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November 2001 Volume 1, Number 2 |
Not very long ago, Soroptimist International of Pleasant Hill California created a new committee. "Grant Writing" would be chaired by Karen Barnes-Jarvis (Vice President 2001-2002) with Assistant Chair Sandy Towns (Parliamentarian 2001-2002). The club looked towards this new focus with expectation and excitement.
Ruth Batz, President (2000-2001) kicked off her year with guest speaker Sergeant John Pratt, Pleasant Hill Police Department. Sergeant Pratt is the PD's coordinator for all East Bay Special Olympics events. After learning more about Special Olympics, SIPH began to look for a foundation match.
The club's committee contacted the Soda Foundation located a few towns away in Orinda. On December 16, 2000 Soroptimist International of Pleasant Hill submitted a letter of intent to the Soda Foundation. The letter submitted a two-year grant request for $32,000. The funds of $16,000 per year cover the expense of summer training. In January 2001, the committee received a green light from Soda. The next step was to prepare and present a detailed request. On Friday, May 11 2001 SIPH and Special Olympics of Northern California received the good news! Soda Foundation approved the total requested and prepared the first check for $16,000.
Today there are 1,200 individuals with developmental disabilities involved in SONC-EB. This program is offered at no cost to the athletes. There are 70,491 individuals in the East Bay with developmental disabilities, and SONC-EB has a goal to serve approximately one-third of this population. This goal has initiated a four-year campaign to double the families served, which will increase the current number of athletes to 2,400. Concurrently, the campaign will double the annual budget requirement of Special Olympics. The grant received from Soda Foundation will make a difference in helping Special Olympics reach their goal.
At the close of the 2000-2001 year, the Pleasant Hill club took one more step towards helping Special Olympics. They sponsored two athletes who are married and live in Pleasant Hill. Don and Barbara Medeiros have both enjoyed a decade of competing in the Special Olympics. At the Stockton California June 2001 track meet, they both medaled in a number of events. Barbara was pleased (and also nervous) as she was asked to help kick off the competition with recital of the Special Olympics Oath.
District I
Albany - Kathy Lee, President
SI Albany has an unusual schedule -- 3 meetings a month. The first Tuesday is our Business Meeting at the Albany Community Center for pizza. The second Tuesday is a picnic lunch out at the Albany Waterfront Trail on the Bay. We pick up trash and pull weeds along a stretch of trail with a gorgeous backdrop of both bridges and the City. Our third Tuesday meeting is at 5:15pm at a local restaurant for drinks and hors d'oeuvres, speakers and socializing. We're a small club, so it's always an intimate, friendly get-together. This is when we are trying to invite potential new members to get acquainted with us. Our fund-raiser this year will be a night out for a play and champagne/hors d'oeuvres/chocolate at the Contra Costa Civic Theatre. Not quite sure what to call it, but we'll think of something before April when "Oliver" premieres there. Should be fun!
El Cerrito - Jane Bartke, President
Soroptimist International of El Cerrito has undertaken the community project known as "The Shadi Display". Since 1949, Mr. Sundar Shadi has displayed upon his hillside, a scene of Bethlehem from a distant, with shepherds and sheep in the foreground. This has been a very important part of the holiday season, not only for El Cerritans, but also to people in communities as far away as San Jose, who come by bus loads to view the display. The Shadi Trust donated the figures to the El Cerrito Club, which is busy establishing a 501(c)3 (thanks for all the help from Sonoma Valley club) and coordinating the many groups within the city who desire to help with the restoration and display. They are busy raising money for the restoration, storage, and insurance of the folk art figures. Hopefully. they will be ready to display it this Christmas season.
Livermore - Simona McCartney, President
Soroptimist International of Livermore presents the 18th annual Christmas Home tour on Saturday, December 8, 2001. Five beautifully decorated homes will be on tour, with the tour starting at Ravenswood, 2647 Arroyo Road in Livermore. The homes will be on tour from 11:00am to 4:00pm and tickets will be $12.00 or 2 for $20.00. The Kandy Kane Kitchen, located at Ravenswood, will be open from 10:00am to 4:30pm, with baked goodies and Christmas crafts to buy. Please call (925)449-4079 for information and/or tickets. Tickets are also available for sale at Proctor's, 2200 First St, Livermore.
