March Soroptimist Summary
SIA
2019 SIA Recognition Banquet!
Registration for the 2019 SIA Recognition Banquet is now open! Join Soroptimists from all over the world for a fabulous evening to celebrate our accomplishments and our leaders! Click here for more information to plan your trip to beautiful Montreal!
New SIA Staff
Meet SIA’s newest staff member, Erica Cheslock. She joins SIA as director of donor relations. In this role, Erica will develop and manage the major gifts program to support our Soroptimist Dream Programs: The Live Your Dream Awards and Dream It, Be It. Read more about Erica here! You can reach Erica at erica@soroptimist.org. Please, welcome her aboard!
Soroptimist Store
Our newest pin (item #116) features a Sombrero design with smooth contrasting textures of gold color and our signature Soroptimist blue. Measuring 1 1/2 inches across and featuring a safety clasp backing, it is the perfect pin to showcase your Soroptimist pride.
Program
Live Your Dream Awards
We are excited to share a new resource! You’ve selected a Live Your Dream Award recipient, and now it’s time to celebrate. Follow these tips to make the event a memorable experience for everyone.
Dream It, Be It
Don’t forget to submit your project and evaluation information to the online form within one month of your Dream It, Be It project.
Big Goal
As we prepare to substantially increase the number of women and girls we serve through the Dream Programs, communicating with our community partners is a critical step. Perhaps your club has participated in Working as One, has used the Club Planning Tool and has decided to make some changes in your club’s focus.
Maybe your club has decided to stop supporting a local organization that you’ve collaborated with for years, and want to make sure they are prepared and understand why you are making this change. Use this communication packet as an aid in communicating these difficult, but necessary club transitions.
During our convention in Yokohama, Japan, we used a SOAR model to focus on our strengths, opportunities, aspirations and results. We engaged participants in small group discussions about our 2021-2031 Big Goal: Invest in the Dreams of Half a Million Women and Girls Through Access To Education. Check out the results here!
Development
International Women's Day 2019
Thank you to all of our members who supported Soroptimist in honor of International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women - while also making a call to action for accelerating gender balance.
Soroptimist’s global Dream Programs—The Live Your Dream Awards: Education & Training Awards for Women and Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls—are dedicated to helping women and girls achieve economic empowerment through education.
Within our 21 countries and territories, Soropitmists empower women and girls through access to education because education is the key to gender equality.
If you were unable to give by March 8, you can still support our global Dream Programs at https://www.soroptimist.org/IWD-2019.html. Together we can provide more access to education for women and girls.
Take One Step
Your club is a source of light—giving both the gift of concrete change in a woman’s life, and hope to young girls. That light could be money for a woman’s electric bill, so she can study at night, thanks to the Live Your Dream Awards. Or it might be a grant to a club, so they can mentor adolescent girls using the Dream It, Be It curriculum.
Support our global Dream Programs by making at least a 10% contribution of locally raised funds by May 31, 2019 and your club will earn a special seal on your recognition certificate! By supporting women across the globe, your club can illuminate the path for women and girls and help them achieve their dreams.
10 Reasons to Give at Least 10%!
Membership
All About Us
If you or someone else in your club has been called upon to talk about Soroptimist, check out the SIA – About Us Presentation. This resource gives general information about SIA, our Dream Programs, and spotlights local Soroptimist club projects around the world. It's a great starting point for new member orientations, and can be used to introduce Soroptimist to potential members and other groups in your community.
Meaningful Connections
Looking for ways to connect on a deeper level with your fellow club members? Check out this blog by Mary Jo Asmus, PCC, president, Aspire Collaborative Services LLC, about building better relationships through our interactions. Follow this advice to build the bonds with your fellow club members and create a healthy club atmosphere today!
Public Awareness
New Social Media Profile Images
Does your club need to spruce up its social media pages with a new look? To match our updated website and branding, SIA has designed new banner images and profile pictures for clubs to use on social media. Whether your club is on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or Instagram, these images match the required size specifications for each platform. Download them from the Recognition and Branding page under Social Media Materials!
S Logo
The December 2019 deadline is approaching for all clubs and regions to transition to solely using SIA’s S logo as your visual identifier. For more information, go here.
LYD.org
Today, four out of every 10 businesses in America are owned by women, numbering more than 12 million, representing about 39% of all U.S. businesses. Curious about their successes and challenges? Read more here and also find out the benefits of women-owned businesses and how to support them.
SI
Convention
Plan to attend SI’s 21st International Convention, July 18-21, 2019, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With its “Soroptimists Enable a Sustainable World—Global Connections, Empowered Women” theme, the convention will offer an interesting and enlightening program, including keynote speakers, interactive workshops and informative presentations. Click here for additional information.
President's Appeal
Stay up-to-date on the SI President's “Women, Water & Leadership” Appeal. SIA has donated over $162,000 since the appeal began in September 2017. You can make a difference. To donate, submit this form to Soroptimist Headquarters. (Be sure to select “SI: December 10th/President’s Appeal” under “Club/Region Contributions.”)