Embracing Change

At our Rocky Mountain Region Spring Conference, our official visitor from Soroptimist International of the Americas, Federation Director Connie Desko, spoke to us about embracing change.

Change is all around us. Look at the differences in the way we communicate – even from 10 years ago. Who would have thought that social networking would make such a difference in the way we reach out to one another? Our world is becoming more and more accessible through the internet. It’s changed the way we market products, the way we work together as teams, even the way we reach out to our friends.

Change keeps us alive. Change brings growth. Change brings progress. And change scares us to death. But, as Connie continued, women are wired to architect change. Soroptimist as an organization must change with the times. At the SIA level, changes planned are to update and simplify the bylaws, encourage friendships, and totally eliminate attendance requirements. I actually thought they had already eliminated attendance requirements – we eliminated them in our club years ago. SIA plans to continue the Renaissance campaign, with goals set year by year. As a reminder, the 2011 Renaissance Campaign goal encourages happy, healthy clubs where members enjoy being Soroptimists.

Are there changes we should be making as a club? What is working? How can we do more of it? Is there a new project we’d like to try? Is there something we should “tweak” on any of our current projects? What changes do we need so we can move more women out of poverty, abuse, or homelessness? We are the conduits of positive change for the women and girls we serve.

Hug a Tree Today

Today is Earth Day. Earth Day is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment. It was founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in first held on April 22, 1970. While the first Earth Day was focused on the United States, Denis Hayes, who was the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international in 1990 and organized events in 141 nations. Earth Day is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and is celebrated in more than 175 countries every year. April 22 corresponds to spring in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Numerous communities celebrate Earth Week, an entire week of activities focused on environmental issues. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 International Mother Earth Day.

One of Soroptimist International’s Programme Focus Objectives is all about saving our planet:
#6 - Mitigate the effects of climate change and integrate sustainability into personal choices and government policies and programmes. Don’t you love the British spelling? Go to http://www.soroptimistinternational.org/assets/media/documents/joint_ngo_statement_-_the_green_economy_-_a_gender_perspective_feb_2011.pdf to read a Soroptimist-partnered statement, “A Gender Perspective on the Green Economy.”

So hug a tree – or plant a tree – today. Put a reusable bag in the trunk of your car. Recycle that can or water bottle. And whatever you do, don’t print this blog post. Happy Earth Day!

Kudos to SI Bountiful

Jodi, Carma, Kathy, Marilyn and I were honored to attend SI Bountiful’s Awards Gala on Tuesday, April 12. And wow! These ladies truly embody the vision and mission of Soroptimist International. Just a few highlights on the money they gave away to support women and girls in Davis County and throughout the world:
• Davis County Food Bank
• Operation Smile
• Literacy Awareness Program
• LOVE Project in Ecuador

Their Ruby Award winner this year is a Davis County Commissioner. Their Violet Richardson award winner, who teaches Spanish classes at a local elementary school, was given funds to continue this effort. They sponsored a girl from Woods Cross High and a girl from Viewmont High to Girls State this summer at Utah State University. And they gave not one, not two, not three – but four Women’s Opportunity Awards.

Among the awards to the community, the Bountiful Soroptimists honored one of their own. Kathy’s dear friend Esther was completely surprised to learn that she was this year’s Soroptimist of the Year.

All told, SI Bountiful gave away over $11,000 on Tuesday night. Again I say “Wow,” and congratulations to our Bountiful Soroptimists!