Oakland - Charlene Stamps-Bolling, President
Thank you Soroptimists Everywhere! Soroptimist International of Oakland thanks you for your wonderful cards, letters, and EMAIL regarding our 80th Birthday. They will be preserved for history in a club scrapbook. It is gratifying to feel the love and support for Soroptimism from countries all around the world. Your congratulations remind us of our commitment and the internationality of Soroptimist. Although we may have many differences, we are one in purpose, the "Best For Women".
District II
Pittsburg - Wendy Anderson, President
The club has been working on a four-pronged approach to the Reading Project.
First, was the purchase of books for the local library focusing primarily on biographies chosen for the children as well as books to assist women in writing their resumes.
The second part involved third and fourth grade students who interpreted their favorite books through drawings. These drawings decorated the walls of the hall that was used by the Soroptimists for its annual decorated Christmas Tree auction. After the event, the drawings were judged and four were selected to be framed for the local library. This contest will be repeated annually.
The third part of the project is facilitating a group of volunteers to assist with the promotion of literacy within the community by working with the library to assist with its needs, i.e., reading to children, assisting with testing, and acting as mentors.
The final part of the project is called, "Stories to Go". The targeted age group is under-privileged preschoolers. Each volunteer picks up a kit from the library which consists of 5-6 books, paired with a puppet related to the book's theme. The volunteer then reads for approximately 20 minutes. The children are extremely happy about the reading and look forward to the volunteer coming to see them.
We learned this week that our member, Lili Santoso, owner of the Liberty Hotel Restaurant, has been named, "2001 Employer of the Year", by an organization called the Contra Costa Association for Retarded Citizens. Lili was cited with having an extraordinary commitment to employing consumers with developmental disabilities at Liberty Hotel. She has accomplished that by her valuable contribution that resulted in providing incentive and self-reliance to persons with developmental disabilities. Lili received many accolades from our State Senator and Assemblyman, County Supervisors, and many other local dignitaries. Lili has been an outstanding member, giving generously of her time and talent to the Soroptimist club, organization, and the community in general. Lili and her husband recently became citizens of the United States.
District III
Benicia - Terry Baldwin, President
The Benicia club decided to sell pins half were flag pins and half were flags behind an N. Y. Sky line and had the date 9-11-01 on them. Rather than selling them for a set price the club chose to accept a donation and all proceeds will go to the families of the disaster's victims. The first 1000 pins sold out in a day! Since then the club has sold out two more 1000 pin orders. "This has been one of the most rewarding projects I've ever taken part in," said Leeann Cawley, Project Chair, "people have been relating stories of how the disaster touched their lives and it is so heartwarming."
Carla Gallagher of Benicia is a facilitator for the American Cancer Society's "Look Good-Feel Better" Program. She is in search constantly for hats and scarves that she can give cancer patients in treatment when she does these seminars. Boxes of make up are supplied by the Fragrance and Cosmetic Industry. Wigs come from the local wig bank of donations to ACS. But a reliable supply of scarves and hats for these ladies has been hard to pin down. Perhaps you club could make a project of collecting these items, or just each bring one item or just spread the word. You can reach Carla at .
Dixon - Mary Lou Batchelor, President
I wanted to share our first meeting of this new year. I thought it would be nice if we honored our past presidents. As you know we have quite a few members (59) and I didn't realize until I began to invite our past presidents to come and share their stories, that we still have 24 active past presidents in our club. We also invited women that were no longer members; we had one member that came from Carson City, Nev. (Alice Ary) she was president from 1968-69 and another past president who still works in Dixon (Zandra Madsen) who was president from 1981-82 There were two other past presidents that appreciated being called, but were unable to attend.
We had our normal meeting items first and then each past president in attendance (23) spent a few minutes sharing experiences from their terms; bringing back memories that some had forgotten, but also I heard a lot of the women say, "Oh! I remember that"....with a smile. Many of our new members were awed by what they heard and amazed that so many people stayed with this organization with such positive attitudes.
