SHOP FOR A CAUSE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8

OMG!
Pampered Chef, Miche Bag, Jewels by Park Lane, AJs Edible Arts, Discovery Toys, Mary Kay, Creative Memories (scrapbook extraordinaire).

These vendors will all be in one place at one time. I know, it's an outrageous concept. And, yes it's all happening from 5:30-7:30 PM on Monday, November 8, 2010 at the Tri Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau/TRIDEC building located at 7130 W. Grandridge Blvd, Kennewick.

Besides the great shopping opportunity, the vendors will provide fabulous door prizes and... Yes, AND some of the vendor proceeds will be donated to the Soroptimist International cause. Get it? Shop for a Cause!!

Juli M. will prepare yummy chili and Rebecca W. is bringing cornbread. Desserts will also be served and there's simply no reason to stay away and many to come out for one of the most unique shopping experiences of the season!!

5:30 PM on Monday, November 8, 2010
Tri Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau Bldg.
7130 W. Grandridge Blvd.
Kennewick
Info: 509.539.7144

District 3 Meeting is just a Memory

Be sure to log on to Facebook and check out the photo gallery of our meeting in Stevenson, where the District 3 Meeting was held at the fabulous Skamania Lodge. URL below.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=26805&id=100001107739002

Thanks to Michelle B. of SI of SW Washington for capturing all the photos, fun and fabulous moments!

SI of Pasco/Kennewick takes Rock Star Award

Oh yeah, baby! Stevenson, Washington will never be the same after witnessing the likes of the Northwestern Region's District 3 (D3) Meeting. Commencing on Saturday, October 22 with the President's Parade of Bras and wrapping up on Sunday, October 23 with the Director's Report, the D3 Meeting was bursting with laughter and high energy throughout Skamania Lodge.

On Saturday night, eight SIPK members dressed as everyone's favorite 1960s rock and roll band, "Scooter and the Red Hot Mamas" and took the Rock Star Award for Biggest Hair.

Check out NWR Facebook page for pix and pings.

Cheyenne VT Miss Washington Teen USA

That's right... SIPK member, Evan is the mother of Miss Washington Teen USA!

Cheyenne VT, 16, competed against 28 other teens statewide to earn the title.

Cheyenne, a Southridge High School junior and running start student at CBC, will represent Washington at the 2011 Miss Teen USA pageant next summer. She was the 2008 Miss Tri-Cities Outstanding Teen.

Read more: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/10/11/1205349/pageant-kennewick-teen-crowned.html#ixzz12D3OUI9y

Congratulations, Cheyenne! I guess the fun is just beginning, Evan! WOW! Very exciting!! Congrats!!

Highway Cleanup is in Sight

On Saturday, October 2, 2010, members of Soroptimist Intl of Pasco-Kennewick (SIPK) will cleanup a one mile stretch of Hwy 395, north of Pasco. One of the six areas around which Soroptimist provide service is Environment. As a way to pitch in and keep our local environment looking good, SIPK dons conspicuity vests and work gloves, then picks up trash along the highway. The stooping and bending help us keep our girlish figures! Start time 8:30 AM at the Country Mercantile, Highway 395 and Crest Loch Rd., Pasco.

Kennewick Historic Home Tour Served by Soroptimist Volunteers

On Saturday, September 25, members of Soroptimist Intl of Pasco-Kennewick partnered with other local volunteers to act as docents for the East Benton County Historical Society's 4th Historic Home Tour, "Kennewick Through the Decades." The tour presented some of the finest homes of Kennewick's first five decades. Nearly 500 history buffs and nosey neighbors toured the homes.

Current displays at the museum include:
Jay Perry Gem Point Collection
Arrowheads and Native American stone tools

Petrified Wood Floor
The EBCHS Museum entryway features a petrified wood floor from Gordon Maxey's home in Maxey's Trailer Court.

Hanford / White Bluffs
Photos and information on the area from the late 1800s to 1940s.

Military
The display covers from WWI to the present and revolves around local veterans and memorabilia.

Soroptimists Walk to Raise Funds and Awareness to Child Trafficking

Stop Child Trafficking (SCT)Now!

On the weekend of October 2-3, 2010, thousands of individuals in communities across the United States and Canada will participate in SCTNow Walks to raise funds and bring awareness to the issue of child trafficking.

