The 2013 Founder Region Conference is one week away.

As a club you might be saying, yikes, we still need to put our fundraising basket together or we need more rehearsal before we perform on Saturday night - no worries - it will all work out.

I’m getting very excited about the opportunity to see all of you. The conference committee and many others have been working diligently to make sure that you have a wonderful experience. We hope to increase your Soroptimist knowledge and provide you with helpful tools to improve, reward or inspire your clubs.

See you next week!

Take care,
Governor Dona

April 21-27, 2013 is National Volunteer Week. Soroptimist International of the Americas is an international volunteer organization working to improve the lives
of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world year round.

I would like to thank the member clubs of Founder Region for all of the volunteer efforts they provide to a variety of projects and programs in their communities. Soroptimist make things happen. Whether it is helping an established women’s shelter or starting their own program like Soroptimist International of Vacaville’s STEPS (Soroptimists Teaching and Empowering for Personal Success – for high school girls), Soroptimist spend countless hours volunteering.

At the beginning of this week of celebrating volunteers, I acknowledge all the work and effort the 55 member clubs, which make up Founder Region, do every day to improve the lives of women and girls.

You excel at sharing the light of Soroptimist service.

Take care,
Governor Dona

Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) and your District Directors communicate with member clubs through the club email address (“@soroptimist.net”). We use this email address to send vital information to your club. In fact, clubs will be receiving information from Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) headquarters regarding the 2013-2014 Dues Renewal this very week via their club email address. It is very important to have someone check your club email on a regular basis. Communication is central to the successful operation of every organization; please make every effort to use your club email. Check out this helpful link:

http://www.soroptimist.org/members/membership/clubemailchallenge.html

Thank you,
Governor Dona

Each year, Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) clubs in good standing have the opportunity to participate in the election of the Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) President-elect.

Clubs in good standing were sent information and a ballot from SIA Headquarters February 22, 2013. The mailing (postal service) included references to the bylaws that applied to the office of President-elect and the election process. Additionally, resumes of the candidates were included in the mailing for your club members to review.

The SIA website also has the candidate resumes and video statements, take a look. If your club has not returned your ballot (one per club) you still have time. The ballots must be received at SIA Headquarters by April 23, 2013. The election for the 2013-2014 President-elect is the first time SIA will be using preferential voting. Please participate in this important process.

Take care,
Governor Dona

Dear Members of Founder Region,

I invite you to attend our 37th Annual Founder Region Conference to be held at the San Ramon Marriott, May 3, 4 and 5. Conference is a time to make new Soroptimist friends, catch up with long standing Soroptimist friends and be inspired. Just about the time we lose enthusiasm for club activities (and sometimes we do) Conference rejuvenates us.

This is an exciting time for our organization.  Together, Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) Leadership, SIA staff, you and I, are Shaping the Future of Soroptimist through Increased Collective Impact. Talk about increased collective impact, Founder Region began to embrace that concept last year by combining Leadership with Conference. We will continue with this same practice by having Leadership workshops on Friday afternoon, and bright and early on Saturday before our business session begins. We are very lucky to have Soroptimist International of the Americas President-elect Cheri Fleming as our Official Visitor and as a workshop presenter.

Additionally, you are welcome to attend the Founder Region board meeting at 9:00 am on Thursday, May 2, as a silent observer. The only pre-requisite is to complete the Silent Observer form included in the Call and send it to Secretary Charlene by the established deadline.

If you are arriving on Thursday, make plans to attend our very casual pizza party in the evening. This is sure to be a fun event. Rides will be available for those of you who don’t have transportation.

Friday’s morning and lunch program will focus on the topic of “Issues Facing Women in the Military”. The Legislative Advocacy committee has been working for several months to be able to share this valuable information. Leadership workshops begin after lunch and include an update from the 2011 Soroptimist International of the Americas Violet Richardson Award recipient Allyson Ahlstrom. Friday evening we will conduct the Annual Founder Region Business Meeting and share in the wonder of the accomplishments of our Fellowship recipients.

Saturday our official business begins with presentations, nominating committee election, bylaws, the official visitors report, and sharing the light of your Soroptimist service. Saturday afternoon we will all participate in a Soroptimist Civility workshop presented by Dr. Valarie Brown-Klingelhoefer and Dr. Michelle Donohue-Mendoza. As evening falls we will share our passion for Live Your Dream and Increased Collective Impact with Soroptimist Dream Factor.

Sunday we conclude conference by remembering members who have passed away over the past year, celebrating our program recipients, conducting our annual fundraising project the “Share the Light: Be a Soroptimist Firework!” basket raffle and my favorite part, reciting the “Soroptimist Pledge” together.

Please review the Call to Conference and share it with your members.

I encourage you to come to Conference and Share the Light of Soroptimist Service!

Governor Dona