Soroptimist International South West Pacific

A global voice for women, Soroptimists voices were indeed strong and loud over the last week in July, as 1,700 Soroptimists from across the globe convened in Dublin. A taxi driver remarked to one of our Federation Soroptimists “So many women in town, what is going on?”. We were indeed visual and vocal. The SISEAP Federation was well represented at the convention, with over 100 members attending, the group photo tells it all.

Joining us for the group photo was Soroptimist International IPP Sharon Fisher and President Maureen. The Australian Soroptimists were easily recognisable, thanks to the efforts of the New South Wales Region, who organized an indigenous inspired shirt, this was a great hit, and I know many other Soroptimists from across the globe were asking for one as a souvenir.

I was very proud to address the convention on behalf of our SISEAP members, showcasing our impact for 2021, 2022 and 2023. You can view the recording on the SISEAP Youtube site HERE. The convention was packed with quality speakers and Soroptimists news announcements, such as a remodelled emblem to lead our International movement into the next 100 years, the Soroptimist International Foundation which will permanently replace the SI Presidents Appeal, more information about the foundation and the emblem will be sent to members as it becomes available. Incoming SI President Siew Yong Gnanalingam presented her welcome address via video, as a Federation we stand united to assist Siew Yong when she takes up her international position in January. Siew Yong’s theme, “Save Mother Earth, Save the Future”, is very dear to SISEAP, as we all know the devastating effects of climate disaster. Her video will be available in coming days on the SISEAP Youtube site.

I will ask that all SISEAP members who attended convention deliver to their clubs, regions and or countries a detailed report of the positive outcomes, workshops, the posters showcasing projects across the 5 Federations and the warmth and friendships experienced by all, including the logistic nightmare of moving 1,700 women from floor 6 to ground level for morning tea and back again in 30 minutes. The 5 Federations delivered workshops, SISEAP’s workshop “Climate Change – Women Leading the Way” was well attended, we had to turn away many people as both sessions were oversubscribed. The programme team will be reporting on the success of the workshop and its takeouts for members to action on a personal and club level.

Our Federation presented to SI President Maureen a beautiful set of pearls as a thank you for her leadership. Maureen was overwhelmed by this gift, please see the image below shared by Maureen at the Gala Dinner.

Soroptimists came away from the SI Convention, inspired, renewed and ready for the Challenge to take Soroptimist International into a bright future.

I am very pleased to announce that SISEAP received one nomination for President Elect for 2024-2026, and wish to announce that Anthea Penny, member of SI North Canterbury will take up the position of SISEAP President Elect on the 1 June 2024.

Please congratulate Anthea on her appointment.

Please view her address to the members HERE. 

SISEAP Federation positions for the biennium 2024–2026 are open and I urge all Soroptimists to consider nominating for this vital work. Our Federation cannot go forth and be the change maker we all desire without the volunteer work of Soroptimists to take on these rewarding roles.

I am currently away touring Northern Ireland with 30 other Soroptimists from across 4 Federations. Once again being a Soroptimist affords us such amazing friendships. I leave you with this image of a very wet Connemara, this area of the Wild Atlantic coastline and the 12 Ben Mountains would have been magical had we been able to see it, but that is the joy of travelling, you never know what you are going to get.

Yours in Soroptimist friendship,

Christine Johnstone
President 2022-2024
Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific
swppresident2022@siswp.org

I hope you were all energized by the information and story telling provided at the SISEAP AGM, General meeting and the Federation meeting. The two weekends highlighted your Soroptimist impact in your communities, and at the National and International level.   The many hours (63,176) of volunteer service to implement and advocate for gender equality, education and empowerment of women and girls equated to the equivalent of $3,790,560 AUD dollars in contribution to society, never doubt that Soroptimists do make a difference. 

As Soroptimists have you ever lacked ideas for program work at your club level?  You need to read not only your National Presidents annual report but ALL National Presidents reports, there are many ideas for project work and partnership with our sister Soroptimists clubs, please do take the time, it is well worth the read.

I encourage club programme members to take a look at the videos available on the SISEAP Youtube channel, there is a selection of short videos up to 10 minutes in length which are worthy of showcasing at a club dinner meeting, let the story telling inform members of the work we do each and every day.