You are invited to play a vital role in saving the life of a child by joining a walk team on Saturday, October 2nd @ 1:00pm. Help in the effort to raise awareness and funds to support SCTNow's bold new approach that addresses the demand side of child sex trafficking.

Ruby Awardee, Barbara Puigh to speak at SIPK Program Meeting

Barbara Puigh, president and acting executive director of Elijah Family Homes, a nonprofit that serves families that don't qualify for state assistance, said it has provided subsidized rent for eight to 10 families at a time, but that's a small fraction of the numbers looking for help and a place to stay. And it also has a waiting list, with about six families on it.

You can hear Puigh speak when you attend SIPKs noontime Program Meeting on Tuesday, September 28, 2010. All business and program meetings are held at the Clover Island Inn, Kennewick, Washington.

Benton City Daze Breakfast Buffet Success

Led in the kitchen by Amber we really left a lasting impression in Benton City (BC) when we served approximately 200 at the BC Community Center during their 27th annual BC Daze celebration.
The crew started at 5 am and never stopped moving until noon. It takes alot of motion to prepare and refill a breakfast buffet and SIPK members did it with our usual energetic, get-the-job-done style.
We helped fill a void in the BC Daze schedule and socked some bucks into the treasury to improve the lives of women and girls.
Beautiful. Simply beautiful. Thanks to all!!

SIPK to Serve Benton City Daze Community Breakfast

On Saturday, September 11, 2010 be sure to git on down to the Benton City Community Center located at 806 Dale Ave., Benton City, Washington. Soroptimist Intl of Pasco-Kennewick is gearing up to serve a down-home and down-right favorite community breakfast for Benton City Daze 2010. Pancakes, biscuits and gravy, sausage links and scrambled eggs will be available from 7 to 11 am. Come early and then make your way over to 9th Avenue and watch the Benton City Daze parade at 10. If early doesn't work, stop over for breakfast after the parade and then enjoy the rest of the old-fashioned fun and games all day long and into the night when Crashworx will perform from 7 to 11 pm at the Dale Ave. Street Dance!! In between all the food and foot stomping will be a flag raising to commemorate Patriot Day, the highly acclaimed Little Miss Benton City contest, Arts & Crafts and a Variety Show at City Park, a Skate Expo at the Skate Park, Bingo and loads of fabulous Old-fashioned Carnival games at the Park N Ride north of the vet clinic on 9th Ave. at Dale.

As is tradition, there will be much fun and frolicking at the Jr. Rodeo grounds, too!

Wee-oh! Don't miss the fun and festivities for the whole family.

District 3 Meeting‏ Call to Conference

The Call has been published. Go to soroptimistnwr.org to download the material. Looks like a rocking good time has been created! Hope to see you and yours there!

Grown Here, Consumed... Everywhere!

Today at the Soroptimist Intl of Pasco-Kennewick Program meeting, Rebecca Weber, Intl Trade Specialist for the WA State Dept. of Agriculture spoke to the impact of agriculture on Washington's economy and employment. Ag production and processing comprises 12% of our economy! Cool, huh? Do you know which four crops are Washington State's highest producers? Hint: apples, milk, wheat and potatoes. And WA is #1 in the U.S. for our production of mint, raspberries and hops! If you'd been at the meeting, you'd already know this stuff!!
"Hops" to see you at 5th Tuesday on August 31!!

CARS RETURNED WITHOUT INCIDENT

11 Soroptimists and Soroptimisters moved 400 cars for Bill McCurley on Sunday. As part of the Rock and Roll Extravaganza sales event for the McCurley dealership, most of their inventory must be moved from their regular car sales lot to another conspicuous place at the outset of the event. After 5 days and at the end of the event, the cars must be returned to the dealership and that's where we come in: To drive the cars to and from the sales location. Thank you to all who helped on Wednesday and Sunday! Our efforts will be rewarded by McCurley who will make payment to Soroptimist service projects.

Soroptimists Test Drive Cars for a Cause

11 Soroptimists and Soroptimisters from SIPK helped McCurley Chevrolet move nearly 500 cars to position them for a weekend car sales extravaganza. Kathryn and Jennifer are crazy happy about the new Camaro! Our deeds will rake in some bucks to support SIPK projects to bring happiness and a better life for women and girls.

