Younger women join Soroptimist

Press, 1 July 1985, Page 16

Younger women join Soroptimist

Youth was the theme of Soroptimist International New Zeland South’s annual conference in Christchurch last week-end. An all-girl debating team from Cashmere High School worried over the meaty subject of “More People Should Bite Dogs.” Margaret Clark, organiser of YETI (Youth Expeditions to India) talked about the expedition, and showed slides.

Christchurch club president Mary Holmes becomes New Zealand South president for 1985/86, following Edna Seger, of Ashburton. South Island Soroptimist clubs have had a very successful year, according to publicity officer, Eileen Mars. The Christchurch club is making an on-going project of financial support for an engineering hobby room at Burwood Hospital; Nelson club raised $20,000 from the sale of handmade toys; Invercargill club spearheaded a fundraising effort to buy a dinghy for “Spirit of Adventure”; and the Christchurch area clubs have assisted the Nga E Wha marae on Pages Road, and the proposed youth centre in Worcester Street.

$20,000 has been contributed by all the New Zealand clubs towards Water For Women in Senegal, with another three wells being opened in the year. Though Soroptimist is a non-party-political organisation, three remits will be voted on at conference. One concerns Homosexual Law Reform; the other is on the effect of the proposed Goods and Services Tax on service clubs. The third is about bicycles on the footpaths. Mrs Mars says that the nature of the membership

of Soroptimists Clubs is starting to change, following a relaxation of the categories for admission. “In many groups, younger members are starting to surface,” she said.

Mrs Mars is an enthusiastic advocate for service clubs, and the benefits they bring to the community.

ister, Ann Hercus, says that the book, “What Women Want of the Ministry,” will be used as a major resource document by the Ministry’s permanent head, Mary O’Regan, and staff. Women’s groups wishing to keep in contact with the Ministry may find this is a useful source of ideas. It’s free, so just write to Mary Warnham, Mrs Hercus’ press secretary, for a copy. Women in the ’Bos There was such an enthusiastic response to this National Organisation of Women workshop at the Women’s Decade Festival, that it is to be continued on Wednesday, July 10, at 7.30 p.m. Leaders are Jenny Heal and Judy Waters. Venue: Family Life Education Council, Arts Centre. W.E.L. conference Women’s Electoral Lobby Christchurch branch ‘ co-or-dinators, Paddy Austin and

“Take service clubs out of the community, and the financial loss would be tremendous,” she says. She would like to see a television discussion about all the good things that service clubs do.

Over to you, Liz Grant. Women’s Ministry

Never were so many involved in brainstorming functions and ways that a Ministry should operate than those women who attended the regional Forums for Women late last year.

Now their ideas on what women want of the Ministry; how the Ministry should communicate with women — and vice-versa; whether there should be regional staff and offices; the representation of Maori women — and so on, have been put together into a 43-page book.

The Women’s Affairs Min-

Making it happen

Jenny Lee, attended the Women’s Electoral Lobby national conference in Hamilton, June 28 to 30. They plan to report back to members at the next branch meeting, July 3, 7.30 p.m. at 82 Dover Street.

“With speakers of the calibre of Dr Jane Ritchie, Dorothy Stafford, and Jenny Simpson, and a number of good remits, it promises to be a most interesting conference,” Mrs Austin said. “I am particularly hopeful that we will be able to support Women’s Division of Federated Farmers in their campaign against pornography.” Neighbourhood Support Group kits Kits covering all aspects of setting up a Neighbourhood Support Group are available from the Y.W.C.A., 85 Bealey Avenue. The kits cost 50c. Information in the kit is based on the experiences of groups formed in Auckland.

It also includes an extensive directory of support services operating in Christchurch. Writer for Nairobi The well-known writer and publisher, Christine Cole-Catley, will be covering the Nairobi End-of-Decade Conference in midJuly for the “N.Z. Listener.” After a two-month stay in several African countries, Mrs Cole-Catley will move on to London. She expects to be away for about eighteen months. Courses Baby massage, Hagley House, July 1 and 8, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Being run by a Parents’ Centre tutor. A relaxing, healing way to build bonds between parent and child, to make baby feel beautiful and loved. Baby massage is a traditional Indian practice. Phone Mary, 370-784. Assertiveness Training for Women, six two-hour sessions starting July 17, 7 p.m. to 9 p:m., Y.W.C.A.

Beryl Sweet takes this course, which aims to help you improve your self-con-fidence and develop your communication skills. Phone 63-063.

Women and The Bomb, six sessions starting July 17, 10 a.m. to noon, Christchurch Polytechnic. An opportunity to become informed on the crucial issues of peace, international conflict and nuclear weaponry. With guest speakers and videos. Phone 798-150, ext. 8019.

Women and Health, six sessions starting July 18, < 9.30 a.m. to noon, discussing women’s physical, emotional and psychological health and our health system. A friendly course with guest speakers and lots of oppor- .3 tunity for group discussion. ’ Phone 798-150, ext. 8019. Quote ... if I stand back for a moment I can watch my life disappearing through a hole in the bottom of the sink ... Gilanne Cath. Items for consideration in “Making It Happen” should be addressed to Mrs J. Steincamp, The Press, P.O. Box 1005, Christchurch.