Welcome

Soroptimist International of Saratoga County


    

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

 

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 February, SISC presents “Sowing the Seeds of Engagement”, showcasing our engagement in our local and global communities. Click on the image at the right to listen to a 100-second interview with our current president, Sandra Reulet, to hear about ways in which SISC is engaging with our communities, both local and global.

 

Celebrating 100 Years of Success:
Soroptimists at Their Best – Right Here in Saratoga!

Soroptimist International of Saratoga County  (SISC) is excited to kick off a ten-month community awareness campaign in celebration of the national club’s 100-year anniversary. Each month has a theme with a focus on a facet of the Soroptimist experience, highlighting what the organization strives to be – women at our best – helping other women to be their best. Here are our themes, and each month we will add a 100 second interview about what we do:
  • January: This is Us: Soroptimists -- 100 Seconds With Sondra Silverhart
  • February: Sowing the Seeds of Engagement: Powered by the Community -- 100 Seconds with Sandra Reulet
  • March: In Our Backyard: Serving Our Community
  • April: Compassionate Leadership: Empowerment in Action 
  • May: Every Woman Counts: Diversity and Gender Equality in Action 
  • June: Women and Girls: The Joy of Achievement 
  • July: Business Success: Mentoring and Entrepreneurship
  • August: World Outreach: A Global Voice for Women
  • September: Dignity in Service: Making a Difference through Relationships 
  • October: Building a Better Future: Beginning Today for Tomorrow 
Our ten-month awareness campaign is designed to showcase all the work we do on behalf of the women and girls right here in Saratoga – and how you, our supportive community, can share in our success. For more information, click here.

 

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. Together, we can. Click below for Coronavirus updates.

SOROPTIMIST CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

 

 

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
 
 

 

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Latest News

Dream It, Be It Workshop

Mar 20, 2019

Do you know a high-school girl who would like to learns to skills to chart her future? The Dream It, Be It Committee still has a few openings for our Dream It, Be It workshop, to be held at the Saratoga Regional YMCA on West Avenue in Saratoga Springs. If you know of a high-school girl in grades 9-12 who you think you might benefit from this dynamic and inspiring workshop, please have her, or her parents, contact Ruth Horton at saratogadreamitbeit@gmail.com for further details and registration forms. The registration must be received prior to the program. The date of the workshop has been rescheduled for October 12, 2019.

 

At the Workshop, professionals from the Saratoga Regional YMCA and SISC will guide the girls through Dream It Be It Modules (1) Discovering Your Dreams, (2) Exploring Careers and (3) Creating Achievable Goals. The girls will also hear from inspirational women speakers who have overcome obstacles in their own lives to become successful civic leaders and professionals. This is an interactive programs which will provide the participants with skills to begin to chart their course in the future.

 

Garden Party at Sunnyside Gardens

Mar 20, 2019
Friday, May 10, 5:30-7:30 PM, Sunnyside Gardens, 345 Church Street, Saratoga Springs 12866
 
Join us at the kick off event for Soroptimist International of Saratoga County's Secret Garden Tour. Purchase a plant or gift card for Mother's Day or to start your spring gardening! Raffles include a round of golf for 4 ( with cart) at Saratoga National golf course, and many other great prizes. Ned Chapman from Sunnyside Gardens will be giving a Nedtalk about tropical plant container gardening. Enjoy a complimentary Wine and Cheese party with a percentage of the proceeds from garden purchases and raffles benefitting Soroptimist programs locally and internationally. It is also the chance for the public to purchase tickets for the 25th annual Secret Garden Tour July 7, 2019. Click here for more information and to register.
 
 

Honorary Committee Forming for the Secret Gardens Tour!

Mar 20, 2019
 
 
Join the Secret Gardens Tour Honorary Committee! Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Secret Gardens Tour on Sunday, July 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a stunning mix of some of the favorite gardens of tours past as well as surprises for this special milestone year. The self-guided tour is an all-volunteer fundraiser presented by Soroptimist International of Saratoga County, working to enable women and girls to live their dreams locally and throughout the world. 
 
