Soroptimist International SEAP members recognise the importance of Education as a core element of our project work. Education is a basic human right; our Clubs provide many pathways towards improving education leading to economic empowerment. Just recently the Federation celebrated International Day of Education with the other 4 Federations. I do hope you were able to view the webinar hosted by SI President Maureen Maguire. Noting the SISEAP section, where we were able to showcase the Building Bridges Beyond Borders, an education initiative by SI Damansara. This presentation focused on the education of refugees and the importance of partnering to achieve results.
Also celebrated was World Environmental Education Day, which has a focus to “Identify environmental issues both globally and locally and to raise awareness about the need for participation in order to conserve and protect the environment". I used World Environmental Education Day to launch my Presidential Living with Nature Art competition. This Federation wide initiative will raise awareness of SISEAP and advance our advocacy and awareness of the changing environment due to climate change and pollution. I encourage Clubs to take up the challenge and implement a Living with Nature art competition in your community. Please watch the video and peruse the guidelines HERE. The art competition will run from now until the 5th of June 2023.
February is a month of Club administration, as our Clubs hold their annual general meetings and elect new office bearers, who will provide guidance and leadership to Club members. I congratulate all members who take on leadership within their Clubs, whilst this is a great opportunity to be creative, inspire and motivate, build relationships and implement exciting projects, taking on these leadership roles does come with administrative duties. To understand these duties the Club Roles and Responsibilities document for position holders is recommended reading, you can find these documents HERE.
Recently I held a webinar titled “Getting the best out of the SISEAP website”, this webinar covered the rights of the Club President, Secretary, Treasurer and ICT Liaison officer to create and edit Club website pages, add events to the events module and how to update Club Position Holders after an AGM. Please take the time to watch this video HERE, the webinar is available from the webinars section of the website.
Members are our greatest asset, and providing pathways for our members for personal growth is an asset to SISEAP, with improved training our members are more confident as they step up into Club and Federation leadership roles. The Federation is pleased to announce the Thriving Futures Program. The aim of this program is to build capacity and capability for Soroptimists at all levels to ensure the organisation’s future sustainability. This program will be delivered virtually over 4 months, including an intensive 3 day face to face workshop held in Kuala Lumpur scheduled for September 2023. More details about the Thriving Futures Program can be found HERE.
International Women’s Day (IWD) and Consultative Status of Women (CSW67) are the next two programme campaigns in which Soroptimists world side participate in. Programme Convenor Donnell Davis and I will be attending CSW 67 in person, I encourage all members to participate in CSW67 which can be done virtually. To register please click HERE to create your account to allow you to participate virtually in the parallel events. SISEAP will be hosting both a face to face parallel event, as well as a virtual event, more information to come on how to view this event. I would encourage all members to be involved with IWD, which provides an opportunity for Clubs to raise awareness of the vision and mission of SISEAP, promote gender equality and what is needed for women worldwide to reach parity.
During this month I have the utmost pleasure to Charter a new Club, as we welcome the new members of SI Port Macquarie to the Soroptimist family. As we all prepare for another Soroptimist year, I thank each and every member for renewing your membership in this vibrant organisation. Your participation does make a difference each and every day and I ask each of us to remember our Soroptimist pledge, including the sincerity of friendship, the joy of achievement and the dignity of service, all of which add value to our lives. And I leave you with this:
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”
— Rob Siltanen
Christine Johnstone
President 2022 - 2024
Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific
swppresident2022@siswp.org