CONFERENCE UPDATE: 01 March 2024
PROGRAM
We have developed an exciting program with a focus on Soroptimist Awareness, Advocacy and Action – with the workshops designed to explore what members can do to address the issues, ongoing and emerging, and to embrace the changes and build a stronger organisation and community. The opening session will focus on core business – women working for women. Then the program is built around a number of themes -
- Being An Effective Global Voice
- A Climate for Change - The Power of Community and Commitment
- Digital Communication – The Good the Bad & the Ugly.
We have a list of impressive and expert guest speakers and facilitators including:
- Cathy Hunt – Executive Director Women of the World WOW – the importance of a feminist voice
- Dr Donnell Davis – SISEAP Programme Director + - climate change, femicide, current Soroptimist initiative
- Helen Dalley Fisher – CEO of Equal Rights Alliance – advocacy
- Kate VanderVoort – Social Mediology – all things digital
- Leigh Ellwood Brown – SI Advocacy Director – Soroptimist advocacy
- Siew Yong Gnanalingam – President Soroptimist International - Environment
- Sheila Byard – Soroptimist – Sexploitation & Trafficking
- Dr Susan Rimmer Harris – Professor Griffith University - feminist activist – expertise: gender equity, climate, economic empowerment for women.
- Yvonne Simpson – SISEAP Membership Convenor.
The workshops relate to the themes discussed in conference and are grouped under headings:
HARNESSING THE CHANGES
- Modern Membership
- Using the Tools Effectively
ADVOCACY AND ACTION
- Being an Effective Soroptimist Advocate
- Programme Action - Be the Change
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
- Violence/DV/Coercive Control – MATE – Griffith University
The bystander approach focuses not on the perpetrator or victim of violence rather, on what we can all do to prevent violence.
- Cancer – Dee Handyside - The Silk Road Project
An award-winning approach to talking to those diagnosed with serious illness. Dee explores this topic from different angles through dialogue and song, and through personal experience.
NEW ACCOMMODATION DETAILS.
Due to circumstances beyond the committee’s control, the conference hotels are completely booked out for the weekend of the conference. More than this, the entire area appears to be heavily booked due to a rock concert on Coolangatta beach on Saturday night. The committee has done much research and has identified Kingscliff - 15 kilometres down the highway, as a potential second hub where Soroptimists can stay and share transport to and from the conference venue and meet up on Saturday night. A number of Soroptimists have already booked at Mantra on Salt Beach and Peppers Salt Resort & Spa. We tried to arrange a deal with ACCOR for a conference rate but they said we were not eligible for a promo code. Further research has revealed that there is accommodation at very reasonable rates in the area and two maxi taxis with room for up to eleven people. Depending on numbers, we may be able to look at shuttle buses.
For those still to register, please check out HERE. I found a variety of accommodation similar to, sometimes cheaper than, the conference hotels, including:
- Mantra on Salt Beach
- Peppers Salt Resort & Spa
- Oaks Casuarina Santai Resort
- Tropical Coast Retreat.
We are changing the start time for conference to allow for travel time. We have been in communication with the current registrants who had yet to book accommodation to alert them to the situation and many have been able to book elsewhere. We have worked to ensure cheap accommodation for some of our overseas members.
