September Soroptimist Summary
SIA
New Year, New President
Let’s welcome our 2019-2020 president, Tina Wei-Kang Pan, of SI/Taipei, Taiwan! Watch this video to hear Tina’s inspiring message to members as she begins her term as SIA president. Watch for an interview with President Tina in the next issue of Best for Women.
Meet Your 2019-2020 SIA Leadership
SIA’s 2019-2020 leadership team is in place. Joining President Tina Wei-Kang Pan, SI/Taipei, Taiwan (Taiwan Region) as officers on the SIA Board are President-elect Penny Babb, SI/Happy Valley of the Sun, AZ (Golden West Region) and Secretary/Treasurer Kazuko Morita, SI/Kyoto, Japan (Japan Chuo Region). They join continuing Board members Jane Carol Azevedo, SI/Brasilia, Brazil (Brazil Region), Ohran Choe, SI/Daegu, Korea (Korea Region), Robin Davis, SI/Woodbridge, VA (Central East Coast Region), Margo Hartman, SI/Scotts Bluff County, NE (Rocky Mountain Region), Patricia McCay, SI/Huntsville, AL (Southern Region), and Hisako Mishima, SI/Kitakyushu, Japan (Japan Minami Region). New Board members for September 1 through August 31, 2021 are Myra Paz Abubakar, SI/Zamboanga (Philippines Region), Jackie DeMartini, SI/Loomis Basin, CA (Sierra Nevada Region), Taeko Endo, SI/Sendai, Japan (Japan Kita Region), Elizabeth Jane “BJ” Gallagher, SI/Edmonton, AB (Western Canada Region), and Clara Luces de Orue, SI/Asuncion, Paraguay (America del Sur Region).
The SIA Board also completed appointments to the SIA Fundraising Council. Continuing on the Council are Chair Lee Ann Cochran, SI/Cleveland, OH (Midwestern Region), Dona Gaddis Wolf, SI/Antioch, CA (Founder Region) and Susan Gilbey, SI/Westminster, CA (Desert Coast Region). New Fundraising Council members appointed for the 2019-2021 term are Kathleen Meyer, SI/Indian Rock, PA (North Atlantic Region) and Sachie Okada, SI/Iwami, Japan (Japan Nishi Region).
Convention
We are so excited for our 46th Biennial Convention in Bellevue, Washington, USA, July 22-25, 2020. Preparations are underway for a fabulous event! Current convention hotel rates and information, registration rates, and meal options are available on the SIA Convention page. Be sure to follow the Soroptimist 46th Biennial Convention—Bellevue 2020 Facebook page so you can stay in the know about all the fun tours, events and activities the Convention Committee has in store for you! And remember, during convention, we will be kicking off our 100thAnniversary celebration.
SIA Leadership Nominations Open!
Nominations are being accepted for 2020-2022 SIA Board positions in the following regions: Electoral Area 1–Brazil, Electoral Area 3–Japan Nishi, Electoral Area 5–Taiwan, Electoral Area 11–South Central, Electoral Area 12–North Atlantic, Electoral Area 13–Northwestern. Nomination forms for these electoral areas can be found on the SIA website, and were sent to all clubs in these regions by postal mail in late July. Board nominations are due to SIA headquarters September 15, 2019.
Nominations are open from all clubs in SIA for Fundraising Council. Two members will be appointed by the SIA Board to this group this year. Fundraising Council nomination forms are due on September 15, 2019, and can be found on the SIA website.
With our Soroptimist Forward Collection, we have some beautiful new jewelry for you.
This month we’re featuring the new Floating Locket Pendant (item #175). A piece that speaks for itself, this necklace mesmerizes with its 24KT gold finish, floating charms, and Swarovski crystals lining the glass encasement. At 22" in length with a 2" adjustable extender that features a lobster clasp closure, this necklace will most certainly attract attention and possibly spark some interesting conversation! Presented in a custom Soroptimist gift box.
Membership
Where are we going? Follow the Map!
Did you know we can accomplish so much more when everyone supports our current Big Goal of Increased Collective Impact? Simply follow the 2019-2020 Club Roadmap for Success for five areas of focus that will guide your plans for this year, help us reach our goals, and provide a positive club experience.
