February 2019
SILC NEWS
A publication by the Samutprakarn International Ladies’ Club
IN THIS ISSUE
3. Call for new Committee
7. Our causes
17. Dates for your diaries
22. A CNY invitation!
36. Volunteers needed!
31. Out & about with SILC
A WORD FROM OUR CHAIR Dear Members, In this month’s edition we are very proud to show you where the money raised from the SILC Bazaar last November has been allocated. Our chosen organisations were thoroughly vetted and their requirements discussed. In most cases we have purchased items that were desperately needed and will provide independence, hope and joy to the beneficiaries. Thank you again to everyone that was involved in the Bazaar, whether it was helping to organise it, or shopping on the day - your participation helped to make a positive difference. The new year always brings changes and in just 3 short months it will be our AGM and a new committee will be needed. To get a good understanding of all the roles and what is involved I would like to invite any interested ladies to 'shadow' any of the current posts. 'Job' shadowing will help assess if that role is in fact what you want or what you thought it would be and is an excellent way to get a better idea of what the role actually entails.
...
Being a committee member is exceedingly rewarding. Yes there is a time outlay but there is also the potential to learn many things, make friends, and make a difference in the lives of our members. Not only is volunteering on the committee important as it helps to better your community, it also helps to better you as an individual. Volunteering is a free way to feel good about yourself!
x Tracey x
MORE ABOUT THE SILC COMMITTEE What is the SILC Committee? The Committee of SILC are a group of dedicated ladies who take on the responsibility for managing our wonderful club. How does the Committee work? The Committee is normally made up of between three and ten people, and meets regularly (normally the second Monday of each month) to make decisions about the direction of the organisation. The committee is responsible for making sure that the organisation sticks to its aims and objectives as detailed in the Constitution. What makes a good committee? Many of us know of examples of committees that don't work. These are committees where meetings drag on and no actions are agreed, committee members do not take part in discussions or are discouraged from doing so, personal differences make it difficult to focus on the business at hand and so on. To work well, the SILC Committee relies on the following:
● ● ●
Members who understand their responsibilities and role A good mix of skills, abilities and experience Commitment to the role and the aims of the club
What makes a good committee member? A good committee member: ● Commits to preparing for and attending meetings ● Has a good understanding of the organisation, what it does and how it does it ... ● Is not afraid to ask questions ● Agrees to stick to the majority decision ● Supports fellow committee members ● Acts as an advocate for the organisation Who makes up the Committee? There are three executive officer positions: • Chair • Treasurer • Secretary And a general committee of: • Membership • Online Media • Community Projects • Activities
WHICH SILC ROLE MIGHT BE RIGHT FOR YOU? TREASURER Overview of club finances; Monthly reporting for committee meetings; Financial stewardship.
SECRETARY Managing club admin; Facilitating and supporting monthly committee meetings
MEMBERSHIP Liaison for new members & enquiries; Create membership plan; Collect dues; Maintain database
CHAIR Directional guidance; Planning and running meetings; Representing SILC
COMMUNITY PROJECTS Liaison with member volunteers & recipients of funds; Development & oversight of all selected SILC community projects.
ONLINE/ MARKETING Promoting SILC activities to inform members, increase membership and raise funds (owned & earned platforms). Support with production of marketing materials.
ACTIVITIES Research, planning, promotion and operation of all SILC’s social activities and tours
WHICH SILC ROLE MIGHT BE RIGHT FOR YOU? Enjoy meeting people? ↪ Chair, Membership, Activities, Community Like to be behind the scenes? ↪ Treasurer, Secretary, Online Media/Marketing Good head for numbers? ↪ Treasurer, Chair, Community Good at organising? ↪ Activities, Chair, Community, Secretary, Membership Good computer, word processing & social media skills? ↪ Secretary, Chair, Online Media, Activities, Membership Creative? ↪ Online Media/Marketing Public Speaking? ↪ Chair, Membership Event Planning? ↪ Activities, Chair, Community
OUR 2018 SILC BAZAAR RAISED TOTAL FUNDS OF 249,878.50 THB THANK YOU!!! HERE IS AN UPDATE ON THE CAUSES WE ARE SUPPORTING
CAMILLIAN HOMES: 28,000฿ Who are they? Camillian Homes is a is a residential and day care facility in Latkrabang for children with disabilities. It depends almost entirely on donations. What has SILC donated? SILC’s financial donation has provided much needed everyday items like diapers, rice, oil and milk. How can I help or find out more? Camillian Homes often looks for volunteers. Visit www.camillianhomelatkrabang.org or speak to the Community Team.