As Soroptimists we are also volunteers, we volunteer our time, expertise and skills to implement projects to fulfill our vision and mission.  Above I congratulated you on the combined volunteer service hours, but the 63,176 hours listed above does not take into account the hundreds of hours of volunteer service work undertaken to enable our organisation to function. As a volunteer (Soroptimist), you fill the key roles of President, Treasurer and Secretary at club, national and Federation level, as volunteers you handle the day to day tasks, project manage and raise funds.  Without you, our organisation would not exist,  Soroptimist International has survived for 100 years on a strong volunteer commitment.  Volunteering as a Soroptimist shows that you can take initiative, and are committed to working to ensure a gender equal world, and you do this through being resourceful and creative, you learn and grow and pass on these skills to others in your club, so why is it that the organisation is struggling to fill roles?  We cannot fulfil our vision if we only want to volunteer for the programme work and not the day to day work.  The programme, membership, communications and governance committee are offering you the opportunity to join their team, come on board, learn new skills, bring your ideas and increase your knowledge of the organisation.

Lastly, don’t forget to download your copy of the Annual Report, be proud of the work we do and the difference we make, it is significant and impactful.   Enjoy your Soroptimist work during June, as we look forward to continued sharing of ideas and stories.

Christine Johnstone
President 2022 - 2024
Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific
swppresident2022@siswp.org

This month marks the end of the first year of this biennium. The first year has been extremely successful, with a great team working together we have achieved so much.  To hear about our achievements, and plan for the future and have your voice represented, make sure that your club has elected your representative to the Company AGM, Company General Meeting and the Federation Meeting. There will also be provision for silent observers to listen into the proceedings. There is a lot of information and much to be proud of to share with our members, including the much anticipated and prized Best Practice Awards for Programme and Membership.

I had 5 themes which I asked all clubs to incorporate into one or more of their club programme work this biennium, a few months ago I discussed Equity, Environment is another of the themes and it is appropriate to discuss this month, World Environment Month which is on the 5th of June, and the Federation wide Living with Nature Art competition on now until October. Do you feel better when you are outside? I know that when out in the fresh air my mood changes, I feel brighter and lighter and it gives me that burst of oxygen to get through the day. I do so much of the days planning whilst out walking each morning, as I know many of us do.

I hope that each of us lives near, or is able to visit, a natural open environment where we can reconnect with nature. Make sure you take the time each day to reconnect.

Recently at CSW67, SISEAP presented the Digital Democracy for Disasters presentation. One of the slides in the presentation showcased the severity of disasters in our Federation.

Image 1: Take a look at image 1, this image depicts countries at high risk of disasters, look at the countries marked in the darker red, just about all of our Federation countries are at high risk.  This is a prime example of why Environment, Disasters and Climate change should be a topic which Soroptimist clubs tackle in your programme work.

Image 1

Image 2

Image 2: Depicts how countries can change in vulnerability with human intervention. But where is the equity in this? Australia and New Zealand, with a higher GDP, has turned green but our other Federation countries and the pacific islands (not shown in this image), are still in the medium to high risk. This is where you as a Soroptimist can use your voice and actions to bring about democracy and equity across our Federation. It is not too late to think about actions by yourself and your club over the Month of June. Topics to consider; Prevention (early warning systems, indigenous and local knowledge of care for our land), Reducing Harm (short term actions such as build barriers, fire breaks, cool burn, emergency packs and alarms, evacuation plans), Mitigating risk (evacuation plans, early warning systems, safe havens, carbon reduction, tree planting), Good Governance Systems (emergency management systems, formal intervention, advocacy).

Do you value your membership of Soroptimist International? Do you believe in the future of Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific? Do you understand that our future is reliant on women who have the attitude and believe in what we do, who step up to take on leadership roles. You have to be that person, you cannot sit back and wait for that ‘someone’ else to say, “I can do this”. Being President is an absolute honor and privilege, the growth in myself and the increased knowledge of how and why we do the work we do as Soroptimists is powerful, the support and encouragement by members, the work undertaken by the Directors and extended leadership team means that I do not do this alone, each has a set of skills and strengths, trust in each other. In this month’s Bulletin is a survey undertaken by the Membership team on Leadership roles. I urge all Soroptimists to follow the link and complete the survey. Have you heard about the Thriving Futures Program? This leadership development program is being offered by the Federation, please consider undertaking this course.

I hope to see all of you at the company AGM, General Meeting and the Federation meeting in the coming weeks, whilst we are not meeting face to face, we can celebrate being a Soroptimist.

Christine Johnstone
President 2022 - 2024
Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific
swppresident2022@siswp.org