Soroptimist International of Indian Rock North Atlantic Region District III PO Box 1061 Newtown, PA 18940 www.soroptimistindianrock.org Club Number 102335 Chartered May 24, 1972
December 2016
The Soroptimissle A Message From the President Eileen Conner FSC – Food, Shelter, and Clothing, is not the Soroptimist mantra. To Soroptimists, it stands for Forever, Selling Chances, and our 27th Annual Fashion Show and Dinner held on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 was positive reinforcement of this as Soroptimist of Indian Rock, Inc. experienced another successful fundraising event. Special thanks to this year’s co-chairs, Jan Walters, Sally Zemanek, and Kathy Burger for another great night. See the Fundraising update inside the newsletter for the specifics of the categories -- how much we made and in each area. Thank you for all of your comments and feedback. We take all of these things seriously and will look into all options for next year. Additional generosity was evident by the amount of items brought by members and their guests to support our Share a Dream project. The storage facility is brimming with many of the items needed to fulfill these requests for our laundry baskets/kitchen items. In addition, there were many pairs of gently-worn shoes donated, and we thank all for these as well. As we sat and had breakfast at Jake’s Eatery in Richboro, we spied a poster on the wall advertising a local music group, stay tuned for the details.
Our Christmas tree at the Pearl S. Buck House is in the large library area on the first floor this year. My wish is for all to be able to go and see this tribute to our club and the projects we support within the community. Special thanks to Sandy Cumbo, her team of elves, and our members who donated items for this year’s tree. See the Tree picture and invitation to come on either Monday afternoon, December 5 or Thursday evening, December 8 or any time between now and December 31, 2016. Bring your wrapped and tagged Holiday Help for Families gifts to our December 7, 2016 meeting where Linda Storione will be there to accept the items and give the gifts to the captains to be distributed within the agencies in our community that referred families to us for help.
CALENDAR December 7
Monthly Membership Meeting, Spring Mill C. C-Holiday Party
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Soroptimist International Human Rights Day
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Annual Finance Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm - Tescor Corporation, Warminster, PA
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Soroptimist Club Awards Applicant Deadline No Board Meeting
January 4
Monthly Membership Meeting, Spring Mill C. C-Holiday Party
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Board Meeting – 6:30 pm – Southampton Estates, PA
February 1
Monthly Membership Meeting - 6:30 pm - Spring Mill Country Club - Internal Fundraiser
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Board Meeting – 6:30 pm – Tescor Corporation, Warminster, PA
BOARD MEMBERS Officers Eileen Conner, President Linda Kinslow, President-elect Kathy Waddington, Treasurer Marilyn Puchalski, Recording Secretary (MBM) Maureen Gorman, Recording Secretary (MMM) Charlene Curtis, Corresponding Secretary
Directors Mary Kononenko, 1 Year, Remaining Term Barbara Oliver, 1 Year, Remaining Term Sandy Cumbo, 2 Year Linda Storione, 2 Year
Delegates Patti Cullen, 1 Year, Remaining Term Maureen Riley, 2 Year
Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization working to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
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This holiday season remind yourself that it is not what you wrap in a box that counts most. The intention you bring and the simplest gift of time, laughter, love, and friendship are worth far more than anything you could put a bow on. The best gift you can give your loves ones is YOU. President Eileen
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Did You Know? In the '40s service efforts were turned toward immediate war work, as shocked America reeled under the devastating bombing of Pearl Harbor. Red Cross, Service Chest, High Sea Gifts, USO, and YMCA work was undertaken with redoubled efforts. Soroptimists uncomplaining took up unaccustomed jobs to keep the ships, tanks, planes and supplies rolling, while in their hearts were silent hopes and a fervent prayer for the return of their loved ones. Ambulances and station wagons bearing the Soroptimist name were transporting military men from bases to hospitals. Soroptimists manned USO Community Canteens and Lookout Stations. Honolulu Club headed the evacuation immediately after the Pearl Harbor disaster. Hospital equipment of all kinds was donated. There were "Packages for England", "Bundles for Holland", Chinese Relief, (AFA fund for Mule Back Nurses of China) hundreds of wheelchairs donated to returning veterans, and projects too many to name.
“Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country.” ~ Margaret Thatcher Membership Library – Member Library A new page has been added to our website that provides direct access to the documents in the member library. For instance selection of “Member Directory” will take you directly to the current directory .pdf file. You still need to sign-in but after that you will be able to go back and forth from the web page using the back arrow in you browser. Link to website Member Library:
https://www.soroptimistindianrock.org/Membership At Sign-in the email and the password I previously sent to you. Make sure you check the "Keep me signed in" box so you don't have to enter the next time you access the library. E-mail:
[email protected] Password: from the email you received. If you have questions, problems or need help, send me an email at
[email protected] Thank you for your input, Linda
PROGRAM Carol Zemnick
4 Share A Dream
DONATION LIST BASKET ITEMS DONATION LIST MOST NEEDED Bleach, Brooms, Buckets, Dust Pans, Flashlights, Garbage Bags, Light Bulbs, Sandwich Bags OTHER ITEMS NEEDED All Purpose Cleaner, Aluminum Foil, Broom, Bucket Scissors, Can Opener, Dish Soap, Dustpan, Flash Light, Floor Mop, Food Storage Bags (Gallon), Food Storage Bags (Quart), Hand Soap (Bars), Kitchen Garbage Bags, Laundry Basket, Laundry Detergent, Light Bulbs, Napkins, Paper Towels, Plastic Wrap, Plunger, Scouring Pads, Scrub Brush, Sponges, Tissues, Toilet Bowl Brush, Toilet Cleaner, Toilet Tissue, Trash Bags Window Cleaner HOUSEHOLD ITEMS (Gently Used) Layer Cake Pans, Cookie Sheets, Frying Pans, Large Bowls/Mixing, Casserole Dishes, Colanders, Large Sharp Knives, Wall Clock, Canisters, Cookie Sheet, Cooling Rack, Flatware, Glasses (No Stemware), Mixing Bowls, Pitcher, Teakettle, Vegetable Peeler, Serving Utensils, Wooden Spoons, Meat Fork, Ladle, Slotted Spoon, Crocks for Utensils Thank you. Sandy, Sally, Kathy, Meg, Eileen, Mary Ann and Mindy
“A woman is like a tea bag – you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
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HELPING HAND EMERGENCY FUND Mary Catherine Snyder Remember to help us get the word out to friends, family, churches, synagogues, and others that Soroptimist of Indian Rock can help a woman with that unanticipated expense. The HHEF application can be downloaded from the Membership Library: HHEF Application 2016-2017 Thank you for your help, Mary Catherine, Jan, Janet, Gerry, Greta, Karen, Marsha, Pat and Marilyn.
“If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.” ~ Katharine Hepburn FUNDRAISING Jan Walters, Patti Cullen
2016-2017 Fundraising Schedule
Macy's Shop For a Cause Fundraiser, August 26-28. Boscov’s Friends Helping Friends Shopping Fundraiser, October 18. Annual Fall Dinner and Fashion Show: Event will be held on Wednesday, November 9, 2016. Journey Production Company will perform this year’s show but investigation for a new production company for next year’s event will continue. February Internal Fundraiser: Date is February 1, 2017 Monthly Membership Meeting. “It’s a Dance Party!” Applebee’s Pancake Breakfast: Date is Saturday March 11, 2017. The location is Applebee’s restaurant in Newtown, PA. Designer Bag Bingo: The 3rd Annual Designer Bag Bingo date is Friday April 7, 2017 at Spring Mill Manor. Community Recycling Shoebox Program: Program is ongoing. Co-chairs: Volunteers are needed to chair all events.
