"Soroptimist International is an organization of women in management and professions working  through service projects
to enhance human rights and the status of women."


Meeting!!!
May 27
2008
 

 SCOUP

May,2008
THE BEST FOR WOMEN
     

E  Mail  Us

Officers:
2007-2008

President:
Mary Louise Scussel
Vice President:
Susan Kinney Lowell
 Recording & Corresponding Secretary:
Pat Arbutine
Treasurer:
Pegi McEneaney
Director
2 Year Term:
 Mel Chase
Director
2 Year Term:
Alice
Schutzendorf


 Delegate:
Terry Sue Turner
 Delegate:
Martha Gray

Parlimentarian
Terry Sue
Turner

Link to 
2007 Bylaws

The
 Way We Were 
 2006 -2007


Committee
Assignments
2007 -2008
 Chairman of the
Region Conference:
 Terry Sue Turner
 1Organization
Committee: 
By Laws
 2. Awards:
Committees: 
Women Honoring
Women
(Postponed until
2008 - 2009
Women
Opportunity
Award
Cathy Wagner
Phylls Cloman
 Violet
Richardson
Award
Marsha McGrath
Linda Tamanini3 Outreach
Sunshine
Alice Schutzendorf
Telephone
Terry Sue
Scoup
 Pat Arbutine
Directory
Susan Kinney Lowell
Public
Relations
Karen Curry
Deborah Sullivan
 Growth & Development
Paula Harvey
Jay Fontaine
 SOLT
In the
SCOUP

Programs
Susan Kinney Lowell
Audit & Budget
Karen Curry
Paula Harvey
Pat Arbutine
Betsi Lewis 

Soroptimists largo
Please remember to bring Toiletries.
Paper Products &   other  whatnots for the gals
at "Women on the Way".


 
    
     E  Mail

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL
 OF UPPER PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA 

P.O. BOX 10535      CLEARWATER, FLORIDA USA 33767
Volume 41, Issue,  May, 2008   Online Edition #83

Meeting - May 27th
Place will be the Radisson Hotel Clearwater Central.
20967 US Hwy 19 North.

This is located just north of Perkins Restaurant on the service road.
Dinner and social from 5:30 to 7PM.

At 7PM we will adjourn to a meeting room nearby on the 1st floor. 

It will be necessary for each member to contribute $5 at the door to pay for the meeting room.
We will not be responsible for any set up or clean up.


Alice had a triple bypass on last Thursday.  She is doing fine.  She is still at Morton Plant Hospital  The telephone number to her bed is 466-2893.  You may send a card to her at Morton Plant Hospita,  room 353, bed #1,  300 Pinellas Street.  Clearwater, Florida 33756

Congratulations to New Officers

President - Mary Louise Scussel

Vice President  - Susan Kinney-Lowell

Treasurer - Paula Harvey

Director (replacing Alice Schutzendorf) - Phyllis Cloeman

Delegates:  Martha Gray, Terry Sue Turner

Recording Secretary - Pat Arbutine
Corresponding Secretary - Betsi Lewis

Joint Installation Banquet
Hosted by the Tampa Club
Sam Seltzer Steak House
Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa

Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse

www.samseltzers.com
4744 N Dale Mabry Hwy
Tampa, FL 33614
(813) 873-7267
Get directions
Date:June 7th
Social Hour:11:30 am  Lunch: 12:00pm 
Installation:1:00 Pm
Price: $18
Send Reservation to SI Tampa
PO Box 271774
Tampa, Florida 33688
Please make out check to
SI Tampa.
Please indicate your choice for lunch: Soup, steak and fries
or Soup, grilled chicken breast salad.
Reservations should be in by May 30th.
 
  Below our club news and minutes, this newsletter carries news and information about current national SIA and SI projects. 
Please page down to read an appreciation letter from Governor Connie.
 
Susan has personal business cards for our Soroptimists available.  She will make them for you at $5 for 20 cards.  This covers the cost of paper and ink.


Our club will be hosting the District II Meeting on October 10th and October 11th.

Please start thinking about the committee that you wish to serve on for the coming club year.  Let our president know as soon as possible.  Make her life a little easier.
 

This Insert is something new just for our newsletter.  Marsha is selling the bags that she showed us at the last meeting.  This is a fund raiser to benefit out club. Details below
 soroptimists
Click on picture to enlarge.