Test Drive New Cars!

As a fundraiser, SIPK is privileged to partner with Bill McCurley dealerships. Today and Sunday, volunteers will "test drive" new and used cars and trucks all the while serving to reposition the vehicles for McCurley's upcoming Sales Event at the Kennewick Ranch & Home parking lot on Columbia Center Blvd. Proceeds from the "McCurley Drive" will benefit projects and programs of Soroptimist International of Pasco-Kennewick. Thank you, Bill McCurley. Thank you, volunteers. You make a difference in the lives of women and girls!!

OMG

It should come as no surprise... yet, it drops my jaw to learn that in honor of Gov Sue's decades of service and dedication, Wells Fargo contributed $10k to NWCAT. Thank you, Sue for bringing so much to so many for so long!

Training with AB on Thursday, August 5

One of the many benefits of Soroptimist membership is the opportunities for leadership training. While there are workshops at every conference and convention, not all of us are able to attend those special events.
Right here at home, AB will provide up-to-date club board and committee chair training. This special event includes a position specific manual for you to keep and the opportunity to "Ask the Experts" questions about the organization. Info: 539.7144

NEW SI CLUB CHARTERED IN NORTHWESTERN REGION D2!

Congratulations to SI of Lake Oswego/West Linn, our region's and District 2's newest charter! SILO/WL President Linda and board have already posted a Facebook page with oodles of photos and comments and NWR has posted a video that includes a special round of singing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" (A 1960s The Tokens hit.) led by Gov. Sue and her capable board (including Secretary Carol) during the chartering ceremony. Thanks go to SI Portland for sponsoring this group that looks to be off to a "roaring" start to advancing the Soroptimist mission.

CLUB YEAR HEATING UP!

This week has been electrifying! At the Program Mtg. on Tuesday, "our" DECA Convention student gave a lively testimony of her experience in Louisville, KY to a powerful group of 23 members and guests (thank you, Suzanne for bringing your granddaughters). On Wednesday, Brenda led an over the top Service Committee mtg. and Thursday, Annie stirred us and we discussed the mix for Membership this club year! A delectable treat (and pleasant surprise), the one and only Zinful served lunch! (Zinful Panini Grill and Wine Bar in downtown Kennewick, 114 W Kennewick Ave)
Our work is cut out for us and the opportunity to serve others is ample.
Remember: All members are urged to attend SIPK Board mtgs. First Tuesday, at 12 noon at the Abadan Bldg., 79 Aaron Drive, Richland. -jb

Tuesday, July 27 PROGRAM Meeting @ Clover Island Inn

Recently, SIPK awarded a scholarship to a Kennewick High DECA, an international association of students and teachers of marketing, management and entrepreneurship in business, finance, hospitality, and marketing sales and service (DECA.org). During Tuesday's program meeting we will hear from and see a slideshow presentation by one of the students who attended the recent DECA Convention. Come listen and learn!
If you haven't joined us before and wish to sit in, guests are welcome and urged to check out our organization (soroptimist.org).
Also, come to hear the exciting new ideas members disclosed at RETREAT, sign up for committees and service projects and get ready to impact our world through Soroptimist. As long as there is need there is opportunity to serve others. Join us on Tuesday, July 27 and get off the sidelines and into the game!
Did you know? Pregnancy is the biggest killer for women 15-18 years of age worldwide!

START! STOP. CONTINUE...

The 2010-2011 SIPK Retreat was very well attended and OMG, do we know how to raise the roof with ideas and concepts!
The icebreaker activity, "Start! Stop. Continue..." fueled the evening's discussion with ample topics in what SIPK can/should/could consider as a new club project or practice (START!). We also wrapped around those activities and efforts that could be eliminated from our proverbial plate (STOP.). Pleasing to the assembly, we showed eagerness and enthusiasm to Continue... most of the services, projects and programs for which SIPK has a longstanding reputation, perhaps with a new fangled twist.
Did we choose to curtail or wipe out any worthy SIPK projects or practices (STOP.)? I cannot think of a thing. Truth is, the final-final determination lies with the committees, and without doubt there will be new service projects come on line to rejuvenate the members and others eliminated to relieve us of some daunting or tired efforts!!
The 2010 SIPK Retreat was simply chock full of fabulous ideas from outstanding women, epitomizing sharing, caring and hope in the spirit of making a difference for others!
Thank you for SIPK members for showing up and showing off your splendid and noble thoughts and ideas for the future.
Homework Assignment: Complete the SWOT Analysis and fill in the blanks the Retreat Packet! Mail, email or fax your forms to my attention and I will make it worth SIPK REWARDS points.
Oh yeah!

