40 YEARS OF SERVICE - A CELEBRATION OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2016 marks the 40th year of Soroptimist International Portland North service to women and children in the North Portland area.  Over the many years the club has supported many different organizations and made numerous grants, through Soroptimist International programs, as well as local outreach, to help women transition to a better life.  SIPN is proud to have been able to serve so many deserving people in our area.  

On June 4th, 2016 a celebration dinner was held at Jubitz's Cascade Room with all local clubs and past members invited to share in this special evening.  Pictures are available on the separate page titled Celebrating 40 Years of Service.

SILPADA - OUR NEXT FUND RAISER !

Save the date !
Nov 9,
1 - 3 pm

Gift ideas galore, have a fun afternoon shopping for yourself or those special people on your gift list !

Remember to RSVP !

SMILE AT AMAZON

Do you remember Mr. Roark of Fantasy Island telling Tatoo "smiles everyone - smiles!  
SIPN is now part of the Amazon Smile Program which will donate .50% to the club for purchases you make at Amazon. 

But - you must adjust your account to make it work for the club. There are three ways you can do this,

1. Go to Google and type in amazon smile program.  The top selection on the Google listing will take you to the amazon site. The top item on that page will show the smile program, click on that. The next page will show a box on the right side of the page for you to choose your charity.  The bottom part of the box is for you to enter soroptimist north portland 

2. You can also go into your settings for your account and "choose or change my charity."  This is faster if you are familiar with your account settings.

3. Use www.smile.amazon.com as your URL instead of just amazon.com  You will still need to select your charity.

Once your account is set up with your charity selected it will stay that way until you change it. 

Now have fun shopping at Amazon and helping your club too!  Smiles everyone !

2014 LIVE YOUR DREAM WINNER

The link below will take you to the 10 minute video of the 2014 SIA  LIVE YOUR DREAM (formerly Woman of Opportunity award) winner, Shirlee Draper.  On our pages you can read lots of information about how we help women and children in our own area such as the Community of Hope (below).  

Clearly, searching all of the SIA organizations for just one winner of the award is a daunting task of huge proportion, but when you view this video you will agree about the decision.  Come back to this post anytime you feel the need to be inspired or appreciated for your commitment to Soroptimism. 

Click here to hear Shirlee Draper 

PRESIDENT'S CHALLENGE

From the newsletter of Community of Hope

(R) President Sharon, (L) Linda Jo Devlaminck

"Soroptimist International Portland North president Sharon Vance chose us for her President's Challenge for the rest of the year. 

They will be looking for ways to serve us over the coming months on an ongoing basis. They began with a collection for craft supplies for the ladies to use.

Thank you Sharon and all! They are having fun with the supplies!"

 

Each month club members will be advised on the types of items or things that we can do to meet the President's Challenge.  

Look for those ideas to be posted here as we help this organization reach out and improve the lives of their in-residence families. 

NW Region Newsletter

Hot off the press, the NW Region newsletter can be read By Clicking Here !

WEB UPDATE NEWS

On the page titled COMMUNICATIONS we have copies of the Board and General Meeting minutes.  Recent discussions about the content and timing of these minutes being posted have resolved into some guidelines.  The page will only provide a synopsis of the minutes.  The copies that are mailed to the membership will be fully detailed.  Minutes will be distributed with 48 hours of the actual date of the meeting. The synopsis will be added to the COMMUNICATIONS page thereafter.

Photographs on this website will be on a consensual basis.  If you do not want your photo to appear please let your webmaster / treasurer know your preference.  If you are included in a group picture, a smiley face icon will be placed over your picture and your name will not be used. First names are used but we will not use last names. Please advise if you prefer not to have your name used at all.

If you would like to have an email notification when this site is update, please add your email in the place indicated in this picture.  Automatic notification will be sent to you.

DISTRICT MEETING ANNOUNCED

Dear Soroptimist Northwestern Region District 2 Members:
It is our pleasure to invite you to the 61st District 2 Meeting this coming October 17-19, 2014, in Bend, Oregon. 

Our meeting theme is “Flying Higher ~ Adventure Afoot.” Aspiring to create and sustain change throughout our lives and beyond ~we look ahead and above while encountering
diversions and byways that take us hither and to. As we travel these paths, we imagine and re-imagine steps to our destination ~ thus navigating our adventure. During this weekend, let us go together, hand and heart, to map out our collective journey for this new biennium.  

Prospects to do so abound this business weekend: a President/President Elect workshop will be conducted by your NWR Region Leadership followed by a Welcome Social on Friday. We will engage in lively conversation to broaden our understanding of the new federation program, Dream It, Be It. 

Or, explore our chi flow at the physical movement workshop. Regardless of how or with whom you traverse the weekend path, you are certain to share your warmth and expand your awareness. More information about such possibilities is tucked in your registration packets. 

Our meeting will be filled with fun and useful information readying you with newly filled backpacks full of memories and tools to chart your Club’s next step. We hope you leave this meeting weekend renewed, energized and excited to forge on through the thickets of change equipped with confidence and cheer to flourish in new ways.

