Organisations Directory

Soroptimist International Poole is part of the global Soroptimist International organisation. A women's organisation - members are in management, the professions and business - its goal is to make the world a better place for women and children. Each club achieves this goal through awareness, advocacy and action within 5 different project areas that include learning opportunities, environmental sustainability, economic empowerment, food security and healthcare, violence and conflict resolution.

POOLE SOROPTIMISTS IN THE COMMUNITY
SI Poole is represented at Civic events e.g. Remembrance Sunday Service and on local charities such as Friends of Dolphin, the Mayor of Poole's Christmas Parcels Fund and Save the Children. We support other various local and national UK charities through our fund-raising – Water Aid, Dorset Wildlife Trust and Poole’s Refuge for victims of domestic violence.

The club offers 'Grants for Girls' annually available only to women aged 17-25 years and residing in the Dorset.  For the first time in 2012 SI Poole will be sponsoring the Home-based Businesswoman category of the Venus/ Langtry Business Women Awards to support the rising number of home-based business women who overcome all the challenges that working from home entails.

Fund raising events during the 2011-2012 included a fashion evening, a Silent Auction, serving afternoon teas, the Rotarians Christmas Train and a night at the theatre with the local Broadstone Players.  These events raised £4500 which will go towards the Bournemouth Leukaemia Fund, Purple Teardrop Campaign and the President’s smaller, but local, charities.

Plans for 2012-2013 events are well under way with a Musical Entertainment Extravaganza, a soiree, afternoon teas at Wimborne St Giles Village Hall, a quiz, a theatre evening and most importantly in October the club will be celebrating its Diamond Anniversary with a whole weekend of celebratory activities. Charities to benefit will be WaterAid and Dorset Cancer Centre based at Poole Hospital.

PURPLE TEARDROP CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Poole Soroptimists began the Purple Teardrop Campaign against human trafficking in 2008 and it has since become an incorporated charity in its own right. The purposes of the campaign are to raise public awareness to the facts and signs of human trafficking in order to keep Poole and Dorset a safer place. The charity also raises funds for organisations that provide safe accommodation for trafficked victims who are rescued.

If you suspect trafficking activity, just call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 - any information you provide is totally confidential.

Funds are raised through the sale of our Purple Teardrop pin badges as well as specific events such as the Poole Lions Annual Swimarathon. If you can help by selling pin badges through outlets such as sports and other clubs, your workplace or shops/restaurants, please get in touch with us at enquiries@purpleteardrop.org.uk

BAN 'SEX FOR SALE' ADVERTISING

We want the Government to introduce legislation which will make it illegal for "sex for sale" advertisements to appear in any media. The legislation should cover all aspects of advertising including paper, electronic or other media and should also apply to those who promote, publish, distribute or otherwise allow such advertising.

We ban tobacco and alchohol advertising, why do we allow this?

Advertising sex increases the demand for prostitution and fuels human trafficking of children and adults.

Please sign our epetition at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/16650

OUR GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Being part of a world-wide organisation, our work has a global as well as local perspective. All Soroptimists are raising awareness and funds for our international 3E Project: Healthcare in connection with MCAI (Maternal and Childhealth Advocacy International).

At a local level Poole Soroptimists are working towards lobbying on issues of both local and national interest, ensuring provision of Assault Referral Centres (ARC) within Dorset and participating in the Forced Marriage Consultation by the Home Office.

MEMBERSHIP
If you're a woman in business, management or the professions and have found this article of interest, take a look at our website http://soroptimist-gbi.co.uk/poole/ where you'll find more information. We'd be very happy to hear from you if you feel you have both time and energy to help make a difference to the lives of others. Just get in touch on enquires@sipoole.org.uk and arrange to come to one of our meetings held on the second Monday of each month at the Salterns Harbourside Hotel, Lilliput, Poole, BH14 8JR