FounderLink

Soroptimist International of the Americas
Founder Region
Carol Rose, Governor

June 2000
Volume 1, Number 1

Soroptimists Soar 
into the New Century

A Message from Governor Carol

Well, if you're reading this, you've downloaded FounderLink, the Region Newsletter from our Founder Region Website. I am so excited that this is happening. We have tried for many years to have a Region-wide newsletter, and because of time and costs, we have been unsuccessful. But now with new technology, we've done it. A great big thank you to Carol Stein, FounderLink Newsletter editor, the Public Relations committee and Diane Allen, our new Webmaster.

	Our first attempt may be awkward but once we get the hang of it, you should see the newsletter published twice a year or maybe even every quarter. The newsletter shall include a message from the Governor, what's happening in your clubs, what's happening in the Region, a region calendar, what's happening in the Federation and a few other surprises. Please send in stories and suggestions of what you would like to see in print.

	For me, I would like to thank you for attending Conference and making it the success it was. We tried something different and new on Friday, and according to your evaluations, you liked it! The Region committees of Programs of Service and Legislative Advocacy presented a wonderful program on Friday. We also had our Women of Achievement Luncheon on Friday, as well. The Women of Achievement got the recognition they really deserved. They seemed to get a little lost when we gave them their awards on Sunday.

	I also want to thank you for your generosity at Conference. You donated enough money on Friday for Founder Region to become a Fellow. We were presented our certificate at Friday night's Fellowship Dinner. And then on Saturday, you donated $1,170.00 to our 1999-2003 Quadrennial project, "Assisting the Victims of Landmines. Also, just as important, you contributed over $9,600.00 to the Foundations Tote Bag raffle, the highest ever collected. I am so very proud of you.

	Please circle June 29 and 30 for our Leadership Seminar. We will be having the training at Walker Ranch. Our guest Friday evening is Past International President, Patsy Daniels. You should all have received your Call and be registered by now!

	I can't believe my two years as Governor is almost half over. It has been a wonderful experience, one that will be with me forever. I've visited over 40 clubs so far and I still want to visit each of you before my term is complete. Please invite me to your fundraisers, special events, or just to a meeting. I would love to come.

	I want to give kudos to my Region Board and to the Region committees. They are completing a lot of work and I want to recognize the great job that they are doing. A special thank you to each and everyone of you 'cause without you, there would be no Founder Region.

Warmest Regards,

Governor Carol

	Welcome 
to the Premier Issue of FounderLink.

FounderLink is the result of the work and commitment of the 
Founder Region Public Relations Committee.  
We hope you enjoy it and find it useful and informative.  

FounderLink is a “work in progress” and will be as good as you make it.  
Only you can keep us up-to-date with your Regional and club activities.

Submit articles and news about your clubs and committees to:
<SIFounderLink@aol.com>
or 
FounderLink
c/o Carol Stein
355 Trellis Lane
Vacaville, CA 95687
We cannot accept FAX submissions, graphics, or photos at this time.

We prefer that articles and stories be sent by e-mail or by attached files 
which can be downloaded and copied.  

What’s Inside This Issue...

•	Read our Governor’s welcome message and find out what the Region is doing.
•	FounderLink welcomes YOU.  Submit your stories to the editor.
•	What’s up?  The Leadership Retreat is scheduled for the end of June
•	Read the Regional Calendar
•	Relive the 2001 Regional Conference with Conference Coordinator Del.
•	Find out who won the PR contest prizes.
•	Gets some wonderful SOLT hints from our Regional Member Services Committee.
•	Violet Richardson Award were given at Conference for the first time.
•	Fellowship Foundation report
•	Learn about S Clubs and their upcoming trip to Japan.
•	Girls Scouts and District V Soroptimists make an unbeatable combination.
•	Scan Soroptimist success stories. 
•	Get to know your Regional Board of Directors by reading their biographies.
•	What well-known member celebrated her 80th birthday?  Find out here.

