According to Soroptimist International, fifty-seven percent of teens know someone who has been verbally, physically, or sexually abusive in a dating relationship; females ages 16 to 24 are more vulnerable to intimate partner violence than any other age group. Educate yourself on how you can impact the life of a teenager (male or female). Download your copy of the Soroptimist White Paper »
Soroptimist International of the Americas, working to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world, examines the issue of teen dating violence. Dating and intimate relationships are a normal part of growing up for many adolescents. Yet teenagers frequently form their first romantic relationship without a clear understanding of what constitutes a healthy versus an unhealthy relationship. As a result, they are particularly vulnerable to becoming targets of dating abuse. Fifty-seven percent of teens know someone who has been verbally, physically, or sexually abusive in a dating relationship.
Although the patterns and signs of teen dating violence tend to mirror those exhibited in adult abusive relationships, there are some unique issues that teens face. This white paper examines those unique issues as they relate to the factors that influence teen dating violence, as well as the consequences thereof. The paper also addresses the unique obstacles teens face when seeking help and/or deciding to end an abusive relationship.
If you want to get involved, there is a Model Program Kit that you can implement through your club. You can also order Soroptimist Teen Dating Violence bookmarks to distribute. The 2 x 7 inch glossy bookmarks promote healthy dating relationships among teenagers.
Registration for Soroptimist’s 41st biennial convention is now open! Click here to get everything you need to plan an incredible trip. Register online now »
Gear up for the experience of a lifetime. Laugh and learn with Soroptimists from around the world. Explore the wondrous “city by the bay,” which is full of rich culture and amazing sights. Check out this video to witness the fun you don’t want to miss!
SIA is also accepting advertisements and/or greetings for the 41st Biennial Convention program. Due to limited space, ads/greetings will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. All ads/greeting order forms must be received, along with payment, at headquarters by March 15, 2010. Contact SIA-HQ for more information on pricing, file sizes, etc.
Ballots for 2010-2012 Board of Directors members were counted at headquarters on January 8. Congratulations to Masako Sakashita, SI/ Miyazaki, Japan; Euisook Choi, SI/ Ulsan, Korea; Connie Desko, SI/Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Joan Merritt, SI/ Willimantic, Connecticut; and Carene Davis-Stitt, SI/ Eugene, Oregon. These members will assume their new leadership positions on September 1, and will serve in that position through August 31, 2012.
In two electoral areas, no candidate received a majority of the votes cast, and those electoral areas are currently re-balloting. The full results are online »
You may recall from last year (Feb 2009) when Alison Sutherland, Quadrennial Project Liaison, recounted the memories and experiences of those who recently attended the first project tour »
This morning, our SIA President, Cathy Standiford, is off to Sierra Leone for the next Study Tour. Here is an excerpt from her blog as she contemplates what to expect and how best to pack. We wish her safe travels and a memorable experience and look forward to her stories when she gets back in February (she’s not taking a laptop):
I know that the hotel accommodations will be nice, but spartan by some of our western standards. I’m bringing a hair dryer, but may not be able to use it if the power is out.I’m bringing my bathing suit because all of the hotels we will stay at have a pool, and if the water pressure in the shower or bath is low, the pool may be the best way to wash off some of the dust of the day. I’m bringing (of course) my camera, a small journal, and plenty of pens to write with.
Margaret Cook, the Assistant International Programme Director and one of the other participants on our tour, recently sent us a great video clip that will give you a taste. It was recently filmed by Alastair Humphreys, the son of a Soroptimist from Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland. Alastair has been on a “round the world bike ride” to benefit Hope and Homes for Children, our partner in Sierra Leone. This video explains what he saw–and what I am likely to see too. Watch it, then think of me, riding along those dusty roads!
What is a Quadrenniel Project?
Every four years Soroptimist International launches a major international project in partnership with a charity, NGO or United Nations agency. Each project is designed to be self-sustaining by the end of SI’s four-year commitment. Soroptimist members around the world join forces to give active support to the chosen project and in doing so, have improved the lives of many thousands of women and children across the globe.