For me it was so wonderful to see the smiles, listen to the laughter and realize that I was following in the footsteps of very special women. Soroptimist has always meant something special to me, but today was a day that I will never forget and it was a terrific way to begin our year. I know that when there are difficult times I will look back on this day as one of the most special. I would encourage all clubs to take the time to acknowledge (as I am sure many already have) those who have served. Dixon is lucky as it can really say....."Thanks for the memories"
Vacaville - Mary Harris, President
Among other activities held by the Vacaville Club was a fifth Wednesday baby shower for Assistant Treasurer Sandra Torres. Sandra found a convenient way to skip a club meeting by giving birth to her Soroptitot Samantha Nicole on a regular club meeting day.
Vacaville has joined forces with Callison School to commemorate September 11 through the sale of the Vacaville club's Place of Peace pins and to allow them to use our Place of Peace logo with our approval. The Soroptimist Place of Peace was established by Soroptimists in downtown Vacaville on the Creekwalk for the purpose of peace and harmony in the community. The club annually provides funds to the city for its upkeep and planting of flowers.
A second S Club is being established at Will C. Wood High School. When the teenage daughter of one of the members asked why one high school had an S Club and hers did not, the club jumped on the project. After lining up two new members to be the Soroptimist sponsoring representatives, two teachers were found to be faculty advisors. This was all done in time for "Club Rush" held at the school, and many students have expressed the desire to join. There is a possibility of chartering a third club at another local high school.
Plans are being made for two major fund-raising events. "Chocolate and Champagne" will be held in the spring. Tables will be decorated by individual members and guests will vote for the best decorated tables. A lobster dinner is planned for fall of 2002. Already, a special site has been donated at no charge, and local businesses will be "sponsoring" various menu items.
Refreshments for "Adoption Day" in Solano County will be provided by the club. On Adoption Day, judges, court workers, and many others come together on a voluntary basis to finalize adoptions for many children. The Vacaville club will join family and friends in celebrating these wonderful events.
Expanding the Soroptimist Reading Room (Children's Room) at the local library has just been chosen as the club's Identifying Project.
Vallejo-Gateway - Pam Herrera, President
The Vallejo-Gateway club sponsored two free Women's Opportunity Award Applications Workshop during the month of October. Held on the campuses of Napa Valley college and Solano Community College, attendees learned the best possible way to complete a favorable application from past winners of the award. Refreshments were served to the participants. Applications for the awards were available at both college Financial Aid offices and at the workshops.
District IV
Clubs in District IV have taken to heart the concept "Every Home a Safe Home" with their wholehearted support of programs to prevent Domestic Violence. From sponsoring educational forums on Domestic Violence to working directly with their communities' local agencies to provide shelter, clothing and personal articles for the victims and their children, members are making Domestic Violence a top priority service project.
Cloverdale - President Ann Silva
Cloverdale celebrated many milestones last year: Observing our 20th Anniversary in May, receiving commendations for our years of outstanding service to the community by our mayor, holding fundraising projects that were the most successful ever, and submitting a Women's Opportunity Award winner who won not only the District and Region Awards, but was selected the A. Foundation winner!
This year, our club will initiate some new projects along with keeping some "tried and true projects". Along with our financial and members' "hands-on" support of the Cloverdale Boys' and Girls' Club which we formed 16 years ago and is our club's Permanent Identifying Project, we will adopt a room at the Sonoma County's YWCA Women's Shelter, sponsor a Children's Christmas party in conjunction with a warm clothing/blanket/socks giveaway for those in need and pay all the expenses for the Cloverdale High School graduating Seniors to attend an all day, "Hit the Road Jane" Life Skills Seminar on February 6, 2002. Some of our continuing projects include the Cloverdale Children's Halloween Party, Helping Hand Shoe Fund, C.A.R.E., Cloverdale Senior Center, Pony Tail Softball, Cloverdale Community Blood Bank, the Cloverdale Food Pantry, Cloverdale Family Service Project Graduation, the Humane Society's Forget-Me-Not Farm Project, FHA/HERO, Cloverdale's Fireworks display, contributions to the local school music programs and school libraries plus granting numerous annual scholarships and awards.