COURAGEOUS KITCHEN: 32,000฿ Who are they? Courageous Kitchen is an NGO which helps educate and offer a safe place for refugee children. Their motto is ‘Leaders in the kitchen are leaders in the Community’. What has SILC donated? SILC is sponsoring 3 months of cooking classes and English classes to help the refugee teenagers learn a trade and keep themselves healthy. How can I help or find out more? Visit http://courageouskitchen.org/ or speak to the Community Team silc.community@gmail.com
IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTRE VISITS: 25,000฿ What is it? The IDC (on Sathorn Road, close to BTS Sala Daeng) is Thailand’s Immigration Detention Centre, where people (often refugees and asylum seekers) who are here illegally and either can’t afford or don’t want to return to their country, are detained indefinitely. Conditions are tough, with around 1000 detainees far from home and separated from their families. What has SILC donated? Laura from the Community team visits the IDC most mornings. SILC’s donation will allow the team to buy fresh food & various necessities for the detainees in most need (incl. toiletries & dry food) at the IDC. How can I help or find out more? The more volunteers that come, the more detainees we can give the opportunity to get out of their cell and into the visitors hall. If two visitors visit two members of a family on the same day, then those who are separated by gender can be reunited for a while. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Laura on silc.community@gmail.com
KHLONG TOEI OIL RUN: 56,000฿ What is it? Every fortnight, on Friday evening, SILC supports Sister Joan’s food project in Ron Moo, a poor district in the Klong Toei slums. What has SILC donated? We buy, transport and distribute soya bean oil to 110 elderly and disabled people. How can I help or find out more? The team is always on the look-out for volunteers: to buy the oil fortnightly, transport it to the distribution point, and hand it out on Fridays. Please contact: silc.community@gmail.com
GOOD SHEPHERD SISTERS: 6,000฿ Who are they? The Fatima Centre of the Good Shepherd Sisters of Thailand is a non-profit organization providing opportunities for women and young girls at risk in the community to break the cycle of poverty. What has SILC donated? SILC has donated an oven to allow the centre to provide baking classes, and a new source of income for the ladies there. How can I help or find out more? Visit goodshepherdbangkok.com/ or speak to Laura.
PLACE OF GRACE: 21,000฿ Who are they? Place of Grace run children’s and young people's clubs, providing a safe place for the young people who visit the center, building positive relationships and helping to better the children’s lives. It is based in the slums in the Mahathai community of BangNa. 160 Children and teenagers are registered with them. What has SILC donated? SILC is buying playground equipment to make the centre as fun and active as possible for the kids to spend time. How can I help or find out more? Place of Grace also runs a food bank service for the families on register. If you want to donate food or find out more, please their website: http://placeofgracebangkok.org/
RUTH CENTRE: 32,000฿ Who are they? Founded in 2008, Ruth Center’s goal is to work with slum communities in Bangkok to improve the quality of life for the elderly and seek long term solutions to their care. In Bangkok alone, there are over 940,000 elderly, many destitute, lonely, without family or anyone to help them. What has SILC donated? SILC’s financial donation has allowed the centre to build a communal kitchen for the ‘grandmas’ to make banana chips that they package and sell. Also SILC has donated a much needed kettle and rice cooker for one of the grandmas. How can I help or find out more? Visit https://www.ywamthai.org/ruthcen ter/
STEPS WITH THEERA: 25,000฿ Who are they? Steps with Theera is a vocational training centre and coffee shop. The team provide hands-on, work based life skills for young adults with learning difficulties. What has SILC donated? SILC’s financial donation will allow the team to buy equipment for events and event preparation. How can I help or find out more? Support their lovely coffee shop on Ekamai 10 or visit https://stepswiththeera.com/
SAMARITAN CREATIONS: 25,000฿ Who are they? Samaritan Creations is a group that reaches out to women working in the sex industry, offering them alternative employment, housing, training and education. What has SILC donated? SILC’s financial donation purchased kitchen equipment (including a food processor and a bagel toaster)for their cafe, which trains the women in all aspects of catering and service thereby offering more women the possibility to find better job opportunities. How can I help or find out more? Visit their ‘Beautiful Creations’ bakery and cafe on 88/20 Soi Bangna-Trat (15 minutes from UdomSuk BTS) or find out more at http://www.samaritancreations.org/
COMING UP IN FEBRUARY
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday 1
Saturday
Sunday
2
3
9
10
Craft @ Mahawong 4 English @ Prakasamai
5
Craft circle 11 English @ Prakasamai
Mahjong 12
Craft circle
English @ Mahawong
8 .