More Diamond Club Kudos!
As you know, after Phase 1 of our Diamond Campaign we celebrated 174 Diamond Clubs that met all three campaign goals. Did you know that some high performers were randomly selected to win a $500 USD cash prize to support their Dream Programs? Congratulations to the following clubs for winning a cash prize, and good luck to all of our clubs and regions as you work together to meet the Phase 2 goals in pursuit of this year’s recognitions and awards!
$500 drawing for 10 clubs meeting all three goals:
- Tahoe Sierra, CA, USA
- Pasco-Kennewick, WA, USA
- Loomis Basin, CA, USA
- Dazaifu, Japan
- Dayton, OH, USA
- Sampaloc, Philippines
- Federal Way, WA, USA
- North San Mateo County, CA, USA
- Sequim, WA, USA
- Grosse Pointe, MI, USA
$500 drawing for one club meeting -1% or better net change in membership:
- Sendai-Airisu, Japan
$500 drawing for one club meeting 13% or more new members:
- Miranda, Venezuela
$500 drawing for one club meeting 14% or fewer dropped members:
- Bountiful, UT, USA
Development
A Message from Nancy Montyvdas
As a staff member and proud Soroptimist for more than 25 years, I often find myself reflecting on all we’ve accomplished—grateful for the progress we have made and humbled by the journey ahead of us. I am constantly amazed and inspired by the compassion and dedication you all have shown. You are truly the driving force behind all that we do.
Without you, we would have not been able to help the thousands of courageous women and girls who had nowhere else to turn. You recognized their plight and chose to take action—investing in their dreams so they could transform their lives. For that, I am truly grateful.
You have become more than just members—you are our devoted partners, our visionary supporters, and our most passionate advocates. Together we’ve made an extraordinary impact and it excites me to imagine the strides we will continue to make. I am honored to work alongside you and thank you for your unwavering service, your generosity, and your belief in our mission.
—Nancy Montvydas, Senior Director of Fund Development
Program
Dream Programs
High quality photos can help raise your club’s public profile and spread the word about our Dream Programs. We recommend seeking a volunteer photographer in your community who can take beautiful photos for you at Live Your Dream Awards or Dream It, Be It events! Email photos to program@soroptimist.org. Be sure to send JPG or PNG files, preferably with shots of four or fewer people, and don’t forget to get a signed media consent form!
Live Your Dream Awards
As a reminder, the SIA Board of Directors voted in July 2016 to define participation in the Live Your Dream Awards to include the distribution of a cash award. Starting this year, clubs that do not give a cash award will not be counted as participating in the program.
Take One Step
Thank you to all the clubs that took one step to help us reach more women and girls. Check out all our actions from last year and look for new tips coming each month in the Soroptimist Summary!
Public Awareness
Kick off the New Year with New Resources!
Are you excited for the new club year? Here are some new or updated materials to help keep Soroptimist, your club and our Dream Programs in the limelight:
- Downloadable Logos
- Social Media Tool Kit
- Website Guide
- Customizable club brochure
- Customizable news release promoting your new club
- Customizable news release to attract members
Find other public awareness tools on the Recognition and Branding page. Also, SIA now has a refined mission statement and tag line.
The End of an Era
As of December 31, 2019, all clubs should be switched over to using the SIA S logo. This FAQ will answer your questions about the logo policy. If your club needs to create a new banner or flag with the S logo, please see the updated banner and flag guide. And be sure to review the updated Branding and Style guide to learn more about our visual identity and messaging. Thank you for your efforts to be on point with the Soroptimist brand!
LYD.org
It might not be on the playground, but bullying occurs across all industries. And women are often on the receiving end. Read more here and learn about ways to foster a supportive community among women.
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!
December 10th President's Appeal
SI President-elect Sharon Fisher announced her December 10th President’s Appeal at the SI convention in Malaysia. The Road to Equality will focus on the role SI can play in achieving gender equality as we develop capacity and raise awareness on human rights challenges that prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential. Look for more information when the new appeal launches on October 1.
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