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The original Charter for Glasgow Central was lost following the destruction by fire of the Grosvenor function rooms where the Club had met for a number of years. In 1977, we arranged to obtain a copy and this was signed by Miss Una Bissett, President 1977/78. It is inscribed on the back by Dr.Isobel Case with the names and categories of all Charter members.

The previous ivorine has recently been replaced. The Soroptimist emblem is now shown on a gilt badge bar, the member's name and category in white lettering and the Club name in gold, these being shown on a blue background.

As stated in the text, this was designed in 1987 by Mrs Anne Coley, and is pictured on the front cover. The rose is the Mackintosh rose, perhaps even more appropriate now since the Mackintosh exhibition in 1996. The bird is the dove of peace which features in the Mackintosh School of Art, while the acorns are there to suggest the possibility of growing to great oaks producing yet more acorns. The surrounding laurel leaves symbolise victory and triumph, or perhaps friendship and service.

The main feature of our Regalia is the special lapis-lazuli stone which hangs from a silver filigree handmade medallion incorporating the words 'President, Glasgow' and the Soroptimist emblem. Silver chain links hold silver bars on which the President's name and year of office are recorded. In 1981, Mr Tony Browning kindly arranged to have the stone examined in the Kelvingrove Art Galleries to confirm its authenticity. It was pronounced to be lapis-lazuli, which is a mixture of the blue mineral lazurite and other main components, including calcite and pyrite. Lapis-lazuli is a highly prized ornamental stone used for carvings etc. We treasure our possession.

Over the years, our wanderings, like those of the Lost Tribe, can be traced from one meeting place to another - the Gordon, the Rhul, the George Hotel, the Grosvenor, the Ca'doro, Renfield Church Centre, Exchange Restaurant, the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, the Bath Hotel, the College of Building & Printing, the Mitchell Library and Glasgow University College Club. Yet average attendances rarely fall below the requisite 50% of meetings and often exceed it.

Also valued is the contact we have with what used to be known as our Sister Clubs. The exchange of news and views is useful as well as interesting, but the success of the link depends to a great extent on the correspondent. In this day and age when letter writing is no longer a fashionable pastime, it has proved more difficult to keep these links alive.We were therefore vexed to have to formally sever our link with S.I. Los Angeles in 1986 after 38 years. However, we occasionally meet up on special occasions with members of S.I. Antwerp, to whom we have been linked since 1951, although the correspondence is rather sparse.
In 1980, Margaret Morton and Margaret Cowan attended Antwerp's Golden Jubilee celebrations, enjoying hospitality from one of their members. They had travelled via Amsterdam where they stayed in the home of a Soroptimist just a stone's throw from Anne Frank's house. In 1990, Glasgow Central was represented by Mary, Lady Gray, who travelled to Antwerp for their Diamond Jubilee.

Our strongest link was forged in 1973 with S.I. Morrison, Australia. This came about through contact made by Dr Maud P. Menzies and Alison Downie when they attended the S.I.G.B.I. Federation Conference in Sydney at which Dr. Menzies was installed as President of Divisional Union Scotland South. Dr. Maud has corresponded faithfully over the years on our behalf and has been rewarded with regular letters and relevant information. Gifts, too, have frequently been exchanged. Since 1978, this Club has been part of the Federation of the South West Pacific which was inaugurated in that year. In addition, Marguerite Mennie keeps up a regular correspondence with another Australian Club, S.I. Mornington, details of which we enjoy. More recent links are with S.I. Grimsby & Cleethorpes and S.1.Carshalton, in our own Federation.

The Opposite Number scheme was introduced in the 70s. While visiting the sick among ourselves would always happen as a matter of course, the scheme was introduced to encourage each member to be responsible for a person assigned to her. This valuable friendship link within the Club ensures regular contact. The sick or housebound are sent flowers at Christmas or during times of crisis, while the fit member keeps the club informed of their progress. Moreover, several car runs operate for the benefit of those who do not drive.

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1. To enable Soroptimists in Scotland South Region of Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland to sponsor a person, whether or not a Soroptimist, willing and able to offer professional expertise in specific fields overseas, or in the United Kingdom.,
   
   and / or
   
   
2. to sponsor persons, not necessarily Soroptimists, from outwith the U.K. to come to this country for study or training, all of which would benefit the country or community, or both, of the person sponsored,
   
   and / or
   
   
3. to provide Funding, in whole or part, for a specific project which would benefit a country or community.