Healthy lunch
15
16
17
HK Ladies’ CNY lunch
14 “Red” Coffee Morning Zumba English @ Mahawong
19
20
21 Zumba
22
23
24
Aqua Aerobics Mahjong
Craft circle 25 English @ Prakasamai
7 Zumba
13 Craft @ Prakkasam. Aqua Aerobics Mahjong
Craft circle
18 English @ Prakasamai
6 Aqua Aerobics
26 Book Club Vegetarian Sushi Workshop
27 Erewan Museum trip Aqua Aerobics Mahjong
English @ Mahawong 28 Zumba . English @ Mahawong
We try to schedule activities well ahead of time to allow you to plan your diaries, however please note these may change. Keep an eye on the SILC Facebook page and the next newsletter for updates! Contact silc.activities@gmail.com with any questions.
COMING UP IN MARCH
Monday
4 English @ Prakasamai
Tuesday
5
Craft circle
11 English @ Prakasamai
Craft circle 25 English @ Prakasamai Craft circle
6 Aqua Aerobics Mahjong
12
Craft circle
18 English @ Prakasamai
Wednesday
13 Aqua Aerobics Mahjong
19 Puppet museum visit 26 Book Club
20 Aerobics Mahjong
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
1
2
3
7 Gosnoop experience Zumba English @ Mahawong
8
9
10
14 Coffee Morning Zumba English @ Mahawong
15
16
17
21 Zumba
22
23
24
29
30
31
Women’s Day lunch
Bungee workout
English @ Mahawong 27 Aqua Aerobics Mahjong
28 Zumba
. English @ Mahawong
We try to schedule activities well ahead of time to allow you to plan your diaries, however please note these may change. Keep an eye on the SILC Facebook page and the next newsletter for updates! Contact silc.activities@gmail.com with any questions.
COMING UP IN APRIL
Monday 1 English @ Prakasamai
Tuesday 2
Wednesday 3 Aqua Aerobics
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
4 Zumba Potluck lunch English @ Mahawong
5
6
7
Craft circle
Easter Cupcake Workshop
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22 English @ Prakasamai
23
24 Aerobics Mahjong
25 Zumba
26
27
28
St George’s Day event
Craft circle 29 English @ Prakasamai
Mahjong
English @ Mahawong
30 Book Club
Craft circle
We try to schedule activities well ahead of time to allow you to plan your diaries, however please note these may change. Keep an eye on the SILC Facebook page and the next newsletter for updates! Contact silc.activities@gmail.com with any questions.
SILC OUT & ABOUT
HEALTHY LUNCH For our February lunch we will be going organic! Join us from 11.30 at the Salad Factory (Lasalle Soi 33) on Friday 8th February. We’ll enjoy a sin-free lunch and fantastic company! Attendees will cover their own costs. RSVP silc.activities@gmail.com
CRAFT CRAZY! Because SILC ladies LOVE to craft, we plan to keep meeting on Monday mornings to enjoy and learn new craft skills together. All are welcome! If you would like to join us, just send an email to silccraft@gmail.com
THIS INVITATION HAS BEEN KINDLY EXTENDED TO SILC. TO RSVP PLEASE EMAIL: silc.activities@gmail.com
RED VALENTINE’s COFFEE ‘DATE’ Join us from 10-12:00 on Thursday 14th February at Jimmy’s place (in Bangna) for a Valentine’s Day coffee morning. Please bring a small dish to share and remember to wear something RED! RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
VEGGIE SUSHI Learn how to make your own sushi in this fun and hands on class on Tuesday 26th February from 10-12:00. SILC’s own Mari, Meg, Megumi and Kanako will teach us how to: cook the perfect sushi rice, cut veggies and other fillings, make various types of rolls, slice and present them. At the end of the class we will enjoy our own plates of handmade sushi. The cost of ingredients will be divided amongst the attendees.
RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
ERAWAN MUSEUM VISIT With peak ‘visitor season’ upon us, there is always pressure to take your guests somewhere ‘different’. And where better than inside a three-headed elephant?! Join the SILC team on Wednesday 27th February from 10-13.00 to tour this incredible building and enjoy a walk through the local area and nipa palm trees. Attendees to cover own costs. RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
Detective for a day! On the morning of Thursday 7th
March, a group of SILC ladies will turn detective to solve a mysterious riddle with Gosnoop! The event will take place in and around a Bangkok landmark, requiring teamwork,creativity, and problem-solving skills to prevail! Cost: 900 thb per person RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
Join us for lunch at Roast, the Commons (Thonglor) on Friday 8th March. Attendees will cover their own expenses RSVP: silc.activities @gmail.com
FREE TRIAL: BUNGEE WORKOUT!! On Friday 15th March we have something new for members to to try! Join us for a Bungee Workout at a gym near Phrom Pong BTS at 11.30am. Bungee workouts come in many forms, but the most popular classes include a combination of dancing, stretching, cardio, and strength training — all while attached to a bungee cord that is anchored to the ceiling. Moves like squats and push-ups will be easier, but the further from the anchor you go, the more challenging the moves get. Because it combines resistance training and cardio while eliminating stress on joints, it's a good low-intensity, fat-burning workout. Come on - let’s give it a try!
RSVP silc.activities@gmail.com
MARCH COFFEE MORNING We will meet for coffee at the Cottage 66, near Udomsuk BTS on Thursday 14th March.
Please let us know if you would like to join! RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
PUPPET HOUSE VISIT Thailand has a rich tradition of puppet making. To find out more, visit Tookkatoon Hoonkabrok House puppet museum with us on Thursday 19th March. We will share further details in the next edition, or feel free to email the team on: silc.activities@gmail.com
EASTER CUPCAKES Prepare to stun the family this year with some special Easter cupcakes! Join us for a decorating workshop on Tuesday 2nd April 10-12.00 at the Centre Point residence, Phrom Pong. Cost: 1000 THB per person RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
DRESS TO IMPRESS! Please join us for a ‘fashion parade’ and potluck lunch at Laura’s place on Thursday 4th April. Attendees please dress to impress - Songkran style or in national costume! RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
Membership fee half price (only 500 THB) February-June!
KEEP COOL & JOIN BOOK CLUB! We meet up on the last Tuesday of every month, for brunch and a natter! February’s book is Bittersweet Brooklyn by Thelma Adams. For details contact Andi: amccolough@gmail.com
TRY YOUR HAND AT MAHJONG! Our group of Mahjong ladies is growing steadily and ranges from novices to experts. Please get in touch if you would like to join us! Everyone welcome. We meet on Wednesdays at members’ houses. Contact: Sally mikeandsally@bluewin.ch
HAVE FUN & KEEP FIT! aqua aerobics If you would like to join our weekly sessions at Ekamai Gardens on Wednesdays 10-11:00 (400 THB), please contact silc.activities@gmail.com
zumba We meet on Thursday mornings 08.30-09.30 in Bangna. If you would like to join please contact silcmagazine@gmail.com
tennis If you’re a keen tennis player but need a partner, we can put you in touch! Please contact: silc.activities@gmail.com
SILC OUT & ABOUT LAST MONTH
Last month, a group of 24 ladies visited the isolated Thai fishing village of Ban Khun Samut Chin, and the Temple in the Sea. It was an adventurous trip - by car, longtail boat, foot and tuktuk along a concrete walkway above the waterlogged land. Looking towards the horizon we could see a line of old electric poles in the sea. The road that ran there once is submerged. We visited the local school with fourteen students, bringing them books and snacks. The teacher told us about the community. The village is surrounded by sea due to land erosion and the rising sea level. Many of the families have moved their houses inland four or five times in the last two generations . The temple is the only building that hasn’t been moved. The monks refused to relocate and raised the floor in the chapel. The standing Buddha there seems to push back the waves. The villagers have started to place bamboo poles in the sea to break the waves, and to replant mangroves to stop further erosion. The landscape transformed from sea to mangrove to shrimp farms.
