In the month of July, SISEAP saw important changes in our company leadership.

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our Past Federation President and Company Secretary, Carolyn Hudson. Her contributions to SISEAP were invaluable, and her absence will be profoundly felt by all who knew her.

Carolyn was a beacon of dedication and service, always going above and beyond in her efforts to support and uplift others. Her unwavering commitment and tireless work have left an indelible mark on our organization, and her legacy of kindness and generosity will continue to inspire us all.

In these challenging times, we are also reminded of the importance of continuity in the work she was so passionate about. We are fortunate that Theresa Lyford has stepped up to take on the position of new Company Secretary. Theresa brings a wealth of corporate experience to our organization, which is expected to bring enhanced organisational governance, strategic insight, and a renewed focus on operational efficiency to our team.

Additionally, we are excited to welcome Jemma Arundel, an experienced fundraising consultant, to our team. Her expertise will be crucial in building financial support for our organization, enabling us to enhance our programs and services. Jemma is expected to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies, cultivate donor relationships, and expand our funding base.

As we embrace these leadership changes, we also recognise the importance of effective communication within our community. Virtual communications platforms play a vital role in keeping our members connected, engaged, and informed. We are committed to ensuring that our members feel at ease using these platforms and are familiar with their functionalities. Pursuant to feedback from members regarding the lack of knowledge of using the GoTo Meeting platform and their request to adopt the Zoom platform as an alternative, the Federation has purchased Zoom Pro for the use by clubs, regions and Federation.

The purchase of the Zoom platform has proved to be a right decision as Hanaa Abdullah, our Federation Communications will attest to her communications survey form which alluded that 70% of the respondents use Zoom as their preferred communications platform. For those who wish to utilise the use of the Federation Zoom Pro, please contact Federation Secretary, Berice : swpsecretary2020@siswp.org.

We are confident that these changes will strengthen our leadership team as we strive to strengthen our mission of empowering, engaging and elevating women and girls.

Joanne Yeoh

SISEAP President, 2024-2026

swppresident2020@siswp.org

We are entering our 2nd month in this Biennium and I can see that everyone on the Federation team is settling into their new roles with gusto!

I wish to say, for any of us who are transitioning into new roles and navigating new tech and systems, it is ok to feel lost for a bit. However, no one is alone in SISEAP. We all work in teams, and we’re here to help each other, to support each other and travel this journey together. Please do contact us if you need assistance in any SISEAP work, whether at club level, national, regional or Federation levels. Our door is always open!

On another note, did you know that June is Environment Month?  This biennium, SISEAP will celebrate and focus on 4 special UN Days. We begin with Environment Month (June), followed by Day of the Girl Child in October, 16 Days of Activism for the elimination of gender based violence in November/December and International Women’s Day in March.  

L-R: SI President Siew Yong, SISEAP President Joanne, SIROM President Lay Ean. 

As part of June's Environment Month celebrations, on 22 June 2024, SI Region of Malaysia celebrated the Sustainable Food Security Project Day at its project in Bentong, 80 km from Kuala Lumpur. I was honoured to be part of the organising committee, who brought together the Malaysia Soroptimists to be involved with the Region project, a project which addresses one of the most pressing global challenges: ensuring sustainable food security. SI International President Siew Yong Gnanalingam also attended together with her Club members.

Sustainable food security is not merely about providing enough food for all; it encompasses the entire food system, including production, distribution, consumption, and waste management. It aims to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious, safe, and sufficient food while maintaining the health of the environment.

As we celebrate Environment Month, let us remember that sustainable food security is a cornerstone of a sustainable future. Together, we can make a difference, one meal at a time.

I believe many other clubs across the Federation have also embarked on their environment project days and I look forward to hearing about the diverse and impactful projects.

Together, we Empower, we Engage and we Elevate more women in South East Asia Pacific.

Joanne Yeoh

SISEAP President, 2024-2026

I sat down to write my last article for the Bulletin and I think I am about all written out,  in the past two weeks I have written my Presidents Report, the opening address for the AGM, the article for the company annual report, my opening address for the conference and am currently working on my closing address for the conference.  I begin to wonder how many times one can say Soroptimists are amazing people and I love being a Soroptimist all of which is factful and true. 

But before we get to that, there is still some business topics to cover. We are entering one of the most important weeks of our Soroptimist year, I hope that clubs are prepared for the AGM, General Meeting and the Federation meeting. Have you held a meeting to choose your club representative at the meetings, have you read through the motions for the constitution and the decision for a Federation Logo? Have you given direction to the club representative on how she will vote? Have you discussed if your club would like to raise any questions with any of the Federation convenors?  It is important! Have you completed the forms to inform Federation secretary who will be your club representative? I urge each of you to read through the annual reports by the convenors and the National Presidents. I find reading all of the National President’s reports to be of immense value, to understand what are the barriers to women achieving gender equality, see what has been achieved by clubs in their countries, and they also highlight areas of advocacy and ideas for projects. 

The statistical data which has been extracted from the programme reporting database fills me with much pride, and you will have to wait until the company agm to hear how beneficial the work undertaken by SISEAP Soroptimists has been.  

The conference committee effort these past few weeks has been outstanding, there is so much to do to ensure that we all have the most amazing experience. The key note speakers will present a range of topics all of which are relevant to our Soroptimist work. Workshops will provide topics which address both our personal interests and our Soroptimist interests. The Friendship night is always fun and we have the Gala dinner to cap of a memorable 3 days, make sure you bring your dancing shoes for both events.

In closing, over the past 2 years, each month I have sat down at my computer attempting to write a monthly article which I hope has been of interest to our members, and now I am sitting here writing my last monthly greeting to you all.  SISEAP soroptimists have embraced the biennium tag line “Our Voice for Change – Our voice will amplify our areas of concern”, where you have identified areas of concern your voice has advocated for that change, the projects have addressed the 8 objectives and also the identified core elements of Education, Equity, Economic Empowerment, Enterprise and Environment.  Clubs embraced the Living with Nature Art competition which provided a voice for our youth through creative art. It has been with immense pride that I have been your representative at club charters, international events, webinars, Federation President’s meetings, conferences, conventions, CSW and many other times. I thank Federation Secretary Sue for her constant support through these 2 years, Headquarters staff who contribute over and beyond what is asked of them, the directors who took up the challenge to ensure that we operated as a company and supported the restructure of the company and Federation. The Federation convenors and their committees, I cannot thank you enough for your dedication, the volunteer hours you each have contributed to ensure that SISEAP continues to meet the vision and mission of our organisation has been huge.  This biennium has been a lot of hard but enjoyable work,  come the 1^st of June I am off on a walking tour of Arnham Land,  and I am sure I will have time to reflect back  on what a ride it has been. Thank you for your trust and friendship.

Christine Johnstone
President 2022-2024
Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific
swppresident2022@siswp.org