Members Latest News

Announcement of Nominations for 2026-2028 Position Holders

Nominations are invited for the following Federation positions.

The successful candidates will take office on 1 June 2026.

Elected Positions
 Communications Convenor
 Finance Convenor
 Governance Convenor
 Membership Convenor
 Assistant Membership Convenor [3 positions]
 Programme Convenor 
 Assistant Programme Convenor [2 positions]
 Programme Zone Co-ordinator [4 positions]
 
Appointed Positions
Archivist
 Friendship Link Co-ordinator
 ICT Liaison
 Programme Communications Co-ordinator
 Programme Database Support  
 Webinar Training Co-ordinator

Click on the relevant link that will take you to the Nomination form.

The completed nomination form, CV and photo must be sent to the Federation Secretary/Returning Officer federationsecretary@siseap.org with a copy to HQ hq@siseap.org by 5pm Thursday 28 August 2025 Australian Eastern Standard Time [AEST].

Assistant Membership Convenor - Asia 2024-2026 Biennium

Expressions of interest are being called for the Federation position of Assistant Membership Convenor - Asia. This is a great opportunity to play an important role within our Federation Membership Team for the remainder of the 2024-2026 Biennium.

Send your expression of interest to:

president.joanne@siseap.org

membership.kristeen@siseap.org 

Federation Secretary 2024-2026

Welcome to Cynthia as Federation Secretary, who has taken over from Berice for the remainder of the 2024-2026 Biennium.

We thank Berice for her contribution and welcome Cynthia. 

Company By-Laws

The Company By-Laws have recently been updated and are now available for all members.

Federation Public Speaking Competition

Your club and members can get involved and be  ready to be inspired by bold ideas, passionate perspectives, and thoughtful solutions from the next generation of changemakers.

This year’s theme, "Empowered Voices, Sustainable Choices," encourages young people to explore how individuals and communities can make informed, ethical, and bold decisions that support a more sustainable and equitable future.

Express your clubs interest now!  Join this exciting opportunity to work within our Federation providing our youth with a voice. 

Categories:

 12 years -15 years

 16 years - 19 years

This is your opportunity to express your interest in talking part in this Federation initiative.

Please complete by the 24th June.

The Federation is saddened to inform you that Joc Hanby, a member of SI Brighton & Southern Districts, passed away.

Her funeral will be held on Monday June 16 at 12.15pm. It is being live-streamed, so any Soroptimists may join. 

https://smct.org.au/view/1091961467

Dear Soroptimists,

Many members of Soroptimist International of Victoria will be saddened by the passing of their long time member Joc Hanby. Joc Hanby formally SI Brighton & Southern Districts, passed away on Monday night. Her funeral is on Monday 16 June 2025, at Wilson Chapel, Springvale Cemetery at 12:15pm.

Joc held Federation positions as well, and there will be many Soroptimists around Australia who would know Joc and will be saddened to hear of her passing.

Yours in Soroptimism,

Denise Meehan

Secretary

Soroptimist International of Victoria Inc

sivictoria@siseap.org

The Federation is saddened to inform you that Gwen Hotton, a member of SI Deakin, passed away on the 8th of June 2025.

Dear Soroptimists,

Gwen Hotton passed away on Sunday afternoon, June 8th, after being in Care for a considerable time.  Gwen was a Charter member of SI Cut Paw Paw and transferred to SI Deakin when Cut Paw Paw closed.

She was a member of the Soroptimist House Committee for many years and took very great care of the garden. Liz Hyde recalls working with Gwen for 2 days lifting the front bricks, from the street footpath back to the edge in front of the door, getting a trailer load of sand and relaying the bricks.  Gracemary MacKinnon provided us with cold drinks. Gwen worked very hard for Soroptimist House.

Cut Paw Paw went to Highpoint Maribyrnong for Cancer Council Daffodil Days and Gwen did all the organising.  Gwen did all the ordering etc. Cancer Council sent Gwen a Certificate of Appreciation.  After SI Cut Paw Paw closed, Gwen joined SI Deakin for some years.

A quiet, hard-working, sincere Soroptimist.

Vale Gwen.

Yours in Soroptimism,

Denise Meehan

Secretary

Soroptimist International of Victoria Inc

sivictoria@siseap.org

SISEAP and Australian Charities for Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC)

Many of our Members (Clubs) have been asking us, what does SISEAPs status now that we have become a charity mean to them as Clubs across our Federation? The following is a brief outline of SISEAP’s charity status and what is involved for our Company now operating as a charity.

The Company announced on 6 September 2024 (effective from 2 January 2023) that SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL SOUTH EAST ASIA PACIFIC had been approved and registered as a charity under ACNC – Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission.

Assistant Membership Convenor - Asia 2024-2026 Biennium

Expressions of interest are being called for the Federation position of Assistant Membership Convenor - Asia. This is a great opportunity to play an important role within our Federation Membership Team for the remainder of the 2024-2026 Biennium.

