Soroptimist Scene The newsletter of Soroptimist International of Tampa January 2018

President’s Message

Happy New Year!

Here we are entering another new year. As many of you celebrate, I hope the feelings of excitement, joy, and wonder you have now will carry you throughout the year. I pray that your hopes, dreams and goals for 2018 will be blessed beyond your wildest imagination.

Exodus 34:24 May God enlarge your territory.

During this time many of us like to reflect and make resolutions for the New Year. As you review your last year, try not to dwell too much on the things you didn’t do or the places you didn’t go. Rather focus more of your attention on the goals you did accomplish, the friendships you nurtured and the heartwarming times you spent with family.

Each new day brings an opportunity to start fresh. So try staying in bed for about ten minutes before getting up and then give yourself an hour each morning before checking your cell phone or computer. Each New Year brings an opportunity for continued growth. So continue to set goals, big ones and small ones, spend more time doing things you enjoy and read as often as you can.

Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. I will participate in a 5K Walk on January 20th that promotes Human Trafficking Awareness.  Anyone interested in joining me, please see the information below

https://www.raceplace.com/events/18717/2018-light-up-the-night-5k-run-tampa-bay

President Rosetta

January Meeting Date Change to January 18, 2018

Our general membership meeting is Thursday, January 18 at 5:30 PM at the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, 1002 East Palm Ave., Tampa. This is a date change to the third Thursday in January. Wendy will provide a light snack.

Christmas Cheer

What a fun time we had at our annual Christmas party on December 16. We gathered at the home of Teri Matlach for good food and great company and to wrap gifts for our Christmas family.

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Ten bonus points if you know who’s wearing these shoes!

It was lovely to see everyone! Thanks so much, Teri, for hosting us at your beautiful home.

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Then we loaded up two cars with presents and gift cards and delivered them to our Christmas family. There were no presents under the tree when we arrived, but there sure were plenty when we left. Your generosity was appreciated by this family so much! Our thanks to all!

SI Presidents Appeal

Our 2017-2019 Soroptimist International President’s Appeal Project “Women, Water and Leadership” unites Soroptimists across the globe, increasing awareness of the vital role of women as equal partners at all levels of the water sector.

At our Christmas party SI Tampa members donated $235 for this year’s President’s Appeal. Congratulations to all! If you missed the party, you can still send in your check payable to SI Tampa to our club treasurer to support this worthy cause that will help aspiring women on five continents.

Update on Fundraising

Treasurer Debbie reports that the Touchstone Jewelry sales raised $287.12, and the fundraiser with the Red Robin Restaurant raised $180.31. Our current Tupperware fundraiser will continue until February 1st. You can view the 2018 Tupperware Fund Raiser Booklet at www.tupperware.com/crystal. You may order online or give Sandy your order at the January 18th meeting. Call Sandy at 813-220-2959 with questions.

UN Women notes progress on Gender Equality in 2017

A string of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean make historic strides to end child marriage in 2017. In June, Trinidad and Tobago amended a number of marriage acts to outlaw underage marriage, Honduras modified its national family code to revoke a legal exception to the marriage of minors through parental consent; in August, Guatemala removed a legal exception that allowed judges to authorize unions if considered in the “best interest” of the child; and El Salvador closed a loophole that allowed young girls to get married under certain circumstances, such as pregnancy. Malawi removed a provision that permits children ages 15 to 18 to marry with parental consent, and India ruled sex with an underage wife is rape. India also ordered the practice of “instant divorce” unconstitutional.

In succession, Tunisia, Jordon and Lebanon ended controversial laws that allowed rapists to escape punishment if they marry their victims. Tunisia’s move to eliminate impunity for perpetrators is part of its first national law passed in July to comprehensively tackle violence again women.

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Women in Saudi Arabia can now get behind the wheel—at last. Formerly the only country in the world to bar women from driving, Saudi Arabia issued a decree in September allowing women to acquire driver’s licenses, a move set to go into effect in June 2018.

For further details, visit www.unwomen.org.

UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide.

Sharon Fisher announced as the new SI President Elect

Soroptimist International President Mariet Verhoef-Cohen announced Sharon Fisher as the new SI President Elect. Sharon will begin her duties on the SI Board beginning January 1, 2018 and will continue in this position for two years. She will assume the office of SI President on January 1, 2020 and serve in that position until December 31, 2021.

Sharon writes: “Greetings to my fellow Soroptimists and friends; It is my honor to serve Soroptimist International as we complete 100 years of global service.  I have had many teachers during my Soroptimist journey, and for the next two years I look forward to supporting

and learning from SI President Mariet, “the water woman.”

The value of any social movement is having everyone moving in the same direction toward common goals. The stories we can tell about our collective impact across the globe will find us in the company of many who are inspired to learn and support our mission.  We can be the messenger that brings the complex global issues into focus and aligns them with the program work of our Federations and clubs.

The place I call home is British Columbia, Canada, outside Vancouver, where I am an active member of SI of the Langleys in Western Canada Region. My Soroptimist service has included club, region and Federation leadership.  I have served on the Soroptimist International board and most recently held the position of Assistant Director of Advocacy where I chaired the President’s Appeal, Educate to Lead: Nepal. We are still reporting on projects underway in Nepal that have been achieved through the generous donations of clubs around the world. I can promise the impact these projects are having on the women and girls in Nepal is life changing.”

Congratulations, Sharon! We thank you for your leadership.

Ruth Mulholland January 9Trish Wild January 10

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Soroptimist International of Tampa Officers for 2017-2018President Rosetta PeacockVice President Lorraine LundyTreasurer Deborah PrudenRecording Secretary Teri MatlachCorresponding Secretary

Vicki Salin-DeckerDirector Michelle StrawserDirector Fran DeLuccia

Upcoming Dates:

January 18, 2018 @ 5:30 pm,General meeting at the Children’s Board, Note date change

January 25 @ 5:30 pm,Board Meeting at Panera Bread, 11860 Bruce B Downs Blvd., TampaAll are welcome

January 27, 2018, 8:30 am to 11:00 amVolunteer at the Trinity Café, 2801 N. Nebraska Ave, TampaSoroptimists meet at 8:15 am

February 3, 2018Yard Sale at the Manhattan Baptist Church, 4300 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa 33611

February 8, 2018 @ 5:30 pmGeneral meeting at the Children’s Board

March 23-25, 2018, Southern Region Conference, Tuscaloosa, AL

April 14, 2018: Dream It, Be It Seminar at the Children’s Board

July 30- August 2, 2018SIA 45th Biennial ConventionYokohama, Japan

Contact us at sitampa@soroptimist.org or write to

SI Tampa, PO Box 271774 Tampa, FL 33688.

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