Our very successful fundraisers include holiday sales of See's Chocolates, a now famous annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, the Annual Awards Dinner and catering of local and regional events such as the District I - V Caucus luncheon on April 4th. Our club is totally committed to making a difference for women and children all the while enjoying the benefit of friendship that our members exude. It's a WIN/WIN relationship!
Healdsburg - President Lisa Schaffner
Members dedicated to making the community a better place to live in all ways, donating donate hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars each year to a variety of projects designed to improve the quality of lives of women and children, teens and seniors. From providing shoes to less fortunate teens, toys and grocery certificates to needy children and their families at our annual Christmas "Celebration of Giving" party, encouraging scholarship and volunteerism with awards that recognize outstanding students in high school, teaching students the responsibilities of parenting with the "Baby Think It Over Dolls", to renovating the living area of the Battered Women's Shelter and supporting Home Hospice and Senior Citizen Programs, Soroptimist members are involved in all aspects of our community. The community as well as the local merchants supports our annual fund-raiser in the Healdsburg Town Square in September. This recent "Beer and Sausage Fest" was our most successful ever. This year our club is sponsoring an S Club at the Healdsburg High School and is making plans to charter a new Soroptimist Club in Windsor! Meanwhile we continue to grow in membership and contributions to our service projects.
Marin County - President Evelyn Deane
At a special Awards Dinner this month, the Buck Foundation will publicly recognize the significant contributions that S. I. of Marin County has made to their community and Soroptimist organizations projects since 1952. In recent years, the club has supported MAWS (the Marin Abused Women's Shelter), sponsored public forums to educate the public about Domestic Violence, supports the Whistlestop Senior Center, a hearing test van for children, the Marin Family Literacy program and the Jeannette Prandi Abused Children's Center. The club selected its Violet Richardson Award nominee and plans to continue its youth scholarship programs next year.
The community and members all look forward to our annual Cabaret Jazz fund-raiser each May. President Evelyn is committed to growing the club's membership by 50% this year.
Mendocino-Sonoma Coast - President Cathy Frey
The club hosted the October 14th District IV Meeting at the Gualala Arts Center. Members prepared a delicious continental breakfast and lunch for the Region Board, delegates and attendees. Governor Carol Rose and the Region Board presented an outstanding program on the enormous impact each member makes from her club level throughout the Region, the Federation and International levels.
Members are also hard at work planning and preparing for two major fundraisers: a Lobster Sale beginning November 11th and the annual Fall Fashion Show on December 15th. Information and applications are being distributed to the local schools for the Violet Richardson Award. The Growth and Development Committee is planning a daylong retreat for club members.
Members are totally involved with making a difference in the lives of everyone in the community and interact with other service clubs to promote health and safety and a cleaner environment. Some of the service projects include E.S.C.A.P.E.S. which assists local victims of domestic violence, the "Pink Ribbon" Breast Cancer Awareness campaign and the Healing Well, a women's wellness center which is operated by one of our members, Dr. Mona Khanna, a gynecologist. Members help fund for medical treatment for victims of life threatening diseases, educational grants to deserving women and scholarship awards for youth: Making a Difference for Women Award, the Women's Opportunity Award and the Violet Richardson Award. In addition to sponsoring children's reading and character building programs, student yearbook camps and a "Take Your Daughters to Work Day".
We recently inducted two new members and are continuing our efforts to recruit even more this year. Unfortunately, we will miss our recent past President, Anne Decker who will be relocating to Southern California with her husband.
Novato - President Margaret Carpenter
Soroptimist International of Novato was chartered April 14, 1973, and currently has 21 members. Luncheon meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at noon at the Ever Rain Restaurant, 7089 Redwood Boulevard in Novato.
Our club recently received the Buck Foundation Award for its service to the community over the past 28 years. Our recent service projects include:
Funds were also provided for the 1998 UCSF Nurses Project in Guadalajara, Safe Grad Night, the Novato Library and Barney and the Kids Christmas Program.
