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 2008 a total of $3,500 was distributed between the three winners and their organizations.

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 2008 $3,500 was shared by the three 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 2007 winner.

Awards Dinner

The above awards are presented at our annual Awards Dinner which is held in March of each year. At the 2008 Awards Dinner, in addition to the above awards, the Ruth Ditto Award of $1,00 was presented to Heather Lewis, a single parent, to help her complete her training as a counsellor.

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 $135,000 has been raised for local organizations. Planning is already underway for the 8th Annual Treasure Chest of Hope & Opportunity. The funds raised this year will help support the North Shore Safe House for Youth.

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 receiving funds from the Club in 2007/2008 were:

Ambleside Youth Centre	North Shore Adults at Risk
Avalon Recovery Society	NS Connexions Society
Big Brothers - NS Christmas Family	NS Crisis Services Society - Sage House
Capilano Community Centre Seniors Hub	NS Neighbourhood House Seniors Services
CCCS Youth Services	NS Neighbourhood House Youth Services
Eagle Harbour Yacht Club Youth Program	Learning Together Program
Family Services of the North Shore	NS Volunteers for Seniors
Christmas Bureau	North Shore Women's Centre
Harvest Project	The Open Door (program for young women on welfare)
Lookout Emergency Aid Society's	Sutherland School - Learning Together
North Shore Shelter	Parenting Teens
Margaret Fulton Adult Day Cenre	West Vancouver Youth Band
Moving Forward Program	Norgate Community School

Service Project

For the past three years the Club has held full-day conferences for parents of adolescent girls. This year's conference, Tuning into Our Teens, was attended by 90 parents and was very well received.

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 2008

Nov 018th Annual Treasure Chest of Hope & Opportunity
Dec 06Christmas Tree Fundraiser for Big Brothers and Big Sisters