What is your club up to to celebrate 100 years. Birthdays are such wonderful oppourtunites to renew friendships, gather together to celebrate and in the true Soroptimis Spirit, give generously of our time and resources to improve the lives of women and girls world wide.
News from Clubs in our Federation
Read about the events and projects clubs are implementing to celebrating the C100 Tree Planting and the C100 Acts of Kindness.
Soroptimist International Joondalup President Stella Beavis writes:
Our Club has been very busy, trying to complete activities and projects to celebrate the international 100TH birthday of the Soroptimist organisation, by October 2021.
Our theme has been:- COMMUNITY ' COMMITMENT ' COMMEMORATION ' CELEBRATION
100 Acts of Kindness -
We have knitted 100 beanies and scarves, to be distributed to the homeless of Perth, in time for the upcoming Winter.
We are filling 100 shoe boxes with small toys and stationery items, for disadvangaged children, to be circulated in our immediate area.
The gathering of information to make a collage of 100 acts of kindness, carried out by the members of our club.
C100 Plant 100 Trees
The planting of 100 trees, in collaboration with the Joondalup Council, is due to take place within the next few weeks. The Lord Mayor to be in attendance for the ceremony and the ensuing afternoon tea.
Research and documention of the history, via photos and archived information, relating to the 43 years the club has been in existence in the Joondalup area.
We are holding a Gala Dinner to celebrate the 100 year birthday of the institution to which we belong. The Lord Mayor and his wife to attend, along with speakers, local dignitaries and of course our SIJ members.
Lighting up of a newly completed bridge in our yellow and blue Soroptimist colours during 1 -3 October.
We are hoping that our activities have generated some much deserved publicity, not only for SI Joondalup, but for the Soroptimist organisation, world wide.
Soroptimist International Gold Coast
C100 Plant 100 Trees
SIGC Plant 100 Trees event celebrating our 100th birthday. SI Gold Coast joined the Friends of Federation Walk and the City of Gold Coast in helping to revegetate and restore the 91 hectare Federation Walk Coastal Reserve at The Spit.
We had the opportunity to PLANT 100 TREES (or more) as part of celebrations for our Soroptimist International 100th Anniversary, coordinated by Gold Coast City Council. The very nature of this environmental activity will help to reduce carbon emissions, improve our environment, and have an impact on the very natural landscape of Federation Walk.
There were 1,100 trees planted by our members, and about 20 others.
SI Beenleigh, SI Brisbane South, SI Logan C100 Tree Planting
Members from the 3 clubs met at the Eagleby Wetlands to Celebrate World Environment day, and plant 100 trees for the Soroptimist C100 Tree Planting campaign, 5 larger trees were planted representing each of the 5 Soroptimist Federations, the balance of the trees/plants were endemic to the local environment, where an area of land is being regenerated. Thank to Sally from Logan City Council for working with us during the morning, and then taking us for a walk through the wetlands, we did see 2 black swans with their cygnets, afterwards we shared a beautiful morning tea.
Soroptimist International Brisbane Water
In recognition of World Environment Day and to launch our Soroptimist centenary celebrations, SI Brisbane Waters gathered at Porters Creek, Wyong to plant trees provided by Central Coast Council. One hundred years on, our motives relate to the threat of climate change and the need to regenerate bush areas to support clean air and water catchment and to preserve the environment of several endangered species, including Swift Parrots that migrate here from Tasmania each year. Under the guidance of two very informative council environment officers, we planned to plant 100 trees in the two hours allocated but came closer to 300. Well done ladies! (and some husbands who came to help!).
Watch the excelent video of the project here
SI Lautoka
This is an ongoing project, SI Lautoka as part of their Climate Change Project, have this year for the centennial C100 Tree Planting project, planted 2,300 mangrove seedlings this year and well as the distribution of 50 vegetable and fruit seedlings to needy families to mark World Environment Day 2021.
SI Bangkok Climate Change C100 Tree Planting
Soroptimist and family members and friends traveled to Bangkachao Island where over 300 saplings were planted. 50 of each of two species were planted on dry land. 200 mangrove palm trees that do not have to be buried in the soil to flourish were tossed on the firm ground along a canal from kayaks.
The participants also collected any trash that they found. This is used by locals to recycle for community use. The local villagers are active in keeping the area clean and protecting the saplings. With this activity members are certain that the island will remain “the lungs of Bangkok.” Read the report on this project here.
SI Wellington C100 Plant 100 Trees
SI Wellington New Zealand given a donation to plant 50 native trees in New Zealand in an effort to help the environment and fight climate change.
As part of the C100 celebrations for Soroptimism our club decided to set up a native tree gift registry on Trees that Count. A tree registry is a great way to help crowd-fund for more native trees and have them planted on our behalf. More trees in our environment will help mitigate carbon emissions.
SI Wellington is part of SIANZ North Region who initiated this activity. The aim of SIANZ North is to donate 1000 native trees for planting in New Zealand. It will strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
SI Ramu C100 Tree Planting
On Saturday 12 June 2021 SI Ramu Members, family, friends and partners Planted 100 Trees to mark the 100 Years Celebrations for Soroptimist International. An organisation is as good as it's people and we have truly passionate women who volunteer their time and resources for a good cause. As our Sisters Celebrate this Special anniversary, we thought to celebrate as well to mark a remarkable occassion and reflect on what the organisation had done and how it can better itself moving forward.
Our Centenniel Celebrations coincided with the World Environment Day as well.