North Bay - President Delyn Kies
Our club year is getting off to a great start. On October 24th, of the North Bay, along with of Novato and of Marin County were honored by the Marin County Foundation for our service work at an Awards Dinner. This honor also includes the mention of our club in a two-page ad in the Marin Independent Journal this month and a subsequent ad that will highlight our local service projects and fundraising events, including our annual Fashion Show on March 16, 2002.
Our service projects include scholarship grants, the Women's Opportunity Award, the Violet Richardson Award, gifts to the Miss Marin Scholarship program, the Novato Theater Restoration, the Novato Human Needs Center and Marin County Friends of the Library.
We welcome prospective new members to attend the Awards Dinner and our Program meetings at which we have scheduled some informative and interesting speakers from the Alzheimer's Association, the Asthma Education Council and a handwriting analyst.
Santa Rosa - President Sandy Frazer
Santa Rosa has several ongoing projects this year. Our Permanent Identifying Project is our Fire Safety Trailer that is electronically equipped to not only demonstrate fire prevention and how to safely escape a fire, but how to survive earthquakes as well. This year we raised over $30,000 to purchase a new trailer to replace the one we donated to the Sonoma County Fire Chief's Association eleven years ago and which has been toured by over 35,000 school children.
We continue to support the Family Support Center, the YWCA'S Abused Women's Shelter, maintaining one of the rooms contributing funds and clothing for victims and their children, and our Shoe Project which fits needy school children of three elementary schools with new shoes. We continue with our scholarship awards, as well as supporting Project Graduation at Ridgeway School in Santa Rosa. This year we will be participating with Sonoma Valley in their "Hit the Road Jane" Life Skills Seminar.
On October 27th, the annual "Making a Difference for Women" Awards Luncheon honored two women who have directed efforts to help victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in our community.
Our annual Holiday Grocery Raffle fund-raiser will be held November 17th and our second annual "A Night in Italy" dinner and live auction in February 9th, 2002, will help benefit the Boys and Girls Club in Santa Rosa.
Sonoma Sunrise - President Susan L. Varga
From Ecology to Education, Health to Parenting, our members have provided many services that have impacted our community and contributed to improving the lives of our residents. Our club supplies newspapers to classrooms for innovative curriculum projects, provides volunteers and financial support for the Teen Parent program that helps young mothers graduate high school, helps fund the YWCA Sheriff's department Counseling Project for victims of Domestic Violence, the Ecology Center that educates the public on managing resources and safeguarding the environment, Relay for Life fund-raiser for Cancer Research, and Unity Day that promotes equality and the status of women. We are especially proud of the financial and hands on support we have given over the last few years to the Teen-Parent Program that helps young mothers graduate high school. In February, we held a professional dental examination/cleaning and educational workshop for the young mothers and their children along with providing classes on nutrition overall health which received a Women Helping Women Award from Federation. Our club also sponsors the Women's Opportunity Awards and the Violet Richardson Award. These efforts are funded through our annual Fashion Show to be held on Saturday, November 3, 2001.
Sonoma Valley - President Carolyn Raciti
Sonoma Valley is off to a great start for its 2001-02 year. In July, seven of the members journeyed to Lake Tahoe for a two-day retreat. This is an annual event that helps the new president get a lot of planning done.
Our 2002 "Hit the Road Jane" Life Skills Day is set for February 6th. We are delighted to see that the Cloverdale club has voted to send its 43 high school senior girls to our event along with four high school girls sponsored by Ukiah and five sponsored by Santa Rosa. This year our seminar will host 200 girls from four clubs in District IV! Our club received permission from Founder Region Board to offer a generic version of the Hit the Road Jane Life Skills Handbook which features sections on how to apply for and keep a job, workplace issues, women's legal issues, health and personal safety, opening bank accounts, charge cards and how to maintain credit, and renting an apartment. The cost for the booklet is $10. This can be a nice service project for any club with very little work involved and will offset the expenses in our club's "Hit the Road Jane" budget.