Note from Marsha:

Just call me the bag lady!  Inspired by Connie's going green, I took the fabric we used for  the center pieces Sat. night of the conference and made bags to sell to benefit SIUP.  There are 3 sizes.  The two large sizes are $3. and the small one is $2.  I will have an assortment of tissue to pick from that goes in each bag.  The middle bag may be used for wine bottles.  It is always nice to have one around to wrap that birthday gift you forgot and bought at the last minute.   
I'm thinking  Christmas ones will be red and green.

Marsha

Contact Marsha by clicking here.

Calendar 2008-2009

Service Funds Due March 31
Dues April 1

May 27th
Meeting.

June 7th
Joint Installation

SIA Convention
July 16-19,2008
Taipei, Taiwan

There are to be no bylaw changes or resolutions passed at this comvention.

 

Oct 10th & 11th
District
Meeting - We are the hosts
 
Happy Birthday
to Southern Region.  60
Years Old!!

Birthdays
Marsha M 1/06
Pegi M-1/16
Judy P - 1/25
 Karen C- 1/27
Jeanne G-1/27
Nancy C.-3/19
Mary Lou A.4/10
Alice S -5/5
Paula H-5/14
Cathy W - 5/15
Ellen J - 6/13
Mary Louise S 6/28
 Martha G-7/19
Linda- 9/04
Terry Sue T -9/4P
Phyllis 9/06
 Debra 9/12
Pat A. - 9/13
 Jay - 9/16
Susan K-9/23
 Mel C. -10/8
 Peggy R- 10/17
Grace S - 11/22
Betsi L- 12/19


Request from
Terry Sue.
Telephone
Committee
Please Get Your
Reservations to
Her. 

Our club museum is upstairs at the Silver Queen.

Soroptimist International of Upper Pinellas County - Regular Meeting –April 29, 2008

Meeting called  to order at 7:10 Pm  by President Mary Louise

In attendance were 10 women plus  two by phone and two by representation.

Invocation by Terry Sue

Pledge of Allegiance

Brag Bucket

Minutes were approved as posted.

Treasurer’s Report filed for audit.

Conference account at this time is meaningless because bills are not paid.    Everyone is to turn in their receipts for expenses.

Correspondence:  Thank you from Homestead Club.  Thank you from Holiday Isles Club.

Thank you from Fund Development Council for our $50 donation to the  Club Campaign.

Old Business: 

Conference:   President Mary Louise was very pleased with the Hilton Hotel and their service.  Mary Louise will be writing to the General Manager of the hotel.  

All the parking charges are being deleted.  First timers punch will not be charged.  It wasn’t too good.  Thank you for attending the conference is gong to be sent  to all club presidents via our conference internet page..    The  page will be down by May 30th.    Wednesday night’s dinner cost are l not known at this time.

New Business:

Slate of officers was presented by Linda Taminni representing the three person nomination committee, Phyllis and Paula.

Slate President- Mary Louise Scussel ; Vice President:Susan Kinney Lowell;  Secretary recording: Pat Arbutine;  Secretary Corresponding: Betsi Lewis;  Treasurer :Paula  Harvey;  Director: Phyllis Cloman;  Delegate Martha Gray;  Delegate : Terry Sue Turner

There were no nominations from the floor.

 Susan moved that we accept the slate by acclamation.

We had 14  votes to accept the slate by acclamation. Voting by phone were Martha Gray ad Cathy Wagner

Announcments:

June 7th. Joint Installation  Tampa Club

Sam Selzter's on Dale Mabry  Social Hour.  11:30

Lunch :12 Installation at 1:00PM

$18

Dedicated to Dorothy Quick who loved to share her  Soroptimist wisdom with us.


You may read SIA Annual report at the SIA Website.  Go to the newsroom.		 S.O.L.T.

Appreciation Letter from Governor Connie to all clubs.
April 26, 2008 

Dear Southern Region Soroptimist Members; 

It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic Southern Region members at the 82nd Southern Region Conference.  I will remember the events of this past week forever.  From the time I arrived at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, met with the staff and the SI Upper Pinellas Club members, to the memorial service on Sunday morning.

The SI Upper Pinellas Club members as the host club of the conference, worked for over a year to see to the needs of the members and they fulfilled their duties admirably.  Every minute, for five days, was filled with a smile and that warm Florida hospitality.  They even created a Conference Web-site to keep you constantly updated.   The members wanted so very much to share their world of spirit and fun, and that was certainly accomplished.  Each time you look at a picture of a pirate, it will remind you of this wonderful, dedicated club.  The Southern Region thanks the SI Upper Pinellas Club and President Mary Louise for all their hard work and dedication.  