Each Federation takes it in turns to propose an international project: our current project was initiated by Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland (2007-2011). Project SIerra: a Family and a Future, was launched at Convention in July 2007. The project supports women caring for children in extreme poverty and provides a caring, secure family home for children who are alone or at risk of abandonment. The project location is Sierra Leone, West Africa. Our project partner is Hope and Homes for Children.
For those who were not able to watch the show, below is a link to the Jane Velez-Mitchell “Issues” program that aired on HLN Thursday with SIA President Cathy as a panelist. Jane is the 2010 Ruby Award recipient of Soroptimist International SW Washington and Soroptimist International Vancouver, Washington in the Northwestern Region. This was fabulous publicity for Soroptimist. President Cathy was outstanding and I loved her closing comments.
Click on the link below or copy it into your browser (approx 14 min clip):
This was a “special investigation” show which is placed on CNN and cnn.com/jane (not all shows are uploaded). As we understand it, CNN and the producers at “Issues” weigh the topic and the number of downloads on deciding future programming on those particular subject matters. The more of us that download and watch that clip the better – so let’s spread the news!!!
Soroptimist International of the Americas joins the world community in expressing shock and concern about the situation in Haiti. The devastation caused by the earthquake—in an already extremely poor country—is horrific. Tens of thousands of people are dead, and more than 1/3 of Haiti’s citizens are now homeless.
Because Haiti is part of Soroptimist’s European federation, Soroptimist International of the Americas has made a donation of $10,000 to Soroptimist International of Europe to support immediate disaster relief efforts for women and girls.
SIA knows from experience that women and girls will be disproportionately vulnerable to the effects because of existing gender inequalities that are magnified during and following any disaster. To that end, Soroptimist International of the Americas maintains a Disaster Recovery Fund to provide for projects ensuring that women and girls have the support and resources necessary to rebuild their lives and their communities. Concerned Soroptimists and other individuals are urged to contribute to the Disaster Recovery Fund to replenish the initial donation and to fund future projects to help women and girls in Haiti recover from this disaster. For more information, please read Soroptimist International of the Americas’ white paper: “Reaching Out to Women When Disaster Strikes.”
Donations can be sent to Soroptimist International of the Americas headquarters, earmarked “disaster recovery.” Members may contribute securely online ». Look for the “disaster recovery” donation line, and indicate “Haiti Disaster Recovery” in the notes section.
Soroptimist is pleased to announce its second annual Live Your Dream Art Contest. This year, Soroptimist invites boy and girl students, from ages 4 to 18, to draw a present-day woman who inspires them. She can be someone the student knows personally, or a prominent woman he or she admires. If chosen as a finalist, the student’s artwork will be students will be viewed by thousands on the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Campaign website and the students will be eligible to win a cash prize for themselves and their schools. Get details »
The 54th session of the Commission on the Status of Womenwill take place at the United Nations in New York City, March 1-12, 2010. The commission will undertake the 15-year review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) and the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly (2000). In addition, the NGO Committee on the Status of Women will hold the NGO Global Forum for Women: Beijing +15 on February 27-28. Soroptimists are invited to participate in both meetings (at their own expense). Contact Lori at SIA-HQ for details.
This year’s Toronto Soroptimist Multicultural Women’s Fair. The event takes place on Saturday, October 24 at Trinity St. Paul’s United Church, near Bloor & Spadina, from 11 to 5. There will be entertainment and refreshments and fair trade items from around the world, with sales supporting women from various countries, in addition to representation from a number of agencies supporting women.
You are invited to take the June 2009 Soroptimist Snapshot online survey. Look for the link in your email this week.
There are just 7 quick questions and should only take about 5 minutes of your time. The intent of this survey is to gauge interest and satsifaction in their quarterly publication of the Best for Women magazine. Some of the questions are multiple choice with an opportunity to write what you’d like see improved in future editions. I find the most helpful section is the Renaissance Campaign tips/tricks. They are very helpful for SOLT and generate new ideas for the committee chairs.
There are also polls in the general members area that you can participate in (see the right side panel). One example is: Would your club pay a nominal fee for customized services from headquarters (e.g., personalized ads and brochures, meeting planning)? As of today there have been 596 votes: Yes 47% | No 53%. What’s your opinion?
