President Linda’s Message
November is the month that we take time to give Thanks for the blessings we
have received all year long. Perhaps we should have a Thanksgiving Holiday
every month of the year to keep us reminded of what is important in our lives.
I try to be thankful each day for family, friends, health, country, God and all
the necessities of life.
November 2014
We just returned from a trip to a country where the people live with much less
than we take for granted, (i.e. electricity, running water, personal autos, living
wage, good healthcare) and yet they wanted to share what little they have
with us. It is very humbling and a lesson for us all.
SOROPTIMIST_
As a Soroptimist I am thankful for the wonderful women I have met and loved
through the years and for the women and girls we have assisted who have
taught me so much about survival and resilience. They, also, give to us more
than we can ever give them.
Best for Women
Soroptimist International of La Mesa reminds us to be grateful by hosting our
57th annual Pre-Thanksgiving Breakfast which will be held on November 26th,
thanks to the able leadership of Christine Hartwell, our Chairperson. Our
speaker will be Herb Johnson, President and CEO of San Diego Rescue Mission
and we will be honoring organizations who provide meals for those in need.
Please see page six of this newsletter for an invitation and registration form.
Soroptimist
International
of
I like the way Melody Beattie states her feelings about thankfulness:
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into
enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into
a friend.
La Mesa
Have a blessed Thanksgiving Holiday.
Linda
Upcoming club activities:
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Inside this issue:
President’s Message
SOLT
Club News
On-going Projects
Upcoming Events
Thanksgiving
Breakfast Invitation
All club meetings are held at Denny’s - Navajo and Fletcher
Parkway 7:30 AM unless otherwise indicated.
Nov. 6 – 7:30 am – Business Meeting – Denny’s Nov. 13 – 7:30 am -‐ Program Meeting -‐ Denny’s Nov. 19 -‐7:30 am -‐ Board Meeting, Omelette Factory – Baltimore Drive
Nov. 20 – 7:30am – Committee Meeting -‐ Denny’s
Nov. 26 – 7:30 am Pre-‐Thanksgiving Breakfast – Handlery Hotel and Resort
Nov. 27 – THANKSGIVING DAY – No Meeting
SCRIBBLES NOVEMBER 2014
SOLT
S I A C L U B R O A D M A P for
SUCCESS IN 2014-2015
• strengthen our organization (increased)
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Program
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Fundraising
Participate in our Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women (formerly the
Women’s Opportunity Awards).
Increase the impact for your local recipients of our Live Your Dream Awards by providing support
beyond a cash award.
Include Live Your Dream at-large applications in your club-level judging.
Plan to participate in our new Girl Program using the Club Planning Toolkit and report on your plans.
Examine existing club projects to ensure they are in line with our mission to improve the lives of
women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.
Make SIA your cause of choice to generate federation-wide impact.
Contribute at least 10 percent of funds raised locally to Club Giving in support of our
federation programs.
Donate Founders Pennies for every member in support of our federation programs.
recommending potential sponsors and partners.
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Membership
Focus on recruiting new members into your club.
Start up new clubs.
Create a happy and healthy club experience.
Use your SIA-created club email address.
Attend at least one region event a year.
Provide personal email addresses to SIA headquarters.
Public Awareness
Join and promote LiveYourDream.org both within and outside of our federation.
Promote the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards and other mission-focused programs.
Follow our federation’s collective efforts on social media sites.
SCRIBBLES NOVEMBER 2014
CLUB NEWS
RUBY AWARD
The SI La Mesa Soroptimist Ruby Award
honors women who, through their professional or
personal efforts, are making extraordinary
differences in the lives of women and/or girls.
Their work has had a significant impact, and also
inspires and encourages other women.
October Program Meeting - Naval Consolidated Brig
Jeanmarie Mangindin, Clinical Services;
President Elect, Max Levaren;
Jeffrey Thompson, Clinical Director, Women’s Correctional Unit.
Mental Health Clinicians from the Miramar
Naval Consolidated Brig were our speakers at
the Program Meeting for October. SILM has
volunteered with the women in the Brig for
many years
The clinicians, Jeanmarie Mangindin and
Jeffrey Thompson shared how the treatment
plans for the women incarcerated at this military
correctional unit focus on offense related
treatment.
The prisoners are also provided with religious
services, career preparation and training,
Toastmaster education, addiction treatment and
counseling/therapy, as needed.
Most of the women will be discharged from the
military (all branches of the military are
represented) and must begin new careers and
are given assistance in readjusting to family and
civilian life.
Women may nominate themselves, they may
nominate other women, or organizations may
nominate a woman they feel is deserving of this
honor.
Giving this award is optional for all clubs and SI
La Mesa believes that women who provide the
opportunities for success to other women and
girls should be recognized for their efforts.
Please think of the women you know who are
making a difference and find the application on
the silmesa.org website.
Live Your Dream
Since 1972, the Soroptimist Live Your Dream
Awards program (formerly the Women’s
Opportunity Awards) has disbursed more than
$25 million to tens of thousands of women who
have overcome poverty, domestic and sexual
violence, divorce, the death of a spouse, or other
life challenges. They are women—just like you—
who had the courage and determination to turn
their lives around.