Didn't the hotel and staff do a great job?  They did their utmost to please us and were always visible, meeting our every need.  I'm sure you have all taken away a few extra pounds because of the delicious food selections.   

If you did not arrive in time to enjoy the comradery of the Dutch Treat Dinner on Thursday, you missed an enjoyable experience.  Our Soroptimister, Frank, did a magnificent job contributing his time and effort for hours from Wednesday through Sunday.  He even hosted the Champagne Brunch in my absence.  Thank you husband Frank, for years of assistance to the Southern Region. 

We took a chance doing something different for both conferences and it worked.  I am so very pleased that you all enjoyed yourselves and danced the night away, once again, on the StarLite Majesty.  What a celebration with those handsome Pirates and all of you dressing for the occasion.  Each club took the time to plan their outfits and get in the spirit of the event.  

Your Southern Region Governor has been overwhelmed with the support of every program.  The SIA Signature Program, Women’s Opportunity Award, 100% participation, Violet Richardson Award, and Making A Difference For Women.  A very special treat for all of us was when the winner’s arrived with their families so we could hear their personal story. 

Business sessions are a must and we congratulate the incoming Southern Region Board 2008-2010 who will be working under the experienced direction of incoming Governor Nidia Bernstiel.

Governor-elect            Priscilla Tatarsky

Region Secretary         Diana Miller

Region Treasurer         Sonja Davis

District One Director       Cathy Iho

District Two Director       Betsi Lewis

District Three Director     Helen Wilson

District Four Director       Pat McCay  

It is always a special time when members share their Service Projects and all four districts are winners.  This year’s new Governor’s Service Award Plaque was presented to SI Largo/Mid Pinellas Club for their project “Pinellas Village.”  Congratulations! 

We have three new members of the Laurel Society, Theresia Carrington, SI Atlanta Club, Kathi Pease, SI The Palm Beaches Club and Dominga Rivera, SI San Juan Club.  We could not present membership into the Laurel Society without your support of the three QUILTS and the ticket sales of the outstanding baskets each year. 

2008 Conference Awards:

Newsletter          SI Tampa Club                    Press Book      SI St. Lucie Club & SI Stuart Club

Attendance         SI Homestead Club             Mileage          SI San Juan, PR

Membership Gain        SI Naples Club  

We thank all the Club Presidents for inspiring invocations, escorting Past Governor Doris Thompson, presenting the Southern Region Flags and response to the welcome.  What would a meeting be without a Timer, Marsha, Pages and Teller’s, Phyllis and Linda?  Let us not forget the lady who spends hours on the Conference Awards, Charlotte Wheeler, SI Tuscaloosa Club.  Job well done ladies.   

To Theresia Carrington, for stepping up and serving as Secretary Pro-tem and conference chair, and to all Southern Region Board members, SI Huntsville Clubs entertainment, we thank you for your contribution to make this biennium and the 82nd Southern Region Conference so successful.   

This year your Southern Region Board members and Renaissance chairs have worked side by side to support our mission.  The results of our work is obvious in many areas.  The leadership training at all four District meetings, the tremendous increase in membership, all 26 clubs remaining in good standing and the overwhelming count for both conferences, speak loud and clear. 

We look forward to the next conference, “Fly Me to the Moon!” April 23-26, 2009 in Huntsville, AL, hosted by the SI Huntsville Club.  We are ready for the next weekend of learning, relaxation and friendship.  Put the date on your calendar now. 

How does one say, “Good Bye,” to Soroptimist Sisters who have honored her with all their hard work these past two years?  I will wear my new butterfly wrist watch proudly, fill the exquisite vase with flowers constantly, and the crystal butterfly will sit proudly on my desk, as a constant reminder of all of you.  My beautiful treasure chest, created by Director Caroline, is filled with all your tremendous loving notes to be treasured for years to come. 

Southern Region you know how much I appreciate all of you, and thank you for the honor of being your Governor for 2006-2008. 

Always remember our mission, God Bless you and keep well. 