Indian food and cooking always starts with a story on spices, and this is where we began our culinary journey with Sunita, one of SILC’s founder members. From curry, to daal and other mouthwatering dishes, we learned step by step the secrets of Indian cooking by our host and teacher. And of course, in the end, we all very much enjoyed tasting the result at lunch!
Thank you very much to Kay, Mike and the team at Beautiful Creations Cafe & Bakery for their warm welcome for our January coffee morning. Their work is truly inspiring and we at SILC are happy that we can help support them in any way we can.
We’re a crafty bunch as you know! Last month our craft circle ladies learned how to fold pandan leaves into these lovely flowers. A second group were taught the secrets of successful watercolour painting, also with a focus on flowers. It was a great course which we will definitely be repeating, so drop silccraft@gmail.com a line if you are interested.
SILC OUT & ABOUT
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
CRAFT FUN Due to the schools’ busy calendars, we could only go crafting at Prakkasamai in January. The children learned to make a colorful wooden structure displaying the days of the week in English. We also saw that, thanks to donors from Netherlands and support from Hanneke and Shirley, the drainage problem has been resolved and the kids now have a new dry playground! Our next sessions will take place on Friday 1st and Wednesday 13th February. The more volunteers the better, so please come if you can. And don’t worry about transport - we have plenty of car sharing options. Info: silc.community@gmail.com
CAN YOU COME AND TEACH US PLEASE? SILC’S English Program teaches basic language skills to children (around 6 years old) at two schools in the Samutprakarn area. On Monday morning we go to Prakkasamai and on Thursday morning to Mahawong. There are three main teachers, with two assistants. For both locations we are looking for a new teacher, at Prakkasamai from mid February and at Mahawong from May. Can you commit to teach once a week? You will get beautiful smiles and wonderful hugs in return! Contact: Janna (coordinator of English Program) on henk_janna@hotmail.com
SILC OUT & ABOUT
Aims & policies Organisation of the Club SILC creates an opportunity for women of all nationalities living in Samutprakarn and Bangkok to meet and participate in a variety of activities. We invite members to join monthly events and interest groups. Members pay an annual fee of 1000 Baht. Privacy The membership list is for the sole use of SILC members in a social setting and may not be used for commercial purposes. E-Newsletter The e-newsletter is published ten times a year with articles and information on club activities. Contributions are welcome and can be sent to the newsletter editor. Committee Meetings These are held monthly and are open to all members. Please inform the SILC Chair if you wish to attend. All SILC events are subject to change. Please confirm your attendance with the relevant contact, and advise of any cancellation asap so another member may take your place. Committee Contacts Chair Secretary Treasury Team Membership Team Community Projects E-newsletter & Ads
silcchair@gmail.com silcsecretary@gmail.com silctreasurer@gmail.com silcthai@gmail.com silc.community@gmail.com silcmagazine@gmail.com
SILC teams Activities Website Online/Marketing Community Projects
silc.activities@gmail.com silc.websites@gmail.com silcpromo@gmail.com silc.community@gmail.com
Advertise here!
SILC News goes every month to over 170 SILC members throughout Bangkok. Advertisements for non-profit community events are welcome and free of charge. Personal advertisements for SILC members are free of charge. Email reminders for SILC and non-profit community events will be sent out free of charge; other events must be advertised in our magazine.
RATES
DISCOUNTS
Full Page Half Page Quarter Page
1500 Baht 800 Baht 400 Baht
Member - 25%
Website
3000 Baht per year
Only one discount may be applied.
Annual contract (10 ads/year) - 10%
Advertising requests and payment must be received prior to the published deadline. To advertise in the Newsletter, please contact: Charlotte - silcmagazine@gmail.com To advertise on the SILC Website, please contact: silc.websites@gmail.com To arrange payment, please contact: Liliya - silctreasurer@gmail.com
SILC News Copy Deadline for March e-Newsletter: 20th February If you have any activities, events, book reviews, recommendations for holidays or items for our bulletin board please forward them to the Newsletter Editor: silcmagazine@gmail.com