Our club also continues to offer educational scholarships as well as participating in the Violet Richardson Award and Women's Opportunity Awards.
We recently inducted seven new members and our goal is to induct four more. We have developed a new membership recruitment tri-fold for our club that seems to be working.
Ukiah - President Susie Thornhill
Celebrating 52 years of service to our community, we are purchasing our first Fire Safety House to educate children about fire prevention, and more importantly, SURVIVAL. We will donate this specially equipped "house on wheels" to the Fire Chiefs of Mendocino County in June of 2001. Throughout the past half-century, our members have dedicated their time and money to filling the needs of the community through projects such as aiding the homeless, supplying clothing for women returning to work, providing Christmas dinner with toys for every child for approximately 700 families for the past 20 years, donating suitcases and toiletries to children in foster care, granting annual scholarships for students and continuing education for women retraining for new careers and distributing 35 "Baby Think It Over" dolls for middle school students (as a deterrent to early parenthood). For the past 44 years, we have sponsored an annual swim meet and help provide funds for students to attend other athletic competitions. We also maintain a Disaster Relief Fund for immediate disasters. Because of our many years of very visible service to our community, our fund-raising efforts are well supported.
Yokayo Sunrise - President Sherry Walker
The members of our club meet for a joint social and planning meeting at a member's home prior to the start of our club year and are now off and running. We are gearing up for our Hot Sox project that provides warm socks to a variety of support agencies in our community to assist the homeless, senior citizens, women and children escaping abusive homes, and impoverished families. This is our Permanent Identifying Project, which last year donated miles of socks to people in need. This year we will expand our project by linking up with local businesses. We've already donated a sizable check to our local Senior Center to help them continue to operate. Our members supply quilts, warm blankets, clothing and personal items to Project Sanctuary for women and families in crisis and gifts to children at Christmas. Our Dessert-a-Month Club raffles benefit Hospice, we encourage young women to serve their community with a Violet Richardson Award and grant a variety of scholarships including the Women's Opportunity Award. The babies and toddlers of Ukiah's High School young parents all received homemade afghans and quilts. Our members have made Ukiah a better place for us all and warmly welcome new members into our club.
District V
Eel River Valley - Sarah Turner, President
Soroptimist International of Eel River Valley is in Humboldt County in the north coast area of California.
We meet in Fortuna but cover an area from Bridgeville (and beyond) to the east, from Loleta on the north, from Dyerville Flats on the south and from the Pacific coastline to the west. Our area can be foggy, cool and damp but that just makes our sun shinny days all the more beautiful.
The Eel River Valley club takes in 15 public schools in our project areas: women's history books for school libraries, the shoebox fund for about 10 of our elementary schools and other community-based projects.
Several years ago, one of our members received a grant from the SIA Disaster Relief Fund to rebuild her well on her dairy farm after a major earthquake hit and devastated our area..
Caring now and building for the future are certainly two major benefits of our collective efforts and all the more reason we are forwarding funds to assist the victims of the calamities in Washington, DC and in New York City.
Yes, we are remote and far away from the devastation; but, we are Soroptimists and we care!
District VI
Central Oahu - Susan M. Lau, PresidentDomestic Violence in Hawai'i - A Panel Discussion
The Soroptimist Clubs of Central Oahu, Honolulu, Waikiki and Windward Oahu joined forces to bring to its membership and the community, a dinner and panel discussion on domestic violence in Hawai'i.
Panelists included; Jackie Conant, a survivor of domestic violence; Melinda Chang, counsel with Gentry Pacific; Judge Michael Wilson and Judge Steve Alm, from the Family Court; and, Bert Dement, a Honolulu Policeman from the Family Violence Detail. The panel was moderated by, Nancy Kreidman, executive director for the Domestic Violence Clearing-house.
Approximately 65 members and their guests attended the dinner held at the Honolulu Country Club on Thursday, September 13, 2001.
Purple Card Distribution
The Soroptimist Clubs of Central Oahu, Honolulu, Waikiki, and Windward Oahu will be distributing material to the workplace, churches, schools, and other public facilities during the month of October to help stop domestic violence.
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