Soroptimist International of Chico (SI Chico)
Soroptimist International of Chico (SI Chico) is a large club with a long and distinguished history in our community. As Soroptimists, our focus has always been on service – Committed to improving the lives of women and children in our community, our country, and around the world. Through service projects we strive to raise money to continue to donate money and time to the community and around the world.
We are part of a larger organization Soroptimist International of the Americas and Soroptimist International (Global). Soroptimist International boasts over 100,000 members in over 113 countries. At the United Nations, we are represented as a non-governmental organization – a “global voice for women” working through awareness, advocacy and action.
Through our participation in the programs of Soroptimist International, we offer our members an opportunity to contribute their service in an effective way that is also personally enriching.
Soroptimist International Mission Statement:
Soroptimist is a worldwide organization for women in management and professions working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women.
It is this spirit of service that is the underlying motivation for all Soroptimist activities.
Through participation in the programs and service projects of Soroptimist International, SI Chico offers our members an opportunity to contribute their talents and service. Our members find they are personally enriching their lives while helping others at the very same time. Together the members become a local and a global voice for the advancement of human rights and the status of women.
There are six Areas of Service in Soroptimist:
- Economic and social development
- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Human rights for all and advancement of the status of women
- International goodwill, understanding and friendship
Members
We are a diverse group of women representing a wide range of professions, small businesses, generations, backgrounds and interests.
Fundraising
Soroptimist International of Chico has a long history of significant contributions to the Chico community. Annual fundraising activities are concentrated into one major community event held in the spring – the Home, Garden and Antique Show.
Smaller club fundraisers also happen throughout the year Our fundraising events raise money for donations, scholarships and awards. Recipients of the club’s fundraising efforts include a wide variety of local individuals and organizations, as well as several international causes that benefit women and children. (Links to any of these things in the pages – like donations and scholarships etc)
Weekly club meetings
Each week our club meets. Meetings are on Wednesdays from 12:00-1:00 and are held at Manzanita Place (Link to Manzanita Place so people can see where it is) in Chico. Meetings are centered on informative programs and camaraderie and serve as a great way for club members to get to know one another. Click here to find out more.
Committee’s
We have over 15 different committees that the members can choose from to participate in. At the committee level each member’s efforts are pooled into the club’s service activities to make a difference locally and in the world. Involvement at the committee level provides the framework for an individual to develop her talents and skills.
Club Activities
Participation in club activities (i.e. after hours parties, “Getting to know us” events, retreats and many of the volunteer opportunities throughout the year) help to keep the club enlivened and this is essentially where the friendships are formed.
Friendships
SI Chico provides a network of women – friends – they can depend upon to be there for them as they go through changes in their lives. Women in the club typically say they join for the service to their community but they stay for the friendships.
International Activities
Soroptimist International of Chico has been directly involved with several global causes. Two past areas of focus have been land mine awareness “Steps Without Fear—Land Mine Removal Campaign” and Namaste House for Orphaned Children. (Links to both of these – they need to have their own pages and pictures on our website)
Partial list of other international activities:
- Sponsored Seeds of Learning Project Scholarship for a child in Nicaragua
- Provided Namaste House orphans with scholarships
- Supported international projects in Nara, Japan; St. Albans, England; and Makati, Phillipines
- Supported a facility for orphans and the elderly in Zambia
- Purchased foot pumps for irrigation and for safflower oil presses allowing women to Zambia to start their own businesses
- Supported an AIDS orphanage in Tanzania
- Provided money for medical and dental care for children in orphanages in Tanzania and in Nepa
To find out more about Soroptimist International, Soroptimist International of the Americas or the Sierra Nevada region click on the following links:
- Soroptimist International – Worldwide Organization
- Soroptimist International of the Americas – Includes North and South America, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and the Philippines.
- The Sierra Nevada Region (part of Soroptimist International of the Americas includes Northern California and all of Nevada the District clubs in the North State