Presidents Message 2022-2024

October is the birth month of Eleanor Roosevelt, a woman of the world who worked to improve the lives of people all over the world, and assisted in writing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I came across this quote from Eleanor "You can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude."  

Over the past few months our Soroptimists attitude has been challenged, the SI convention provided opportunities to expand our knowledge across several pillars as we listened to expert speakers, we increased our Soroptimist knowledge.  Last week in Kuala Lumpur I attended the Thriving Futures program along with 28 Soroptimists from 10 of our 13 countries. 

The Thriving Futures program (a 6 months Leadership, Retention and Extension program, which included 3 days face to face, and 1 day strategic planning day)  is about changing attitudes.  The course content covered personal development, leadership strengths, effective meetings and planning, this led into planning and strategies for SISEAP retention and recruitment.  Soroptimist International and the members will benefit greatly from this training.  The women bonded, were frank and honest about membership in their clubs, there was much sharing of ideas and what did and did not work, the attendees all finished day 3 on a high, and were eager to take back learnings to their club members. 

Day of the Girl Child advocacy program is about changing attitudes, we need our young girls to be resilient and strong as they face adversity at every step as they strive forward in this world. We need to educate our men, employers and boys, that women are equal.  The programme team have prepared two excellent interviews with young women and a toolkit to assist you with your advocacy and social media campaigns.  

Language as a tool for communication.  Recently I have had the opportunity to visit Soroptimists in a range of countries, language and communication was often a topic.  English is the official Soroptimist language, but we make all efforts to be inclusive to members who have English as their 2^nd language, and part of this inclusiveness is that the website now can be read in all the languages of our member countries. Yet whilst this has been communicated many times, it is only as I have been visiting countries and demonstrating this, that I got the “oohs and ahhs”, the smiles and high fives,  so please make sure that all your members know where and how to change the language for improved communication. The bulletin and e-span can also be converted to other languages but not all the languages of our Federation.  Club meetings do not have to be conducted in English they can be conducted in the language of the country. 

 As a Soroptimist there has been much change in the past months, but remember it is about how you react to this change, and remaining positive to what is important to you about being a Soroptimist is the key.  There is always work to do to improve the lives of women and girls and you are the one to do it.

Yours in Soroptimist friendship,

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

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

How long has it been since you reviewed our vision and mission?

Our Vision is that women and girls will achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide.

Our Mission is for Soroptimists to transform the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities.

Do these words inspire you? Do they provide you with the renewed energy and inspiration to continue to be a Soroptimist, they do me. Often when talking to potential members or partners in projects, I will respond that as a Soroptimist my work transforms the lives of women and girls through our project work. At your next club meeting, consider reading the vision and mission statements at the start of the meeting and remember in your project planning to consider the vision and mission objectives and ensure that the project is going to deliver on an aspect from each.

Visibility of our vision has been on fire this month, with social media platforms showcasing the work undertaken by clubs during Environment month. The range of actions has truly amplified our united voice and commitment in recognising the unequal burdens experienced by climate change.

Over 1,600 Soroptimists from across the 5 Federations will be converging in Dublin in the coming weeks for the SI Convention. At this convention we will be reminded of the SI Vision and Mission and the theme of Challenge the Future. One might ask who’s future!, our SISEAP future; the future of SI; or the future of the women and girls we so passionately advocate for? All very thought provoking, we will all come away motivated and inspired as we personally continue our Soroptimist journey.

SI Inner City Sydney, our newest club, held their charter dinner in June whilst SI Melbourne celebrated 75 Years of service, both milestone achievements. The members buoyed with enthusiasm as they embark on projects which follow our vision and mission.

Left: SI Inner City Sydney Charter

Above: SI Melboune Celebrating 75 Years

It is with much pleasure that I make the following announcements:

• The appointment of Michelle Kaur from SI Shah Alam, Malaysia, as the new Governance Convenor for the remainder of this biennium.
• The appointment of Gail Ker from SI Beenleigh, Australia as a new company Director.
• HQ Communications & Administration Assistant Jessica Aylward is taking maternity leave for 6 months, as she welcomes a new addition to her growing family. I had the pleasure to meet with Jess last week and present her with a gift and convey from all members of the Federation our congratulations and very best wishes on the safe delivery of her baby.
• Naomi To has been appointed as a replacement for Jess whilst she is on maternity leave, please say hello to Naomi next time you ring HQ.

