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SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL
Soroptimist
International is a worldwide organisation
for women in management and the professions with
about 90,000 members in over 3,000 clubs in in 123
countries. It is a global voice for women working
through Awareness, Advocacy and Action.
"Soroptimist" is derived from two
Latin words, "soror" meaning sister
and "optima" meaning best It stands
for "women at their best helping others to be their
best".
History
The first Soroptimist Club was founded in
Oakland California in 1921. Soon after, other
clubs were chartered in North America. Europe's
first club, the Greater London Club, was founded in
1923. By 1928, club numbers had grown so much there
became a need to create coordinating bodies. Thus
the two Federations of America and Europe were
formed, linked together by the formation of the
Soroptimist International Association. A third
Federation, Great Britain and Ireland, was formed
in 1934. The fourth Federation, South West Pacific,
was formed in 1978 with clubs in three counties.
The current formal structure for Soroptimist
International was established in 1952.
Structure
One of the main functions of the International
President is to act as the point of contact with,
for example, other International non-governmental
organizations (NGO's) and United Nationals Agencies
such as UNESCO and UNICEF. S.I. has
representation to the United Nations, its Agencies
and specialized S.I. work. The International
President coordinates such activities. The
International President position is a two-year
term. Each biennium in sequence, Federations
nominate their President-Elect nominee to the S.I.
Board for acceptance. Secretarial duties are
managed by a salaried "Executive Officer" at our
International Headquarters in Cambridge, United
Kingdom. An International Convention is held every
four years and the International Board meets
annually. |
