Eastern Canada Region of Soroptimist International of the America

SOROPTIMIST MISSION:

“ TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD”

For the better part of a century, Soroptimists members have provided volunteer services to their communities throughout the world. Soroptimists are business and professional women of all ages, cultures and ethnic groups. They are working women, single women. Small business owners and corporate executives. Lawyers, teachers and physicians. The common thread that connects all Soroptimists is their desire to make a difference for women.

Soroptimist membership connects women-to each other, to their local communities and to the world community. Together, Soroptimists focus on issues such as domestic violence, poverty, lack of adequate child care, sexual harassment, inequities in the workplace, and other challenges unique to today’s women.

Soroptimists connect in a spirit of friendship to bring fresh and innovative approaches to addressing some of society’s greatest challenges. Locally, projects target the needs of the community, and most provide direct assistance to women and girls. Examples of Soroptimist club projects include: providing job training for women in transition, sponsoring enrichment programs for at-risk girls, and refurbishing domestic violence shelters.

The gift of Soroptimist membership provides a variety of benefits, including:

Fulfillment…working on projects that improve the lives of others leads to personal satisfaction and recognition from the community.
Friendship…Cultivating relationships with other women who have similar interests and values is a central aspect of Soroptimist membership. Friendships with women all over the world.
Diversity...meeting and learning about women from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and participating in projects that address the needs of women throughout the globe, contributes to world peace and understanding.
Leadership development…developing skills at the club level results in enhanced professional capabilities as well as leadership opportunities at all levels of the organization.
Mentoring…reaching out to women at the beginning of their professional lives provides an avenue for Soroptimist members to serve as mentors

If you are a woman who wishes to provide volunteer service in atmosphere of support, friendship and fun, then joining Soroptimist may be right for YOU!

Definition of Membership:

To qualify for membership of Soroptimist International a woman should:

be working in a profession or business or in an occupation of comparable status or responsibilities to those of a person working in a profession or business;

or

be recently retired from or temporarily or permanently out of work from a profession or business or an occupation of comparable status or responsibilities to those of a person working in a profession or business;

or

be embarking on a career in a profession or business or occupation of a comparable status or responsibilities to those of a person working in a profession or business.

Membership in each club is well-balanced with no business or professional group predominating. This diversity of occupation is needed to bring the various view points of members who, as leaders, are highly sensitive to the issues and needs of the community.

Soroptimists are truly women at their best - professional and executive women of all ages, cultures and ethnic groups who are known leaders in their fields.

Every Soroptimist Can:

attend meetings of any club in the world
meet women from many different spheres, all using their skills for others
participate in meetings and conferences in many parts of the world
take on positions of leadership within the club and the Soroptimist organization and support other members
enjoy the support and friendship that club membership offers
participate in fundraising activities and become involved in local, national and international service projects

There are approximately 300 members in 10 clubs in Ontario, Eastern Canada. Clubs are located in Cambridge, Dundas/Ancaster/Flamborough, Guelph, Haldimand Norfolk, Hamilton-Burlington, Humber Credit Valleys & Brampton, Peterborough, Stoney Creek/Niagara, Thunder Bay, Toronto.

If you are interested in learning more about Soroptimist, please contact the President in the club nearest you or contact the Regional Chair of Recruitment and Retention - Maxine Tenander.

Activities:

Each Soroptimist Club chooses the projects it wishes to help in the local community. It also adopts projects for study and action within the six international programme areas. These are:

Economic and Social Development
Education
Environment
Health
Human Rights/Status of Women
International Goodwill and Understanding

Soroptimist Goals:

The name, Soroptimist, coined from the Latin "soror" and "optima" meaning the best for women, not only describes our organization’s qualities, it also describes our members’ goals to:

maintain high ethical standards in business and professional life
strive for human rights for all people and, in particular, to advance the status of women
develop a spirit of friendship and unity among Soroptimists of all countries
develop interest in community, national and international affairs
contribute to international understanding and universal friendships

Click here for a printable Brochure.