Nomination for SI President Elect

At the Soroptimist International Board Meeting held on 10 October 2025, SI received notification from Soroptimist International of Africa Federation that they would not nominate a candidate for Soroptimist International President 2028-2029. Therefore, the rotation system previously used to elect the Soroptimist International (SI) President will no longer be used. Instead, nominations will be open for candidates from all Federations, except Soroptimist International of Europe as Renata Trottman will be the SI President 2026-2027.

The relevant SI Bye-Laws were agreed at the 10 October 2025 Board Meeting detailing the requirements, process and timeline that need to be followed for the election of the SI President 2028-2029 / SI President Elect [Term of office 1 July 2026 – 31 December 2027].

Annual Federation Fees 2026

A reminder for Clubs who have not taken advantage of the Early Payment Discount that the final due date to pay full fees to HQ is 28 February 2026.

Club Position Holders Changeover 2026

Each year after the Club AGM, the newly elected Club Officers & Position Holders need to be added into our database. It is very important that each Club completes this task by 31 March 2026.  See Tipsheet (link below) on how to add club position holders to the SISEAP database.

Registrations are now open for the 2026 Company General Meeting, AGM and Federation Meeting.  Club Representatives/Proxies, Federation Invitees and all Soroptimists (as Silent Observers) are welcome.

Friday 1st May 2026
9.00am-5.00pm
The Pacific Sutera Hotel, Sutera Harbour Resort, Kota Kinabalu

At the Soroptimist International Board Meeting held on 10 October 2025, SI received notification from Soroptimist International of Africa Federation that they would not nominate a candidate for Soroptimist International President 2028-2029. Therefore, the rotation system previously used to elect the Soroptimist International (SI) President will no longer be used. Instead, nominations will be open for candidates from all Federations, except Soroptimist International of Europe as Renata Trottman will be the SI President 2026-2027.

The relevant SI Bye-Laws were agreed at the 10 October2 025 Board Meeting detailing the requirements, process and timeline that need to be followed for the election of the SI President 2028-2029 / SI President Elect [Term of office 1 July 2026 – 31 December 2027].

Fees will be waived for the final month of December 2025 for all members joining as part of our Federation wide M2M campaign.  Last opportunity!

All Clubs have been emailed notification of the Federation Fees and the Annual Return Packs for 2025.

All Soroptimists:
A reminder that the due date for Soroptimists to pay their membership fee to their Club is 31 December 2025.

All Clubs:
To be eligible for the Early Payment Discount. Federation Fees must be received at HQ by no later than 31 January 2026. Otherwise, the final due date for Clubs to pay fees is 28 February 2026.

The SISEAP HQ Office will be closed for the holiday period from Monday 22 December 2025 through to Tuesday 6 January 2026. 

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2026

HQ Officer Gabbi Kearney commences her long service and annual leave in November, with her final working day for 2025 on Thursday 30 October. Gabbi will return Wednesday 21 January 2026 . All HQ emails and phone messages will be monitored by Jessica during this period.

We are no longer accepting any further orders for 2025. We will resume taking orders when we reopen after the holiday closure in January 2026. Thank you for your understanding.

The Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific Conference of Clubs 2026 is from 1 - 3 May 2026 at The Pacific Sutera, Sutera Harbour Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. We gather with hearts full of purpose and hope, united by the theme: “Empowering Communities, Embracing Sustainability.”

To register for the conference, all registrants will first need to set up an account. This ensures that each delegate receives a unique QR code, which will be used for payment, on-site registration, hotel room reservations, and goodie bag redemption.

To know more about the Conference and register via the link below. 

Registrations are now open for the 2026 Company General Meeting, AGM and Federation Meeting.  Club Representatives/Proxies, Federation Invitees and all Soroptimists (as Silent Observers) are welcome.

Friday 1st May 2026
9.00am-5.00pm
The Pacific Sutera Hotel, Sutera Harbour Resort, Kota Kinabalu

Soroptimist International (SI) has decided to adopt blue instead of black as the official colour for its emblem and identity.

The SI South East Asia Pacific (SISEAP) Federation, however, has already invested significant resources in implementing the black version of the emblem, including updates to digital platforms, stationery, and official materials.

In view of this, SISEAP will not undertake a full changeover to blue at this stage. The Federation will retain the black emblem for existing applications, and adopt the blue emblem where it is appropriate or when creating new materials or items.

This approach ensures consistency with SI’s direction while maintaining responsible use of Federation resources.

