Category: Blog Post

What a weekend!

Hosted by SI of the Langleys, Soroptimists from around the region gathered to share and learn from the comfort of their homes. Club members were joined by SI President Sharon Fisher and other international guests, SIA guests as well as Governor Jennifer Oliver and members of Eastern Canada Region. A benefit of being mindful of travel restrictions allows for our events to take on an international flavour.

Conference Co-Chair Diane Summers welcomed attendees to the conference. In her remarks she recognized the recent passing of Governor Roseanne Ham and explained that according to Region Bylaws, when the Governor is not able to complete her term, the Governor-Elect will assume the role for the remainder of that term followed by the biennium she is to serve as Governor. Governor Suzanne Heron of SI Victoria-West Shore will conduct the business of the Region until the end of this biennium and assume the position again for her term. Similarly, the Governor may appoint a Soroptimist to assume the role of Governor-Elect for the remainder of the term. In this instance, Chari Grant of SI of the Tri-Cities has accepted to fulfill the term as Governor-Elect.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE STRUCK

A three member Nominating Committee was struck at this conference to prepare nominations for the 2022-2024 biennium WCR Board.

Melanie Kenny (SI Saskatoon), Diane Summers (SI of the Langleys), and Sherry Smith (SI Central Alberta) are tasked with contacting members to determine a slate of names for election to the Board at our next conference. Please consider putting your name forward when/if you are contacted. If you are already interested in being part of the Board – reach out to any of these Members!

FEDERATION ADDRESS: Jackie DeMartini, SIA Secretary-Treasurer

In her role within SIA, Jackie DeMartini (SI Newcastle, CA) sees first hand the financial struggle that some clubs and members are facing in the current world climate. Membership is down 16% with those leaving indicating that by meeting on virtual platforms with fundraising and other interactions limited, they were “not getting anything out of their membership”. She reminded all clubs to check in with those clubs when we are able to resume regular activities.

She prefers to use the term “forward to better” rather than “back to normal”. Her words are far more encouraging!

Jackie reminded everyone that the programs and projects that our clubs take on are still very important and should be celebrated on an ongoing basis. As a way to get to know our clubs better and to re-invigorate thinking she opened the floor to hear from us directly about our programs. We thank her for getting us motivated to move “forward to better” in our new Soroptimist year!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fChjhM_Ycuc

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Memorial Co-Chairs Karen Wandler and Sharon Fisher prepared a wonderful tribute to the beautiful Soroptimists that we have said good-bye to this year. Please take a few minutes to watch and remember with us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqNYuC6jTtI

Conference 2022 – Invitation from SI Victoria-West Shore!

After two years of “watching” instead of “meeting”, this group of women are seriously ready for a road trip! Some had booked their hotel rooms before the weekend was even over! Here’s the invitation from the amazing members of SI Victoria-West Shore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtAPMbNwY4o

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER – President Sharon Fisher, Soroptimist International

It is always an honour to hear from SI President Sharon Fisher (SI of the Langleys). Her positive and inspiring message is a reminder of why we work so diligently to empower women globally.

The “Road to Equality” President’s Appeal is focusing on making changes in six (6) areas that impact women and girls globally:

• Domestic Violence

• Human Trafficking

• Forced and Child Marriage

• Female Genital Mutilation

• Older Persons

• People on the Move

To learn more about what has been done and will continue to be done as a result of President Sharon’s vision please view her presentation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=359xrIU4ZKM

President Sharon reminded all that there will be a grand 100th Anniversary Celebration on October 1-3, 2021 (virtual). Members are encouraged to register and part of this historic event. The organizing committee is also looking for assistance with some of the prep work for the event, if you might be interested please let President Sharon know.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER – Emmy Skates, Executive Director, The Salvation Army Gateway of Hope, Langley BC

During the early planning of this year’s retreat, Governor Roseanne felt strongly that members should hear from a local organization that serves the community and how they have pivoted to meet the needs of their community over the past year. The Salvation Army Gateway of Hope has successfully continued to serve their existing clients in additions to many new clients in need of food and assistance with coping during the current conditions we all face.

While several programs offered at the Gateway have had to be halted temporarily, many of them were ramped up to serve the growing demand:

• 75,000 community meals – pivoted to served in house to being made “to go”

• 11,000 emergency stays

• 9,000 transition stays

• 850 school backpacks for local children – delivered by volunteers rather than picked up by families

• 3,000 food hampers for families – also delivered by volunteers rather than available for pick up

The Gateway of Hope has an operating budget of $3.3 million, with $1.5 million of that fund raised through events like the Christmas Kettle Campaign ($226,000) and Coldest Night of the Year ($87,000).

The staff and volunteers of the Gateway of Hope are dedicated to ensuring that everyone in need is provided as much assistance as they are able to provide. The support of organizations like SI of the Langleys locally continues to make their jobs easier and provides them with encouragement knowing there are those in the community supporting their efforts..

To learn more about The Salvation Army Gateway of Hope please visit: www.gatewayofhope.ca

With that the first day was done! Committee Co-Chair Diane thanked everyone for being there and introduced a wonderful video salute to 100 Fashionable Years of Soroptimist which was created by Karen Wandler (SI of the Langleys).

I am new to my Celebrating Success position but I noticed only 8 clubs sent in entries last year! Plus only 3 clubs won from each of four  priorities for Soroptimist of the America’s priorities!!!  One of our basic tenets had only 1 entry so guaranteed to win!! It is not a strong representation of all the good things we do in WCR!! 