Send your interest to: president.joanne@siseap.org and membership.kristeen@siseap.org 

Vale

It is with much sadness that we notify you that Laurie Swift, member of SI New Plymouth (Aotearoa New Zealand) and long term Soroptimist passed away on Tuesday 3 June 2025.

Laurie was a Soroptimist for over 30 years and during this time she held many positions both at Club, Region, Country and Federation level. May she rest in peace and know that her contribution to Soroptimism will not be forgotten. Our deepest condolences to her family and friends at this sad time of her passing.

Many of our Members (Clubs) have been asking us, what is SISEAPs status now that we have become a charity mean to them as Clubs across our Federation? The following is a brief outline of SISEAP’s charity status and what is involved for our Company now operating as a charity.

The Company announced on 6 September 2024 (effective from 2 January 2023) that SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL SOUTH EAST ASIA PACIFIC had been approved and registered as a charity under ACNC – Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission.

Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific is registered with ACNC as a Company Limited by Guarantee – we are therefore under the category called a CLG (Company Limited by Guarantee) which is a type of organisational legal structure. All CLGs are registered as companies with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) which is required for us to operate as a company in Australia.

As a CLG and registered as a charity, we have ongoing obligations to ACNC which include:

• maintaining charity status by remaining not-for-profit and working towards the charity’s charitable purposes
• submitting an Annual Information Statement each year
• complying with the ACNC Governance Standards and External Conduct Standards
• notifying of changes to:
  • the charity’s company name (including removing ‘Limited’ from the name)
  • the charity’s Address for Service
  • the charity’s Responsible People (its directors) or
  • the charity’s governing document (its constitution)

As a charity we still have obligations to ASIC but these remain minor for so long as we retain Charitable Status with ACNC and these requirements are:

• it wants to change its name (including removing ‘Limited’ from the company name)
• its auditor resigns or is removed (in certain circumstances)
• an external administrator is appointed, or
• it winds up or deregisters.
• A charity does not have to report annually to ASIC, nor does it need to notify ASIC of certain changes.

ACNC requires Charities to operate under Governance Standards, which are a set of core minimum standards, that deal with how a charity is run and this includes its processes, activities and relationships – in other words its Governance. These Standards require charities to remain charitable, operate lawfully, and be run in an accountable and responsible way. Because the Governance Standards are a set of high-level principles, not precise rules, charities must determine the actions they need to take to comply with them. SISEAP lists these ‘principles’ in our Constitution and our Bylaws along with other supporting policies, procedures, manuals and other associated documentation.

Very importantly, Charities must meet the Governance Standards to be registered and remain registered with the ACNC.

These are the Governance Standards that SISEAP now adheres to so that we ensure that we retain our Charitable Status.

• Standard 1: Purposes and not-for-profit nature
• Standard 2: Accountability to Members
• Standard 3: Compliance with Australian Law
• Standard 4: Suitability of Responsible People
• Standard 5: Duties of Responsible People
• Standard 6: Maintaining and enhancing public trust and confidence in the Australian not-for-profit sector

How does SISEAP meet the civil statutory directors’ duties now that they are registered as a Charity?

A CLG that is a registered charity no longer needs to comply with the civil directors’ duties under the Corporations Act. Instead, it must comply with ACNC Governance Standard 5. This Governance Standard requires charities to make sure that their Responsible People meet similar duties to those under the Corporations Act.

Who are Responsible People in SISEAP?

A Responsible Person is someone responsible for governing a charity. Generally, a charity’s Responsible People are its board or committee members, and Responsible People may be referred to by different names depending on the type of organisation they are part of – in SISEAP we call responsible people Directors.

Therefore, SISEAP directors are responsible for governing and overseeing the affairs of the registered charity CLG and for setting its strategic direction. 

SISEAP is continuing to work towards the implementation of the ACNC Governance Standards to all our governance documentation and operating documentation.  More information will be provided via the Bulletin as we work through this process.

What is important to remember is that our charitable status is for the Company – Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific – and the Company is allowed to use the ACNC Logo on all its public documentation. However, this does not apply to any of our Members (Clubs) and unless a Club has applied and been successful in obtaining their own Charitable Status. Clubs across the Federation are not permitted to use the Charity Logo nor to obtain grants or funding by using the SISEAP Charitable Status on your Letters, Emails, Grant Applications or any general advertising that the Clubs may undertake.

Theresa Lyford

SISEAP Company Secretary

World Environment Month 

June is a month dedicated to celebrating and protecting our planet. SISEAP President Joanne Yeoh would like to share a special message to highlight the significance of World Environment Day and this year's theme — #BeatPlasticPollution. Join us in learning how we can all contribute to reducing plastic waste and creating a healthier, cleaner Earth. Together, small actions can make a big difference!

World Environment Day 2025 has a thematic focus on ending plastic pollution. UNEP’s global campaign uses the symbolism of nature—balance, circularity, and unity—to inspire reflection and action to #BeatPlasticPollution.