We are pleased to inform you that Soroptimist International has recently approved a restructure of its Board and Committees. The new structure being implemented 01 January 2026 aims to be more inclusive, offering expanded opportunities through its Committees for Federation participation at international level.

All Committee meetings are held on line, most meeting once per month. Times often rotate to ensure fair allocation of having to attend outside of normal working hours.

If you are interested in applying for an SI Committee role to represent  SISEAP, please review the skills and experience cited in the Committee descriptions and ensure that your CV (or resumé) and covering letter demonstrate your suitability.  Please send your application to Federation Secretary, federationsecretary@siseap.org and cc a copy to HQ, hq@siseap.org by 5pm AEDT, 27 November 2025.

At the Soroptimist International Board Meeting held on 10 October 2025, SI received notification from Soroptimist International of Africa Federation that they would not nominate a candidate for Soroptimist International President 2028-2029. Therefore, the rotation system previously used to elect the Soroptimist International (SI) President will no longer be used. Instead, nominations will be open for candidates from all Federations, except Soroptimist International of Europe as Renata Trottman will be the SI President 2026-2027.

The relevant SI Bye-Laws were agreed at the 10 October2 025 Board Meeting detailing the requirements, process and timeline that need to be followed for the election of the SI President 2028-2029 / SI President Elect [Term of office 1 July 2026 – 31 December 2027].

Expressions of interest are being called for the Federation position of Assistant Membership Convenor - Asia. This is a great opportunity to play an important role within our Federation Membership Team for the remainder of the 2024-2026 Biennium.

Fees will be waived for all members joining throughout October to December 2025 as part of our Federation-wide M2M campaign

All Clubs have been emailed notification of the Federation Fees and the Annual Return Packs for 2025.

All Soroptimists:
A reminder that the due date for Soroptimists to pay their membership fee to their Club is 31 December 2025.

All Clubs:
To be eligible for the Early Payment Discount. Federation Fees must be received at HQ by no later than 31 January 2026. Otherwise, the final due date for Clubs to pay fees is 28 February 2026.

The SISEAP Conference of Clubs 2026,  will be held at Kota Kinabalu Sabah Malaysia, on the 1st May to the 3rd of May 2026.

Event location is The Sutera Harbour Resort, Sutera Harbour Kota Kinabalu.

The conference will be held on the 1st May to the 2nd of May, commencing at 5pm on the 1st of May, when we welcome you all to the Friendship Night. 

The SISEAP Federation AGM, General Meeting and Federation Meeting will be held on the 1st of May commencing at 9am.  

Joanne Yeoh/Conference Chair, SISEAP President 2024-2026

Hello Soroptimists, Changemakers and Friends, It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you to the Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific Conference of Clubs 2026 from 1 - 3 May 2026 at The Pacific Sutera, Sutera Harbour Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. We gather with hearts full of purpose and hope, united by the theme: “Empowering Communities, Embracing Sustainability.”

This theme is more than a statement — it is a call to action. It reminds us that true empowerment happens when women and communities are given the tools, skills, and opportunities to shape their own future. And it challenges us to ensure that the future we help to build is one where people and the planet thrive together. Each of our clubs has been doing inspiring work — from uplifting vulnerable women and girls, to championing education, health, livelihoods, and environmental responsibility. This conference is our opportunity to learn from one another, to share innovative ideas, and to strengthen the bonds that unite us across our diverse countries. I encourage every one of you to participate — ask questions, share your experiences, and contribute your voice. Together, we can amplify the impact of our projects and create ripple effects that reach far beyond our own communities. Let us make this gathering not only a time for learning and collaboration, but also a celebration of our shared vision — a world where women and girls are empowered, and sustainability is embraced in every aspect of life. On behalf of the SISEAP 2026 Committee, I warmly welcome you all, and I look forward to the meaningful conversations and actions that will emerge from this conference. Thank you, and let’s begin our journey together.

Information about the conference, venue, pre and post tours, speakers and registration. Please visit the Conference website via the link below.

To keep SISEAP members informed on CSW70 (2026) 

The seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 9 to 20 March 2026.

Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world are invited to attend the session.

Themes
Priority theme: Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and addressing structural barriers
Review theme: Women’s full and effective participation and decision making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls (agreed conclusions of the sixty-fifth session)

Your Voice, Our Mission: Nominate to be a Soroptimist Delegate at CSW70 in New York.  

Represent Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific members.
CSW70's Priority Theme is "Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls." This is our core mission in action.