This month we will be calling for position holders for the 2024-2026 Biennium. Our clubs cannot complete projects which transform the lives and women and girls without leaders in the Federation to steer the direction, you can be one of those leaders, you are not alone, we work in teams, please consider nominating for one of the positions or being a member of one of the committees.

Right: Jessica Aylward with President Christine

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

This month marks the end of the first year of this biennium. The first year has been extremely successful, with a great team working together we have achieved so much.  To hear about our achievements, and plan for the future and have your voice represented, make sure that your club has elected your representative to the Company AGM, Company General Meeting and the Federation Meeting. There will also be provision for silent observers to listen into the proceedings. There is a lot of information and much to be proud of to share with our members, including the much anticipated and prized Best Practice Awards for Programme and Membership.

I had 5 themes which I asked all clubs to incorporate into one or more of their club programme work this biennium, a few months ago I discussed Equity, Environment is another of the themes and it is appropriate to discuss this month, World Environment Month which is on the 5th of June, and the Federation wide Living with Nature Art competition on now until October. Do you feel better when you are outside? I know that when out in the fresh air my mood changes, I feel brighter and lighter and it gives me that burst of oxygen to get through the day. I do so much of the days planning whilst out walking each morning, as I know many of us do.

I hope that each of us lives near, or is able to visit, a natural open environment where we can reconnect with nature. Make sure you take the time each day to reconnect.

Recently at CSW67, SISEAP presented the Digital Democracy for Disasters presentation. One of the slides in the presentation showcased the severity of disasters in our Federation.

Image 1: Take a look at image 1, this image depicts countries at high risk of disasters, look at the countries marked in the darker red, just about all of our Federation countries are at high risk.  This is a prime example of why Environment, Disasters and Climate change should be a topic which Soroptimist clubs tackle in your programme work.

Image 1

Image 2

Image 2: Depicts how countries can change in vulnerability with human intervention. But where is the equity in this? Australia and New Zealand, with a higher GDP, has turned green but our other Federation countries and the pacific islands (not shown in this image), are still in the medium to high risk. This is where you as a Soroptimist can use your voice and actions to bring about democracy and equity across our Federation. It is not too late to think about actions by yourself and your club over the Month of June. Topics to consider; Prevention (early warning systems, indigenous and local knowledge of care for our land), Reducing Harm (short term actions such as build barriers, fire breaks, cool burn, emergency packs and alarms, evacuation plans), Mitigating risk (evacuation plans, early warning systems, safe havens, carbon reduction, tree planting), Good Governance Systems (emergency management systems, formal intervention, advocacy).

Do you value your membership of Soroptimist International? Do you believe in the future of Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific? Do you understand that our future is reliant on women who have the attitude and believe in what we do, who step up to take on leadership roles. You have to be that person, you cannot sit back and wait for that ‘someone’ else to say, “I can do this”. Being President is an absolute honor and privilege, the growth in myself and the increased knowledge of how and why we do the work we do as Soroptimists is powerful, the support and encouragement by members, the work undertaken by the Directors and extended leadership team means that I do not do this alone, each has a set of skills and strengths, trust in each other. In this month’s Bulletin is a survey undertaken by the Membership team on Leadership roles. I urge all Soroptimists to follow the link and complete the survey. Have you heard about the Thriving Futures Program? This leadership development program is being offered by the Federation, please consider undertaking this course.

I hope to see all of you at the company AGM, General Meeting and the Federation meeting in the coming weeks, whilst we are not meeting face to face, we can celebrate being a Soroptimist.

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

March was a month of travel, attending the Commission on the Status of Women and then the National Association of New Zealand conference. Over this period there were many side conversations, one of which was “Why am I / are you a Soroptimists”.   The common thread running through the responses was ‘friendship’, it seems that becoming a Soroptimist gave us a sense of purpose and companionship.  Attending CSW certainly fulfilled that for me, sharing a small (very small) apartment in New York with 3 other Soroptimists, enjoying the companionship of Soroptimists from across the globe, the gaggle of voices in many tongues in the UN Cafes and public meeting spaces, many women together for a common goal of advancing the status of women and girls.  Once again many women were denied the opportunity to have their voice heard, due to the inability to access a visa to enter America because of this ongoing issue civil society groups are starting to call for CSW to travel to other UN centres on a rotating basis. 

