Guests from Alesund Soroptimist Club
One of the delights of being a Soroptimist is that, as a member, you are welcome at any other Soroptimist Club around the world. Each Club also builds up a network of Friendship Link Clubs. This week we had the pleasure of hosting five Soroptimists from Soroptimist International Ålesund, Norway. Alesund is one of the Clubs within Soroptimist International of Europe. This is the largest of the five Federations of Soroptimist International, comprising some 29,778 women across Europe, the Middle East and the Caribbean.
Arriving midweek they had a busy few days. This started with attended our monthly Club meeting. We enjoyed supper and good conversation. Berit, their Club President, told us about their current projects. Then, on behalf of Alesund Club, Christina. gave us a generous financial donation towards our Club projects.
On Friday they were greeted by the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Annette Mackenzie. Annette is also a member of the Solihull Soroptimist Club.
After a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon we treated our guest to some very British entertainment. Holding a “Skittles and Fish and Chip Supper” evening at Ye Olde Knowle Bowling Club in Dorridge.
Saturday was a visit to the Warwickshire countryside and Charlecote Park, managed by the National Trust. Charlecote is a beautiful 16th-century country house, surrounded by its own deer park, on the banks of the River Avon Wellesbourne. This was beautifully decorated with a seasonal display of handmade pumpkins and gourds around the mansion and in the Victorian kitchen.
What is a Friendship Link?
Clubs form Friendship Links to connect with members in other regions, countries or town. Solihull has links with Clubs in the UK, Norway, Germany, Uganda, the United States of America and St. Vincent & The Grenadines. Find out more here.
The platform of Soroptimism allows common goals and common commitments, including to foster harmony and international understanding. Together link clubs raise voices against inequality and inequity of women. Women across the Federation stand together in times of disaster and violence, and also in celebration.
Friendship Links afford the opportunity for Clubs to highlight the similarities and celebrate the dissimilarities of different cultures in different societies. It becomes a learning curve for visiting Soroptimists, and so a take-off point for better understanding and goodwill.
Want to find out more about Soroptimists and what we do?
Visit our Solihull Club website and you can find us on Facebook and Twitter too. Contact us here and join us at one of our meetings – we meet on the second Thursday of every month. Find out more about other Soroptimist Clubs by going to the SIGBI website here To find out about Soroptimists Worldwide visit the Soroptimist International website here
