REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT.
2002-2003
Aine Brady (Click
to C.V.) was inaugurated as National President, Soroptimist
International in Oct. 2002 at Federation Congress, Glasgow.
(Click to photos). Also
inaugurated at that Congress was Joan Smith, S.I. Bangor, as
Federation President and Marie Hoey, S.I. Lurgan as Regional
President, Northern Ireland. Aine is a past president of S.I.
North Kildare and was well supported throughout her year in
office by her club, who held a welcome home party for her in
the Kildare Hotel and Country Club to mark her elevation to
National President.
To coinside with Aine's year as National President,
the North Kildare club sponsored the National Project which
was 'Fundraising for the Special Olympics 2003' which was launched
in April, 2002 at a lunch in Manzor's of Clane, by the Minister
for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, T.D. and Denis O'Brien, Chairperson
of the Special Olympics. Aine was also present at Donadea Forest,
Sept. Co. Kildare, Sept. 2002, for the launch of the 'National
Walk' for the 'Special Olympics, 2003' by the Mayor of Clane,
Dessie Marron. This was followed by 'walks' and other fundraising
events organised by soroptimists clubs throughout the country.
(Click to National Project Page)
Aine endevoured to attend as many club functions as possible.
In Oct. 2002 she attended a reception held by
S.I. Naas Newbridge to raise funds for the 'Special Olympics'.
In Feb, 2003 she attended a club meeting in Mullingar and the
National Association 'out of town' meeting hosted by the Athlone
club , also the opening of the Carers Respite Break in Cork
by the Minister for Health Michael Martin, T.D. (Click
to Carers Photograph). She attended the Regional Finals
of the Public Speaking competition in Maynooth Post Primary
School, Co. Kildare.
In March, Aine attended a lunch in Hillsborough
as a guest of the Northern Ireland, Regional President, Marie
Hoey, and she also attended the joint lunch in Limerick by the
Limerick and Ennis clubs. In March, she hosted the National
Final of the Public Speaking Competition in Cork and in April
waved goodbye at Shannon Airport to the 16 finalists accompanied
by four soroptimists who were attending the European Parliament
in Strasburg as part of their prize. (Click
to photos). She also attended in April, the 40th. anniversary
lunch of the Enniskillen club and also a club lunch in Ballina.
A very pleasant task in April at the Berkley Court Hotel, Dublin
, in the presence of Minister for State for Overseas Developement,
Tom Kitt, T.D. was the presentation of a cheque by National
President, Aine, for 115,000 euro to John Gallagher, Chairperson,
Fundraising Committee, Special Olympics, 2003, the result of
the National Project. (Click
to photos)
The joint North South Conference hosted by Marie
Hoey, Regional President, Northern Ireland was held in May,
2003 in Newcastle, Co. Down and was attended by Aine who was
given a very special welcome by Marie Hoey as were all the North
Kildare members who travelled with her. (Click
to photos) In May, Aine also attended a lunch held by the
Letterkenny Club. Unfortunately, due to family commitments,
Aine was unable to attend the Soroptimists International Congress
in Sydney, Australia, in July, but she was ably represented
there by the National President Elect.
Aine's Friendship Weekend is in Sept, 2003 at
the Johnstown House, Enfield, Co. Kildare to which all clubs
are invited (Click to programme
and photographs) and in October she attends the Federation
Congress in Belfast where with the change of Insignia she hands
over to her successor.
Aine has received great support from her National
Secretary, Kitty Manzor and all of the North Kildare Club members.
She has put a lot of work into her year as National President.
Her mission statement has been 'making a difference' and she
certainly has made a difference to her Club, her Community and
to the Nation by her whole hearted support of the National Project,
'Fundraising for the Special Olympics, 2003'.
K. Brophy, B.A.
National Press Officer.