RETREAT

Each club year we start off with a planning session, the SIPK Retreat. Bring your questions, comments and ideas to help make a difference within the club and within our community and across the SI spectrum.
SIPK Retreat, 5:30 - 7:30 pm at the Abadan Bldg., Richland
Info: Call Jo, 539.7144

Foster Care Service Project a Success!

This year, the Service Committee chose to support foster care girls that were graduating from the foster care program. SIPK members were asked to collect and donate general household items since this is a large cost for someone that is trying to establish their first home.  SIPK member really got behind this project, collecting seven laundry baskets, 4 of them were already full of goodies. Additional donations included 96 rolls of toilet paper, a case of Comet bathroom cleaner, several boxes of Kleenex and many rolls of paper towels. A total of $210.00 was contributed by SIPK members so that in the end, each basket contained: sponges, disinfectant wipes, laundry detergent, softener, bleach, dryer sheets, paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex, all-purpose cleaners, all-purpose cleaning wipes, scrubbing bubbles, tub & shower cleaner, toilet cleaner, cleaning gloves, dish soap, pan scrubbers, refillable dish scrubbers, dish cloth & dish towels, bath soap, nice skin lotion, anti-bacterial hand gel, pretty bath sponges, band-aids, and a special item such as a stationary set or a pretty air freshner.  In all, we were able to deliver 12 baskets to the Catholic Family and Child Services Independent Living director.

These baskets will be distributed to young women between 18 and 22 years old who are establishing their own households. Each basket contained a card with a little note from SIPK and our email and address.  Thanks to every club member that helped to support this meaningful service project!  We are truly making a difference!

Grant of Friendship visitor arrives this Friday!

Every two years SIPK hosts a Grant of Friendship Visitor from another country.  The International Goodwill and Understanding committee has the responsibility of planning and coordinating this visit.  This Friday SIPK will welcome our Grant of Friendship visitor from Hanover, Germany.   We have many fun (and educational!) events planned for her this weekend.  Check out the club calendar below and see if you'd like to join us for any of them!  This is a great chance to learn about Soroptimist clubs and customs in other countries, and what projects and causes are important to them, while she learns about us!  Plus it is just plain fun!

Fans' Night Out is TONIGHT!

Fans' Night Out is tonight, April 5th, at the TRAC.  Doors open at 4:00 pm, dinner starts at 5:30 pm, and the game starts at 6:21 pm.  The final teams are Duke vs. Butler, which should make for a fascinating game!  See you tonight!

No Meeting on Tuesday, March 30th

Just a reminder that there isn't a meeting on this Tuesday, March 30th.  Hopefully this will give everyone more time to get ready for Fans' Night Out, which is next week!

Fans' Night Out--April 5th, TRAC, doors open at 4:00 pm, dinner starts at 5:30 pm.  Tickets are only $40 and are available from any SIPK member or by calling 509-378-5273.

Miss Tri-Cities to speak at Program Meeting March 23rd

Miss Tri-Cities Jerrica Fowler will be our guest speaker at the program meeting on March 23, 2010 at Noon at the Clover Island Inn.  She will talk about the Miss America program and about her platform, "Youth Empowerment: Building the Confidence to Achieve Dreams".  This topic is extremely timely with our FNO event and support of Girls on the Run.  Hope to see you there!

FNO Order Form!

CBC Community Lecture Series Thursday, March 18th

March is National Women's History Month. One way SIPK celebrates this month is by co-sponsoring the CBC Community Lecture Series in March with the Franklin County Historical Society. The lecture this Thursday, March 18th, at the CBC HUB Main Stage, is by Joan Wolfberg and is called Eleanor Roosevelt: No Ordinary Woman.

Hope to see you there!

