Soroptimist International Naas Newbridge & District

A bit of a mouthful.  So what are we?  What do we do?

The name Soroptimist comes form the Latin: soror = sister, optima = best.  We now take that to mean the best for women and their families and this we work to achieve.

Soroptimist International is a worldwide organisation for women in management, business and professions, working through service projects to advance human rights  and the status of women.  While SI does not support any political parties or religious groups, it encourages all committed to service at local national and international communities and to active participation in decision making at all levels of society. http://www.soroptimist.org

SI Naas/Newbridge is one of 21 clubs in the Republic of Ireland.  We have very close links with the 18 clubs in Northern Ireland and at present are working on a joint project, with them, to encourage girls to participate in our Public Speaking Competition which is run annually.

As a truly worldwide organisation Soroptimist International is divided, for administrative purposes, into 4 federations.  These are Americas, SI Europe, SI South Pacific and the federation to which our club belongs, SI of Great Britain and Ireland.  These federations cover a wide geographical span.  Our federation SIGBI includes women in many parts of Africa, India and the Caribbean along with those in Ireland and the UK http://www.soroptimistgbi.org

Every year Soroptimists from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland join for Conference. This is our North/South Conference and is held alternately in North and South. In May 2008 this Conference will be held in Bray. Our National President will be Patricia McHugh from the Bray Club.

We also meet every four years at our international convention. 

Our new National President from October 2008 is Patricia McHugh from the Bray Club.