The Secret Gardens Tour draws hundreds of visitors who spend the day enjoying exceptional gardens throughout the local area. Each year, an Honorary Committee forms to promote and support the Tour.  Every dollar raised contributes to empowering women and girls to be the best that they can be.
 
You can be a part of this exciting tour by clicking here to learn more about the Honorary Committee and how to enroll to support this stellar 25th Anniversary event.
Click here for an enrollment form to print and mail with a check.
 

SISC Projects in Uganda

Mar 17, 2019

SISC member Dr. Robin Solomon traveled to Butembe, Uganda to observe the results of her work on behalf of SISC’ s Global Initiative grant to help fund a birthing center and incinerator with The Giving Circle.

 

 

 

 

Janet Foster inducted into Laurel Society

Mar 16, 2019

At the March membership meeting, SISC member Janet Foster was inducted into the Laurel Society of Soroptimist International . Congratulations to all our club members pictured who provide ongoing financial support beyond dues to ensure SI programs have the funds needed to serve women and girls around the world.

Established in 1994, the Laurel Society is SIA’s prestigious recognition program for donors who contribute gifts totaling $1,000 or more. Since inception, nearly 7,000 Laurel Society members have given over $12 million to help economically empower women and girls through our Dream Programs.

2019 Dream It Be It Event

Mar 12, 2019

On Saturday, April 6, 2019 High School girls from Saratoga County high schools will participate in our next Dream It Be It program. We offer this program in order to help girls find strategies to overcome challenges and obstacles they are likely to face in their lives and future careers. The program is sponsored by Soroptimist International of Saratoga County (SISC) in partnership with the Saratoga Regional YMCA. For more information about the event click here.

Presentation on Menstrual Equality

Mar 10, 2019

At the February SISC meeting, members of the Ad Hoc Advocacy group gave an informative report on the issue of menstrual equality. Click here to see the content of the presentation and for links to further information.

NAR Spring Meeting

Mar 10, 2019

The Spring meeting of the North Atlantic Region Soroptimists will be hosted by Soroptimist International of Butler County, PA, May 3-5, 2019. Click here for more information.

Upcoming Growth & Development Events

Jan 11, 2019
The Growth and Development Committee has scheduled several upcoming events of interest to members and prospective members. Leadership Training will take place on March 13, 5-6:30 PM at Longfellow's Restaurant.
 
The committee is planning a Membership Celebration Event on March 26, 2019 at the Saratoga Winery, 462 Route 29 Saratoga Springs, from 6-9pm. Please mark the date in your calendars to attend.
 
Lastly, the new member orientation will be at the Embassy Suites in Saratoga on April 6th, 2019, 10 AM - 12 Noon. All prospective members, their sponsors, the Board and Committee Co-Chairs are invited to attend.

Edventures: Vive La France Tour, May 2019

Nov 19, 2018
Edventures, in partnership with Saratoga Arts, Soroptimist International of Saratoga County, Academy for Lifelong Learning and North Country Arts is pleased to announce our spring, 2019 tour, May 22-31, 2019: VIVE LA FRANCE: PARIS AND NORMANDY-THE YEAR OF ANNIVERSARIES! It’s a year to celebrate!  The spring of 2019 marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landing on the beaches of Normandy and the 20th anniversary of Edventures. Discovering the Normandy region is like turning the pages of a history book while riding past lush fields, white sand beaches and ancient churches. Then to Paris! The ‘City of Light,’ art center of the world and the first tour destination for Edventures twenty years ago. This is a trip you won’t want to miss. For trip details, click here.
 
Edventures will be offering a tour overview on Saturday, December 8 at 11:30 am at Saratoga Arts. Please RSVP via email if you plan to attend or to receive a detailed itinerary: goedventures@gmail.com.
 

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