Soroptimist International is an international service club whose membership is comprised of business and professional women. Program focus is "the best for women". Many of our service projects are evaluated based on this focus. Those listed below are some of the most recognizable in our community and for our membership. In addition to local service projects, SI Guelph sponsors two annual awards, where winners at the club level are given the opportunity to go on to compete at Regional and Federation levels. These awards are the Women's Opportunity Award (WOA) and the Violet Richardson Award (VR). Please contact us for further information.

Michael House

In June 2007 President Donna Keating and Vice President Sherree Derferd attended the opening celebration of the new Michael House location. A number of dignitaries were also on hand to celebrate the event. On a wall inside the front hallway is a Plaque of Recognition that displays the name of Soroptimist International Guelph.

SI Guelph took on the primary project of Michael House in 2004. This haven is a short-term home in Guelph for young women who need housing and support during their pregnancy. The agency not only provides a caring and supportive environment but is dedicated to doing so within the community. This is important so they can access resources during their pregnancy that will be sustainable after the birth of their child.

As Soroptimists, we felt the need to provide some care and loving to these young girls. We started by providing "gift bags containing toiletries, a journal and pen to write down thoughts and feelings as well as a cuddly Teddy bear with our Soroptimist logo on his T shirt. The young women who received these small tokens of love and support were thrilled to know someone out there was thinking of their well-being.

Michael House is also committed to providing opportunities for the young women to enhance their well-being and to live to their fullest potential through in-house programs, access to community support programs and education. The SI Guelph is committed to helping them do that!!

At our April Awards and Recognition night, member Sharron Watson presented Executive Director Rosemarie Coombs with a signiificant gift card. A beautiful dishwasher resides in the kitchen of Michael House donated by SI Guelph!!!

Women's Opportunity Award

The Women's Opportunity Award is available to any female head of household who is pursuing post-secondary education in order to better her life and the lives of her children. Applications for this award are available by contacting the club in the fall of each year. Winners receive a monetary award of $1000 from the Guelph club in April each year, and their submission is forwarded on to the SIA Eastern Canada Region for further judging. Regional awards are handed out at the Spring Conference held each year in late April/early May.

Violet Richardson Award

Honouring Young Women for Volunteer Action. This new award was launched at the SIA Federation Convention in Hawaii in July 2000. The Violet Richardson award recognizes young women ages 14-17 engaged in volunteer action within their communities or schools. The award is given to young women whose volunteer activities make the community and world a better place.

Foundations

The club donates to both the Soroptimist Foundation of Canada and the Soroptimist International Foundation. (Economic and Social Development, Human Rights/Status of Women)

The Soroptimist Foundation of Canada annually offers four $7,500 grants to female graduate students in Canada to assist them with university studies, which will qualify them for careers that will improve the quality of women's lives. Examples include but are not limited to: providing services, providing legal counseling and assistance, counseling mature women entering or re-entering the labour market, counseling women in crisis, counseling and training women for non-traditional employment, and positions in women's centres.

Soroptimist International

Funds were collected from the members for the following programs: (Social and Economic Development, Education, Human Rights/Status for Women, International Goodwill and Understanding)} Founder’s day is on October 3. It was originally formed in Oakland, California on October 3, 1921. On this date annually, pennies are collected from SIA members ($0.04 for each member each year). These funds are known as “Founder’s Pennies”. The monies received are earmarked for The Soroptimist Foundation Service Fund.

2005 December 10th Appeal

SI President Lynn Dunning announced the December 2005 appeal: Soroptimists Roll Back Malaria. Soroptimist International will partner with the Roll Back Malaria Department of the World Health Organization to protect pregnant women and children living in the community of Zé, Benin, Africa against the scourge of malaria, a major cause of illness and death. In Benin, malaria causes more deaths among children under the age of five years than any other single infection. Every day in Benin, mothers face the unthinkable tragedy of losing a young daughter or son to a disease that should not kill anyone, because it is preventable and curable. The December 10th Appeal will provide insecticide-treated mosquito nets to pregnant women and families with young children. The nets cost just US$5.00 each and are highly effective prevention against malaria. Along with distribution of the nets, Benin’s Soroptimists will work with local health cadres to educate the women of Zé about preventing malaria, recognizing it when it strikes, and the importance of prompt treatment with effective medicines. Donations can be sent to SIAHQ marked for the appeal. (Unless specified by name, donations received prior to August 31st will go to the 2004 appeal, Children of Peace. Donations received after August 31st, go to the 2005 appeal.)

Past Appeals

• 2004 Children of Peace and the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Shelter
• 2003 Project for the People of Paraguay
• 2002: HIV/AIDS Continuum of Care in the Ukraine
• 2001: Building Peace Among Children
• 2000: Legacy of Learning
• 1999: Soroptimist Stop Traffic
• 1998: Women’s center in the Solomon Islands
• 1997: Education project in India
• 1996: Landmine removal in Angola

SI Guelph also believes having fun as a team is important. Our club has a special committee called the FUN Team. This picture was taken at one of our recent events.

Annual Christmas Gift wrapping at Stone Road Mall

Every year it is a pleasure to run gift-wrapping tables at Stone Road Mall. With various results we always are able to have good success with local support of the Mall and its patrons. In 2005 we set up our table with paper, tape and lots & lots of ribbon and had one of the most successful fundraisers. Guelph Soroptimists as well as some volunteers from Michael House were able to man the booth the week before Christmas. All volunteers who help are invited to a “Thank you” evening to say Thank you for your time in supporting this cause.

Regal Greetings and Gifts

For many years the members of SI Guelph have used Regal Greetings & Gifts as a fundraiser to help with the Clubs needs. This has aided in sending members to conference & conventions so the members can see the larger scope of what Soroptimist International of the Americas does and continues to do focusing on our mission. Regal Greetings and Gifts has reinvented itself and we hope this will assist us in our fundraising.