Why is In-Person Attendance Crucial?

While virtual participation offers access, being there in person at the UN Headquarters in New York provides a powerful, unmatched opportunity to truly influence global policy:
Represent SISEAP: Ensure the specific issues and voices of women and girls in your local community and region are heard on the world stage, contributing to a truly inclusive global agenda.
This is a chance to move from advocacy to action, making a tangible difference to the rights of women and girls everywhere.

Register your interest Now!, applications close on the 10th of December.

If you are planning to attend CSW 70 in New York, it is strongly recommened that you apply for your USA Visa now.  

SISEAP will not be able to accept any SISEAP member nominations for either the funded scholarship or self , funded delegates to CSW 70, unless they have a current a valid entry permit to the USA.

Applications for the CSW scholarship and self funded delegates will open shortly.

Use this link below to the official USA Governemnt ESTA application website

For information and registrations for the 2026 Conference, please click on the image below to take you to the Conference website:

Conference of Clubs 2026

Hello Soroptimists, Changemakers and Friends,
 
It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you to the Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific Conference of Clubs 2026 from 1 - 3 May 2026 at The Pacific Sutera, Sutera Harbour Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. We gather with hearts full of purpose and hope, united by the theme: “Empowering Communities, Embracing Sustainability.”

This theme is more than a statement — it is a call to action. It reminds us that true empowerment happens when women and communities are given the tools, skills, and opportunities to shape their own future. And it challenges us to ensure that the future we help to build is one where people and the planet thrive together.
 
I encourage every one of you to participate — ask questions, share your experiences, and contribute your voice. Together, we can amplify the impact of our projects and create ripple effects that reach far beyond our own communities.
 
Let us make this gathering not only a time for learning and collaboration, but also a celebration of our shared vision — a world where women and girls are empowered, and sustainability is embraced in every aspect of life.
 
On behalf of the SISEAP 2026 Committee, I warmly welcome you all, and I look forward to the meaningful conversations and actions that will emerge from this conference.
 
Thank you, and let’s begin our journey together.

To register for the conference, all registrants will first need to set up an account. This ensures that each delegate receives a unique QR code, which will be used for payment, on-site registration, hotel room reservations, and goodie bag redemption.

To know more about the Conference and register via the link below. 

2026 Company General Meeting, AGM and Federation Meeting

Registrations are now open for the 2026 Company General Meeting, AGM and Federation Meeting.  Club Representatives/Proxies, Federation Invitees and all Soroptimists (as Silent Observers) are welcome.

Friday 1st May 2026
9.00am-5.00pm
The Pacific Sutera Hotel, Sutera Harbour Resort, Kota Kinabalu

Assistant Membership Convenor - Asia 2024-2026 Biennium

Expressions of interest are being called for the Federation position of Assistant Membership Convenor - Asia. This is a great opportunity to play an important role within our Federation Membership Team for the remainder of the 2024-2026 Biennium.

SISEAP Online Shop

Great news! The SISEAP Shop is now live. You can now browse our range of items and place your order directly online. For all orders outside of Australia, please contact HQ for GST-exclusive prices and shipping quotes.

SI Yangon Disaster Relief

On Friday, March 28, 2025, at 12:50 PM local time, a powerful earthquake magnitude of 7.7 struck near the city of Mandalay in Myanmar.  This was followed by a strong 6.4 magnitude aftershock just minutes later. 

The Soroptimist International club of Yangon acted immediately. In the days following the disaster, they rapidly assessed the damage and consulted with local support services to define the most critical needs. Once a project plan was established, they reached out to SISEAP President Joanne Yeoh, who swiftly released AUD $3,000 in immediate Disaster Funds from the Federation.

SI Yangon Soroptimists identified that these funds would provide food and essential items to households in the Sagaing District, where many residents had been displaced and were living in tents.

Nominations for 2026-2028 Position Holders

Nominations are invited for the following Federation positions.

The successful candidates will take office on 1 June 2026.

Elected Positions
 Communications Convenor
 Finance Convenor
 Governance Convenor
 Membership Convenor
 Assistant Membership Convenor [3 positions]
 Programme Convenor 
 Assistant Programme Convenor [2 positions]
 Programme Zone Co-ordinator [4 positions]
 
Appointed Positions
Archivist
 Friendship Link Co-ordinator
 ICT Liaison
 Programme Communications Co-ordinator
 Programme Database Support  
 Webinar Training Co-ordinator

Click on the relevant link that will take you to the Nomination form.

