Thriving Futures Update 24 March 2023

2023 Thriving Futures Program:  

An eight month program to build Soroptimist leadership in the volunteer sector, membership capacity and capability, consisting of webinars, a 3 day face-to-face training, and undertaking a project supported by a coach. There is an extension program to train facilitators of the  program.

1. Soroptimists in Asia: Contact Joanne Yeoh for the  Kuala Lumpur Thriving Futures Program: swppresidentelect2020@siswp.org
2. Western Australian Soroptimists contact Jane Jones: jay_jay@westnet.com.au
3. Aotearoa New Zealand Soroptimists contact Eileen Middleton: middle@globe.net.nz
4. 2024 Program: Any other countries/ regions - contact Yvonne Simpson: swpmembership2020@siswp.org

Thriving Futures Update 24 February 2023

The SI Aotearoa New Zealand Leadership Programme (2022 - 2023) was successfully completed on 23 February when 13 participants reported back to each other on their project, the leadership approaches they used  and the lessons they learned. Congratulations! And a big thank you to Anthea Penny, Pip Mules and Sandy Stephens for the training and coaching. 

Thriving Futures Program, Asia is an exciting SISEAP membership initiative to support leadership and project management capability, with a goal for membership development. It includes webinars, face to face training and coaching. See the flyer below for more information.

Announcing the SISEAP Leadership program - The Thriving Futures, your future and SISEAP's future.  The aim of this program is to build capacity and capability for Soroptimists at all levels to ensure the organisation’s future sustainability. Current and future leaders will participate in a program that is delivered across 4 months. At the beginning of the program two webinars will be held; one of which focuses on the Soroptimist mission, values, programs, membership and structure. This is followed by a three-day face-to-face workshop with the following content

• Soroptimist overview and strategy for growth
• Leading a four step change process and narrative for change:
• Productive meetings
• Understanding group processes and cross-cultural communication
• Conflict management
• Developing a public relations and communication plan for membership recruitment

In addition, participants will be required to identify a recruitment project, set goals and action steps for leading change in their own club, region or country and receive coaching via Google Meet while they undertake this. They will be expected to present their projects and what they have learned from the process on a webinar at the end of the programme before they receive their certificate.

Developers and Facilitators are Soroptimists Anthea Penny, (Master.H.M.Hons and, Federation Director); and Dr Pip Mules PhD who have developed and led the successful SIANZ National Leadership Programmes in 2021 and 2022.

The extended programme will also include Training Coaches, and Train the Trainers - so that local trainers are empowered to lead the programme. Funding has been approved to hold a Thriving Futures Program in Kuala Lumpur in 2023.

For further information contact Yvonne Simpson, Membership Convenor.

We are very excited to announce another step towards creating online Clubs. The New Zealand and Australian initiatives will become part of an SISEAP pilot online community, that is now available for all SISEAP countries. 

An online community is for Soroptimists who can’t access a traditional Club that meets face to face. Once there are at least 15 members, the community could then go on to Charter as an Online Club.

If you are reconsidering your membership, or have family or friends who may be interested in joining an Online Community, then we encourage you to explore this option. The SISEAP online community will be available from 15 January 2023. 

Please register your interest at to the online community coordinator

Further information contact Yvonne Simpson, Membership Convenor