SI of Greater Victoria

Charter Year: 1932

Soroptimist International of Greater Victoria was chartered on March 21st, 1932, sponsored by SI Vancouver. Now, 75 years later, SI Greater Victoria continues as an active club of business and professional women.

We welcome interested women to join us as we work together ‘…improving the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.’

How many members -- 24 regular members plus 3 life members

Business Meeting Information

Women's Opportunity Award & Violet Richardson Award

In June of each year we hold our special awards banquet. In keeping with the Soroptimist International focus we present a Women's Opportunity Award (WOA). The value of this annual award varies depending on funds available, usually $1000. Most recent award winners have been women who have left abusive relationships and are pursuing academic or career studies so they will be better able to support their children. Also at the awards banquet we present the Soroptimist Violet Richardson Award. This award is offered every year to a local student who actively volunteers in her school and local community while maintaining her academic standing. The amount of the award ranges between $500 and $1000. When there were two equally excellent candidates SI Greater Victoria has given out two of these awards.

Annual Fundraising Events

Our Bridge Social is always a sell-out with proceeds for the past 2 years going to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.

For the past few years we have held a Women's Day Event. We are presently considering new fundraising ideas. Net proceeds are used to support a different local charity each year.

Additional Events

Our other main source of income is through affiliation with PlayTime Bingo, which enables us to provide ‘New Beginnings’ Hampers for women, who along with their children find themselves temporarily staying at a local transition home. When they are ready to leave the women receive a laundry basket full of household supplies and personal care items to help them as they set up their new home. SIGV members shop and deliver all of the items for the Hampers to the transition home and their staff assembles a custom Hamper for each woman. The women are very appreciative of the Hampers and the thought behind them. At Christmas we provide gift bags filled with some special gift items for the women and children spending the holidays there.

Also at Christmas we "adopt" 2 or 3 families from the Single Parent Resource Centre list and shop for gifts from their "wish list" as well as providing a food hamper for each family so they may enjoy a full holiday dinner.

We are developing strategic alliances within the community and plan to offer an educational program for Teens.

Awards Banquet

As well as presenting our Awards, our annual Awards Banquet is the venue for presentation of financial donations to local community charities. A representative for each organization receiving a donation is invited to attend which gives them an opportunity to tell a little about their programs. Most donations are $1000 and the number of donations is dependent on the amount of funds we have raised during that year. Members of SI Greater Victoria celebrate their achievements as the Award recipients publicly receive this gift of support at the Awards Banquet.

Some Organizations receiving support from SIGV in the past 2 years include:

Single Parent Resource Centre
Single Parent is a resource centre that reaches out to more than 3,000 clients each month.

Women's Sexual Assault Centre
Services include a 24-hour crisis line, crisis support & individual counselling.

Victoria Read Society
A non-profit society providing tuition assistance for children who face the daily challenges of learning.

Burnside Gorge Community Association
Operates the Burnside Youth Centre who are implementing a Girls Group - working with girls between the ages of 14 to 16.

Mustard Seed Fair Start Program
The Fair Start Program provides new school supplies each school year for students whose families rely on the Mustard Seed food bank.

PEERS (Prostitutes Empowerment Education Resource Society)
PEERS is an organization operated by and for women experienced in the sex trade. They offer street outreach, assistance for women wanting to leave sex work and support for people who choose to remain in the sex trade.

Sandy Merriman House
This is an emergency shelter and drop-in program which provides a safe, supportive environment for women at risk, many of whom deal with drug and alcohol issues.