February Soroptimist Summary
SIA
Ready for Electronic Voting?
In late February, SIA will conduct our first all-electronic mail ballot to elect our 2020-2021 president-elect. Clubs will receive an individualized authenticated link to enter the voting system to cast their votes; that link will be sent to the club’s @soroptimist.net club email address. Club presidents and club treasurers will receive notification of the ballot through their personal email addresses on file with SIA headquarters, but the authenticated link will be sent ONLY to the club email address. The ballot will be available beginning Friday, February 28 through Thursday, April 30.
If your club is not regularly accessing its @soroptimist.net club email address, please start doing so now. Instructions on using the club email system can be found on the website in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our membership services team at siahq@soroptimist.org.
Convention Update
Convention Registration
The early bird convention registration has passed. The regular registration rate of $625 is in effect and available until May 15. Register between now and then to receive a chance to win a prize in the registration contest. See contest flyer for details.
Convention Fee
Clubs, check your inboxes! The 2020 convention fee letter and invoices from SIA have been sent to all clubs. Convention is an opportunity to conduct the future planning and business of our global organization. As such, all clubs share in the financial responsibility for the convention. Each club’s share is US$550.00, and entitles your club to:
- One voting delegate at the convention
- Convention registration for your club’s delegate, which is a savings of $550 (this does not include meals).
- An opportunity to participate in the future planning for SIA. We are expecting eight amendments to SIA bylaws.
Invoices are due to headquarters by March 15.
Convention Hotel
The Hyatt Regency Hotel still has rooms available and has recently added sleeping rooms with two beds to our room block. If you have trouble booking online, please contact the hotel directly.
Convention Tours
Updated local tour information is available on the convention webpage, including a special from Tour Northwest. The company will offer a 15 percent discount to Soroptimists for any of their tours between July 15 and 31. Check the flyer for details on this tour opportunity and more.
Soroptimist After Hours
As you complete your convention registration, don’t miss the opportunity to sign up for Soroptimist After Hours, taking place Friday evening, July 24, 8:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. Enjoy an evening with hundreds of your Soroptimist friends at the Reaching New Heights Night Club. You will find a night filled with karaoke, comedy, dancing, a no-host bar and some surprise fun activities!
Friendship Dinner World of Dance Showcase
One of the highlights of our Friendship Dinner at convention will be our World of Dance Showcase! We are looking for members, clubs, and regions to share a dance that represents their part of the world, or a style of dance your members enjoy performing. Those interested in participating should contact Convention Vice Chair Sue Riney at riney@whidbey.net for more details. Space for the Friendship Dinner is limited, and the deadline to indicate interest in participating in the World of Dance Showcase is May 15.
Year-end Results Infographic
SIA’s year-end results are shared in an easy to understand infographic. It is available in all languages! Visit the Translated Resources page, then look under the Federation Information section for the downloadable PDF. A direct link to the English version is here. Read, enjoy and celebrate our many successes in FY2018-2019!
Keeping Your Resolutions
Finding it hard to keep to your resolutions one month into the new year? Read this blog post on LiveYourDream.org to see how you can help improve your mood, ease symptoms of stress and gain positive energy!
Soroptimist Store
Introducing our brand-new expandable bar bracelet (available in both gold and silver), accented with a stunning Swarovski sapphire crystal. This bracelet features our Live Your Dream Awards and “S” logos, is expandable from 2" to 3.5", and comes in a custom Soroptimist gift box for $45 (silver) or $46 (gold). Order yours today!
Program
Live Your Dream Awards Deadline Reminders
February 1: New club funding deadline
February 1: Club applications due to districts deadline
February 15: Club/district applications due to regions
March 15: Region recipients’ applications due to SIAHQ
Take One Step
Reporting to SIA may feel time-consuming, but it’s so important! Your reporting enables us to understand and report back to our global membership about your collective impact through the Dream Programs. This month take one step by ensuring your club’s hard work is counted by reporting it to SIA!
Dream It, Be It Reporting Link (report by June 1, 2020)
Live Your Dream Awards Club Transmittal (report to region chair by February 15, 2020)
Soroptimist Club Grants
Soroptimist Club Grant applications are due March 1 to program@soroptimist.org. For more information about eligible projects and to start an application, visit this page!
Development
Did you know the Laurel Society is made up of eight prestigious levels?
That’s right! Whether you contribute to our Live Your Dream Awards, Dream It Be It, or both through unrestricted support—you’re advancing your Laurel Society Recognition every time you give.
Plus, as you reach each of these eight prestigious levels—your generosity is acknowledged with an exclusive pin, unique to that particular Laurel Society level.
Commit to investing in the dreams of women and girls and further your recognition as a Laurel Society member—make a gift today!
Membership
Dealing with Differences
With so many diverse and talented members, differences are bound to occur in our clubs. If you find yourself needing to referee a dispute, first, take a deep breath! Then reference this conflict resolution tip to come to a positive resolution and achieve closure.
Public Awareness
#SoroptimistsAtWork Photos
We recently launched a #SoroptimistsAtWork social media campaign asking to share photos on social media of your club members having a great time. You can read more details about this membership campaign on Facebook. Here are a few simple tips for creating compelling, engaging and meaningful pictures:
- Take closeups—try to stay away from large group shots.
- Show members in action—having fun!
- Make sure the lighting is good—we want to see your faces.
- Steer clear of a distracting background—we want YOU to be the focus.
- Take multiple pictures then decide which one is best to share—don’t you hate when you take a picture then later realize someone’s eyes are closed?
We look forward to receiving your pictures for the campaign by May 31. Please keep these tips in mind when sharing photos on your own social media pages and promoting your club projects.
SI
100th Anniversary Celebration
Did you know that October 2021 marks Soroptimist’s 100th anniversary? We will gather at the Fairmont San Francisco Hotel, October 1-3 to celebrate this auspicious event. More details to follow and be sure to save the date now! Check out our frequently asked questions to find out who is invited, the events planned during the celebration and more!
New SI President
We are so pleased to offer our support to past SIA President Sharon Fisher as she begins her term as SI president. Read Sharon’s message as SI prepares to take the next steps on the journey to gender equality.
CSW64
SI President Sharon and SIA President Tina will join a delegation of members from around the world to attend the 64thCommission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in March. This is an important meeting of the CSW as they review 25 years of progress on the Beijing Platform for Action.
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