500 to the president’s charity - Cardiff Institute for the Blind.

In her outgoing speech president Jeni thanked all members for helping her have such an amazing year. Everyone had contributed in some way and she felt there had been “something for everyone”.

She thanked the team leaders for all the amazing events they had organised and was particularly grateful to all those members who had helped organise the transfer to the new meeting place, the Constitutional Club in Sully. She was also grateful for the support she had from family and friends to enable her to “make this journey”.

Incoming president, Clare Hart, thanked Jeni for all her hard work and said she had shown kindness and consideration to everyone. Good things come in threes and this is the third time Clare has been club president.

She reflected on the fact that since her last presidency in 1998/9 many clubs in the region had closed, whereas their club was going from strength to strength, attracting new members each year. She was delighted that the club was renowned for its friendship and hospitality and she felt that friendship was at the heart of its success.

This support was no more apparent than when a member faced adversity, perhaps through illness or a bereavement. Working together, she said, they have an identity and a voice with the capacity to make changes for the better as well as having fun.

Clare lives in Barry with her partner Alun, and has two stepsons, Daniel and Steffan. She is a senior partner in the law firm Robertsons, which has offices in Barry and Cardiff.

Clare’s first official duty was to install Pat Salt, a retired teacher from Barry, as vice president.

This gave her particular pleasure as the vice president’s badge of office is a comparatively new addition to the club’s insignia and was designed by her father.

To find out more visit sigbi.org/barry-and-district.