SI of Calgary

Charter Year: 1934

SI of Calgary members have a rich Western history stretching back over 70 years. Their town is known for its White Hat Hospitality and the members of SI of Calgary are true Calgarians! The club is one of the largest clubs in Western Canada Region. Our members are strong, active business and professional women, dedicated to impacting the lives of women and girls locally, and internationally. Our founding members are famous for their pioneering efforts in both their professional and Soroptimist careers. Today our membership spans three generations and many diverse interests.

How many members -- 38 members

Business Meeting Information

Meetings are concise and e-mail is used to keep members up to date and to expedite decision-making.

Program Meeting Information

Our Dinner Meetings are the perfect venue to celebrate special events and welcome guest speakers.

Programs

Women's Opportunity Award

Helping women improve their economic status by preparing them to enter or re-enter the workplace, this program provides women with cash grants - to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education and additional skills training. The Women's Opportunity Awards can be used for books, child care, transportation or any other expense that will help a woman reach her educational goal.

Annually, at our local club level, a recipient is selected to receive:

• one award of $3,000; and whenever possible, an additional two awards of $1,500 may be awarded to two more recipients.

Who are Women's Opportunity Award recipients?

• Determined to complete her Nursing Degree and then apply to medical school, a single mother of three receives financial assistance and is able to stay focused on her studies. Her goal is to make a difference in the lives of people - one person at a time.
• The sacrifices have been a never-ending story. As a single mother of two nears completion in a four-year Business Operations bachelor degree program, she can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Her education has given her confidence to become an entrepreneur and she is preparing to establish her own business - providing a means to assist women.
• Motivated to improve her education to realize her dream of a better quality of life for herself and her two children, a single mother is able to complete her Office Administration program.

Violet Richardson Award

Soroptimist International of Calgary participates in the Soroptimist Violet Richardson Award program, which was created in 2000 as a way to recognize girls for their volunteer service to their communities. The program honours young women between the ages of 14 and 17 whose volunteer efforts include helping other disadvantaged girls; fighting drugs, crime and violence; cleaning up the environment; and working to end discrimination and poverty. Volunteer actions that benefit women and girls are particularly valued.

The program is named after Violet Richardson Ward, the first president of the first Soroptimist club in 1921. Violet was committed to creating opportunities for girls and young women through her affiliations with Soroptimist, the Girl Scout Council and the American Association of University Women. Her passion for community service, particularly as it affected women and girls, has been an inspiration to Soroptimists throughout the years.

Annually, at our local club level, one recipient is selected to receive:

• one award of $750, with $250 awarded directly to the recipient and $500 going to their volunteer organization.

Making a Difference for Women Award

Are you a woman who helps women?

Do you use your personal or professional influence to improve the lives of other women or girls?

If so, you (or another woman you know) may be a candidate for the 2008 Soroptimist International of Calgary's Making a Difference for Women Award.

Soroptimist International of Calgary is currently seeking nominations for the Soroptimist Making a Difference for Women Award. This program honours women who, through their professional or personal efforts, are making extraordinary differences in the lives of women or girls. Honourees are women who have worked to improve the lives of other women or girls. Their work has had a significant impact, and also inspires and encourages other women.

Women may nominate themselves or another woman they feel is deserving of this honour. Complete the Making a Difference for Women Award Nomination Form and return to Soroptimist International of Calgary before December 15, 2008.

For additional information please contact Shirley at 403.932.2611 or 403.932.3381

Commemorating International Women's Day, this award will be presented at the annual Live Your Dreams Celebration (in March 10) in Calgary, AB. Contact Dianne at 403.277.0282 for tickets.

Past Recipients

Live Your Dreams Celebration

Making a Difference for Women Award, Women's Opportunity Awards, and the Violet Richardson Award will be presented at the Live Your Dreams Celebration during International Women's Week in March.

The dual purpose of our 'Celebration' will be to raise funds for our projects as well as to present our signature awards. In doing so, we will be celebrating our mandate of "Helping Women to Live their Dream".

In commemoration of International Women's Day and Women's History Month, come and join us on Monday, March 10, 2008 to celebrate the power of women to achieve their dreams! Print the Live Your Dreams Celebration Invitation and Ticket Request and reserve your seat today.

Other Fundraising Projects

We are well known in Calgary for providing both financial and service support to many different projects. Our members often expand their involvement with groups that we have supported by becoming board members.

