March 2020
SILC NEWS
A publication by the Samutprakarn International Ladies’ Club
IN THIS ISSUE 3. A word from our Chair
5.
Dates for your diaries
10. Special SPA morning for SILC
12.
Donation to Ruth Centre
15. SILC out and about!
19. Preview of coming activities!
20. Happy Birthday!
21. 5 things you need to know about IWD
A WORD FROM SILC’S CHAIR HERE’S TO STRONG WOMEN. MAY WE KNOW THEM. MAY WE BE THEM. MAY WE RAISE THEM. March 8th is International Women’s Day - a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. As an international women’s club SILC reflects the same core values of unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy and action. We have over 40 different nationalities making up our membership and to me this is what sets us apart from many other women’s groups. I love that we have the opportunity to meet and make friends and learn from each other.
As we celebrate this ‘women’s’ month we are offering a bumper month of activities (all of which will be inside so that we can escape the pollution!). We have a fun and unusual exercise class, a health talk from the ‘Eastern’ medicine perspective, a coffee morning, a workshop for making your own bespoke lipstick and to top off the busy month we are able to offer you an amazing morning of pampering in a luxury spa at a very special price, exclusive for SILC members! All of this in addition to our regular monthly get togethers - so come join us!
x Tracey x
JOIN THE COMMITTEE SO SILC CAN CONTINUE TO FLOURISH The day of our AGM, when we vote in the new committee, is rapidly approaching. Sadly we have yet to have any volunteers for the roles. It’s easy to think it will all be ok and someone else will step up for the job or the current committee will either stay put or will have recruited a replacement but this just doesn't appear to be the case. Without committed volunteers our lovely club could be forced to close and none of us want that to happen! Please have a think about what you, or you and a group of friends as a team, could do to be part of things and ensure the future of SILC - yes, it’s a responsibility but it doesn't have to be too time consuming and it's really very rewarding. SILC has an excellent membership base (currently 164 members) and has seen considerable growth in the last 3 years. We really don’t want to have to close as we definitely serve a purpose… Do come and have a chat with us about what the roles involve, we would love to hear from you! CHAIR
TREASURER
SECRETARY
Overall responsibility for managing the club and all its operational activities.
Financial stewardship of the Club, ensuring total transparency and accountability.
Facilitating monthly committee meetings and carrying out general administration.
MEMBERSHIP
ACTIVITIES
Responsible for all aspects of membership plus promoting membership.
Researching, planning, promoting and operation of all SILC’s activities.
COMMUNITY PROJECTS Manage member volunteers. Responsible for all community projects.
ONLINE MEDIA / MARKETING Marketing of SILC and responsible for the SILC newsletter & online platforms.
Other positions that we would welcome to be taken up: Vice Chair - supporting the Chair and responsible for fundraising activities; General Administration helping across the board where needed and first point of contact for online queries.
MARCH ACTIVITIES Monday
2
Tuesday
3
Wednesday
4
‘Eastern’ Medicine Talk
16
10
5
11
Pilates
12
Sunday
7
8
13
14
15
20
21
22
28
29
‘Kangoo Jump’ Fitness Class
(paper flower making)
17
24
Lipstick Making Workshop 30
Saturday
Craft Club
18
19 Potluck Coffee Morning
Pilates
23
Friday
6
Craft club (embroidery)
Pilates
9
Thursday
25
26
Mahawong Craft
27
Craft club
31 Pampering Spa Morning
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.
MARCH ACTIVITIES Every month we have a lovely craft morning with the pre-schools that SILC supports. Prakkasamai has already closed for the holidays but please join us at: RSVP: silc.community@gmail.com Many of the ladies who volunteer are happy to offer lifts, if you need one!
CRAFT CLUB Our ‘crafty ladies’ meet regularly on Thursday mornings, taking it in turns to host at each others homes. Everyone is welcome, no matter the skill level! This month we will be learning embroidery stitching and making paper flowers (as well as chatting and snacking!). If you would like to join us, send an email to silccraft@gmail.com
Mahawong Pre-school Friday 20th 9:00am - 11:00am
Putting the Bounce back in your Step! Searching for a fun activity that will burn some calories? A Kangoo Jumps rebound shoe class is perfect for cross-training activities and provides many additional health and fitness benefits. This class consists of dancing to music, jumping for various intervals of time, along with conditioning. Let’s jump together - it will be fun!