Leadership Retreat

The annual club officers and members training retreat for Districts 1-5 will be held June 29and 30, 2001. The site chosen for this year is Walker Creek Ranch, at 1700 Marshall/Petaluma Road, Petaluma.  

In response to the membership requests the following workshops will be presented: 
	1.  R&R for Dummies (recruitment and retention) 
	2. Soroptimist International Projects and Programs 
	3.  Public Relations and 
	4. SOLT, Soroptimist Orientation and Leadership Training.  

Members will be able to attend two of the morning workshops and then attend their specific officer workshop in the afternoon.  A general membership workshop will be available for those not incoming officers.  
	
District VI, Leadership Retreat is scheduled for July 13-14 in Kona, Hawaii.  The Leadership Retreat is geared to be informative and engaging with time for sharing and exchanging of ideas. 

FOUNDER REGION CALENDAR
June 1, 2001 – June 30, 2002

JUNE	10	Redwood Memorial Grove	
	29-30	Officers Training and Leadership Retreat – Districts I-V	
	30	Deadline for payment of annual dues to Federation and Region	
JULY	13-14	Officers Training and Leadership Retreat – Kona, District VI	
	25-28	Governor’s RoundTable	
	31	Order WOA and Violet Richardson Award applications/Federation	
AUGUST	11 – 12	Fellowship Board Meeting	
	17 – 19	Region Board Meeting – Cloverdale	
SEPT.	15	Region Committee Mtg. – Santa Rosa Jr. College	
	28-29	District VI – District Meeting – Maui	
OCT.	1	Nominating Committee Requests for Region Elections & Deadline for submission of materials to Region Secretary for November mailing.	
	3	Founders’ Day – Recognition of Chartering of 1st club – 1921	
	6	District III – District Meeting – Vallejo 
S/I Oakland’s 80th Anniversary celebration (evening)	
	7	District I – District Meeting – Oakland	
	12-13	District V – District Meeting – Ft. Bragg	
	14	District IV – District Meeting – Gualala	
	20	District II – District Meeting – Lafayette	
NOV.	2-4	Region Board Meeting – Cloverdale	
	10	Region “November” mailing sent to clubs (*no later than)	
	15	File IRS (Form 990) and State Taxes	
DEC.	1	Response to Nominating Committee & Deadline for receipt of Violet Richardson Award Applications to Clubs from applicants	
	10	S/I President’s Appeal – Human  Rights Day (UN)	
	15	Deadline WOA Apps to Clubs 
Proposed Region Amendments to Region  L & R Chairman	
JAN.	15	Deadline – Violet Richardson Award Winners to District representative	
	30	Deadline – WOA Club winners to District representative	
FEB.	1-3	Region Board Meeting – Cloverdale	
	15 
15 - 17	Mail “Celebrating Success” Club form to Federation 
Fellowship Board Meeting – Readings	
	28	Deadlines – Violet Richardson Ward  SOLT Award  to Governor-elect	
		                     Eloise B. Cushing Award to Member Services Chairman	
		                     W.O. A. – District Winners to Region Chairman	
		                     Women Helping Women, Woman of Distinction and 	
		                     Advancing the Status of Women  to Region Chairman.	
MAR	9 – 10	Fellowship Interviews  (Hawaii)	
	16 – 17	Fellowship Interviews  (California)	
	23	Caucus – Districts I-V 	
	31	Deadline – Julia “Bees” Combs Extension and Membership Awards	
APRIL	1	S.O.A.R. Award form due to District Directors	
	15	Deadline – Conference registration  	
MAY	2 	Region Pre-Conference Open Board Meeting	
	3 – 5	Region Conference – Kona, Hawaii	
	31	Deadline – Form 200 and Club Award Form to Federation	
JUNE	9	Redwood Memorial Grove	

	Conference 2001 Reflections
Del Nickerson, Regional Conference 2001 Coordinator  

	Conference 2001 has come and gone, but the memories linger on...The excitement began on Friday with an early morning workshop and lasted through the awards on Sunday. As usual Founder region supported the
Fellowship and Foundation programs with generous donations.

