The UK Programme Action Committee

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The UK Programme Action Committee
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UKPAC?
The Roadshow came about because we began to
realise that certain of the UK membership had
little notion of the Committee and how we could
help. So we thought the best way to get our
message across was to visit each Region in person
and talk to people.

• Never heard of it!

? UKPAC
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The Roadshow visited the Regions
Over two years the UKPAC Roadshow visited
15 of the 17 Regions of the UK. There are just
Northern Ireland and Yorkshire remaining to book
the Roadshow.

• Cheshire, North Wales Wirral
• London Anglia
• London Chilterns
• Midland Arden
• Midland Chase
• Midland East
• NW England Isle of Man
• Northern England
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland North
• Scotland South
• South East England
• South Lancashire
• South West Channel Islands
• Southern England
• Wales South
• Yorkshire

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Soroptimism isnt a spectator sport!
Soroptimism isnt a spectator sport!
Programme Action and the emphasis is on the
word Action is the heartbeat of our movement.
So important is PA that the International
Constitution states that every club around the
world must have a Programme Action Committee,
chaired by a Programme Action Officer. Clubs may
decide as they think fit on any other committees,
but a PA Committee isnt optional. It is one of
the conditions of our continuing General
Consultative Status at the United Nations.
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Four Federations

• As you know, our Federation, SIGBI, is one of
  four and many clubs around the world come
  together to form National Associations within
  their Federations.

SI Great Britain and Ireland
SI of the Americas
SI Europe
SI South West Pacific
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For example, within SIGBI, the 16 clubs in
India come together to form the Indian National
Association. However, the vast majority of the
membership of SIGBI is from the UK, split into
our 17 respective Regions. There are 259 clubs
from the UK and 82 from the other 23 countries of
the Federation.
Indian National Association
Bangalore Bombay Chembur Bombay Gateway Bombay
North Bombay West Burdwan Calcutta Calcutta
Downtown Chennai (Madras) Chennai Magna Chennai
Downtown East Calcutta Madurai Pune Pune Metro
East South Kolkata
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SIGBI Federation
Prior to 1994 there was no collective UK
membership voice. Individuals were members of a
club, which was part of a Region within our
Federation. It is difficult for the Federation
to lobby any one government, representing so many
as it does. So clubs and Regions mostly had to
campaign and lobby individually. It was not an
ideal situation, with plenty of scope for wheel
re-inventing.
Before 1994
National Associations
Single Countries
or
ie India
ie Malta
Regions
Other Clubs in SIGBI
UK Clubs
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SIGBI Federation
In 1994 the UKPAC was formed. Its
intention was of providing that collective voice
for clubs and Regions for Programme Action work.
To have a national voice for lobbying and a
national representation on outside bodies and
other NGOs. The UKPAC has continued to do this
ever since.
After 1994
National Associations
Single Countries
or
ie India
ie Malta
Regions
Other Clubs in SIGBI
UK Clubs
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or the BACIAIOMPAC?
Called the UK Programme Action Committee,
in reality we work with the 256 clubs in England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and also
with the 3 clubs in the Isle of Man, Jersey and
Guernsey. So it would probably be more
appropriate to call ourselves the British and
Channel Islands and Isle of Man Programme Action
Committee!
The UKPAC?
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The UK PA Committee
Here in the UK clubs are divided between
Regions. As you know, each club is required to
have a PA committee, chaired by that clubs PA
Officer. She in turn, along with the PA Officers
from the other clubs in her Region, forms the
Regional PA Committee, chaired by the Regional
PAC chairman and it is she who, representing
her Region, also serves on the UKPAC. The
Committee is 22 strong, comprising the 17
Regional PAC chairmen - who, between them,
represent the entire membership of the UK - plus
the officers.
The UKPAC meets quarterly in London. Silent
observers (we never insist upon silence and you
dont have to be your clubs PAO, either) are
actively encouraged to join us and sit in on the
meetings to gain an insight into the working of
the Committee.
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Some of the UKPACs Partner Organisations
We have representatives on many outside
bodies. Whilst not part of the UK PA Committee,
as such, they submit reports to each of our
quarterly meetings and attend from time to time.
Between visits many Regional PA chairmen also
double up and act as liaisons with the
representatives. In this way we are able to keep
fully up to date at all times with events with
our partner organisations.
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Your voices are heard
So your voices are heard! Your Regional PA
chairman, attends and reports to the meeting on
what the Region is doing and takes back to you
what the UKPAC is doing. In this way we can
share concerns and problems and lobby and
campaign as appropriate. We can spot where
clubs from different Regions are working on
similar projects and put them in touch with one
another, or offer help or advice, so that there
is a reduced risk of duplication of work. We
have an overview and can work on behalf of all UK
Soroptimists on topics such as pensions
inequality, and the national flagship project
Violence Against Women Stop It Now! So Our
voices are heard!
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