Welcome

Soroptimist International of Saratoga County


Community Grant Application Process is Open!

 

We are pleased to announce the availability of $35,000 for grants to be awarded to local organizations that support the needs of women and girls in Saratoga County. 

For more information, please go to our Local Community Grants page.

 

 

 

 SOROPTIMIST MEANS "BEST FOR WOMEN"

We are a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training needed to achieve economic empowerment. Beginning in January 2021, Soroptimist International of Saratoga County  (SISC) is undertaking a ten-month community awareness campaign in celebration of the national club’s 100-year anniversary. In June, SISC presents “Women and Girls: The Joy of Achievement,” showcasing the many good things that women and girls contribute to our world. See below for previous themes and our series of "100 Seconds With..." interviews with exceptional women from out community.

 

 

 

SISC AT WORK DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

“Women at their best, working to help other women to be their best” is a goal of Soroptimists international, and echoed by the members of Soroptimist International of Saratoga County. The Coronavius pandemic affects every aspect of our lives, and Soroptimists are no exception. The organization and its members are committed to seek alternative approaches to meeting its goals, especially at a time when where face-to face meetings and events are uniquely curtailed by the virus. Members are given every opportunity to creatively pursue the agenda of making lives better for women and girls, especially since the personal hardships and economic impact of the virus affect women at risk more than ever. All activities are conducted with the health and safety of members as a primary focus, with CDC, state, and other guidelines followed as directed. As we keep each other safe, and as we pursue our goals in the most imaginative ways possible, we look forward to a challenging, yet exciting, year ahead.

 

 

Soroptimist International is a global women’s organization whose members volunteer to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. Founded in 1921, there are approximately 80,000 Soroptimists in 130 countries and territories supporting community–based and global projects benefiting women and girls. For more information about Soroptimist International and programs that improve the lives of women and girls, visit Soroptimist.org.

 

Soroptimist International of Saratoga County (SISC) is a club within District I of the North Atlantic Region of Soroptimist International of the Americas, Inc., one of four federations with representation at the United Nations. SISC was founded in 1979 and currently has 79 members. Each year SISC raises funds for a number of awards and grants that benefit women and girls both locally in Saratoga County and surrounding areas, as well as globally through international initiatives. Award categories include: Live Your Dream Award, Violet Richardson Award, Local Organizational Grants, International Initiatives, and Dream It, Be It. Our signature service project is Project Hope and Power, a collaborative project with Wellspring (formerly Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County), designed to help women who are victims and survivors of domestic violence develop the skills needed to begin working toward financial independence. The activities of SISC are described in more detail in the other sections of this website.

Click here for a video presentation about SISC by our 2017-18 president, Marie Hoffman.

 
Soroptimist Vision: Women and girls have the resources and opportunities
to reach their full potential and live their dreams.
 
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Soroptimist Mission: Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls
with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.
 
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Core Values:
Gender Equality – Women and girls live free from discrimination.
Empowerment – Women and girls are
free to act in their own best interest.
Education – Women and girls deserve to lead full and
productive lives through access to education.
Diversity & Fellowship – Women from varied backgrounds and
perspectives work together to improve the lives of women and girls.
 
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Soroptimist -- Investing in Dreams
 

Contact us at: soroptimistsaratoga@gmail.com PO Box 1074, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

 

 
 
 

Latest News

Saratoga Soroptimists Fund Local Dreams

Sep 18, 2020
Soroptimist International of Saratoga County (SISC) awarded grants funding for organizations that support the needs of women and girls in Saratoga County. Given the impact of the Coronavirus, the grant recipients proved their flexibility by creating alternative options for meeting their commitment to help women and girls to fulfill their dreams. These awards, given by the club each year, provide women and girls with access to the education, training and support they may need to improve the quality of their lives. Grants awarded in 2020 total $28,682 For more details about these organizations and how they will use their grants, click here.
 
SISC’s two signature fundraisers, the Cabin Fever event in late January and the Secret Gardens Tour in early summer, support the Soroptimist grant program. In 2020, the Secret Gardens Tour was canceled due to the Coronavirus 19 pandemic, yet Soroptimists were able to meet their commitments to these worthwhile agencies.
 

Soroptimists Welcome New Year!

Sep 17, 2020

Despite the limitations from the COVID 19 virus, Saratoga Soroptimist members remain highly engaged, allowing each member to participate in as they are the most comfortable. To kick off what will certainly be an uncommon year, Saratoga Soroptimists gathered for a New Member Celebration on August 19th at the Saratoga Winery. Enjoying a great summer evening of outdoor dining with delicious food and beverages, masks, sanitizer and most importantly the company of many Soroptimists who were eager to reconnect and meet our new members, the event was a welcome success. The Growth and Development Committee expects to include the full membership in club activities while mindful of the wellness needs of all our members.

