How important is it to you to make a difference?  During my recent Cultural Exchange visit to Mongolia, I was accompanied by Federation Life Member Lorna Mead, Catherine Evans and Cherrie Power. We visited with the 4 Soroptimists club’s and their members, witnessing firsthand how being a Soroptimist does make that difference. The Mongolian Soroptimists projects meet many of the Federation’s 8 objectives.

Homelessness is at a crisis point in many of our Federation countries and the SI Darkhan Ger Project (a Ger is a Mongolian dwelling ideally suited to Mongolia’s harsh terrain and lifestyle) provides a home to a woman and her family. This year in partnership with other Soroptimist clubs and individual members they were able to present 3 women with a Ger. Providing a shelter and a home where plans and dreams can be made for the future.

After the official presentation of the 3 new Gers, we visited a previous benefactor who was so pleased to invite us to afternoon tea and show us her home. If you ever doubt that your work as a Soroptimist is not making a Difference, look at how proud this woman is, sharing her home and food, and showing us a big bowl of cranberries which she grew, and her vegetable garden. She wanted me to convey her thanks to the members of SI Palmerston North who provided her with the seeds to grow the cranberries and also contributed to the purchase of her Ger. This is why we are Soroptimists, to provide life changing opportunities

The Soroptimist International Convention is over, and still the positive ripples continue. This month SI announces the Visible and Vocal public speaking competition, open to any clubs in Australia and to clubs in one of our Federations non-commonwealth countries, please see the article below for all details. I encourage all eligible clubs to nominate. 

Congratulations to the successful nominees for Federation positions for 2024-2026 Biennium. Your energy, support and dedication to the vision and mission of SISEAP is acknowledged and valued. There are still a couple of positions vacant and I encourage all members to consider applying.

It is now officially spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Spring signals new growth, make this spring a time for Soroptimist clubs to implement their projects for the remainder of the year and into the new year.

A global voice for women, Soroptimists voices were indeed strong and loud over the last week in July, as 1,700 Soroptimists from across the globe convened in Dublin. A taxi driver remarked to one of our Federation Soroptimists “So many women in town, what is going on?”. We were indeed visual and vocal. The SISEAP Federation was well represented at the convention, with over 100 members attending, the group photo tells it all.

Joining us for the group photo was Soroptimist International IPP Sharon Fisher and President Maureen. The Australian Soroptimists were easily recognisable, thanks to the efforts of the New South Wales Region, who organized an indigenous inspired shirt, this was a great hit, and I know many other Soroptimists from across the globe were asking for one as a souvenir.

I was very proud to address the convention on behalf of our SISEAP members, showcasing our impact for 2021, 2022 and 2023. You can view the recording on the SISEAP Youtube site HERE. The convention was packed with quality speakers and Soroptimists news announcements, such as a remodelled emblem to lead our International movement into the next 100 years, the Soroptimist International Foundation which will permanently replace the SI Presidents Appeal, more information about the foundation and the emblem will be sent to members as it becomes available. Incoming SI President Siew Yong Gnanalingam presented her welcome address via video, as a Federation we stand united to assist Siew Yong when she takes up her international position in January. Siew Yong’s theme, “Save Mother Earth, Save the Future”, is very dear to SISEAP, as we all know the devastating effects of climate disaster. Her video will be available in coming days on the SISEAP Youtube site.

I will ask that all SISEAP members who attended convention deliver to their clubs, regions and or countries a detailed report of the positive outcomes, workshops, the posters showcasing projects across the 5 Federations and the warmth and friendships experienced by all, including the logistic nightmare of moving 1,700 women from floor 6 to ground level for morning tea and back again in 30 minutes. The 5 Federations delivered workshops, SISEAP’s workshop “Climate Change – Women Leading the Way” was well attended, we had to turn away many people as both sessions were oversubscribed. The programme team will be reporting on the success of the workshop and its takeouts for members to action on a personal and club level.

Our Federation presented to SI President Maureen a beautiful set of pearls as a thank you for her leadership. Maureen was overwhelmed by this gift, please see the image below shared by Maureen at the Gala Dinner.

Soroptimists came away from the SI Convention, inspired, renewed and ready for the Challenge to take Soroptimist International into a bright future.

I am very pleased to announce that SISEAP received one nomination for President Elect for 2024-2026, and wish to announce that Anthea Penny, member of SI North Canterbury will take up the position of SISEAP President Elect on the 1 June 2024.

Please congratulate Anthea on her appointment.

Please view her address to the members HERE. 

SISEAP Federation positions for the biennium 2024–2026 are open and I urge all Soroptimists to consider nominating for this vital work. Our Federation cannot go forth and be the change maker we all desire without the volunteer work of Soroptimists to take on these rewarding roles.

I am currently away touring Northern Ireland with 30 other Soroptimists from across 4 Federations. Once again being a Soroptimist affords us such amazing friendships. I leave you with this image of a very wet Connemara, this area of the Wild Atlantic coastline and the 12 Ben Mountains would have been magical had we been able to see it, but that is the joy of travelling, you never know what you are going to get.

Yours in Soroptimist friendship,

Christine Johnstone
President 2022-2024
Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific
swppresident2022@siswp.org

I hope you were all energized by the information and story telling provided at the SISEAP AGM, General meeting and the Federation meeting. The two weekends highlighted your Soroptimist impact in your communities, and at the National and International level.   The many hours (63,176) of volunteer service to implement and advocate for gender equality, education and empowerment of women and girls equated to the equivalent of $3,790,560 AUD dollars in contribution to society, never doubt that Soroptimists do make a difference. 

As Soroptimists have you ever lacked ideas for program work at your club level?  You need to read not only your National Presidents annual report but ALL National Presidents reports, there are many ideas for project work and partnership with our sister Soroptimists clubs, please do take the time, it is well worth the read.

I encourage club programme members to take a look at the videos available on the SISEAP Youtube channel, there is a selection of short videos up to 10 minutes in length which are worthy of showcasing at a club dinner meeting, let the story telling inform members of the work we do each and every day.

As Soroptimists we are also volunteers, we volunteer our time, expertise and skills to implement projects to fulfill our vision and mission.  Above I congratulated you on the combined volunteer service hours, but the 63,176 hours listed above does not take into account the hundreds of hours of volunteer service work undertaken to enable our organisation to function. As a volunteer (Soroptimist), you fill the key roles of President, Treasurer and Secretary at club, national and Federation level, as volunteers you handle the day to day tasks, project manage and raise funds.  Without you, our organisation would not exist,  Soroptimist International has survived for 100 years on a strong volunteer commitment.  Volunteering as a Soroptimist shows that you can take initiative, and are committed to working to ensure a gender equal world, and you do this through being resourceful and creative, you learn and grow and pass on these skills to others in your club, so why is it that the organisation is struggling to fill roles?  We cannot fulfil our vision if we only want to volunteer for the programme work and not the day to day work.  The programme, membership, communications and governance committee are offering you the opportunity to join their team, come on board, learn new skills, bring your ideas and increase your knowledge of the organisation.

Lastly, don’t forget to download your copy of the Annual Report, be proud of the work we do and the difference we make, it is significant and impactful.   Enjoy your Soroptimist work during June, as we look forward to continued sharing of ideas and stories.

Christine Johnstone
President 2022 - 2024
Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific
swppresident2022@siswp.org