Yours in Soroptimist Friendship, 

You're grateful Governor, Connie Desko

Diana Miller

Southern Region United Nations Chair

Soroptimist and the Commission on the Status of Women

Each year, a Soroptimist delegation attends the Commission on the Status of Women meeting at the United Nations Center in New York City. The next meeting will take place February 25-March 7, 2008 and will focus on financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The Commission on the Status of Women (often referred to as “CSW” or “the Commission”) is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. It is the principal global policy-making body. Every year, representatives of Member States gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and advancement of women worldwide.

The Commission was established in June 1946 with the aim to prepare recommendations and reports to the Economic and Social Council on promoting women's rights in political, economic, civil, social and educational fields. The Commission also makes recommendations to the Council on urgent problems requiring immediate attention in the field of women's rights. The Commission's mandate was expanded in 1987 by ECOSOC to include the functions of promoting the objectives of equality, development and peace, monitoring the implementation of measures for the advancement of women, and reviewing and appraising progress made at the national, regional and global levels.

Forty-five Member States of the United Nations serve as members of the Commission at any one time. The Commission consists of one representative from each of the 45 Member States elected by the Council on the basis of equitable geographical distribution:  thirteen members from Africa; eleven from Asia; nine from Latin America and Caribbean; eight from Western Europe and other States and four from Eastern Europe. Members are elected for a period of four years.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) like Soroptimist International that are accredited to, and in good standing with, the Economic and Social Council are invited to designate representatives to attend the sessions of the Commission.

NGOs can participate in several ways during the session:
observe the meetings
present written and/or oral statements
meet official government delegations
lobby delegations in the context of negotiations of agreed conclusions and resolutions
and organize parallel events during the session
NGO representatives may attend all open meetings of the Commission. They may also attend informal consultations held during the session of the Commission, if the chairperson of the informal consultations grants them permission.

Soroptimist Making a Difference for Women Award   _ A new name is being sought for this Award.  You may submit suggestions ro siahq@soroptimist .org.     5/2008
The Making a Difference for Women Award acknowledges women who are working to improve the lives of women and girls through their personal or professional activities. Their efforts help to promote the issues that are important to the Soroptimist organization. Honorees are women who have worked in extraordinary ways to benefit women and girls. Examples of the type of work honored include: spearheading an effort to open a domestic violence shelter, working to secure health services for low-income women, starting a mentoring program for at-risk girls, or lobbing companies to provide on-site child care. The program enables local Soroptimist clubs and the Soroptimist organization to thank these women and encourage others to explore ways to assist women and girls. The program begins on the club level, where the type of recognition varies. Award winners at the club level are eligible for additional awards at other levels of the organization. The finalist receives a $5,000 donation to the charitable organization of her choice.
 Soroptimists STOP Trafficking,

The U.S. Senate has passed a resolution designating today, January 11, as the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness.

In recognition of this day, Soroptimist is launching the Soroptimists STOP Trafficking project, which seeks to raise awareness about the sexual trafficking of women and girls.

I would like to thank all of the Soroptimist clubs participating in this important project. Through Soroptimists STOP Trafficking, we will serve as a voice for the many women trapped in lives of sexual slavery, and raise awareness of Soroptimist as an organization working to free women and girls from this heinous existence. For more information about sexual slavery and Soroptimist's commitment to ending it, visit Soroptimist.org.

Sincerely,

Machiko Yamada, President

Soroptimist International of the Americas

email: siahq@soroptimist.org

web: http://www.soroptimist.org

SIA is pleased to announce oroptimists STOP Trafficking, a new public awareness project addressing the trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation. This new project will provide information cards about sexual trafficking for participating clubs to distribute in the community. In addition, clubs will work to raise awareness through media and public events. The project has been created in response to overwhelming input from clubs and members indicating a desire for an SIA project that addresses this serious global issue.

The project will launch in the United States on Friday, January 11, 2008, the first National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. The launch will begin with a public event at which clubs are asked to distribute specially designed flyers in transportation centers in their area: airports, train stations or bus depots. The event will focus on the public awareness message: "Someone in this transportation center may be here against her will," and will provide an excellent opportunity for public awareness and to gain media exposure.

Participating clubs will be provided with professionally designed cards and flyers; club instructions for the project and launch event; and public awareness materials to ensure the project is a success. The materials will be available in all SIA languages. If your club would like to participate or has any questions, contact siahq@soroptimist.org.

Project Sierra  -$80000 has been donated so far for this project.  5/2008
Project Sierra is a four year partnership between Soroptimist International and Hope and Homes for Children which will transform the lives of some of the most deprived children and women in the world.