27th Fall Dinner and Fashion Show Wednesday, November 9, 2016
“Hooray for Hollywood” THANK YOU ONE AND ALL! We did it again, another hugely successful Fashion Show. This is our number 1 fundraiser that is supported nearly 100% by club members. Be Proud! You sold tickets, became sponsors, donated theme baskets, attended as a guest, sold raffle tickets and were busy worker bees at the event. On behalf of our membership I’d like to offer special thanks to Fundraising CoChair Jan Walters, Fashion Show Co-Chairs Kathy Burger and Sally Zemanek, and to President Eileen Conner, President-Elect Linda Kinslow, Treasurer Kathy Waddington and Joyce Warne for their tremendous support of this event before, during and after. You rock! Breakdown of Proceeds: Profit from ticket sales: Sponsorships: Lucky Bucks: Themed Basket Raffle:
$5265 $1000 $953 $3357
DRUM ROLL: $10,575 Thank you!
Patti Cullen
SI/Indian Rock Fundraising Co-Chair
SAVE THE DATE! Wednesday, February 1, 2017 Internal Fundraiser: “It’s a Dance Party!”
6 Live Your Dream LiveYourDream.org is an online volunteer network, sponsored by Soroptimist. It is a selfmotivated community of people who wish to support women and girls in their quest to lead better lives, while gaining inspiration in their own lives. LiveYourDream.org inspires people from all walks of life to live their dreams, while helping less fortunate women and girls to live theirs. This is accomplished through hands-on opportunities, awareness and advocacy efforts, and financial support, or any combination of these strategies. You deter- mine your level of engagement. LiveYourDream.org offers
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PEACE BEGINS AT HOME GRANT - CARE KITS Patti Cullen UPDATE ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIM “CARE KITS”
Things are moving along smoothly on Indian Rock’s Human Trafficking Victim Care Kits. We held a sorting activity on November 14th to sort and count the items we received to date from members and community donors. A HUGE thank you to President Eileen Conner, Maureen Gorman and Mindy Pinkus for sharing their time to sort and count over 2500 items (i.e., shampoos, conditioners, socks, soaps, tissue packs, etc.)
NEXT STEPS: There are still a lot of items needed to fulfill the kits. See the updated list of items below. The December 7th Membership Dinner Meeting needs items. (Please note the items collected/donated must be “new/unused.”) UPDATED LIST OF ITEMS NEEDED: Small or Travel size DEORDANT Small cosmetic bags Combo hairbrush/comb ChapStick
Pocket tissue packs Individual Makeup Remover Wipes Packs Chewing Gum
The cloth bags our currently being sewn by local sewing groups. Our goal is to meet in Mid-December to put together as many bags as possible to begin giving them to victims during January’s Human Trafficking Awareness Month. (No date has been scheduled yet – stay tuned for update.) Thank you, again, for your overwhelming support of this project! Patti Cullen Grant Project Coordinator
“A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.” ~ Diane Mariechild
CLUB AWARDS Kathy Meyer
8 Time for Nominations for Our Club Awards and Violet Richardson Award As we rapidly approach year end, our thoughts turn to giving but also to recognition for a job well done. SIIR’s Club Awards give you, our members, the opportunity to nominate local women and organizations who have had a significant impact on women and girls throughout our community and the world.
The Woman of Distinction Award honors a woman who has made outstanding achievements in their professional, business or volunteer activities relating to at least one of our Soroptimist programs of service. Women Helping Women honors one who uses her talents to help other women achieve their potential to open broader avenues of opportunity to women. Our Advancing the Status of Women recognizes an organization that works to advance the status of women. Honorees are businesses, community organizations and volunteer groups. You may recall last year’s honorees, our Woman of Distinction; Cheryl Schrier, Women Helping Women; our own Connie Karasow and the Richard Family Foundation; Advancing the Status of Women. You are encouraged to think about who you know who has made a difference in the lives of women and submit these nominations for awards to be presented at our March 2017 meeting. These awards are recognition only, no monetary award is given. Deadline for nominations is December 15, 2016. The process is easy. Applications are available on our website www.soroptimistindianrock.org/Making-A-Difference-For-Women-Recognition-Awards Applications can be submitted online www.soroptimistindianrock.org/Submit-Making-A-Difference-Recognition-Award-Application Our Violet Richardson Award recognizes a young woman, 14-17 years old who makes the community and world a better place through her volunteer efforts. This SIIR club award honors a young woman who has demonstrated initiative in both identifying and trying to solve a program through her noteworthy efforts as a volunteer. This award offers recognition and a small monetary gift. Danielle Gormley was last year’s awardee. Who do you know who could be added to our outstanding list of Violet Richardson honorees? Submit your applications. Applications and submission www.soroptimistindianrock.org/Violet-Richardson-Award
Application deadline is also December 15th.