	Thanks to SI Dixon for the wonderful job they did as Hostess Club. The hard work that went on in the background made everything go smoothly.  You were superb.

	Thanks also to Governor Carol for keeping things moving in an on time manner. I really felt there was a feeling of warmth and fun for which Founder Region is famous.

	Also, my thanks to all of you. Your support at these meetings are what make them so special. I know that next year in Kona Coordinator Mary will have that same enthusiasm (and what a beautiful setting).
My best to you all....Keep up the spirit.

Committee Currents...

Public Relations Contest Winners Announced
Elaine Reed
Soroptimist International of McKinleyville was named the first place winner of the Public Relation Committee’s contest, "How Does Your Garden Grow."  
This club is only four years old but is already doing a superb job of publicizing itself. They submitted a beautifully done PR book which included newspaper clippings of all their events, a video of a TV spot, aprons, programs, tickets etc. It is a real "How to book". They will be taking it to the Leadership Training. The McKinleyville club received a plaque and a one time use camera. 
	Soroptimist International of Eureka is the second place winner with a very good collection of their publicity material. S.I. Eureka received two public relations videos from Soroptimist International of the Americas.

	Watch for the PR Contest information in FounderLink and in your club's November mailing.

Call on your Member Services Committee
Susan Joyce
	Please call on the members of  the Member Services Committee to make presentations to your club about Soroptimist Orientation and Leadership Training and Recruitment and Retention. We are ready, willing, able and enthusiastic about working with you! 

	We can offer some new and creative ideas for attaining your R&R and SOLT goals. A few ideas for recruitment…
	1. Let your fingers do the walking in the yellow pages…look for those members in the professions! 
	2. Go mall walking in teams…door to door in malls, introduce yourself to the owner, manager, etc., wear 		your Soroptimist pin, give them literature, invite them to a meeting. 
	3. Set up a table outside of a grocery store, collect business cards, show the Soroptimist video, give out 		Soroptimist literature.

A few ideas for retention:
	1. Let your members speak to the club about themselves and their business or profession.
	2. Highlight your members in your club bulletin
	3. Place members on committees where they serve and are served the best…and recognize their efforts! 

A few ideas for SOLT 
	1. Have different members present very short blurbs of SOLT at all of your meetings.
	2. Include a dash of SOLT in your club newsletter 
	3. Hold a special SOLT meeting at either a regular club meeting, or in someone's home. Use the SOLT 		millionaire game, jeopardy game, have fun with it! Just please…DO SOMETHING!!!! 

	Please remember to utilize our region committee's three new "f" words  in everything you do...flexibility...fun...future!  If we all focus on these three words, we cannot help but be successful in our recruitment, retention, and S. O. L. T. efforts.  
	Our committee has issued a challenge to you to gain 20% minimum net increase in your membership between now and the end of this biennium. It has been done before…it can be done again! Have fun in getting this done…how about a recruitment contest in your club? 

	In keeping with Governor Carol's key word in our region theme…SOAR…for recruitment and retention, add an extra R for emphasis and it can mean:  "Soroptimist Ongoing Action -Recruitment/Retention!

	And for Soroptimist Orientation and Leadership Training, it can mean SOAR….SOLT, Ongoing, Achieves Results!

First Year for Violet Richardson Award
Jean Crawford, Region Violet Richardson Award Chair

	The Violet Richardson Award is a Soroptimist International of the Americas program for young women between the ages of 14 and 17.  It recognizes those young women who make their community and the world a better place through volunteer efforts.  This was the first year for the award.  

	Although I was unable to be at conference on Sunday when the award was presented, I understand it went very well and was well received by all who were there. We had wonderful finalists.