Recipients may use the cash award to offset any
costs associated with their efforts to attain higher
education, including books, childcare and
transportation. The program begins on the club
level, where award amounts vary. Club recipients
become eligible to receive region-level awards,
which are granted through Soroptimist’s 28
geographic regions. Currently, each Soroptimist
region grants one first- place award for $5,000.
The application can be found at silamesa.org.
SCRIBBLES NOVEMBER 2014
CLUB NEWS CONTINUED
From Our Soroptimist Club Friendship Link in Tasmania
Dear La Mesa Friends,
Thank you for keeping us well informed of all your activities. You certainly are a busy, well-‐informed crew. I love sharing your letters with our members. Unfortunately our numbers have dropped but there are other clubs here in Tasmania working hard and achieving greatly.
Like you, we are reaching out in the community to help women and girls and those in need. Sadly there are many problems, as you would know.
In our meetings we frequently have guest speakers who share their experiences with us. Always interesting and often humorous.
Just recently I was invited to a local school to meet some students and learn about their project. The topic was ARE YOU MAD! I thought to myself, “Hello – what is this about? The young lass, not at all nervous, stood and began, “Are you Making A Difference?” Well, it was wonderful. She explained that she was asked to clean up the local beach and having done so, it made her think of her own habits of keeping things in good shape – neat and tidy – but also it gave her condidence to stand up and address her audience. She did make a difference to us and to herself.
Here in Tasmania spring is just around the corner and we are looking forward to the spring bulbs, which will soon be nodding their heads.
Anyway, cheerio dear friends and congratulations on all your achievements.
Love and Best Wishes,
Maureen Absolom and Soroptimist International of Hobart Tasmania
SAVE THE DATE
SI San Diego and SI La Mesa will be holding a joint fundraiser 8tled BEAUTIFUL BARGAIN BOUTIQUE in 2015. It is NOT too early to start preparing for it !
Event Date: Saturday, March 21, 2015
Loca8on: St. Dunstons Episcopal Church
6556 Parkridge Blvd., San Diego, CA 92120
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
What: Sale of Gently Used or New Items as follows: (Start seUng them aside!)
Purses, Wallets, Shoes, Scarves, Jackets, Sweaters,Formals ,Cocktail Wear, Jeans, Jewelry, Dresses, Slacks, Blouses
We need you to also start saving hangers. We will be holding a pricing party in February 2015. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the date. Ques8ons, feel free to contact Elena ToZen or Linda Newell
Thank You
"First, I have to thank you (SILM) for the
lovely flowers in a large Margarita glass and
all the get well cards wishing me a quick
recovery. My knee lets me know that I had
something done to it. I had in-house
physical therapy and now it's time for out
patient therapy. I am so ready to get my
body back into shape. Along with the knee,
I have constant sciatica pain -sometimes
both sides. It will get better!
The sudden passing of our grandson, Matt,
left us numb for awhile. The cards and emails received from my Soroptimist friends
was amazing. You are so very kind and it
was very comforting to read your messages. For those who were able to come to Matt's
Service and Celebration of Life, I am very
grateful. Thank you all for being there for
my family. Love, Dolores Kelly
SCRIBBLES NOVEMBER 2014
SI LA MESA ON-GOING PROJECTS
SI La Mesa supports STARS
Empowering teen girls between the
ages of 12-17 to escape commercial
sexual exploitation and domestic
trafficking. Every year between 100,000 to 300,000 youth are at risk for falling victim to commercial sexual exploitation with
the average age of entry between 12-14 years of age. The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)
is a form of sexual abuse by adults in which sexual services are exchanged for money, goods or services to the
child or a third person (i.e. a pimp). CSEC may include prostitution, pornography, stripping, etc. It is a form of
modern day slavery.
STARS (Surviving Together, Achieving and Reaching for Success), is a program for teen girls between the
ages of 12-17 involved with commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. STARS provides support
to empower the youth to escape sexual exploitation by developing their inner strengths, building a sense of
community and supporting their reintegration into mainstream society.
The program meets once a week for a minimum of 12 weeks and provides participants with independent living
skills, individual/group counseling utilizing the “My Life My Choice Curriculum©”, recreational opportunities, case
management and expressive art therapy. In addition, the program provides young women with:
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Facilitated community referrals for school, health, job placement, etc.
Assistance in obtaining identification and legal documents, for example California ID, Birth Certificate
and Social Security Card
Transportation - Dinner and snacks at each group
Incentives for attending program - Childcare for parenting teens
Graduation ceremony and certificate of completion
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Expressive Arts Program
The Expressive Arts Therapy Program is designed to support healing and personal expression though visual art, writing,
photography, theater and dance. Out of this work, the CSEC H&nds Project emerged from the larger H&nds project of
SDYS.