SISEAP will be taking up the challenge to end plastic pollution with a focus on microplastics and how they are affecting all aspects of life on Earth. The key messages will revolve around SDG 3/6/12/14.

Toolkit and resources can be found on the Trello board below.

Soroptimist Action: Improving Our Environment 

The climate crisis is no longer a distant concern—it is a pressing reality impacting lives and ecosystems around the world. As Soroptimists, we have a duty to act – not just as individuals, but together as a global force for change. Our actions—big or small matter.

SI President 2024 –2025, Siew Yong Gnanalingam is asking all Soroptimists and Clubs to take meaningful action to address the climate crisis and care for our environment. Whether through tree planting, reducing waste, promoting clean energy, or advocating for climate justice—your contribution is vital.

President Siew Yong invites you to share your impact. Please submit a video clip (maximum 3 minutes) showing how you or your Soroptimist Club are taking steps to combat climate change or protect the environment. These clips will form part of a powerful compilation video to be released on 24 October 2025 —International Day of Climate Action.

Collective Action for SDG’s: 6, 7, 12, 14 and 15

The climate crisis is no longer a distant concern—it is a pressing reality impacting lives and ecosystems around the world. As Soroptimists, we have a duty to act – not just as individuals, but together as a global force for change. Our actions—big or small matter.

SI President 2024 –2025, Siew Yong Gnanalingam is asking all Soroptimists and Clubs to take meaningful action to address the climate crisis and care for our environment. Whether through tree planting, reducing waste, promoting clean energy, or advocating for climate justice—your contribution is vital.

To mark the final months of her biennium, President Siew Yong invites you to share your impact. Please submit a video clip (maximum 3 minutes) showing how you or your Soroptimist Club are taking steps to combat climate change or protect the environment. These clips will form part of a powerful compilation video to be released on 24 October 2025 —International Day of Climate Action.

How to Take Part

Create a short video (good quality, MP4 or .MOV format) filmed in landscape orientation, with clear audio in English, covering the following:

• Your name
• Your Club name
• Location of your project
• The environmental or climate issue being addressed
• Your solution or approach
• The actions being taken
• The outcomes you hope to achieve
   

Send your video to Federation Programme Team via the upload link below. 

Deadline for receipt of video clips: 31 July 2025

Recognition and Impact

All projects will receive a Soroptimist International South East Asia and Soroptimist International Certificate of Recognition.

Let’s celebrate and amplify our global impact. Share your story. Inspire others.

Together, we can lead the way in protecting Mother Earth.

Dear Soroptimists and Friends,

The powerful earthquake which has shaken Myanmar, left families homeless, communities in ruins, and futures uncertain. The devastation is immense — but so is our determination to help.

Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific has launched the “Myanmar Rising: Earthquake Response Fund” to bring urgent relief and long-term recovery to those most affected — especially women and children.

We are proud to support the Emergency Action Alliance, a trusted collective of leading Australian aid organisations, who are working together to deliver fast, effective, and coordinated help on the ground in Myanmar.

All donations to this fund will go directly to the Emergency Action Alliance.

Your contribution will help provide:

- Emergency food, water, and shelter

- Medical aid and trauma support

- Recovery and rebuilding of communities

- Empowerment and livelihood support for women and families

Let us stand with Myanmar. Let us help them rise again — stronger and safer.

Every donation counts. Every act of kindness matters.

Please give today.

Statement of Support for Earthquake Survivors in Myanmar

Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in the wake of the devastating earthquake that has caused immense loss and suffering. Our hearts go out to the survivors, the families who have lost loved ones, and all those affected by this tragic disaster.

In times of crisis, the strength of our communities is more important than ever. We commend the efforts of first responders, humanitarian organizations, and volunteers who are tirelessly working to provide aid and relief.

As an organisation committed to empowering women and communities, we will explore ways to assist those affected, especially women and children who are often the most vulnerable during disasters. We call upon our members and partners to extend their support in any way possible—whether through donations, advocacy, or direct assistance. The SISEAP leadership team is looking into a possible Special Appeal as we are gathering more information.

Together, we can bring hope and relief to those in need. Let us stand united in compassion and action for the people of Myanmar.

Joanne Yeoh
SISEAP President 2024-2026
president.joanne@siseap.org

Each year, Soroptimist Clubs are invited to nominate for the Best Practice Awards.   These awards are for Recruitment and Retention, Diversity and Innovation.

These are the winners for 2025 for achievement in membership from 1st of January - 31st of December 2024.

SISEAP Recruitment and Retention Membership Award 2025

Winners: SI South Perth

SISEAP Diversity of Membership Award 2025 

Winners: SI Ba

SISEAP Diversity of Membership Award 2025 

Winners: SI SEAP Sisters Online

SISEAP Membership Innovation Award 2025

Winners: SI South West Slopes

SISEAP Membership Innovation Award 2025

Winners: SI Northern Beaches