	We had a good turnout of clubs involved in it the first year and I would like to encourage all clubs in Founder Region to participate this coming year. I would encourage each club to:
		1. 	Order their supplies ASAP (the order form has already been sent out by Federation)
		2. 	Read the information on how to apply the program, ie. advertising and distribution of the 				applications, including putting their club name on the applications and brochures.
		3. 	Consider a monetary award at club level (for those clubs who did not)
		4. 	Contact their district committee member or myself if they have any questions or problems including 			have one of us speak at their clubs.
		5. 	Give us feedback on what worked or didn't work at club level or any suggestions to help improve it.

	Monetary awards are given to the Region winner and her organization by Soroptimist International of the Americas.  She and her organization then become one of  29 finalists who receive an additional award from the Federation.  I hope all clubs in Founder Region will consider a monetary award for their club finalists and/or her organization as budgets are prepared for the coming year.  

	Based on the applications received this year, there are wonderful young women doing great volunteer work in each of our communities and they deserve to be recognized.  Thanks to all of you who participated in this new program. 

Fellowship Foundation report
Linda McDoniels, President

Founder Region Fellowship had the privilege of being a recipient of $30,000.00 from the estate of Julia "Bess" Combs this past year. We were thrilled with the bequest and plan to make good use of it this next year. 
At conference this year the board decided to honor members of Founder Region who were not fellows in memory of and thanks to Bess. We named 8 new fellows on Friday night at conference. Each new fellow had given to the Fellowship program of her time and effort and we wish to say thank you once again to each of them. 
We were also pleased to present four Fellowships to women in the graduate programs at UC Berkeley. Because of the generosity of the members of Founder Region we were able to give $27,500.00 this year. More than has ever been presented to the candidates. 
Each of the four recipients were exceptional in their field. The winners encompassed all six programs of service. We gave $5,000.00 to Elizabeth Anderson for her work in the field of education; $5,000.00 to Yan Mei Wang for her work with superconductors; $7,500.00 to Kathleen Lee for her work in the field of international goodwill and understanding and $10,000.00 to Alexis Abramson for her work in the field of mechanical engeerning. 
We planted the seeds of Fellowship on Friday evening and by 10:30am Saturday morning we had sold six hundred seed packets. For each 100 packets we were able to draw one number and award a fellowship to that member. All six of the new fellows were excited and thrilled at winning her fellowship. 
The Fellowship board would like to take this opportunity to once again thank the members of Founder Region for their continued and generous support of the Permanent Identifying Project of Founder Region, our Fellowship program.

“S” Club Members Plan Trip to Japan
Joyce Suihkonen, S Club Committee Chair

	What is an "S" Club?   "S" Club is a Soroptimist-sponsored organization that gives junior high and high school students an opportunity to provide service to their schools and communities, develop leadership, promote good citizenship, and advance goodwill and understanding. 

	The Committee presented three $300 Barbara Stevenson awards at this year's regional conference.  This award is presented annually to outstanding "S" Club seniors in Founder Region.  

	Many hours have been spent setting criteria, arranging for funding, and selecting participants to attend the Japan Minami Region Youth Forum.  Two "S" Club students from Honolulu and one from Brentwood will join the 50+ additional attendees at the Forum in August. 

	This year Soroptimist International of Pittsburg resurrected their "S" Club at Pittsburg High School.  And, a fourth "S" Club was chartered in Guam at George Washington High School.  There are now 11 active "S" Clubs in Founder Region.

	Regional "S" Club Committee m embers are Joyce Suihkonen, Chair; Janice White; Vivian Tsuji; Sharle Hoke

	For more information about Founder Region "S" Clubs, contact Joyce Suihkonen, at (707) 449-5468 or <jsuihkon@ci.vacaville.ca.us>. 

Grant Work "Pays" Off
Soroptimist International of Pleasant Hill

Soroptimist International of Pleasant Hill facilitated a grant from Y&H Soda Foundation for Special Olympics of Northern California

On Friday, May 11, Special Olympics of Northern California - East Bay (SONC-EB) received the good news that their grant request had been approved by the Y&H Soda Foundation located in Orinda, California.  

