Welcome to SI Denbigh, Ruthin and District
The word ‘Soroptimist’ comes from the Latin ‘soros’ meaning ‘sister’ and ‘optima’ meaning ‘best’ so we interpret it as ‘best of women’.
Soroptimist International is a non-profitmaking, non-political, non-religious organisation for women – although membership is now also open to men!
There are 72,000 members worldwide in 121 countries. Our Region is called Cheshire, North Wales & Wirral (CNWW) with a Regional Office in Stockport. Countries with clubs include GB., Ireland, Malta, the Caribbean, Asia, USA and Europe. Nationally we are Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland (SIGBI). We all work at local, national and international level to educate, empower and enable women and girls by using our networks to deliver projects relevant in our own localities as well as universally. We advocate for human rights and gender equalities and, at the heart of Soroptimist International’s advocacy, is its work across 7 United Nation centres where our U.N. representatives ensure that the voices of women and girls are heard. Soroptimist International also has a voice in the World Health Organisation.
The first Club was chartered in Oakland, California, in 1921 so is still to celebrate its Centenary – this having been delayed due to Covid. Our Club was chartered on 23.03.1953 and we celebrate our 70th Anniversary next year.
As well as our Regional President there is an International President who visits countries where there are Soroptimist Clubs.
There are world-wide Annual Conferences – the next one for SIGBI is in Belfast in October.
A Soroptimist can attend any Club Meeting throughout the world by previous announcement to the Club concerned.
We have an excellent Residential Club in Bayswater, London, within easy walking distance of Marble Arch.
Denbigh, Ruthin & District’s current annual membership fee is £75 per member – this is reviewed annually and covers a contribution of approximately £50 per member to Head Office to cover staff salaries, insurances, President’s travel etc. The remaining £25 from each membership fee goes towards the running of our Club i.e. meeting room costs, speaker fees, donations, various levies etc.
Denbigh, Ruthin & District Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month in Ruthin Castle Hotel at 11.00 a.m.
Instead of a Charter Dinner we hold a more informal Friendship Lunch annually. This year’s Lunch will be held in Tweedmill on Saturday, 8th October, at 12 noon.
Each President chooses the charities which they would like the Club to support during their year. Apart from a President other vital Officers are Secretary, Treasurer and Programme Action Officer – these must all be in place for a Club to continue to operate. Other Officers cover Membership, Minutes, Dinner, Website, Media/Publicity and Regional. We have Friendship Lunch Co-Ordinators, a Friendship Lunch Committee and a Fundraising/Social Committee. All Officers serve for a term of 12 months and are re-elected or retire at our A.G.M. held each April.
If you would like to meet women from other walks of life with different skills, put something back into your community, diversify your knowledge, use your skills and talents in a different context as well as making new friends and having fun then come and join us!!
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact our Membership Officer Mair Jones on 01978 860900 or on mairjones@talktalk.net
All information correct on 02.08.22
Soroptimists