SI of North and West Vancouver

Charter Year: 1950       Website: http://www.soroptimistnvwv.org/

SI of North & West Vancouver is an active group of members who participate in local and international projects in order to make a positive difference in the lives of others. The club is involved in many projects, supporting Lookout Emergency Aid Society's North Shore Shelter, volunteering in the annual CIBC Run for the Cure in aid of breast cancer research and providing Christmas hampers for local families in need.

How many members -- 29 members

Business Meeting Information

Violet Richardson Award

This financial award is presented to young women between the ages of 14 and 17 who volunteer in their school or local community. In 2007 a total of $3,500 was distributed between the three winners.

Women's Opportunity Award

The Women's Opportunity Award is given to head of household women who are seeking to improve their economic welfare through education and in 2007 $2,700 was shared by the two recipients.

Making a Difference for Women Award

This award recognizes women who through their professional or personal activities strive to improve the lives of other women and girls. An amount of $1,000 was awarded by the Club to the 2006 joint winners.

Awards Dinner

The above awards are presented at our annual Awards Dinner which is held in March of each year. At the 2007 Awards Dinner, in addition to the above awards, the S.I.N.W.V. Special Recognition Award of $500 was presented to Madeleine Schaefer of Seycove School Peer Counseling Workshop. Jean Violette, a member of S.I. North & West Vancouver and SFC Director and National Grants Manager introduced Christine Kobelka, one of the 2006 recipients of the Soroptimist Foundation of Canada Grants for Women Award. Each recipient receives an educational grant of $7,500. Christine spoke to the assembled guests about her reasons for pursuing a master's degree in genetic counseling and what the award meant to her.

Fund Raiser

Our annual fund raiser is the Treasure Chest of Hope & Opportunity. This event is a dinner dance with both live and silent auctions and the sale of keys to the treasure chest. Since 2001 over $100,000 has been raised for local organizations. Planning is already underway for the 7th Annual Treasure Chest of Hope & Opportunity and the funds raised will once again help support the Lookout Emergency Aid Society's North Shore Shelter.

Locally

Through our affiliation with the BC Lottery Corporation and Planet Bingo we are able to support a number of local charities. The funds are distributed twice a year in December and March and representatives of the various organizations are invited to attend our Recognition Tea which is held annually in April.

The organizations supported by the Club are:

Ambleside Youth Centre	North Shore Crisis Society
Avalon Recovery Society	NS Disability Resources
Banqueting Table	NS Neighbourhood House Seniors Services
Big Brothers - NS Christmas Family	NS Neighbourhood House Youth Services
BC Schizophrenia Society	NS Volunteers for Seniors
BC Special Olympics	The Open Door (program for young women on welfare)
Capilano Community Services Senior Hub	Salvation Army Youth & Family Services
CCS Youth Services	Sutherland School - Learning Together
Family Services NS Xmas Bureau	Parenting Teens
Harvest Project	Women in Focus/Moving Forward Program
Lookout Emergency Aid Society's
North Shore Shelter

Service Project

In 2006 we held a very successful full-day conference for mothers of adolescent girls entitled Mom Do You Know? A second conference is planned for 2007 aimed at both parents and entitled Mom & Dad Do You Know?

International Project

The Club is working with SI Kakamega in Kenya to help with projects supporting the women and children of Kenya.

Forthcoming Events for 2007

May 26Mom 'n' Dad - do you know (What's going on in your teen's world)
Nov 037th Annual Treasure Chest of Hope & Opportunity