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FounderLink
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November 2001
Volume 1, Number 2 |
Get to Know Your Founder Region District Directors...
District I Director
Chrisann Nicholson
Over 30 years ago, District I Director Chrisann Nicholson married her high school sweetheart, and they are the parents of two adult daughters. She has a BS degree in Early Childhood Education and is a credentialed elementary school teacher. In 1984, she started Creative Beginnings Pre-School and later added day care to the business. She co-founded Kids Care Plus, a nonprofit school age child care program and tutoring program. At the present time, she owns two pre-schools and is the CEO of Kids Care Plus, which has expanded to four school sites in Castro Valley.
Nine years ago, she was taken by a friend to the Castro Valley Soroptimist Club, and in her words, "I was hooked." A few years later that club merged with San Leandro's club and she was the first president of Soroptimist International of the East Bay. She joined Soroptimist because of the opportunity to help other women and to meet other women in business. She has been recording secretary for two years, corresponding secretary, second vice-president, first vice-president, and held the office of president for twice.
She finds that the best thing about being a Soroptimist is, "...the opportunity to meet and gain understanding of women from a variety of cultures and countries. Every time we have a Soroptimist function I meet women who amaze me. How can there be so many women around the world doing so much good in so many different ways? The answer can only be...because they are Soroptimists."
Although her club's new Casino Night was more fun and less work, she liked her club's Pasta Fest better. She thinks that her clubs "Pretty Bags" service project is her club's best service project. Large cosmetic bags are stuffed with toiletries, hair care items, make-up, and other items and are furnished to two local shelters for women as Christmas presents. Each year between 25 and 30 bags are given to each shelter.
Being a district director is her first opportunity to hold a Region office. Now she says, "I'm considering going all the way."
Attending the Anaheim Convention is one of her best memories. "I was awestruck when I saw the flags on stage and the bank of interpreters. This was when I truly realized what being an international organization meant. WOW!"
When asked what separates Soroptimist apart from other service clubs, she replied, "Soroptimist focuses on women. Women in America have so much more freedom and equality than those in other countries. Third World countries need Soroptimists from other countries to lead them into the 21st century. The other clubs were male-dominated; created for and by men. I like men, but women need a club that was established for and by women.
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District II Director
Doris Webster
Doris Webster is a member of the Concord club, and she wrote such a good biography of herself, we decided to run it as she wrote it.
"I worked thirty six years in education. I retired in December 1995. I loved my work but it's great to be retired! Now I am so busy doing Soroptimist work, and other things, I don't know how I ever had time to work full time! Currently, I work part time for my son in his law practice, I am also on the board of directors of a large credit union and am secretary on the executive board of the local retired teachers association. I also am a lay minister and lector in my church.
"I am married, have three grown children, two grandsons (also grown). My husband has been retired for a number of years, is active in the local Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus. My oldest daughter lives in Carson City and is a case nurse for the state of Nevada. My younger daughter (the middle child) is the one with the grandsons. She is a retired deputy sheriff and she and her husband are currently pursuing the adoption of a baby girl. My son has his law practice here in town, is licensed to practice in both Arizona and Hawaii as well as California, is not yet married, has two German Shepherds of his own, plus he is raising a German Shepherd guide dog puppy.
"Since retiring, I raised two guide dog puppies, both Golden Retrievers. The first one is now working as guide with a sight impaired lady in Hayward. They come out on BART to visit me every month. We the my dog to the groomer, visit and go to lunch, then I take them back to BART and her husband meets them at the Hayward station. She is a really nice lady and of course I love seeing my dog. My second puppy finished all her guide training then just as she was being matched with her blind person, was stung by a bee and suffered such a terrible reaction, she was dropped from the program. However, they let me bring her home and she is now my wonderful pet.
"I have been a Soroptimist since 1993. I love being a Soroptimist and, fortunately, I enjoy being busy. Being District Director is fun -- and challenging at the same time. I love what we do as a group of women making life better for women in our communities, our country and countries throughout the world. Together I know we do make a difference."