FRIDAY 6TH MARCH | RCA Bangkok | 11:00 - 12:00 | 300 THB RSVP:silc.activities@gmail.com
‘EASTERN’ MEDICINE TALK MONDAY 9TH | 8:30 - 10:30 ST. ANDREWS, BEARING BTS | 100THB Milos, who is an accupuncturist and TCM practioner, will be talking about health from the ‘Eastern’ medicine point of view what is it, how to nurture it and how to take it to a higher level. The talk will cover topics ranging from how the Eastern medicine views human body and its parts, to concrete solutions on how to deal with stress, sleep well, make different food choices and more. Not to be missed!
POTLUCK COFFEE MORNING THURSDAY 19TH |10:00 - 13:00 BTS PHROM PHONG | FREE Come along for our next coffee morning that’s specially scheduled to coincide with the month of celebrating International Women’s Day, which is a special day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It’s going to be a potluck event kindly hosted at a members home, so please bring along a dish. Sweet or savoury, we really don’t mind!
RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
BLEND YOUR OWN LIPSTICK In this workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to make your own lipstick or lipgloss. Perhaps you’re after something more neutral for everyday use, like a soft peachy pink gloss that will suit all shades of eye shadows. Maybe you’re a party animal and would like something attention grabbing that’s fire-engine red or with lots of shimmer. Whatever your choice may be, come along and you will be able to walk away with your very own lipstick creation. Every girl needs lipstick - sign up today!
Monday 23rd |10:30 - 11:30 Chit Lom BTS |290 thb
RSVP:silc.activities@gmail.com
Come away with us from the busy streets of Bangkok to a heavenly spa retreat. Unwind and let your mind drift as you indulge in relaxing treatments. Members can choose from the following on the day. Treat yourself ‌. You deserve it. Body Scrub (1 hr) plus Relaxing Aromatherapy Massage (1.5 hrs) 1500THB 7 step Facial Program (1 hr) plus Relaxing Aromatherapy Massage (1.5 hrs) 1700THB TUESDAY 31st MARCH | 10:00 - 1:00 | THONGLOR BTS RSVP: silc.activities@gmail.com
*This is an exclusive offer to SILC members.
SILC OUT & ABOUT
RUTH CENTER DONATION 18,000 THB
In February we kept spreading love with the raised funds from our SILC Bazaar and membership income. Who are they? In Bangkok alone, there are over 940,000 elderly people, many destitute, lots lonely, without family or anyone to help them. Ruth Center’s goal is to work with nearby slum communities in Bangkok to improve the quality of life for the elderly and seek long term solutions to their care. Founded in 2008, it consistently helps 452 elderly people in 15 communities in Prawet District. The different ways in which they help these communities is by regular staff visits, giving basic necessities, much love and conversation, organizing trips to the park or to the beach, fixing their homes and helping with the grandchildren. Ruth Center also helps them help themselves by generating opportunities for them to have their own income; generating in this way some happy, self reliant elderly people. How can I help or find out more? What has SILC donated? SILC continued their support of the Ruth Center this year by donating funds for three much needed wheelchairs (18,000 THB). These chairs will be used to ferry them to and from doctors appointments and for special social outings.
www.ruthcenterthailand.org
Author: Laura Troncoso
Low impact, strength training, high intensity, solo or team sport ... whatever your preference is we might have something for you.
Golf, Tennis, Yoga, Pilates - just write to us and we will put you in touch with the co-ordinator
silc.activities@gmail.com
LIMITED EDITION : TEA TOWELS
Two designs - ‘People of Thailand’ and ‘Places of Thailand’ - 200 thb each. To buy your set of these unique and limited editions email: silctreasurer@gmail.com
SILC OUT & ABOUT
SILC OUT & ABOUT
There was no better way to start the month than a morning surrounded by good food and company plus supporting a great initiative at STEPS with Theera. These ladies had a productive and fun morning making some unique accessories with polymer clay, by experimenting with different colours and shapes. Very impressive, well done girls!! Thanks to our talented member Marta for sharing your skills with us.
At our pre-schools the kids and volunteers had a wonderful time recently, decorating Valentine’s cards. The kids had so much fun with their own hands full of paint, glitter and glue!