Through our affiliation with Alberta Gaming we are able to support a number of local charities with funds raised from Casinos held every 18 months. Other funds are raised through the selling of Entertainment Books annually and various ad hoc fundraising initiatives.

Funding Recipients

Funds are allocated by the Fund Disbursement Committee on the merit of their support of the Soroptimist mandate:

• Enhance the status of women and girls to achieve their full potential.
• Work to enable women and girls to be free from all forms of violence and discrimination.
• Promote a safe environment for women and girls with opportunities for advancement and pay equity.

Most recently, the following organizations have successfully met the funding criteria:

• Aboriginal Women's Support Network $10,000
• Aventa Addiction Treatment Centre for Women $10,000
• Calgary Immigrant Women's Association $10,000
• Calgary Women's Centre $12,200
• Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter $45,000
• The Hera Society $124,000
• Highbanks Society $38,500
• Kerby Centre $19,000
• Peer Support for Abused Women $25,000
• SIOC Women's Federation Awards $76,000
• Women's Build Habitat for Humanity $15,000
• YWCA Stepping Out Program $24,000

Ongoing Projects

For over 20 years, Calgary members have gathered for fun-filled afternoons to assemble Personal Care Bags for the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter. Every woman and child who has gone through the shelter has received one of these packages of necessities.

George Boyack Nursing Home residents appreciate having the library brought to them by Calgary Soroptimists every month.

Soroptimist Saturday of Service (SOS) -The Calgary club participates in this world wide Soroptimist initiative to select a hands-on service project that focuses on women and girls and can be carried out on a Saturday. Some examples of successful projects include painting, repairs, move-in assistance, organizing, sorting and reassembling in domestic violence shelters.

Soroptimist International of Calgary strongly advocates against Human Trafficking through an Anti-Trafficking Campaign and as a sponsor of The Alberta Symposium on Human Trafficking (Red Deer, October 2007). In conjunction with International Day for the Abolition of Slavery Day, the Calgary club has placed informational Human Trafficking Brochures at the Calgary International Airport. We have been fortunate to liaise with Constable Elsen Sutherland, RCMP (Northwest Region Immigration and Passport Section) and were most pleased that he sent a commendation to Ottawa on our behalf. The Calgary club has communicated its position to Mayor Sam Sullivan of Vancouver that we are not in support of allowing brothels during the 2010 Olympics. As we strive to raise public awareness, we continue to formulate a plan to ensure informational posters and brochures are readily available in public facilities such as public transportation centres, medical offices and shelters.

Life Members

Life Membership is bestowed upon members for long and meritorious service.

Date Member Joined

Margaret Baxter1952Bette Wilson1964
Emily Gilmour1959Marguerite Duguid1964
Marguerite Watson1963Louise Johnson1975

Special Members - Past and Present

Calgary members are proud of our continuous support of the Soroptimist organization. We are honoured to have had so many members elected to prestigious positions in the Western Canada Region and the Soroptimist International of the Americas Federation. These leadership roles have been instrumental in the development of our club.

2002-2008Patti DolanGovernor WCR
Governor Elect WCR
Board Member WCR
1994-1996Louise JohnsonSIA Board of Directors
1990-1992Elaine LiebeltGovernor WCR
 Beverly FoyTreasurer WCR
1988-1990Louise JohnsonGovernor WCR
1980-1982Marguerite DuguidGovernor WCR
1972-1974Marguerite WatsonGovernor WCR
1966-1979Isobel GilhespyGovernor WCR
1956-1960Frances WagnerGovernor WCR
1951Marjorie BlackTreasurer WCR

History of Calgary

Calgary is a city of over one million people in the province of Alberta, Canada. It is situated in the south of the province, in a region of foothills and high plains, approximately 80 km east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies. As of 2007, the population was 1,019,942.

Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and the third largest city (proper), by population, in Canada.

Calgary is well-known as a destination for winter sports and eco-tourism with a number of renowned mountain resorts near the city and metropolitan area. Calgary's economy is largely centred on the petroleum industry, with agriculture, tourism, and the high-tech industries contributing to the city's rapid economic growth.

Calgary now has the second highest concentration of head offices in Canada. Calgary also holds many major annual events including, the Calgary Stampede, the Folk Music Festival, the Lilac Festival, and the second largest Caribbean Festival in the country.