District III Director
Lee Ray McDoniels
District III Director Lee Ray McDoniels had a lot of experience with Soroptimist clubs and activities before he joined. His wife is Past Founder Region Governor Linda McDoniels. He was born in Minnesota and after the World War II, he and his family then settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he tells of learning soccer from "displaced persons" from man countries. Thus, he became fluent in both Polish and playing midfield, though he insists, "I have no skill at either today."
He became a Marine after high school. Upon his discharge, Lee Ray married for the first time and became a student at the University of California at Berkeley where he received his BA and obtained an elementary teaching credential. He then taught fifth grade English to San Quentin Prison inmates. Later he obtained his MA and worked for 33 years in various capacities in law enforcement in Contra Costa County until he retired.
Lee Ray became a "SoroptiMister" in 1985 when he married Linda and they now share four children and two grandsons. He did the traditional SoroptiMister jobs -- opening wine, carrying supplies, and taking pictures. It was this last skill which caused the late Patti Cross to ask him to become Region Historian during her term as Region governor. Since he could not do this unless he joined the organization, and because he truly believed in Soroptimist principles, he joined Soroptimist International of Martinez. He then says, "In the twinkling of an eye, I was club president (the second "gender challenged" ever and the first in Founder Region)."
After his retirement, he transferred his membership to Soroptimist International of St. Helena Sunrise. He was the writer and publisher of that club's newsletter and also served two years as club secretary.
Among his favorite club activities in St. Helena are the Soroptimist Crab Feed which has been in existence since 1975 and the Mexican dinner fund raiser which helped establish a girls soccer program at St. Helena High School. They continue to support "our Lady Saints by contributing uniforms, warm-ups, and equipment bags, all with Soroptimist emblems!" Another favorite club activity is preparing lunch for the volunteer fire department open house and for the April work crew.
Being District III Director gives Lee Ray an chance to "...give back a little something in return for all the gifts Soroptimists have given me." He has especially enjoyed attending the San Francisco and Helsinki international conventions . "I was tour guide on the wine tours to the Napa Valley from the San Francisco conventions. I was also President of Soroptimist International of Martinez at the time. The European Soroptimists who were supposed to be 'anti-male membership' couldn't get enough pictures of themselves with me."
Having had a lot of opportunities to observe other service groups both as a member and a guest speaker he likes what Soroptimist has to offer. He stated, Men in every society, economy, religion, political party, nation, and region are privileged. Soroptimists seeks 'The Best for Women.' That seems to me to be an effort to even the scales and the playing field, vis-á-vis the genders....The ideals, principles, and tenets...of Soroptimist International are that which I am most challenged to embrace."
District IV Director
Kay Barrett Ritter
As the owner of a retail furniture and interior design business, District IV Director Kay Barrett Ritter was invited to join Soroptimist International of Santa Rosa in 1971. That same year, she and 25 other members of her club journeyed to Oakland to honor our first Soroptimist President Violet Richardson Ward and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Soroptimist. They witnessed an unveiling of a bronze bust of Mrs. Ward and heard her recollections of the beginnings of our organization.
One thing she is proud of is that during its 56 year history, her club has produced several Region governors, federation officers (including treasurer and president) and Past International President Patricia D. Daniels. She also is proud that many innovative projects started by her club have later been funded publicly by local and state governments. One especially well-known project is an electronically equipped Fire Safety House, donated to the Fire Chief's Association of Sonoma County. The "House" has educated over 35,000 children in how to and prevent fires.
She says that being a Soroptimist, rather than participating in formerly male dominated clubs, is an advantage as it creates an atmosphere of long term friendships, with less competitiveness and more willingness to help each other. In addition to being more open and honest, there is less fear of embarrassment, and Soroptimists focus on women's issues.
During her 30 years in the Santa Rosa club, she has held many offices and served as chair of many committees. She says, "I've always felt it was as important to support the club officers, as it was to be president of my club since I didn't feel particularly comfortable at the podium." When she finally accepted the third "offer" to become club president, she later said, "It was the best year of all my years of being a Soroptimist."