Live Your Dream Award Kathy Meyer Soroptimist of Indian Rock is now accepting Live Your Dream Award applications for 2016-2017. Applications and reference forms are available from our website at: www.soroptimistindianrock.org/Live-Your-Dream-Awards-Apply
Applications are now being taken through December 15th.
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PUBLIC AWARENESS Eileen Conner 38th Annual Holiday Festival of Trees Where: Pearl S. Buck International 520 Dublin Road Perkasie, PA 18944 USA When: November 8–December 31 Monday–Saturday 11 am, 12 noon, 1, 2, & 3 pm Sunday 12 noon, 1, 2, & 3 pm (except Nov 24 and Dec 25)
On Monday, December 5, 2016 please come and have lunch at Luberto's Brick Oven Pizza & Trattoria, 169 N. Main Street, Dublin, PA at 1:15 p.m. before going to the Pearl S. Buck House for a décor only tour at 3:30 p.m. Kindly let me know if you will be coming so I can alert the restaurant. I have made reservations for the tour, guessing the number that might be coming. The middle picture below showcases our beautiful tree at the Pearl S. Buck House in Perkasie, PA.
Our beautiful tree at the Pearl S. Buck House in Perkasie, PA.
Some of Bucks County’s best artists, decorators and community groups have come together once again to design lush, imaginative and meaningful holiday decor throughout the National Historic Landmark Home of Pearl S. Buck, open to the public for guided tours daily. Within this spectacularly beautiful stone farm house, room after room is overflowing with the very best in interior designs for the holidays, artfully decorated trees, and lovely vignettes crafted to celebrate the magic of this time of year. www.PearlSBuck.org/Festival.
ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING December 13th, 2016
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Our Annual Finance Committee meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Tescor Co. Conference Room, 341 Ivyland Road, Warminster PA 18974. All members are welcome to attend. Finance Chair, Peggy Boudin, looks forward to your input as she leads the way to prepare our SIIR 2017-18 budget.
“I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.” ~ Maya Angelou
MEMBERS CORNER Coming next month a new project………
11 Dinner Menu Wednesday December 7th, 2016 Spinach Salad with Romaine and Spinach Leaves with Cranberries and Granny Smith Apples and Honey Mustard Dressing Pork Loin stuffed with apple and raisin stuffing with Cherry Port Wine Sauce Mashed Potatoes Chef's Choice of Vegetable Medley Egg Nog Ice Cream Sundaes for Dessert
Dinner Meeting Dinner meeting cost is $25.00. A check is preferred. RSVP to the Eventbrite email invitation, and if bringing a guest(s) add the number attending. Make sure you RSVP to your Eventbrite invitation. We want to make sure we have enough seats and don’t want to be charged for no-shows. Remember to check your email for information on board meetings, club updates, special news and the monthly newsletter. Email Charlene if there is a change in your contact information. Email Charlene to:
[email protected]. Board Meeting The next Board meeting is Tuesday, January 17th at 6:30 p.m. at Southampton Estates, 238 Street Road, Southampton, PA. All members are welcome to attend.
Bring your wrapped and tagged Holiday Help for Families gifts to our December 7, 2016 meeting. Bring donation for “Loose Change Buckets” Bring donations for Share A Dream from “shopping List” Bring Men’s or Women’s and Children’s gently worn shoes for Shoebox Recycling (no flip flops, slippers or winter boots please) (Place in or near Box) Purchase Monthly Dinner Meeting Raffle tickets
12 Soroptimist international of Indian Rock P. O. Box 1061 Newtown, PA 18940 Find us on the web: www.soroptimistindianrock.org Region www.soroptimistnar.org Americas: www.soroptimist.org International: www.soroptimistinternational.org