Project SIerra: A Family And A Future aims to raise £1 million ($2million USD) to help disadvantaged women and children in Sierra Leone face their futures with confidence.

By strengthening families at risk of breakdown, helping young children living on the streets return home and empowering vulnerable young mothers, Project SIerra will enable more children to grow up in a caring family environment - giving them the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

To learn how Project SIerra will achieve this, visit the Project Overview section.
 

Disaster Relief Fund for Women and Girls

Soroptimist's Disaster Relief Fund for Women and Girls targets the special needs of women and girls during natural and man-made disasters. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable during disasters and lack access to resources. They also have special abilities to respond to disasters, which is often overlooked. Soroptimist's disaster relief program mitigates the barriers facing women/girls during disasters. In addition, the program honors the commitments made by the United Nations in the Beijing Platform for Action and the Outcome Statement of the 46th Session on the Commission on the Status of Women. Soroptimist grants funds to local clubs for use in communities needing disaster relief. Funds are pooled from voluntary contributions sent in from Soroptimist members throughout the world. Soroptimist recently disbursed disaster relief grants to: the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to support Iraqi educational programs for returning women refugees; the Ramona, California, Soroptimist club to help women recovering from the fires in Southern California; and women in El Chaco, Ecuador, to help rebuild the community's farming infrastructure following an earthquake.
 
 Service Funds are due on March 31st of each year,  Remember that you are responsible each year for $100 in service funds.  You may raise these either by writing a check,  advertising in our WHW ad booklet, or by using our banner to have your own fundraiser.  All funds raised under our banner must come to our service fund. Each person that participates in an ad hoc fundraiser is still responsible for a total of $100 in service funds.
 (Example.  3 members hold a garage sale.  They raise $310.  The total amount must come to our service fund.  All 3 members have covered their service funds.  But if 3 members  raise $270,  each member is still responsible for $10 more to cover their service funds.)

..
Contribute through GoodSearch
GoodSearch is a Yahoo-powered search engine that donates 50 percent of its advertising revenue (about a penny per search) to the user's favorite charity. Ours, of course, is SIA. The pennies add up quickly. Consider that if only 1,000 members, friends and staff search the Internet just twice a day, Soroptimist could earn $7,300 a year - just for doing something we do every day!  If we think bigger, for example, 10,000 users searching twice a day will earn Soroptimist $73,000 a year!
All you have to do is visit www.goodsearch.com and download the GoodSearch toolbar. Enter 'Soroptimist' in the 'My Charity' field and then every time you search the net on your computer, don't forget to use GoodSearch!
Thank you for using GoodSearch to help Soroptimist fund our programs that improve the lives for women and girls. Let's see how much we can get those pennies to add up!
Note from Pat:  This is not Yahoo's standard bar.
Live Your Dreams
"Live Your Dreams" pins are available at our club for sale at $3 each which is our cost.  There is more information on "Live Your Dreams" below and at the bottom of the page.
The following information is from the Soroptimists International of America Webstie.  To read more info, Just click here.." Despite much progress during the last century, women and girls throughout the world continue to face serious challenges. While they represent about one-half of the world's population, women suffer disproportionately from many social problems. Approximately 70 percent of the 1.3 billion people who live on $1 a day are women. More women between the ages of 15 and 44 die due to gender-based violence than cancer, malaria, car accidents and war combined. About 90 million girls around the world are deprived of primary education. These are but a few statistics illuminating the obstacles facing women and girls around the world. Soroptimist created the Live Your Dream campaign to raise awareness about these challenges and inspire women from all walks of life to realize their full potential.
 
LINK TO THE UPPER PINELLAS HOME PAGE        LINK TO TAMPA BAY AREA SOROPTIMIST PAGE                                                         
 Link To SCOUP Index

This newsletter is downloadable.  It is best to set your text to the smallest print. You will find this under VIEW in your top internet line.  This will not print out as a newspaper but rather as a running sheet.  You may have to go onto the next page to see a complete item.  If you do not want a hard copy, you may save  this by clicking SAVE AS in your FILE in your top line.  Save to My Documents or make a separate Folder just for Soroptimists
This newsletter is made from a template.  You  will find the meeting announcements always in the same place.

Copyright  2005. Soroptimist International of Upper Pinellas County

This newsletter sponsored by The Silver Queen