This process began with the Grant Writing Committee of Soroptimist International of Pleasant Hill in December 2000.  After various conversations with both the parties, on December 16 SIPH submitted a letter of intent to the Soda Foundation.  The letter submitted a two-year grant request for $32,000.

Special Olympics is a year-round sports program for children and adults with mental retardation / developmental disabilities.  

The grant request of $16,000 a year will cover the expense of their summer training program, which is scheduled in a variety of locations throughout the East Bay.  The training takes place from March through June and the sports that are involved include aquatics, bocce ball, gymnastics, tennis and track and field.  The $32,000 covers all costs for facilities and equipment for two years.  
All trainers volunteer their services.

Eligible athletes are all children and adults, at least 8 years old, with mental retardation/developmental disabilities. This typically includes all individuals with mental retardation, combination deaf-blindness, autism, traumatic head injury, and most individuals with cerebral palsy and specific learning disabilities.  

Today there are 1,200 individuals with developmental disabilities involved in SONC-EB.  This program is offered at no cost to the athletes. There are 70,491 individuals in the East Bay with developmental disabilities, and SONC-EB has a goal to serve approximately one-third of this population.  This goal has initiated a four-year campaign to double the families served, which will increase the current number of athletes to 2,400.  Concurrently, the campaign will double the annual budget requirement of Special Olympics.  The grant received from Soda Foundation will make a difference in helping Special Olympics reach their goal.

The "heart and soul" of the Grant research is our own Karen Barnes-Jarvis.  She has put in many hours by filling out forms, telephone communications, letter writing - tenacity paid off in the end.  Karen, you are an invaluable asset to our Club.

District V Clubs and Girl Scouts 
Sponsor Teen Leadership Conference
Elaine Reed, Project Coordinator

	Soroptimist International of Founder Region District V and Girls Scouts of Sierra Cascade cosponsored a training conference with the goal of assisting high school girls in acquiring the leadership skills necessary to make a positive and significant impact in our communities.  The target group was high school age girls who demonstrate leadership potential and are committed to the betterment of their community.  Twenty high school girls attended representing eight different communities.  Six of the girls were Girl Scouts and the remainder were sponsored by the Soroptimist Club in their communities and chosen with the help of high school counselors. 

	This was a joint Soroptimist project with 75% of District V clubs participating.  This district covers almost 5,000 square miles with a population of 154,000.  

	Evaluations turned in at the end of the conference by each girl confirmed that they thought it was a valuable training and they would attend again if offered next year and would encourage their friends to attend.	

Soroptimists Celebrate Success

St. Helena Sunrise  
	President Margaret Friedrich  

St. Helena Sunrise is a young club, chartered in 1995.  Over the years, we have listened to local needs and as a result, we have been able to touch all segments of our community: young and old, groups and individuals.

Soroptimist "The Best For Women" is illustrated by our sponsorship of the St. Helena High School girls' soccer team. Seeing a need and desire, we hosted a dinner and raised $12,000 to begin this program. We continue this
support by providing uniforms and an annual scholarship to a graduating senior soccer player.

The other hands-on and monetary support we give our community, both separately and in cooperation with other service organizations, include:
	*Creative Living Senior Christmas Dinner
	*Breakfast With Santa
	*We Care Animal Shelter
	*High School Academic Scholarships
	*Community Pool Free Swim Day
	*Napa Emergency Women’s Shelter
	*Fire Department Annual Open House
	*Sponsor Fire Department Training Trailer
	*Christmas In April
	*Harvest Festival Annual Fun Run

The annual Crab Feed, held jointly with Soroptimist International of St. Helena, is our biggest fund-raising event which supports all of our community service projects. This year's event was our most successful ever, netting over $45,000! This is a good example of the community helping us help the community.

