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.