I am hoping with an early reminder that WCR clubs can find their more exciting projects to brag about from your individual clubs!!

By tasking a Club Member to be responsible to help your executive to brag about your club you involve more members!! Plus by writing down your successes it reminds members of your quality projects under SIA guidelines!!

The most current form is found on the SIA website!

For any questions please contact me anytime at the email above or on my cell at 780 903-0426!!

Anna Der, Past-President,
Soroptimist International Club of Edmonton

Join us on September 25 and 26 at 7:00 p.m., EST, to celebrate our bright past and to dream big for our brilliant future.
Highlights will include:

• Opening SIA’s historic time capsule

• Exhibit of our early years

• Interactive game show with chance for prizes

• Launch of a new SIA video.

Stay tuned for more details about this exciting event! View our Celebration in a Box for other ways to celebrate.

With the global pandemic continuing, the SIA Board of Directors held a special meeting on January 7, 2021 to further review and discuss the risk of face-to-face region conferences and other face-to-face SIA sanctioned activities and travel. Risk is anything that jeopardizes the health, safety or welfare of our members or Soroptimist as an organization.

The SIA Board made the decision – effective immediately – to temporarily pause face-to-face meetings and activities authorized or sanctioned by SIA along with associated meeting travel, until further notice. This includes region conferences and other region and club meetings and activities.

The SIA Board is aware of its duty to manage the legal and financial risk of the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic and its effects on the members, staff, and other stakeholders, including our Dream Program participants and the general public. It was only after careful analysis of all relevant factors the board decided that the ONLY absolutely effective action was to temporarily pause all SIA face-to-face meetings, activities and events, along with related travel, until further notice. 

With the spike in numbers reported on the disease throughout the federation and across the U.S., including the new variant which seems even more transmissible and insidious, there is no guarantee that compliance with local or other governmental guidelines will insulate SIA and its members, staff and stakeholders including the general public, from bodily harm or death.  Only by removing the incubator-like situations of face-to-face meetings and activities. can SIA say that it is doing everything possible to protect those individuals and SIA as an organization.

The detrimental effect on SIA is clear and of great concern to the board.  But when weighed against the possible exposure endangering the health and safety of all concerned, as well as the financial risk to the organization and the infected individuals, the difficult but prudent policy is to take a temporary step back from face-to-face meetings and activities.

The board also considered several other possible mitigation strategies, none of which are as effective as the temporary pause.

Please remember this is a TEMPORARY PAUSE; the federation board will continue to evaluate the changing conditions of this global pandemic and remove this temporary pause when we can all gather safely. Until that time, we will support each other and create innovative solutions so we can remain strong for the women and girls who need us.

If you have questions, please go to:

https://www.soroptimist.org/for-clubs-and-members/whats-new/2021/pause-face-to-face-meetings.html 

It is with sadness and sincere gratitude for her outstanding service that the SIA Board shares with you the resignation of our Soroptimist International of the Americas, Inc.® Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth M. Lucas, CAE, effective August 31, 2021. 

Liz joined SIA in 2011 and was charged with increasing our collective impact to help Soroptimist be better known for improving the lives of women and girls around the world. Under her ten-year tenure, she worked as a team with ten elected presidents and boards of directors. Her management and administration of strategy were instrumental in clarifying and achieving many Soroptimist goals which define SIA’s current position and where we want to be in the future. Further, our organization adopted its first strategic big goal of increased collective impact and identified our 2021-2031 Big Goal to invest in the dreams of half a million women and girls through access to education. 

During her time as Executive Director & CEO, Soroptimist doubled its impact through our global brand unifying Dream Programs, award-winning programs for women and girls.   

Our fundraising efforts expanded to support the expansion of our federation’s collective impact and championed an online community to advance our mission. And while club membership has declined in North America it has grown in Asia along with our online supporters and brand exposure.

Liz’s management and strategic abilities were instrumental in identifying and launching the Dream It Be It: Career Education for Girls® program reaching 73,516 girls in four years. Impact results report 86% of girls feeling more prepared to pursue their career goals. Live Your Dream: Education & Training Awards for Women ® saw 50% more women and girls being awarded 83% more in funding to recipients. Key impact results continue to report 84% who completed their education increased their standard of living and 94% increased their self-esteem.

Liz shares, “I love Soroptimist and all it stands for. I sincerely thank you for the opportunities, experiences and knowledge I have gained during my time with the organization. It has been my pleasure to serve the board. I have greatly enjoyed the members and my work with SIA Headquarters staff. As I reflect on the last nine years, I am proud of all Soroptimist has accomplished. While it’s past has been bright, it’s future is brilliant.” 

Your federation board expresses our sincere thanks and deep appreciation to Liz for her passion and dedication to our mission. With her skills in teamwork, operation, and administration, we have experienced forward movement of our strategic plan. We have Shaped our Future for increased collective impact and Liz has been instrumental in helping us expand our member engagement, program impact, fundraising, recognition and to prepare us for our second century. 

The board will begin the process of a search for a new Executive Director & CEO and will be guided by our core values, strategic plan, the desire to continue the development and success of our organization, and to encourage an extraordinary member experience. We will continue to work closely with Liz in the months ahead to ensure our shared desire for a smooth transition to our new ED&CEO. Please join us in thanking Liz for her successful tenure and wishing her well in her future endeavors. 

SIA Board of Directors