26th Annual Soroptimist Secret Gardens Tour!

Feb 11, 2020

 

Mark your calendar for Sunday, July 12, for the 26th Annual Soroptimist Secret Gardens Tour! We’ve got some surprises (take note, herb lovers) as you enjoy stunning gardens of all shapes and sizes in Ballston Spa, Saratoga Springs and Schuylerville. Details about the gardens will be available soon. 

We’re also pleased to announce that once again there will be two lead-up events to increase awareness of the tour:
  • Soroptimist Garden Party: Sunnyside Gardens will host a free wine and cheese party to kick off the Secret Garden Tour sales on Friday, May 8, the Friday before Mother’s Day, beginning at 5:30 PM. Stay tuned for more details. 
  • Shopping for Soroptimist: Northshire Bookstore will host a book fair on June 13-14 at their Broadway location in Saratoga Springs. A portion of proceeds from all sales, will be donated to the Soroptimist Secret Gardens Tour.

Unveiling of the Monumental Women Statue

Feb 11, 2020

Soroptimists are looking forward to the unveiling of the Monumental Women Statue in Central Park, NYC on August 26, 2020 and are planning a bus tour for the unveiling. Mark your calendars with more information to come.

Girl Scouts Join Soroptimists in Sharing the Blessings Box

Feb 11, 2020

Members of  Girl Scout Troop 3252, from Middle Grove, joined Soroptimists to share their Community Service Project called the Blessings Box.  The project was initiated so the girls could earn their Silver Award.  The objective was to initiate a self- sustaining community service project.  The girls discovered that food pantries had limited hours of operation, had set limits on the number of times a family could access them and a lack of transportation in rural areas made access difficult.  With advice from adult supporters, the girls decided to set up four food boxes located in Middle Grove, Greenfield, Rock City Falls and Corinth.   An inscription that reads “Take what you need and Give what you can” is on each of the boxes that are made available 24/7.  A setback occurred when one of the boxes located in Middle Grove was taken down by a hit and run driver.  News about the incident was covered by a story on Channel 13 news.  People became aware of the project through this coverage and the public’s response was amazingly generous.  Churches started to help with food donations and gift cards so the food stock could be replenished.  SISC also contributed 200 pounds of food and the girls thanked the club for its generosity.    The need is great but the girls are dedicated to keeping the boxes well stocked.  For their Gold Award, the girls hope to design a tutorial on how to build the box so others can initiate a similar project elsewhere. 

Soroptimist International of Saratoga County Receives Donation

Feb 11, 2020
In celebration of National Women Physicians Day, Saratoga Hospital is proud to recognize the women doctors who are part of the Saratoga Hospital Medical group and the hospital’s medical staff, all dedicated to the care of patients and serve as role models for the young women in our community. As part of its appreciation, the Saratoga Hospital will be making a donation to Soroptimist International of Saratoga County - business and professional women working to improve the lives of women and girls locally and globally. 
 

Now Accepting Applications for Global Initiative Grants!

Feb 04, 2020

Soroptimist International of Saratoga County (SISC) announces the availability of $16,500 in Global Initiative Grants for local organizations that support the needs of women and girls throughout the world. Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization striving to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. For more information about the grants and our worldwide mission, click here, or email globalawardsaratoga@gmail.com for further information and grant application.

Cabin Fever 2020 Celebrates 19th Amendment!

Jan 28, 2020

What a day! On January 25th Cabin Fever 2020 successfully celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment with fun, laughs, networking, insightful conversations and a bit of singing by all! Thanks to all who joined and made this day possible - including our fireside chat participants - Coline Jenkins, Patricia Nugent, Wendy Johnston and Ella Ouimet. Click here to see some photos from the event or here to get further information about the event and the invited speakers. We hope to see you at Cabin Fever 2021!

Dream It, Be It Fall Workshop

Nov 15, 2019

SISC had an outstanding Dream It, Be It Fall Workshop yesterday.  We had 39 girls and 5 counselors from Saratoga, Ballston Spa and Galway High Schools.  The workshop was held at the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs.  We covered the first 3 modules of SIA’s 7 module Curriculum.  Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly gave an inspiring and motivational speech which discussed her career paths and the challenges and successes she encountered along the way. 

 

 

SISC Girlfriends

Nov 15, 2019
For almost 40 years Soroptimist International of Saratoga County has been supporting Wellspring's work helping domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. Last week we found a fun way to support Wellspring doing some shopping with friends at their Girlfriends Helping Girlfriends event.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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