Our Club would not have been able to Celebrate with tree planting if it was not for our Partners who continue to support our club and we take this opportunity to offer our gratitude to:
1. Ramu Golf Club Captain Ian Samol and Executives for the continued partnership and allowing us to be back to plant more trees at the golf course;
2. Sustainability Department of Ramu Agri Industries Ltd for donating the 100 tree seedlings for us to use on the day;
3. Thank you to Head of Department for Sustainability RAIL-George Samson and family for being part of the event.
4. Thank you to Head of Department Security-RAIL Mr.Adam Yawing for partaking in the event along with Manager for Guard Dog in Ramu Mr Tamang.
5. Our local Screen Print Crew for your time and extreme effort in ensuring all our shirts were ready for Saturday morning, Thank you Hauslain Printing.
6. Our Children, Spouses, Family, Friends who joined with much enthusiasm and effortlessly planted the 100 seedlings in no time. Our babies who gave us the energy and zeal thank you. We also planted for our Linked Members not able to be there on the day and our other members not present.
7. Last but not the least, Madam President Maggie Adam and Club Executives for organising the event.
We had a wonderful morning planting trees, sunbathing and enjoying the cool fresh breeze bur more importantly we got together as Soroptimists to Celebrate 100 Years which is an Historical moment in itself. We finished off with a homemade cake to mark the occassion and parted ways fully satisfied of our event.
Congratulations Soroptimist International on 100 Years!!! Happy Centennial Celebrations to all around the world!!
SI Brisbane C100 Acts of Kindness
Members of SI Brisbane, Leigh and Helen went to Ngarrama - Midwifery Service Royal Brisbane Women's Hospital, to deliver 100 Baby Wraps as part of our 100 Acts of Kindness and to also help celebrate Soroptimists' International Centenary.
SI Penang C100 Acts of Kindess
C100 Covid Care Packs for the Homeless, in conjunction with SISWP's C100 Acts of Kindness, SI Penang initiated a collection of items for one hundred Care Packs for the homeless to include: 1) Face masks, 2) Hand sanitiser, 3) Toothbrush, 4) Toothpaste, 5) Soap, 6) Alcohol wipes, 7) Face towel, 8) Tshirt, 9) Socks, 10) Snacks
100 Covid Care Packs for the Homeless were distributed individually on Monday, 31st May 2021, a day before a national full lockdown was imposed due to the high number of Covid cases.
As there are cash and items remaining, SI Penang will continue to coordinate and distribute a total of 5 batches (500 Care Packs) throughout the state as there is an estimate of over 200 homeless amidst these groups of people. To-date, 3 batches of 100 Care Packs have been distributed.
SI Launceston C100 Acts of Kindness
To celebrate the centennial, each month in 2021 SI Launceston has been undertaking 100 Acts of Kindness. Early in the year members were asked to submit suggested Acts of Kindness which were put into two boxes (individual acts and club acts). During meetings each member draws out an individual Act of Kindness and one member draws out a club Act of Kindness. The Acts are completed by or during the following meeting.
Individual Acts of Kindness include buying a drink or bringing a flower for a fellow Soroptimist, writing a note to a fellow Soroptimist who inspires you as the ideal Soroptimist woman to let her know how she inspires you, writing a complimentary note to a worker (eg retail assistant) who has given good service, and picking up rubbish from a public place and putting in the bin. Over the course of the year at least 100 individual Acts of Kindness will have been performed by club members.
Club Acts of Kindness involve all members in collective action. Examples include each member: bringing tins of soup to be donated to the Launceston Benevolent Society; bringing a bag of clothes to be donated to the Launceston Women's Shelter; bringing underwear to be donated to Karinya Young Women's Shelter, and the purchase of $100 worth of coffee vouchers to be handed to the homeless through a clinic at Launceston City Mission. Each monthly club Act of Kindness is valued at $100 or more, either cash or in-kind.
C100 Acts of Kindness have been a wonderful reflective and service activity, encouraging club members to actively show their appreciation for others and the environment, and to be more aware of the needs of others.
SI Ba
Soroptimist International Ba, were excited that after 5 months of lock down they were finally able to meet face to face to celebrate the 100th birthday of Soroptimist International. 30 guests were able to participate in the world-wide candle ceremony, also unveiling a Centennial banner in town, with the Region President as our Guest of Honour. We wore our SI facemasks and sash with pride.
SI Ba also participated in the C100 Tree Planting campaign, by providing 600 plants and trees, to a special school, for the school and parents, and the children were taught how to plant and care for the plants. A further 130 sandalwood trees were distributed to members, schools, churches, youth organizations and women's groups. 100 sanitary items were distributed to the Golden Age home and HART (home for single mothers).
Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia - C100 Tree Planting
Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia launched its Centennial 100 Trees Planting Campaign with a first phase planting of forest seedlings at Tanarimba, Pahang in collaboration with Soroptimist International of Bentong. The 100 Trees Planting campaign celebrates 100 years of Soroptimist International's service at the local, national and international level assisting women and girls to achieve their full potential.
SI Bentong will continue with the next phase of planting making up a total of 100 trees in collaboration with Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre who will also advice on the maintenance of the forest seedlings.
YB Wong Tack, Member of Parliament of Bentong, who launched the campaign applauded the effort of SI Region of Malaysia and hoped that many other organisations would plant millions more trees, even in and around Tanarimba which is close to the water catchment area which supplies water to the Klang Valley.