LOOKING AHEAD : SILC ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR DIARY
APRIL ●
Egyptian Cooking
●
Upcycling of paper to make school exercise books
●
Coffee Morning and SILC AGM
MAY
JUNE ●
Breads of India cooking demo
●
Line Dancing class
●
‘Escape’ the room and solve the mystery event
●
Farewell Coffee Morning
●
Patpong Museum Tour
●
Make your own leather clutch bag
●
Boat tour of Bangkok’s khlongs
●
Social event
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
★
Brenda Hoogendorm
★
Corinna Botha
★
Debbie Morton
★
Elina Passarino
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Eri Takahashi Esmiralde Hoogendorm Fatim Lakha Hui Lertpiyaboon Meg Ganesh Rina Wongpanich Sophia Masuva Suwannee Udomkittiporn Wendy Hot
5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Happy International Women’s day! This is an important day for 3.7 billion women because it raises the voice for women’s protection and extends the right you and I enjoy today to every woman across the globe. Sadly, many even in this day and age, don't enjoy what we believe is normal. Although it might seem like as women we already have a place and equal opportunities in society, there are still many countries where women have no right to express their thoughts, to receive education, are not even the owners of their future as others planned it since their very young age…. And other countries where we have moved on a bit (we are playing many sports, have the right to vote, choose any profession, have some representation at a higher level in business and government, etc), there are yet unequal opportunities in different areas of society (according to the World Economic Forum’s 2017 Global Gender Gap report, gender parity won’t happen for over 200 years) therefore this day should be used to pledge to redouble our efforts to protect and extend women’s rights “for the many not the few.” Keep reading to find out a little bit more including this year theme and how to embrace it fully: 1) What is International Women’s Day (IWD) Is an UN sanctioned global holiday, celebrated yearly on March 8th. It has been observed since the early 1900s to celebrate the contributions of women to society and raise awareness to address topics for gender equality. 2) Origin of IWD In 1909 Women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. Thousands of women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. The following year the day was celebrated in all US and they called it National Women's Day (NWD). The concept caught on in Europe too. In 1910 a second International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen. A woman named Clara Zetkin (Leader of the 'Women's Office' for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women's Day. She proposed that every year in every country there should be a celebration on the same day - a Women's Day - to press for their demands. The conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, representing unions, socialist parties, working women's clubs - and including the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament - greeted Zetkin's suggestion with unanimous approval and thus International Women's Day was the result.
On February 23, 1917 (according to Russia’s Gregorian calendar; it was March 8 in the West) a Russian feminist “Alexandra Kollontai” began a strike in response to the death of over 2 million Russian soldiers in World War I; which proved to be a link in the chain of events that led to the abdication of Czar Nicholas II and the Russian Revolution. After this, women were granted the right to vote. Over the next few years more countries marked the day and celebrated it; and in 1975 during International Women’s Year the UN celebrated as an official holiday. (Check more details https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Ab out) 3) IWD 2020 Theme From 1996 up to date a theme has been adopted to continue calls for speeding up gender parity. This year the theme is “Each for Equal”, which reminds everyone that it’s on each of us to help create a gender equal world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world. 4) Examples of actions we can take today and all year long to promote gender parity: a) Talk at home about gender equality. Researchers say, children absorb stereotypes by age 3, causing the world to expand for boys and shrink for girls by age 10. That’s why we have to start conversations about gender roles early on and challenge the features and characteristics assigned to men and women at home in our daily routines. b) Share equally the care work and chores at home. c) Show your kids and embrace diverse role models. d) Empower your kids to speak out e) Fight stereotypes, including your own. f) Support women-owned business (buy their products, share with your friends, etc) g) Donate time or resource to a women’s charity or initiative h) Mentor a woman and help her build her networks. i) Value and celebrate women’s achievements and contributions j) Reflect on how fair and equal your actions and comments are.
5) Social Media and hashtag “#EachforEqual” With social media in our daily lives, let’s join this year's campaign and inspire others to do it too. Let’s get viral by taking a picture of ourselves with our arms out front and include the hashtag in our FB, IG, Twitter and any social media you are in. Other hashtags that you could also use are: #IWD2020, #WomensDay, #InternationalWomensDay and #SeeHer
Photograph: Rochelle Brockington / EyeEm
Photograph: Sarah Koester / EyeEm
Photograph: Cole Ndelu / EyeEm
Author: Aminta Ochoa
INTERESTING EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY
AIMS AND 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 1,000 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 normally the second Monday in the month and are open to all members. Please inform the SILC Chair or SILC Secretary 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 Membership Community Projects E-newsletter & Ads Activities Website Community Projects
silcchair@gmail.com silcsecretary@gmail.com silctreasurer@gmail.com silcthai@gmail.com silc.community@gmail.com silcmagazine@gmail.com silc.activities@gmail.com silc.websites@gmail.com silc.community@gmail.com
ADVERTISE HERE! SILC News goes every month to over 180 SILC members throughout Bangkok and is available to the general public via our facebook page. 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: silcmagazine@gmail.com To advertise on the SILC Website, please contact: silc.websites@gmail.com To arrange payment, please contact: silctreasurer@gmail.com
SILC News Copy Deadline for April e-Newsletter: 15th March 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