We look forward to seeing you at The Riverhouse and don’t forget your hiking shoes ~ It’s going to be an Adventure!

See the whole packet:  Click here 

COMMUNITY OF HOPE RECEIVES GRANT

President Evie presented a check to Linda Jo Devlaminck, Program Director of the Community of Hope, located in St. Johns which is serving the urgent need of local N. Portland women to find a path forward.  SIPN's grant this year was our first for the Community of Hope, which followed a presentation to members at a business meeting on the goals and plans for the organization.  We received the following from Linda Jo this week:  

President Evie (R) & Linda Jo Devlaminck

  Dear Soroptimists friends;

Thank you so much for your recent contribution to the work of the Community of Hope (COH), a ministry of AllOne Community Services. We are so grateful for your partnership and investment this year. You are a gift to me as well as to the families we will serve!

One of our families moved out recently, and it was an opportunity for both of us to reflect on the mother’s life here and how much she has grown. It brought tears to my eyes as she wrote about all the ways her life is better because she was here. With her permission, I’d like to share a few edited quotes. 

“I have healthy relationships and more structure, I’m gotten to know myself, and I feel freer. I can weigh my options and think before I do impulsive things.” She plans to continue to work on “school, praying, utilizing God, setting goals and reaching them, planning and following through, using better judgment, finding healthy people and maintaining healthy relationships, being attentive to my daughter (talking vs. yelling), better cooking skills, and being sober and going to AA.” 

Finally, she said that the things she enjoyed the most about the Community of Hope are “building self-esteem and enjoying great people and the love that’s here, along with the programs. I appreciate the ability to work on personal growth and being safe.”

Your donation has helped make this possible. When I asked for your help, I promised that lives would be changed. It is already happening. Thank you so much for making this possible!"

2013-14 BOARD

A final SIPN Board Meeting was held at President Evie's home.  The board enjoyed a wonderful pot-luck lunch featuring as many diverse items as members could come up with.  The weather cooperated for an enjoyable meeting on the patio!
New officers for the SIPN Board will be listed on our Officers page after they take office on July 13, 2014.

TRWSA GRANT

President Evie presents George Galati, past Principal of RHS with a $1000 check, from SIPN, for the TRWSA. 
The Theodore Roosevelt Women's Scholarship program is a permanent scholarship fund designed to help outstanding female students from the Roosevelt High School campus in the St. John's neighborhnood of North Portland pursue their education after high school.
Over 99% of all money donated to this fund goes back to help outstanding women from RHS attend college. 
Every TRWSA scholar demonstrated high academic achievement, involvement in school or community activities and a strong commitment to their higher education goals. 

A former SIPN Violet Richardson award winner, and 2014 U of P graduate (l), Ahoefa Ananouko, attended the award ceremonies at a luncheon on the University of Portland Campus. (R) is  Shani Plunkett-de la Cruz the RHS 2013 Rose Festival Queen who is attending classes at the U of P.
Roosevelt High School is proudly "on the Rise," as academic programs are being enriched, resulting in an increase in the number of young women who are academically eligible for this scholarship. Community support is truly valued and needed more than ever to provide opportunities to all these striving young women.

PRACTICE MAKES PROGRESS

The title to this post came from the 96th Northwest Region Conference (April 25-27, 2014 Portland, OR).  It characterizes what we are - volunteers practicing to improve the lives of others. Practice (keeping on with what we do) does make progress, acknowledging that we may never be "perfect" in that effort.

Nancy Hales, wife of the Mayor of Portland gave the opening “Welcome to Portland.”  Letters of welcome from Kathy King, Govenor of the NW Region, Cheri Fleming, SIA President, Elizabeth Lucas, SIA Executive Director & CEO, and Jeff Merkley, US Senator, were published in the conference booklet. 

The theme of the conference was “A Treasure To Remember!”  These included the Treasure of Friendship, the Treasure of Success, the Treasure of Soroptimists, and the Treasure of Service.  Within each of these were special presentations, workshops and activities.

Several major workshops were conducted including; “Heart of a Woman,” Reading the Treasure Map,” Success Strategies for Fighting Human Trafficking,” Polishing our Gemstones,” “Choosing to Live A Happy, Balanced, Vibrant Life,” and “Communication & Teamwork.”

Poco Davis & President Evie

The Conference recognized the official SIA Visitor, Margaret “Poco” Davis, SIA President Elect 2013-14 (see picture).  Poco has been a Soroptimist for 32 years, President of her clubs 3 times, Governor of the Sierra Nevada Region and Leadership Trainer for SIA 2005-08. Grant of Friendship visitors were from Australia, Kenya and India.

Donations were given to the Pettygrove Residential Program.  This is a 9 month program serving young women age 14-18 who are in the Oregon Youth Authority custody.  Since 1975 the program has been working to help them.  It operates out of a home in SE Portland and serves more than 25 girls each year.  Soroptimist members can assist them rebuild their lives by contributing clothing, shoes, household items, gift cards to Target or Super Cuts, art supplies and beading supplies. 