The CSEC H&nds project is a social intervention through the arts. STARS participants expressed the survivor’s
perspective by writing statements on their hands directed to specific figures involved in CSEC who both helped or hurt them
which were then photographed. The photos were then shown to direct service providers and law enforcement focused on
CSEC prevention that then included statements on their own hands. All the photos were then complied by the STARS
participants into a book that was designed to “Close the Circle” on CSEC.
SI La Mesa provides supplies to the STARS educational classes and
to the young women participating in the program. Each year we
provide Easter Baskets and host a Holiday Party for the women and
their children and provide support as needed for the success of the
program.
SCRIBBLES NOVEMBER 2014
Upcoming Events
SILM November Birthdays
Nov. 5
Nov. 12
Nov. 15
Maureen McGrath
Becky Burgstiner
Dolores Kelly
Beautiful Bargain Boutique
Rachel’s Center for Women
Dinner
March 21, 2015
St. Dunston’s Episcopal Church
December 16
(Joint Fundraiser with SI San Diego)
We are presently collecting gently used jackets,
purses, shoes, accessories and clothes hangers.
Soroptimist International of La Mesa
Presents the
57th Annual
Pre-Thanksgiving Community Breakfast
November 26, 2014
To register for the breakfast go to silamesa.org
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WOMEN’S OPPORTUNITY CONFERENCE
“A Day That Can Change Your Life”
MAY 2, 2015
8:00AM - 3:00PM
CORPORATE EDUCATION CENTER- SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE
SCRIBBLES NOVEMBER 2014
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57th Annual
Pre-Thanksgiving Community Breakfast
Neighbors Together Giving Thanks
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Recognizing Food Programs Serving Individuals in Need
Wednesday, November 26, 2014 – 7:00 AM– 9:00 AM
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7:00 a.m. Check-In & Food Drive Collection
Handlery!Hotel!and!Resort!~!950!Hotel!Circle!North!
(Off!I;8!in!San!Diego’s!Mission!Valley!92108)!
$35.00 per person (open seating)
$400 Sponsored reserved table for 8 guests RSVP by
November 20, 2014
Contact person: Anne DiNapoli (858) 279-7200
Information: email:[email protected] or visit www.silamesa.org
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***Attendees are invited to bring nonperishable food for the holiday food drive***
for San Diego Rescue Mission
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Keynote Speaker
Herb Johnson, President and CEO
San Diego Rescue Mission
Entertainment
Opportunity!Prize!Drawings!~!You!Could!Win!These!and!Other!Prizes!!!!
Sterling Silver Necklace from Linda DaPra Designs
Kindle Fire HD 7” w/Power Charger and Case
$250 Gift Certificate from Enhancery Jewelers
One-night stay at Barona Resort and Casino w/Dinner for Two
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Tickets: $5 each or 5 for $20 (need not be present to win)
The Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Community Breakfast is sponsored by Soroptimist International of La Mesa, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
Founded in 1921, Soroptimist International is a service organization of business and executive women who work to improve the lives of women and
girls in local communities and around the world.
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Pre-Thanksgiving Community Breakfast
Reservation Form
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Please!reserve!
Sponsored!tables!@$400/table.!
Please!reserve!
seats! @! $35.00! per! person! (open! seating)!
Please!use!my!additional!contribution!of!$!
to!help!sponsor!breakfast!for!honorees!
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Name!(Print)!! !
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Company/Organization!!
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Address!
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Phone!(!
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E;mail!!
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Make checks payable to SI La Mesa
Return by November 20, 2014 to:
SI La Mesa
P.O. Box 637
La Mesa, CA 91944
SCRIBBLES NOVEMBER 2014
Soroptimist International of La Mesa
PO Box 637
La Mesa, CA 91944
Contact: President Linda Newell
www.silamesa.org
[email protected]
Find us on Facebook
Soroptimist is an international women's organization for business and professional women who work to
improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Almost 95,000
Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community–based
and international projects that benefit women and girls.
The name Soroptimist means “best for women"and that's what the organization strives to achieve. Soroptimists
are women at their best working together to help other women to be their best.
Regular Meeting schedule after Summer Break
All club meetings are held at 7:30 a.m. Denny’s Restaurant 2691 Navajo Road, El Cajon, CA 92020 Phone: (619) 460-6420
unless otherwise indicated.
First Thursday of each Month—Business Meetings
Second Thursday of each Month—Program Meeting
Third Thursday of each Month—Committee Meeting
Fourth Thursday of each Month - 6:00 pm Evening Meeting as needed
Notes: Only one meeting is held in the months of July and August—date to be determined by club President
Scribbles Editor: Linda Newell Contact: [email protected]
Officers, Board Members and Delegates - 2014-2015
President: Linda Newell
Director - One Year: Maudie Bobbitt
President-Elect: Max Levaran
Director - Two Years: Maureen McGrath
Vice-President-Fundraising: Lisa Norombaba
Past President: Christine Hartwell
Recording Secretary: Frances Wolven
Delegate - One Year: Elena Totten
Corresponding Secretary: Nancy Smith Wong
Delegate - Two Years: Marlene DeMers
Treasurer: Teresa Stark
SCRIBBLES NOVEMBER 2014