Second General Session Friday morning was all about Soroptimist International. President Hanne Jensbo gave an enlightening talk about SI’s progress towards the goals of its strategic plan, which the SI Board adopted in 2008.
Goal 1: Develop a SI Long Term Project and engage all Soroptimist clubs
The purpose of having a Long Term Project is to give more focus and awareness to the work SI does. SI asked clubs in all four federations to vote on whether the long term project should relate to education and leadership or violence against women and trafficking. While the majority have voted for education and leadership, SI will reveal the the final results at the SI Board Meeting in August.
Goal 2: Establish strategic partnerships
SI has made a strategic partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). SI and WAGGGS have similar goals and the present scouts could one day become future SI members.
Goal 3: Adopt and implement a new corporate identity
SI is currently still working on a new identity because the emblem, as it is now, does not represent all the women of the federation. For example, Islamic members do not accept the naked arms of the woman in the emblem, who also appears too western.
Goal 4: Set up a Foundation that will allow the receipt of funds from other sources to Long Term Project
SI is in the process of investigating legal advice on how to follow official procedure to set up a charitable trust or foundation, but for members and external sources.
Goal 5: Make a digital TIS (SI's magazine)
SI moved to a digital TIS because subscriptions were low.
Following President Hanne’s talk, SI President-Elect Alice Wells discussed recent collaboration between SIA and SIE. The two federations began working together on a number of different initiatives. As a result of the collaboration both the Soroptimist Disaster Grants for Women and Girls and Soroptimist Project Matching will be administered jointly by the two federations.
Then SI Convention Chair Yvonne Machuk talked about the beautiful city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and got attendees revved up for SI’s upcoming convention there, July 10-14, 2011.
Live Your Dream Luncheon
Contributors to Founders Pennies, pioneers of the Live Your Dream Team and contributors to the Annual Club Campaign were all recognized during the Live Your Dream luncheon, which also honored Soroptimist’s 2010 Violet Richardson and Ruby Award recipients.
Founders Pennies are a traditional part of Soroptimist club giving. Club contributed $5.34 per member this year, which amounted to over $200,000 for Soroptimist programs.
See the regions that had 100 percent participation in Founders Pennies.
The Live Your Dream team is a new initiative for clubs and regions to partner with SIA. Clubs and regions wishing to take advantage of the benefits that come along with being a Live Your Dream Team member have committed to sharing a portion of their local fundraising efforts with the federation. In return, the Live Your Dream Team members receive benefits that spotlight their local programs and increase club participation in Soroptimist’s international projects, such as the Women’s Opportunity Awards.
Next recognized were contributors of the Annual Club Campaign. This year 1,032 clubs, or 73 percent of all clubs, gave to the Annual Club Campaign. Of those clubs, 415 gave at least $500, putting them at the bronze level. Forty-four clubs shined at the silver level with a gift of $750-$999. And 161 clubs donated $1,000 to become a gold club.
In addition, the Korea Region had the highest club participation rate, with 100 percent of its clubs contributing to the Annual Club Campaign. Japan Chuo Region received recognition for the highest number or contributions with a total of $61,762.
Next SIA recognized the 2010 Violet Richardson Award. This past year, 765 clubs participated, or 55 percent of all clubs. In addition to the nearly $250,000 the federation gave to girls and the $125,000 donated to their volunteer organizations, clubs and regions awarded more than $250,000 to girls and donated almost $125,000 to local charities. The total Violet Richardson Awards to girls and their organizations for the 2009-2010 club year was $431,834.
Recipient Talia Leman founded the nonprofit organization, RandomKid: The Power of ANYone, which serves to educate, unify and empower young people of all backgrounds and abilities to make a measurable difference in their efforts to help solve real world problems. Talia was not present in San Francisco to accept her award, but sent this video for everyone to watch during the awards lunch:
This year, more than 500 clubs honored women by giving them the Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women. Nearly $115,000 in donations were given to their winners' charities of choice. For the first time ever, both Soroptimists and the public got to vote online to pick this year's Ruby Award recipient.
The finalists received a total of 6,000 votes, with Lisa Culp receiving 2,268 votes. Lisa won for her work to launch the Women’s Empowerment organization which provides homeless women with what they need to rebuild their lives: job training, housing, counseling, vocational guidance and domestic violence services. Watch a short clip of Lisa's speech:
Laurel Society Event During every convention, SIA provides a fun, invitation-only party in appreciation of its Laurel Society members. This year’s event topped all others. Held at the Ruby Skye Nightclub in downtown San Francisco, the party had a 1960s theme. The 60s were a decade of change, and Soroptimist was working hard to change the world for women. Attendees donned Afro wigs, bell bottoms, tie-dyed shirts, go-go boots, psychedelic colors, and flowers in their hair—all while dancing to songs from the 60s. The video below may be dark, but there's no mistaking the fun time these Laurel Society members had!