She continued, "But this was not to be the capstone of my 30 years as a Soroptimist. To my surprise and delight, I was asked to be a nominee for District IV Director. Again, I faced the "fear" of standing at the podium. But at Conference 2000, as I looked out over the assembly and saw only friends -- not strangers -- I felt the strong, vital spirit of this great organizations and I wanted to tell everyone what a joyous adventure being a Soroptimist has been -- a process of personal growth and learning about and helping people not only in my community but all over the globe. I want to share these wonderful experiences and gifts of friendship with you and the other new members and to work with you to achieve our goals to improve the lives of women and children and to protect our planet.
District V Director
Sue Finch
Sue Finch, who received a BS degree from University of Utah as a Communication major, has had a variety of interesting positions. She has been a legal secretary, Office Manager for the Utah Energy Office, Administrative Assistance office of Governor Matheson (Utah State Governor), Federal liaison for the Utah Geological Survey, Public Relations Assistant for the Utah Travel Council, Vice President of Marketing for the Utah Ski Association and Ski Utah, and Director of Sales and Marketing for Holiday Inn.
Sue is married for 13 years to her husband, whom she describes as a wildlife artist "extraordinaire," so it is fortunate that she loves birds and animals, and especially cats and horses. She is the mother of four children, three daughters and a son who died in 1984. Among her hobbies are collecting dolls and salt and pepper shakers. She sews and loves to read.
The Eel River Valley club inducted her in June of 1996. When asked why she joined the Soroptimist club, she said, "I was new to Humboldt County and read in the newspaper about an organization that gave money to a single mom who was going back to school. Since I had been a single mom for 12 years and worked my way through college while raising four children I knew Soroptimist was the organization for me."
During her time in the Eel River club, she has been chair of several committees, a director and club president
To Sue, the best thing about being a Soroptimist is working to help women and children, as well as putting time and money into the community in which she lives. She also finds it a good way to get to know a dynamic, caring and energetic group of women worldwide.
Her club's Mystery Dinner and Casino Night is her favorite fund raiser and she considers the Show Box and Women's Opportunity Awards to be their best service projects.
She says, "I became a regional officer to learn more about the organization, to meet more women, to share what I have learned and to improve my leadership skills. In positions of leadership it seems I always learn more and it is extremely rewarding to help others. Director District V is my first region office." When asked if she wanted to continue as a regional officer, she replied, "If the women in this organization feel I am an effective member than I would be proud to serve on the region board in any position but treasurer. I personally do not feel qualified to be a treasurer (I can't even keep my check book balanced!"
Sue has lots of memories as a Soroptimist. She loved being club president, serving as a member of the region board and escorting Eel River's Women's Opportunity Award winner to the podium as the district winner.
That last memory also had its embarrassing side. She tells us, "When I escorted our club WOA winner to the podium I was on crutches due to a broken foot. When I attempted to climb up the stairs my crutch slipped and Del Nickerson had to grab my hand to keep me from falling."
The focus on what is best for women and children sets Soroptimist apart from other service clubs. She wants to help women be the best they can be in business, in professions, and personally.
District VI Director
Julie Kamanawa-Kala
webmaster's note: the following is an excerpt from the October 2000 issue of Honolulu Magazine.
In the past 13 years, Julie Kamanawa-Kala has managed a McDonald's in Kealakekua and turned a stint as a receptionist in a repair shop into a career as an auto technician and repair shop owner. And today, eight years after joining Soroptimist International of Kona, she's the district director of SI's Founder Region of Soroptimist International of the Americas, the largest branch of a service organization of about 95,000 women business owners and professionals worldwide.
A born leader, Kamanawa-Kala had to overcome one obstacle before getting to where she is today - feeling comfortable with public speaking. In fact, it was four years before she worked up the courage to introduce herself at meetings and conferences. "I used to let my friend introduce me", says Kamanawa-Kala. "I was scared I would make a fool of myself as soon as I opened my mouth."
Kamanawa-Kala credits SI with teaching her to become a better communicator, both as a speaker and listener, assets she has applied to running her business in Kona, Lady JK Fleet & Auto Repair. "It was like fitting a puzzle", says Kamanawa-Kala, who also says Soroptimist taught her how to handle herself in a profession dominated by men. "I learned to see myself as an equal in a man's field, but not lose sight of who I really am. A female first and a female technician second."
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