The completed nomination form, CV and photo must be sent to the Federation Secretary/Returning Officer federationsecretary@siseap.org with a copy to HQ hq@siseap.org by 5pm Sunday 28 September 2025 Australian Eastern Standard Time [AEST].

Assistant Membership Convenor - Asia 2024-2026 Biennium

Expressions of interest are being called for the Federation position of Assistant Membership Convenor - Asia. This is a great opportunity to play an important role within our Federation Membership Team for the remainder of the 2024-2026 Biennium.

Send your expression of interest to:

president.joanne@siseap.org

membership.kristeen@siseap.org 

Nominations for 2026-2028 Position Holders

Nominations are invited for the following Federation positions.

The successful candidates will take office on 1 June 2026.

Elected Positions
 Communications Convenor
 Finance Convenor
 Governance Convenor
 Membership Convenor
 Assistant Membership Convenor [3 positions]
 Programme Convenor 
 Assistant Programme Convenor [2 positions]
 Programme Zone Co-ordinator [4 positions]
 
Appointed Positions
Archivist
 Friendship Link Co-ordinator
 ICT Liaison
 Programme Communications Co-ordinator
 Programme Database Support  
 Webinar Training Co-ordinator

Click on the relevant link that will take you to the Nomination form.

The completed nomination form, CV and photo must be sent to the Federation Secretary/Returning Officer federationsecretary@siseap.org with a copy to HQ hq@siseap.org by 5pm Thursday 28 August 2025 Australian Eastern Standard Time [AEST].

Assistant Membership Convenor - Asia 2024-2026 Biennium

Expressions of interest are being called for the Federation position of Assistant Membership Convenor - Asia. This is a great opportunity to play an important role within our Federation Membership Team for the remainder of the 2024-2026 Biennium.

Send your expression of interest to:

president.joanne@siseap.org

membership.kristeen@siseap.org 

Privacy Policy

We're pleased to announce that SISEAP has officially approved a new Privacy Policy. This comprehensive policy outlines how SISEAP handles and manages your personal information, ensuring greater transparency and protection.

You'll soon be able to download the full Privacy Policy directly from our website. Additionally, over the coming weeks, you'll see updated statements regarding our privacy practices accompanying our contact and inquiry forms, new member application forms, and annual club return forms.

We believe this new policy will enhance your understanding of our data handling practices and reinforce our commitment to your privacy.

In Loving Memory

Sadly, we send our Condolences as we say good bye to Elaine Mooney, a Past SISWP President from 1990-1992. Elaine passed away on 13th July, her funeral was scheduled for the 25th July at 11.00am at St Patrick’s Church, Murray Street Cooma.

During our SI Centenary Elaine reflected on her 2- year Federation Presidency: One of her main goals during her term of office was to create an efficient Headquarters office with full time staff. A new Photocopier was purchased and volunteer members assisted with the mailings to clubs which were established on a regular monthly basis. The headquarters shop was created and grew rapidly.

The other main goal was to increase membership both within the existing clubs and by the chartering of new Clubs. Membership increased from approximately 3500 to almost 3850 with a highlight of chartering SI Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, in Dec 1991, growing the number of countries in the Federation to 8 at that time. As we were not in the computer age at that time, Elaine remembers the stacks of paper work and numerous telephone calls which arrived at her home daily.

On behalf of the Federation’s Current and Past Presidents’ we thank Elaine for her volunteer work, her dedication, her Vision and her Leadership, as a Soroptimist that in turn helps to transform the lives of numerous Women and Girls! May Elaine Rest in Peace!

In Sympathy,
Leigh Ellwood-Brown
SISWP President 2008-2010

Shop - Postage Increase

Due to Australia Post recently increasing their prices we have implemented some minor increases to the postage & handling costs on our Australian Shop Order Form.

The updated Shop Order Form will be effective for all orders received on or after 1 August 2025.  If you wish to place an order, please complete the Shop Order Form and forward to HQ along with payment.

Federation Public Speaking Competition Grand Final 

The wait is over!
After weeks of incredible speeches, we’ve reached the Grand Final of the SISEAP Public Speaking Competition.

Our Top 6 contestants have proven that words have the power to change the world. Now, they go head-to-head in two categories to claim the top spot

Join us via live webinar, on International Day of Education Saturday 24th of January 2026,  4pm AEDT.  Hear the top 6 contestants,  what the judges have to say.   Join in the excitement as President Joanne announces the winner for each category.