Standing: Rebecca (L) Evie (R), Seated: Sharon(L) Heidi (R) 

SIPN was well represented, and the Tell & Sell table did great with the microwave plate holders and Beanie Babies!  

A very busy three days concluded with the election of new officers for the NW Region:
GOVENOR - Carol Hansen
GOVENOR ELECT - Stephanie Smith
SECRETARY - Marti Crook
TREASURER - Carla Tucker
DIST 2 DIRECTOR - Dawn Christiansen Cuellar
DIST 2 SECRETARY - Teresa Heidt Vanderschoot

Evie  

HELPING OUR AREA SENIORS

North Portland Neighborhood Clinic provides a range of services primarily for seniors living in N. Portland. 

Licensed staff offer blood pressure checking, flu vaccinations, health education, evaluation and referrals, special foot care and accupuncture – Wednesdays, 8:30am – 12:30pm.  

The clinic utilizes space provided by Northminster Presbyterian Church, and is supported by donations and a sliding scale payment arrangement for clients.

President Evie (l) presents RN Judy Hubbard with a check for $500 to help continue their services.

SIPN GIVES GRANT TO TLC / TNT

Twenty-five years ago, Faye Palmerton and Roy Pittman decided that at-risk youngsters in North and Northeast Portland could benefit from a program aimed just at them.

Tender Loving Care/Think N Try celebrates its 25th year later this summer. A part of the year-round program is a summer camp in which high school and college students mentor youngsters. 

Surrounded by TLC / TNT young adults, at a fund raiser for the 2014 summer camp, President Evie (left) presents SIPN member Faye (r) with a $500 check. 

ABOUT OUR MEETINGS . . . . .

We are fast approaching the end of our fiscal year.  With the election of a new board and new challenges for the next term, here is an excerpt from a meeting guide that could be helpful.

MEETING GUIDELINES

Whoever comes is the right person.

Whatever happens is the only thing that could.

Whenever it starts is the right time.

When it’s over, it’s over.

If you are learning or contributing, you will be inspired.

Conversation Guidelines

Open-mindedness: Listen to and respect all points of view.

Acceptance: Suspend judgment as best you can.

Curiosity: Seek to understand rather than persuade.

Sincerity: Speak what has personal heart and meaning.

Brevity: Go for honesty and depth but don’t go on and on.

VOLUTEER WEEK - APRIL 7 - 13

WOMAN OF OPPORTUNITY WINNER

SIPN members joined in congratulating our Woman of Opportunity Award Winner, Ryan at a dinner meeting at Christie's Restaurant.  The evening program also included a presentation from a former W.O.A winner Darlene Shaw who told members how her award had changed her life.

Ryan is a single mother who left an abusive partner with a then, 4 month old baby, moving from New York back to Portland. I was taking courses on line at the time, and knew I had to stick with it once I left to provide a better life for my daughter. Although living off college loans and food stamps has not been an easy task, my daughter and I are safe and happy. I am renting a room that my daughter and I share from a friend because the rent is cheap. 

Ryan (L) receives award from President Evie (R)

The process of receiving my education has made me strong, confident, and independent person which are attributes that women who are the primary financial supporters need. A better education is also teaching me how to navigate resources to find better job opportunities. With my education I plan to help and encourage throughout my life.

After completing an associates degree Ryan's next educational goal is to complete her Bachelor of Art in Community Health. She is within two terms of completing this goal. Ryan has found ways to manage life's many trials and tribulations and has continued with her studies and has been successful at school, parenting and is currently interning at The Northwest Indian Health Board. She is very determined, seasoned and disciplined to complete her educational goals

WINE TASTING SUCCESS !

  SIPN's Wine Tasting Event produced the taste of success for the club as nearly 70 people attended the event at St. Johns Cellars.  Cool weather and no rain until the last hour or so of the event helped bring folks to sample the many varieties of Oregon wines offered by SJC.   

      Margaret (at the desk) and Joe (white jacket in background) were tireless promoters, arrangers, facilitators, and organizers!  Thanks to both of them for their solid support of this fundraising event.





Member Rebecca brought the most family members to the event and also took the honor of guests travelling the furthest distance (Taiwan)!
     Pictured from left to right, Yu Yen, Rebecca, Yu-Chyong, Cheng-ho, Jennifer, and Jih-ling.  Not shown in the picture was Rebecca's sister Jih-ping and brother Ju-Junn.

SPRINGTIME - SOROPTIMISTS BLOOM!

AREA MEETING

This year the meeting is in White Salmon, Washington on Saturday April 5, 2014 from 10am - 3pm.  Raffle drawing for the benefit of Programs for Peaceful Living (domestic & sexual abuse prevention provider).  Bring a donation of women's sanitary products, disposable diapers, toothbrushes, personal care items would be greatly appreciated.  Meeting fee is $14 per person.  Raffle prizes include Gorge Goodies and Wine basket and a nights stay at the White Salmon Inn.  See Heidi for tickets and additional details.