Whilst in New York, I was able to attend the celebration of SI New York’s 100th Charter birthday. It was so lovely to hear of the amazing work they have undertaken over 100 years and for them to celebrate with President Maureen and other Soroptimists.  The highlight of CSW was the presentation of SISEAP’s first parallel event, Digital Democracy for Disasters. If you stayed in bed and missed this, please take the time to view it on our youtube channel HERE.  SISEAP is a leading example in the provision of  medium to long term support to victims of disaster. 

Group of Soroptimists at the end of one of the sessions

The UN Assembly room

Judy, Donnell and Christine at the Town Hall Meeting

SI New York celebration

On the way home I stopped in to New Zealand to meet up with New Zealand National President Deborah Wood and attend the Association of New Zealand conference.  Another 2 days of purpose and companionship.  It was a well thought out conference, with workshops intermingled between business sessions. On the Sunday there was a moving ceremony where the chains of office for the North and South Regions were blessed and recognition of the past immense work undertaken by Soroptimists region presidents and the members.  Blessing of the new chain of office ready for  a new generation of future leaders. 

The Commission on the Status of Women principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The theme for this year was Innovation and Technological change, and Education in the Digital Age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”. At the opening ceremony. Sima Bahous, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, spoke about Digital Rights being Women Rights, that A new kind of poverty now confronts the world, one that excludes women and girls in devastating ways—that of digital poverty. The data was sobering.  Women are 18 per cent less likely than men to own a smartphone and far less likely to access or use the Internet. This past year alone, 259 million more men than women were online, this fundamentally influences whether a woman completes her education, owns her own bank account, makes informed decisions about her body, feeds her family, or gains productive employment, or can run her own business. Research has shown that 80 per cent of children in 25 countries reported feeling in danger of sexual abuse and exploitation when online, with adolescent girls the most vulnerable.

At the Town Hall Meeting which is an opportunity for civil society to engage with the Secretary-General on topics pertaining to gender equality and the work of the UN. These notes from the Secretary General Antonio Guterres opening remarks at the Town Hall meeting “In Afghanistan, women and girls have been erased from public life and are virtually imprisoned in their homes. From Myanmar to Sudan, autocratic regimes and violent extremist groups persecute and harass women for speaking out and going about their daily lives. Parties to conflict perpetrate horrific crimes of gender-based violence.  Police even in some of the richest countries in the world attack and abuse the women they are supposed to protect. The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over for women who lost their jobs, and girls who lost their chance of education. The cost-of-living crisis is hitting women and girls first and worst.   Halfway to the SDG deadline of 2030, the truth is that half of humanity is largely being left behind. In every Region, women are worse off than men, earning less – and doing up to ten times more unpaid care work. The food crisis has a disproportionate impact on women and girls, who are often last to eat and first to go hungry and women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive rights are under siege as many governments undermine their autonomy over their bodies and their lives. Many of the challenges we face today – from conflicts to climate chaos and the cost-of-living crisis – are the result of what is a male-dominated world with a male-dominated culture, taking the key decisions that guide our world.”

I attended several sessions where the majority of conversation was around the lack of global laws and regulations which leaves vulnerable groups exposed to privacy violations. In some countries, the police and or perpetrators and others act in disguise to expose religious and gender preferences and then either threated them with extortion that they will openly expose them, of in the case of the police, take them into custody. This action is a violation of their privacy rights.  Another area of concern was the availability of reliable internet, women even spoke about the speed and reliability of the internet being used to control their rights to information, economic empowerment and education.

Other sessions I attended looked at how the delivery of health care has improved due to the rise of digital technologies and tele health, although these conversations were not without civil society raising the issue around data protection. This statement from a young Jamaican Women Clea Douglas, “Life doesn’t stop, get used to change, you have to continue to grow, to make the story yourself. Love, learn, grow, accept” And from young Indian women Chineye, “How do Civil Societies make themselves visible.  Governments are making decisions. “ How do we as Soroptimists take the conclusions from CSW and action at our Club or Regional level?

Online bullying was a major concern by civil society groups, how about finding out if your police force has a dedicated team which will receive reports and take action? Does your country have an E commissioner? A commission which take action or you can make a complaint to. Many women have difficulties using smart phones or devices to complete online forms for access to health, education, financial assistance, consider setting up a booth at your local shopping centre 4 hours a month, advertise that you will be there to offer assistance for women to log onto services. There are many similar actions members can do to ensure equity and equality for women to achieve equality. 

Let’s be the voice for Clea and Chineye, Soroptimists are visible, amplify your voice at all levels of government to ensure that by 2030 we reach the goals.    

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