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Soroptimist International of Saratoga County



 

SOROPTIMIST CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

 

Secret Gardens Tour 2020: SISC regretfully announces that the
2020 Secret Gardens Tour has been cancelled.
 

 

  • June 15, 2020: Sunnyside Gardens, one of Saratoga Soropitmists' long-standing sponsors and a strong advocate for the Secret Gardens Tour, has generously donated to Saratoga Soroptimists. Our annual Garden Party at Sunnyside event, one of our favorites, has been cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Thank you to Sunnyside Gardens for their heartfelt donation in lieu of the event. Soroptimists will be able to improve the lives of women and girls through Sunnyside's kindness. We are looking forward to strolling through the greenhouses next year in another spectacular garden party. Look for us all at Sunnyside next year and join us for a much awaited Secret Gardens Tour.

  • May 29, 2020: As the shutdown for coronavirus safety continues, we must postpone the Shopping for Soroptimist event at Northshire Bookstore, which was scheduled for June 13-14. Please watch for updates when phased reopening begins. We are grateful to Northshire Bookstore for their continuing support, and we encourage you to support Northshire and all our wonderful local businesses.

  • May 7, 2020: Before the coronvirus crisis began, the Secret Gardens Tour Committee had grand plans to kick off our “season” with a wine and cheese reception at Sunnyside Gardens this Friday evening, May 8th. The party would also have given us the opportunity to honor our friend and owner of Sunnyside Gardens, the late Ned Chapman, who was an ardent supporter of Saratoga Soroptimists and our annual garden tour. Ned’s family continues to run the business and started the spring selling season by offering curb-side pickup. Just this week they opened the doors for customers to go into the greenhouses, urging the use of face masks and other safety measures. Like many other local business owners, they are adapting to the challenges of the coronavirus and being careful to protect the health of customers and employees. While we cannot gather for our party this Friday, you can still support our long-time sponsor, Sunnyside Gardens. Let’s help those who have helped us.

  • March 30, 2020: The deadline to apply for a Global Initiative Grant has been extended to June 1, due to the disruption from the coronovirus crisis. For more information, and to download a grant application, click here.

  • March 19, 2020: Soroptimist International of the Americas has determined that all clubs must postpone and/or cancel their meetings and events through at least April 15. Therefore, all of our club events and meetings are hereby postponed or canceled.  This includes the March 25 social gathering, the April 4 new member orientation, the April 8 membership meeting, the Dream It, Be It event on April 6, the Hope and Power sessions,  and the board meeting next week.

  • In addition, the Secret Garden Committee has postponed the wine and cheese party at Sunnyside Gardens, previously scheduled for May 8, and it has halted online ticket sales until further notice.

We will have more news as the situation progresses. 

 

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

 

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

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.
 

Safe Harbour Conference

Oct 28, 2018

SISC members Nancy Martinez and Maggie Fronk were among the attendees at 2018 Saratoga County Safe Harbour Conference, held on October 26 at Skidmore College. The goal of the Safe Harbour project is to end human trafficking and provide shelter and assistance to victims of trafficking. 

Past President of SISC records a video for Wellspring

Oct 28, 2017

Past SISC President Marie Buckley Hoffman recorded this video about motivates her to care about children, SISC and Wellspring.  Click here to view the video.

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