Soroptimist of the Year 2013: Aileen Kirkham

Soroptimist of the Year Aileen Kirkham 

with President Jennifer Oliver

Being selected as Soroptimist of the Year is the highest honor imparted on one of our own. Aileen Kirkham embodies all the Soroptimist values and ideals. Her unwavering dedication and valuable contribution to Soroptimist International of Guelph, and our community is not only incontestable but quite admirable. A wonderful role model for our club and SI members.

Aileen joined Soroptimist International in Guelph in 2005??? Since that time she has been a vibrant member of our club and is always one of the main catalysts of any initiative we are involved in.

Program

Aileen assisted in finding a venue for our club to hold meetings at her workplace and was a gracious host. She also helped clean the Habitat for Humanity House built in Guelph on behalf of SI Guelph and attended the "Hand Over" ceremony as the club representative.

She was or is a member of the club's board and was a member of the team for the Women's Opportunity Award  (WOA) and the Violet Richardson Award (VRA) and assisted with our awards dinners in April. She will be coming back onto our executive this year as Secretary.

Fundraising

Aileen participated at the Sunlight Music Festival and sold Popcorn at our booth while volunteering for the Festival.

Aileen volunteered at our Garage sales and hosted one of them at her home. She was an integral part of the organizing committee for our 1st annual Lunafest fundraiser last October 2012.

Membership

She has perfect attendance and is a contributor to our meetings as well as assisted when our club hosted the Fall Regional Meeting in 2010.

Public Awareness 

She also worked at the Guelph club’s table at the St. Michael's Church Christmas Bazaar and assisted with projects in the community as a Soroptimist representative.

Fabulous September Meeting with Wyndham House

Guest Speaker, Tiffany McMillian at the September Meeting

President Lynda Twomey, Tiffany McMillian, Program Manager,at Wyndham house 

(a home for girls 16 - 21)  and Vice President Nancy Brough

Why We Support 

Wyndham House 

For more than 30 years Wyndham House has opened its doors to thousands of youth in Guelph & Wellington. Young people who are in a situation where they need a place to stay for one night or for much longer, Wyndham House is there to help.

Wyndham House is an organization that provides young people 16 to 21 with the supports and services needed to overcome challenging times and difficult problems. Wyndham House has a combination of long term and short term residential beds available.

For those who don't need a place to stay but are looking for other supports and services you are welcome to come to our Youth Resource Centre. The Resource Centre can help with things such as; getting or replacing I.D., bus tickets, help with High School registration, transportation to the Food Bank, Access to a Nurse Practitioner, food & coffee daily, as well as get hooked up with a place to shower and/or get your laundry done if needed.

Youth from all backgrounds are staying with at Wyndham House. Some are self-referred, some learn about us from friends and some are referred to us by community social services agencies, school guidance counsellors or local health care facilities. Each unique situation and circumstances determines which program option is best for individual needs.

Wyndham House is a non-judgemental place,  a voluntary program, that welcomes youth from all backgrounds.

A New President of SI Guelph Insatalled

 Passing The Touch On

The ceremonial pinning of the the new President Lynda Twomey 

by Past President, Jennifer Oliver.

 

Left:Past President Jennifer Oliver pinning President Lynda Twomey (Right) with President's pin.

WELCOME THE NEW BOARD

2013-2015

Congratulations to our new board.

From right to left they are, Nancy Brough, Vice President, Aileen Kirkham, Secretary, Sharron Watson, Treasurer, Lynda Twomey, President, Jennifer Oliver, Immediate Past President.