Awards Ceremony March 4th

Please plan to attend our Awards Ceremony and reception on Thursday, March 4th at 7:00pm at the First Christian Church at 19th and Olympia in Kennewick. SIPK has joined with SI Three Rivers and SI Mid-Columbia to hold this event that celebrates and honors our outstanding award winners. This ceremony also celebrates SIA's "Live Your Dream" theme that was introduced last year.

This year SIPK had over 23 applicants for the $9,400 available in awards and scholarships for local women. Eight women were notified that they had won, and will be at the ceremony to accept their certificate. We hope to have a good crowd there to help celebrate their achievements. Refreshments will be provided. See you there!

Kennewick Woman of the Year

KENNEWICK WOMAN & MAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS BANQUET
MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2010
6:15 Social - 6:45 Dinner – Three Rivers Convention Center
Sponsored by: Soroptimist International of Pasco-Kennewick and Kennewick Past Men of the Year Club
Cost $35.00 per person
Choice of Charbroiled Beef Tri-tip or Filet of Salmon

The first Kennewick Man of the Year award was in 1946. In 1948, they awarded the first Kennewick Woman of the year and the event became a joint banquet, although the ceremonies were held separately. In the last 61 years since the Woman of the Year was added, seven past or current Soroptimist members have received the award!

The Man of the Year Award is sponsored by the Past Kennewick Men of the Year Club which consists of all past recipients. In 1966 or 1967 they were formed to manage a pot of money that was given to them for projects that would benefit Kennewick.

SIPK and SI-Mid-Columbia were asked to assume the sponsorship of the Woman’s Award in 1993 after the Business and Professional Women’s Club folded.

In 2008 the event was totally reorganized and reformatted into a more cohesive, combined event (instead of the women doing their thing and the men doing their thing).

A steering committee was formed consisting of three Soroptimist members and three Past Men of the Year. This committee meets on as as-needed basis to organize and manage the event. Two years ago the event was moved to the Three Rivers Convention Center.

As an event sponsor, SIPK’s responsibility is to organize, support and promote the event and to solicit nominations for the Kennewick Woman of the Year. We also purchase a corsage or bouquet of flowers and a plaque for the recipient.

SIPK club members should have received their invitation to the KWOY in the mail this week. We hope that club members will support this great event and their club by attending the reception and dinner that evening. See you there!

From SIA Headquarters

Soroptimist International of the Americas joins the world community in expressing shock and concern about the situation in Haiti. The devastation caused by the earthquake—in an already extremely poor country—is horrific. Tens of thousands of people are dead, and more than 1/3 of Haiti’s citizens are now homeless.

Because Haiti is part of Soroptimist’s European federation, Soroptimist International of the Americas has made a donation of $10,000 to Soroptimist International of Europe to support immediate disaster relief efforts for women and girls.

SIA knows from experience that women and girls will be disproportionately vulnerable to the effects because of existing gender inequalities that are magnified during and following any disaster. To that end, Soroptimist International of the Americas maintains a Disaster Recovery Fund to provide for projects ensuring that women and girls have the support and resources necessary to rebuild their lives and their communities. Concerned Soroptimists and other individuals are urged to contribute to the Disaster Recovery Fund to replenish the initial donation and to fund future projects to help women and girls in Haiti recover from this disaster. Read more about Soroptimist Disaster Recovery Grants. Donations can be sent to Soroptimist International of the Americas headquarters, earmarked “disaster recovery.” Members may contribute securely by clicking here. Look for the “disaster recovery” donation line, and indicate "Haiti Disaster Recovery" in the notes section.

Non-members can contribute by clicking here and selecting “general programs” from the drop-down menu. Specify "Haiti Disaster Recovery" in the comments section.

For updates on what is happening from the Soroptimist perspective, visit Soroptimist International of Europe’s website. Updates are being posted regularly. For more information about women and disaster, please read Soroptimist International of the Americas’ white paper: “Reaching Out to Women When Disaster Strikes.”

Yours in Soroptimist Service,
SIA Board of Directors

Improving the lives of women and girls,in local communities and throughout the world.

NWCAT Speakers & Survivors on TV Tonight!

Jane Velez-Mitchell of HLN was a guest speaker at the NWCAT meeting on 1/9/10. Her show, "Issues" was on HLN and addressed the issue: "War on Women:Human Trafficking What We Can Do About It!" SIA President Cathy Standiford was one of her guests. Below is the show, in case you missed it.