Vacaville 
	President Tara Baumann

	Martha Stewart coins this phrase “IT’S A GOOD THING” time and time again.  It amazes me how she makes something beautiful out of everyday objects.  Well, that’s what we did this year.  Soroptimist International of Vacaville, a small ordinary club, with extraordinary women, made this year truly beautiful.  We tied into each other’s talents, coordinated the vision and the mission of Soroptimist International, and accomplished tasks of which a club our size should be really proud.

	We celebrated our 40th year of service, shopped ‘til we dropped at Mervyn’s child spree, painted the town purple to raise awareness for domestic violence, collected and turned in over 100 cell phones for Cell to Cell, raised an armload of money for breast cancer, assisted other community projects along the way, and managed to have fun and become better friends.

	Our outstanding SOLT program was honored at the Regional Conference by receiving the Eloise B. Cushing Award.  With the publication of Soroptimist International of Vacaville, Inc. -- Four Decades of Service, Vacaville’s SOLT committee has documented the club's 40 year history in a publication featuring a time line of events since the club's charter in August of 1960.   The whole thing started when one of the new members, asked, "So, what is it that you women do?"  The project involved locating and examining boxes and boxes of club documents and gathering as many Past Presidents' Books as possible.   Besides being able to view the past accomplishments of the club, there is now a central "resource center" of information for new and old members alike.

District IV

Editor’s Note:  Thanks District IV.  Every club in District IV submitted the following articles for the newsletter through your District Director Kay Ritter.

Cloverdale 
	President Ann Silva

	2001 marks Cloverdale’s 20th Birthday of serving our community from the young to the senior citizens. We hope all of you will join us in our celebration!  Fifteen years ago, our club formed the Cloverdale Boys and Girls Club that benefits approximately 400 local youth.  After finding other community sponsors for this project, we continue to serve on the center’s Board of Directors and support its programs with funds and supplies.  For the past 13 years our members, together with several other local organizations, prepare and serve Thanksgiving dinner for up to 350 people.  

	We also purchase and collect new blankets and warm clothing to all who attend.  Throughout the year our members sponsor a girls’ softball team, adopt a school classroom, and support the following:  a school reading program, a school music programs, the Cloverdale Family Service, Boy’s and Girl’s Shoe Fund, Project Graduation, Sonoma County Humane Society, Cloverdale’s Children’s Halloween Party, Youth in Action, a center for abused children, and the new Senior Center.  We DO make a difference!

Healdsburg 
	President Lisa Schaffner 
	
	As part of making the community a better place to live in all ways, Healdsburg members donate hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars each year to a variety of projects designed to improve the quality of lives of women and children, teen, and seniors.  From providing shoes to less fortunate teens, toys and grocery certificates to needs children and their families at our annual Christmas Celebration of Giving party, encouraging scholarship and volunteerism with awards that recognize outstanding students in high school, teaching students the responsibilities of parenting with the Baby Think It Over dolls, to renovating the living area of the Battered Women’s Shelter and supporting Home Hospice and Senior Citizen Programs, Soroptimist members are involved in all aspects of our community.  Our annual fund-raiser in the Healdsburg Town Square is welcomed by the local merchants as a stimulus to their business and promotes community involvement.  This year our club has grown by five new members.

Marin County 
	President Jane Brennan 

	Marin County members have made significant contributions to their community and Soroptimist organization projects since 1952.  In recent years, the club has supported MAWS (Marin Abused Women’s Shelter), Whistlestop Senior Center, Rotary Manor for seniors, a hearing test van for children, Marin Family Literacy Program, and Jeannette Prandi Abused Children’s Center.  The club selected its Violet Richardson Award nominee and plans to continue its youth scholarship programs next year.

Mendocino-Sonoma Coast 
	President Anne Decker

	Since 1979, Mendocino-Sonoma Coast members have helped shape our community through projects designed to address specific needs such as E.S.C.A.P.E.S. which assists local victims of domestic violence, the Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness campaign and the Healing Well, a women’s wellness center which is operated by one of our members, Dr. Mona Khanna,